Ling Cage: Twelve Talismans? I have everything I need.

Chapter 25 Hanging out

The morning sun shines down through the cave entrance on the top of Longgu Village.

Yang Chen opened his eyes groggily. Beside him, Bai Yuekui was still nestled in the soft pillow, her silvery-white hair spread out, with a few strands still clinging to her smooth forehead and cheeks.

Still asleep, she lacked the aloofness and sharpness she displayed when out in public. Her brows and eyes were relaxed, and her breathing was even and long, like a defenseless child.

Yang Chen's gaze lingered on her face for a moment, a smile unconsciously appearing on his lips. He then very quietly lifted the covers and got out of bed.

Under the bedside table, a small ceramic ornament from the old world had rolled to the ground, its body already shattered.

It seems that Bai Yuekui must have accidentally knocked it over last night.

Yang Chen bent down and gently touched the clear crack with his fingertip.

On the application of horse talismans in daily life.

A gentle blue halo, like delicate threads, instantly wrapped around the fragments. Silently, the fragments floated up and began to piece themselves together automatically.

The glaze is as smooth as new, without even a trace of repair, as if it had just been produced.

He put the restored ceramic kitten back in its original place and then went into the kitchen.

Soon, subtle sounds came from the kitchen. Mushrooms were simmering in a small pot, and a frying pan was being preheated on the stove. As the thin layer of oil sizzled, an egg was gently cracked on the rim of a bowl and poured in.

Yang Chen focused intently on controlling the heat, frying the edges until they were perfectly crispy.

As the aroma of the fried eggs grew stronger and more enticing, the sound of the blankets being pulled back came from the bedroom.

Bai Yuekui walked out in soft slippers, wearing a loose white nightgown that completely concealed her graceful figure.

She raised her hand to rub her eyes, a few strands of silver hair sticking up unruly, her face still showing the sleepiness of someone just waking up.

She walked straight to the window, pulled back the curtains, and opened half of the window. The cool morning air rushed in, and she took a deep breath. Her gaze habitually swept over the terraced fields in the distance where people had already begun to work.

The faint shouts of the preparing awakened ones and the angry roars of Ulan Aodeng could be heard not far away.

After standing by the window for a while, she turned around and her gaze fell on the tall, upright figure in the kitchen.

With an almost imperceptible smile curving his lips, Bai Yuekui silently walked over, wrapped his arms around Yang Chen's waist from behind, and pressed his face against Yang Chen's broad back.

Through the thin fabric, Yang Chen could feel the warmth of the body emanating from his back.

"Good morning, Orange." Her voice was hoarse from just waking up, muffled and languid, almost like a spoiled child. "Fried eggs for breakfast?"

She tilted her head slightly, looking over his shoulder at the perfectly golden-brown crust in the pan.

Yang Chen's body stiffened slightly, then relaxed, letting her hug him.

The spatula in her hand flipped the fried egg over, revealing a perfectly caramelized edge. "Hmm, and the mushroom soup too, it'll be ready soon."

He turned his head and rubbed his cheek against the top of her soft hair: "I told you not to play games too late."

"Now it's too late to get up, the square dancing has already ended."

Bai Yuekui gently pinched his back, but didn't answer. Instead, she tightened her arms around his waist.

Breakfast was quickly prepared, and the two sat at a small table by the window, quietly enjoying their simple meal. Bai Yuekui sipped the steaming mushroom soup, his eyes crinkling with satisfaction.

"Shall we go for a walk later?" Yang Chen put down his chopsticks and asked.

The morning light is perfect, the air is fresh, it's a great time for a walk.

Bai Yuekui swallowed the soup in his mouth and nodded: "Well, I didn't exercise this morning, so I'll go see if there are any new games for sale."

After quickly cleaning up the dishes, the two went back to their room to wash up.

When they emerged again, Bai Yuekui had changed into casual clothes, looking less lazy and more crisp and capable. Yang Chen was also dressed like a human.

Pushing open the door, a fresh morning breeze carrying the scent of grass and trees greeted me, and the village seemed noticeably more lively. The shouts from the training ground in the distance were clearer, mingled with Ulan Aodeng's signature roar.

"Straighten your back! Keep your stance stable! What are you doing with your legs shaking? Are you hoeing the ground? Even Mai Duo is better than you!"

“…Sweetie, go sit over there.”

Yang Chen and Bai Yuekui exchanged a smile and tacitly chose to leave the hustle and bustle of the training ground, turning into the relatively lively commercial area of ​​the village.

These are mostly small stalls or fixed shops run by villagers themselves, selling locally produced fruits and vegetables, handicrafts, restored old-world trinkets, and some "fresh goods" sourced from outside.

"Is that child Xia Dou?"

Xia Dou's small figure was standing in front of the counter, tiptoeing, her hands gripping the edge of the tall wooden counter, her chin resting on the back of her hands, her whole body almost touching the counter.

Her signature short black hair was a little messy, as if she had just run over.

At this moment, her usually bright and energetic eyes were fixed on the red handheld game console on the counter, her gaze filled with longing.

The shop owner was clearly used to Xia Dou's appearance and looked at the expectant little girl with a smile.

"Xia Dou, this amount of crystal coins isn't enough to buy it. You should ask your husband, Xia, to give you more."

Xia Dou pouted, "But this is all I've saved up."

Yang Chen and Bai Yuekui approached and saw a bright red flip handheld console with a small black game cartridge next to it.

"You've got your eye on her?" Bai Yuekui's cool voice rang out above Xia Dou's head, carrying a hint of understanding.

Xia Dou snapped back to reality, turned around and saw Bai Yuekui and Yang Chen. Her face flushed red instantly, and she hurriedly straightened up.

"Boss... Boss! Brother Yang! Good morning!"

"Good morning," Yang Chen replied with a smile.

Bai Yuekui didn't respond, but reached out and picked up the red handheld console from the counter: "How many crystal coins?"

"Ten crystal coins, Mr. Bai," the shop owner said with a smile. "This is the only model like this in the shop."

"Give."

Bai Yuekui didn't haggle; his tone was crisp and decisive. He took ten crystal coins directly from his money pouch and handed them to the shop owner.

Xia Dou watched with longing as Bai Yuekui bought the handheld console, her eyes filled with disappointment, her little mouth slightly pouting, looking pitiful.

Bai Yuekui smiled as he watched Xia Dou deflate instantly, and handed the handheld console to Xia Dou.

"Here, consider it a gift for you."

Xia Dou's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Bai Yuekui: "Really!?"

Xia Dou was so excited she was incoherent. She grabbed Bai Yuekui's arm and jumped up and down, saying, "You're so great! Boss, you're the best boss in the world! I... when I grow up and become an Awakened One, I'll definitely do missions and earn money to pay you back!"

Bai Yuekui didn't say anything more, but gently patted Xia Dou's head: "Alright, we'll have to talk about that in a few years. Go back and play games."

Watching Xia Dou skip and hop away, her figure gradually disappearing into the distance, Yang Chen smiled and looked at Bai Yuekui.

"I thought you were going to buy it for yourself to play with."

Bai Yuekui rolled her eyes: "How could I possibly bully a child?"

"You never gave Xia Dou any leeway when you played games with her before."

"Say it again!"

Bai Yuekui gently punched Yang Chen in the waist.

(End of this chapter)