Rebirth: Phoenix Riding the Ninth Heaven

Time is like a playful child, always slipping away silently when people are not paying attention. After Li Ruoyue spent that brief but incredibly warm New Year's Eve and New Year's morning with her father, just five days passed in a flash.

Over the past five days, Li Ruoyue and Luzhu hadn't had much to do, completely immersing themselves in this rare moment of leisure. Every morning, sunlight streamed through the window onto their bed, awakening them not to the hustle and bustle of work or the blaring alarm clock, but rather to the natural awakening of their bodies. After waking, they would gather around the warm fireplace, feeling the gentle warmth of the dancing flames.

Occasionally, they would pick up a medical book and carefully read the exquisite medical knowledge in it; sometimes they would close their eyes and take a nap, letting their thoughts drift away with the warm winter sun; or they would just lie quietly, thinking about nothing, doing nothing, and basking in the sun peacefully, like two lazy salted fish, leisurely enjoying this quiet and beautiful time.

Life had been remarkably peaceful and tranquil these past few days, devoid of any distractions. Hungry, they'd grab a bite to eat; thirsty, they'd sip a cup of hot tea. If they felt less inclined to work, they could simply recline in their comfortable recliners, letting time quietly flow by. For the usually bustling Li Ruoyue and Lu Zhu, such unfettered, unfettered days were a rare luxury.

The leisure time passed by in a flash. Just as the two were immersed in this peaceful life that seemed isolated from the world, an uninvited guest was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, instantly breaking the quiet and peace.

The uninvited guest was Baili Xi. Led by Luzhu, he slowly made his way towards Li Ruoyue. Li Ruoyue was lounging comfortably in an elegant rocking chair, eyes closed, basking in the warm winter sun. Despite the occasional chill of the wind, the gentle sunlight still managed to penetrate the chill and warm her body.

Baili Xi approached step by step, finally stopping in front of Li Ruoyue. His tall figure just blocked the sunlight from falling on Li Ruoyue's face, causing her face, which was originally caressed by the sunlight, to fall into a shadow. Li Ruoyue keenly noticed the change in light, and felt a little unhappy. She had no choice but to open her eyes. When her eyes met Baili Xi's face with a playful smile, she couldn't help but sigh softly, and said with a slightly complaining tone: "You're blocking my sunlight!"

Baili Xi watched Li Ruoyue from afar. She was sitting there leisurely, gently stroking a book in her hand, a faint smile on her lips, as if the whole world had nothing to do with her. He couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle. "Oh my, look at you, so relaxed and comfortable. I'm really envious!" He said, and sighed deeply.

Hearing Baili Xi's words, Li Ruoyue looked up. Seeing his resentful expression, she couldn't help but smile. She said in a clear and pleasant voice, "Master Baili, you're joking. How can I be compared with you? I'm just a little woman, only able to live a leisurely life in this mortal world. But you, men of great stature, can roam freely between heaven and earth and achieve great things."

Baili Xi couldn't help feeling elated after hearing Li Ruoyue's praise. He straightened his chest, a hint of pride appeared on his face, and then he said, "Haha, of course! I've been following the Fourth Prince around these days, running around here and there. I'm so busy that I'm almost exhausted!" As he spoke, he reached out and rubbed his sore shoulders.

Li Ruoyue turned her head slightly, her beautiful eyes moved slightly, looking at Luzhu beside her, and said softly: "Luzhu, go and move a stool for Master Baili, and then serve him a cup of fragrant tea." After hearing the master's order, Luzhu nodded obediently, then turned around and left to carry out the task.

Not long after, Luzhu returned with a delicate stool, carefully held in her hands. She gently placed the stool next to the small table between Li Ruoyue and Baili Xi, then took a cup of steaming, fragrant tea from the tray and placed it steadily on the small table.

Baili Xi, seeing this, was unfazed and walked straight to the stool, slowly sitting down. He picked up the cup of tea, blew away the steam, took a sip, and then put it down and started complaining to Li Ruoyue.

"Miss Li, you don't know! I've been having a really miserable time these past few days! Sigh..." At this point, Baili Xi couldn't help but let out a long sigh, his face full of resentment. "The new year has just begun, and on New Year's Day, the Fourth Prince couldn't wait to go to the various military camps to inspect the work. Moreover, he actually stayed in those camps for several days in a row, painstakingly examining every detail. Not only that, he even went to the government office in person to inquire about the specific situation of the guards, and even went to some larger villages, insisting on checking to see if there were any deaths. Oh, my, this series of running around has really exhausted me! Tell me, it would be fine if he wanted to go alone, but why did he have to drag me along?"

Li Ruoyue sat there quietly, like a blooming lily, radiating tranquility and grace. She listened intently to Baili Xi's endless complaints, nodding occasionally in understanding and agreement. However, throughout, she refrained from interjecting or expressing her own opinions, simply gazing silently at him with her clear, watery eyes.

Baili Xi seemed to have opened his mouth, pouring out all the pent-up dissatisfaction and grievances he had been carrying. He spoke passionately, sighed, and vented his emotions to the fullest. Li Ruoyue, on the other hand, remained patient and gentle, like a devoted listener, giving him ample space to express himself.

Finally, Baili Xi seemed to realize he'd complained enough. He looked up, his gaze fixed on Li Ruoyue's quiet face. Seeing her intently listening to his complaints, he suddenly felt a surge of shame. His face, already flushed with excitement, now turned even redder, like a ripe apple.

"I'm sorry, Miss Li..." Baili Xi scratched his head helplessly and stammered, "I don't know what's going on. I just really want to find someone to talk about what happened to me these days. But I'm unfamiliar with this place and I don't have many friends. After thinking about it, the first person who came to my mind was you... I'm so sorry to bother you." At the end, his voice became smaller and smaller, almost inaudible.

Li Ruoyue looked at the slightly disheveled man before her, and a ripple of emotion welled up in her heart. She smiled softly, a smile as warm as a spring breeze. "It's alright, Master Baili. We're friends, so there's no need to be so formal. You can tell me anytime, anywhere if you have something that's bothering you. I'm willing to be your most loyal 'tree hole,' listening to all your worries and complaints."

Baili Xi gazed at Li Ruoyuan's sincere face, his lips curling up unconsciously in a gentle and charming smile. His deep, lake-like eyes shone with curiosity and doubt, and he asked softly, "Tree hole? What does that even mean?"

Li Ruoyue winked playfully, her bright eyes like twinkling stars in the night sky. She replied with a grin, "A tree hole, as the name suggests, is a magical cave that can hold all your negative emotions and those words you want to complain about! For example, when you're feeling troubled, depressed, or dissatisfied, you can pour them all into this 'hole'. That way, your heart will no longer be occupied by these negative emotions, and your mood will naturally become relaxed and cheerful! What do you think? Isn't my explanation interesting?"

Baili Xi was stunned at first after hearing Li Ruoyue's vivid description, but then he couldn't help but burst into laughter. He chuckled and praised, "Haha, your description is so apt and brilliant! I never thought you could come up with such an ingenious metaphor." His laughter echoed in the air, like the clear and melodious sound of silver bells ringing throughout the courtyard.

Li Ruoyue, looking at Baili Xi's warm smile, a spring breeze gracing her face, couldn't help but feel a surge of joy. Her initial nervousness instantly vanished, and she became cheerful and lively. She excitedly continued, "Since you, Mr. Bai, have graced my humble abode today, how about a simple meal here? I'll let you show some hospitality."

Upon hearing Li Ruoyue's enthusiastic invitation, Baili Xi did not hesitate at all and responded generously: "Hahaha, since the lady is so kind to keep me, I would rather obey your command and trouble you." After that, he clasped his hands together and bowed deeply to Li Ruoyue, showing the demeanor of a modest gentleman.

Li Ruoyue looked at Baili Xi's amusing expression and said with a smile, "Master Baili, are you this smooth-talking to every girl? You are so funny and humorous, I'm sure you have won the favor of many girls." Baili Xi heard this and quickly waved his hands, saying, "That's not true. I'm not that kind of person. It's just that I feel so comfortable seeing you, so I dare to be so presumptuous." Li Ruoyue saw Baili Xi's eagerness to explain, and couldn't help but burst out laughing, saying, "Alright, alright, stop explaining. The more you explain, the worse it gets. I won't tease you anymore."