QT: Against My Will-Chapter 582 - 9.04 - Stinky Bun Is Matching With Mommy -Jelly Household
"I’m so jealous," Bing Shi said, her expressiom sad, "There is so much I’ve missed."
Xiao Pu sensed the emotion in her words, "They’re not as glamorous as they look. It’s nerve-wracking not knowing what we’ll find and what dangers we might face every time we visit a new place."
Ru Quan, who had been quietly listening, joined their conversation, "We can always visit them together again. Xiao Pu is a great guide and a great protector when it comes to saving Stinky Bun."
Bing Shi chuckled in agreement, "Oh. I’ve always known that Xiao Pu is a brave young man."
Xiao Pu’s cheeks flushed a shade pinker, and he crossed his arms, looking away slightly. "Well, it’s not like I did it to get praised or anything." It was because he couldn’t watch on as Stinky Bun was being thrown into a bear cave by his own father without any prior directions!
"Mommy, mommy," Stinky Bun is a brave young man too. The little boy called out from his seat.
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After they stepped off the bus, Ru Quan opened a bag he had brought along and pulled out a set of medieval-style clothing. "You’ll see why," he said mysteriously as he started to change Stinky Bun’s tracksuit.
Ru Quan dressed his son in a miniature tunic, complete with a leather belt and soft, brown boots. A small cloak completed the ensemble, making Stinky Bun look like he had just stepped out of a history book or a fantasy novel.
Bing Shi watched the transformation with a mix of amusement and curiosity. Taking a hint, she also planned to change her outfit to match them. She was about to ask him to cover her so she could change, when it seemed he already had some plans for her.
"Close your eyes for a moment," he instructed.
When she complied, the fabric around her body seemed to come alive.
When Bing Shi opened her eyes and saw her transformation, she was astounded. "Woah, how did you do that? I mean, can you teach me how to do it, please?"
"Are you sure you’re ready to wield such power? Next thing I know, you’ll be turning everyone’s favorite shirts into rabbit costumes," Ru Quan said, a twinkle of humor in his eyes.
"I’ll take it as a no then." Bing Shi twirled around to get a full view of her outfit and then turned to hug her sons. "We are matching!" she exclaimed with excitement.
What a progress! Her husband picked up an outfit for her and she actually loved it! His selection, a harmonious blend of her preferences and his own touch, showcased years of understanding her style.
The new fabric had wrapped around Bing Shi’s body, transforming into a durable, yet stylish skirt, a fitted green tunic, and sturdy leather boots. A belt with small pouches materialized around her waist.
She promised her husband that she wouldn’t explore his space without him, and now that they were exploring it together, she could only marvel at the things she saw.
Was he trying to construct his own idyllic universe? Bing Shi shook her head in disbelief, "You’ve gone totally crazy."
He smiled, "You are crazy to think that I could still be sane."
"Well," Bing Shi grinned, looping her arm through his. "If this is insanity, then it’s the most beautiful form of madness I’ve ever seen."
She looked at the prehistoric town that stretched out before them, its quaint structures and rustic scenery made her feel like they had just crossed to another world.
Their previous attire would make them stand out like exotic birds in a flock of sparrows.
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Stinky Bun had visited various worlds and as not to make him confused, his daddy wanted to instill in him that there were different traditions and rules in different places.
Ying Xiong looked at his shoulder bag and then at his dad with a hint of reluctance in his eyes, "Daddy, daddy."
Ru Quan knelt down to his son’s level. "Just for a little while, buddy. You’ll get them back after we leave this town."
With a sigh that seemed far too big for his small frame, Stinky Bun handed over his cherished toy truck. With dramatic flair, he also took off his elastic wristwatch and handed it to his daddy.
The last time the boy tried to snuck in his toys, the villagers chased him down with their spears and pitchfork while yelling warnings.
A wave of strange looks washed over Bing Shi, making her wonder what she was doing wrong. They were all systems with their own set of norms and expectations, so she could deduct a few reasons.
"Who is she? Never seen her before," someone said.
Recognition flickered in the eyes of some townspeople who then broke into shrewd smiles.
"Ah, Lord Ru Quan! It’s good to see you again!" one elderly man greeted, bowing respectfully, "If you’re looking for a place to stay, my inn has some rooms available," he gestured towards his humble building further down the road.
Ru Quan looked at the man and then subtly gestured toward Bing Shi. "Thanks for the offer, but we’re looking for something...more upscale today."
Just as Ru Quan was about to lead Bing Shi further down the street to the inn he had in mind, they heard the sound of small feet pattering on cobblestone.
Turning around, they saw Stinky Bun had already bolted into the humble inn, "..."
"Hey! Stay right there!" XiaoPu chased after Stinky Bun, feeling like tearing his hair out! That boy had suddenly stunned him, and before he could move again, Stinky Bun already let go of his hand and bolted away.
Xiao Pu was so happy when he heard they were going to stay somewhere else.
After the grueling training their dad had subjected them to, they would spend their night in this shabby inn together. It was as if Ru Quan was saying: Oh, you thought the training was tough? Welcome to the bonus round!
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The inn was somewhat run-down, with creaky wooden floors and dim lighting. The bar area was framed by shelves lined with an array of dusty bottles. Mismatched stools and tables filled the space, and the atmosphere was tinged with the scent of aged wood and stale beer.
A few intoxicated townspeople slouched at their tables, adding a touch of local color.
Stinky Bun had clambered onto a barstool, barely able to see over the counter, "Mommy, mommy!" Four cups of milk, please!
The barmaid couldn’t help but smile at the pint-sized patron, who had his four little fingers shooting up in the air as if he were bidding at an auction.
Stinky Bun ordered his drinks repeatedly, leaving Ru Quan no choice but to pay for them, "Four cups of milk, please."
"Right away," the barmaid nodded and went to fetch the milk.
He pulled out a cloth from his pocket, offering it as a seat for Bing Shi. Compared to Shina, he treated Bing Shi as if she were a goddess he had chosen to worship.
Bing Shi settled onto the stool, wrapping her hands around the warm cup of milk that sat before her, soaking in its comforting heat, "Why did Stinky Bun run away?"
"Mommy, mommy." Stinky Bun wanted to say hello to the bar lady. He scrutinized his own drink.
He inspected it from all angles, sniffed it cautiously, and only then took a careful sip.
His little face immediately scrunched up in distaste. It was as if he’d bitten into a sweet fruit only to find it had a sour core, "Mommy, Mommy." Stinky Bun’s milk is rotten.
Curious about her son’s complaint, Bing Shi leaned in, "May I have a taste?"
Ying Xiong eagerly passed mommy his cup, so she could investigate.
Bing Shi took a sip and immediately sensed the underlying note of alcohol mingling with the milk. "Can you see if there is something wrong with mommy’s?"
Ying Xiong took a careful sip from his mommy’s cup. His eyes lit up and a contented smile spread across his face, "Mommy, mommy!" This one is good.
Bing Shi took a big gulp and let her son keep the rest, then supported her chin with her palm, |"No wonder he always suspects the food and drinks from takeouts and prefers home made food."|
Ru Quan chuckled and shook his head, |"Stinky Bun has been taking food from strangers way too often. Didn’t Xue Bi’s family get slowly poisoned from cooked meals and drinks because of their wealth? I want to avoid that."|
Dai An recalled the events from the dead souls’ fourth lifetime. That did happen. Despite the housekeepers acting all selfless and sweet, Xue Bi was wary of them. She usually ate packaged drinks and food, so the slow-acting poison didn’t really affect her much compared to the rest of her family members.
|"He is so cute, who would have a heart to hurt him?"| Bing Shi gently caressed her son’s head, |"Me and Xuan Mu were quite well off, and never got poisoned, did we? But I vividly recall a few groups of individuals that would set up an elaborate scheme to scam us."|
Stinky Bun looked up at his mommy and couldn’t help but notice a peculiar intensity in her smile, "Mommy?"
Bing Shi picked up her son from the stool and kissed his cheek. It was too early to teach him such things. Maybe if he grew a bit older, she would reconsider it again.
