Chapter 40: Big Brother Comes to Check the Water Meter.
The star skiff was not slow. In just a few days, you had already seen that enormous vessel.
The Xianzhou Luofu…
The star skiff entered through the Jade Pavilion Gate and arrived at the Sea of Stellar Abyss.
After passing the security inspection conducted by the Sky-Faring Commission officials, it successfully entered the Xianzhou Luofu.
At this time, the Divination Commission had not yet been formally established in the Xianzhou Luofu. Fu Xuan generally resided there as an external member of the Jade Pavilion Divination Commission.
Her residence was near the Seat of Divine Foresight…
Fu Xuan's Residence:
A figure sat in the courtyard, arranging divination rods and silently deducing something.
Several magpies flew into the courtyard, circled the branches of a tree a few times, and their calls were pleasant to the ear.
This drew the young girl's attention.
"Magpies calling—an honored guest is coming. Is someone visiting today?"
"Who could it be?"
The girl pondered, but could not find an answer.
The journey from the Jade Pavilion to the Xianzhou Luofu was long, so she did not immediately think that it would be you coming to see her.
"Is it Lady Bailu? But her clanspeople took her back yesterday, so she probably won't be able to sneak out anytime soon…"
"Could it be General Jing Yuan?"
"How is that possible? Although he's overly enthusiastic, calling me 'Miss Fu' again and again, this General is always lazy—cough—busy with important affairs, so he probably won't come to visit…"
With only a few acquaintances to consider, Fu Xuan was at a loss for a while.
She then picked up the divination rods on the table and cast a hexagram.
"What a strange divination…"
The girl frowned, feeling deeply confused.
She could not understand it…
Knock, knock, knock…
A knocking sound came from outside the door. Fu Xuan quickly stood up to open it, thinking that the distinguished guest had already arrived.
When she opened the door, she saw that Jing Yuan had sent someone to deliver some daily necessities.
She could not help feeling a little disappointed…
"Please convey my thanks to General Jing Yuan for his kindness, but I do not yet hold an official position, and such extravagance makes me quite uncomfortable. Please inform the General that there is no need to send anything more in the future…"
Though disappointed, Fu Xuan still expressed her gratitude and said that there was no need to send anything else.
The staff member from the Seat of Divine Foresight agreed and left.
However, Fu Xuan remained standing dazed at the doorway, a growing sense of confusion in her heart.
A young couple passed by the door, holding hands and chatting cheerfully.
"Brother Chen, a kiss, a kiss…"
The girl pouted, and the boy nodded. He then leaned down and gently kissed the girl's rosy lips—right in front of the future Grand Diviner.
The girl let out a soft moan and was about to nestle into the boy's arms when she saw a dark, threatening expression.
She quickly cleared her throat and returned to her proper demeanor…
Bang!
Fu Xuan slammed the door shut, feeling inexplicably irritated.
"In broad daylight, what kind of behavior is that? Don't they avoid people at all…?"
She then sighed softly, and a figure appeared in her mind.
You divine and consult, and your words never err. With your chariot, come; with my offerings, be moved…
She recited quietly. Whenever she felt irritable and had nothing to do, she would recite some of the lines you had taught her.
…
I do not see the return, and tears stream down my cheeks…
The young girl stopped reciting at this point.
"Fu Xuan, Fu Xuan, how did you become like that resentful woman from Big Brother's poem…? How did it come to this…"
She calmed herself, but suddenly clenched her small fists and waved them fiercely.
"Hmph, hmph, it's all Big Brother's fault! It's been so long, and he still hasn't come to see me…"
…
"Achoo…"
You, who had almost gotten lost in the Xianzhou Luofu, sneezed and could not help but sigh.
Short-lived species were truly weak; even a few days on a star skiff could give you a cold.
Looking at Golden Jade Lane ahead of you, you finally found a place that resembled the one from the game.
You secretly prayed that you would be able to buy some things here.
You planned to cook a good meal for your little sister. You didn't know whether she missed you, but she certainly missed the special dishes you made.
Fortunately, luck was on your side, and you encountered several vendors selling various goods.
Ingredients, cooking utensils… soon you had bought everything you wanted.
Fu Xuan had once told you where she lived; whether intentionally or not, she had even drawn you a simple yet clear map…
After buying your things, you returned to the route shown on the map. With a faint smile, you walked toward her residence…
It was a small but exquisite courtyard.
Looking at the small gate in front of you, you reconfirmed the location on the map. After making sure it was correct, you set down your things and knocked on the door.
"Who is it?"
Yes, this was indeed the right place.
"Open up, water meter inspection…"
You deliberately pinched your throat, producing a voice that even you yourself could not recognize…
"Hm? Did you come to the wrong place?"
The girl was very cautious and did not open the door to strangers.
As for the staff member who delivered daily necessities earlier—that had only been a small exception.
"Miss Fu, I'm here on General Jing Yuan's orders to inspect the water meter…"
You almost burst out laughing, but still managed to control your voice.
Your words included her identity and added "on General Jing Yuan's orders." Although she did not understand what "water meter inspection" meant…
You heard footsteps, so you waited calmly at the door, silently anticipating the girl's reaction when she opened it and saw you.
In just a few breaths' time, the small courtyard gate opened.
You smiled, looking at the stunned girl in front of you.
"Elder… Big Brother…"
Her tone was full of disbelief, and the sudden, overwhelming surprise left her somewhat incoherent…
Then her eyes reddened, and she leapt into your arms.
"Bad Big Brother, you finally… finally decided to come see me…"
She didn't care that you were still carrying things; she clung tightly to your neck like a koala.
Her voice was a little choked, tinged with grievance.
"Uh, you know, Big Brother has been very busy too."
You reluctantly set down your things and gently patted the hair of the sobbing girl clinging to you.
Hmm… she's quite a bit heavier than before.
Looks like she's grown over the past two years and hasn't been malnourished…
"Hmph, hmph, I bet you were busy finding me another little sister…"
She pouted, secretly wiped her tears on your chest, then reluctantly let go and hopped down.
Sigh, Big Brother is already old…
"I don't have those thoughts anymore."
You smiled and picked up your things again.
Nonsense—Big Brother isn't old at all! Big Brother can still live for hundreds of years…
You smiled faintly. Catching a cold just from riding a star skiff and still wanting to live for hundreds of years—what a joke. But right now, that didn't matter.
It's been a long time, Little Sister. Big Brother is here to cook you a special meal…
Fu Xuan's eyes naturally lit up, and she helped you carry the things inside…
She even secretly wiped away her tears—so happy that she cried, and that was all.
"You're already so big, and you still cry…"
"Hmph, it's not that. I've been thinking about Big Brother, but for so many years you never came to see me…"
"But now I'm here."
"Wait, your favorite candied taro…?"