086, Spatial Cultivation, Destiny?

By the time everything had been tidied up, it was already past nine in the evening. Gao Shen lay on the outer side of the bed, reading a book on world cultures marked with English text. He recognized most of the content, but still needed to commit it thoroughly to memory.

Meanwhile, Jing Qingxin was bustling about inside "Flowing Light Brocade." She first used a fence to pen in several wild chickens, rabbits, and the mountain goat, preventing them from roaming freely and damaging the flowers and grass. Jing Qingxin wasn’t sure what to feed them, so she cut a bundle of wild grass outside the courtyard gate and poured some mixed grains for them. With no experience in this, she resolved to ask Xiao Mei for advice the next day.

The fence itself had been woven after dinner. Li Yougen and his son, upon hearing Jing Qingxin needed a bamboo fence, were eager to be of use, especially since they’d eaten too much and felt embarrassed. They immediately went home, grabbed the leftover bamboo strips from the yard, and started weaving. It wasn’t too difficult; working together, they finished within an hour and delivered it to Jing Qingxin.

Once the animals were settled, Jing Qingxin transplanted the fruit trees she had dug up from the mountain into the open space of the realm: an apple tree, a peach tree, and a hickory tree. The trees were healthy, and Jing Qingxin believed that, nourished by the spiritual air, they would flourish even more.

Wanting to enjoy fresh fruit at all times, Jing Qingxin thought she could plant a few more varieties. She promptly searched the storage cabinet. Fresh vegetables crossed her mind as well; depending solely on the courtyard outside would take too long. It was far wiser to cultivate them inside the space, where they would be unmatched by anything outside.

In the end, Jing Qingxin found several kinds of vegetable seeds, along with grape and strawberry seeds, all stored in a wooden cabinet and packed in small sandbags, likely collected by her mother in the past.

Jing Qingxin felt no fatigue. The thought of having fresh vegetables and fruit to eat at any moment filled her with joy. She had no experience in cultivation, so anticipation and excitement bubbled within her.

Considering the time flow in "Flowing Light Brocade," it wouldn’t be long before she could taste fresh vegetables.

After another stretch of busy work, Jing Qingxin scattered all the seeds into the soil, watered them with the spring water from the space, and organized the wild produce she’d brought from the mountain.

When all was done, she hurried to the bath, reclining to rest. The relentless activity throughout the day had left her limbs aching.

Though entering and exiting "Flowing Light Brocade" depended on her will, within the space, Jing Qingxin couldn’t operate anything with mere thought; tending to the animals and plants relied solely on physical labor, which explained her exhaustion.

Luckily, the spring water in "Flowing Light Brocade" allowed for a bath to soothe and heal her fatigue—otherwise, tomorrow’s aches would surely be worse.

Upon leaving "Flowing Light Brocade," an hour and a half had passed outside.

Gao Shen was still engrossed in his book. The faint fragrance in the air told him Jing Qingxin had returned. He gently asked, “Is everything done?”

“Yes, all finished! I even planted some vegetables and fruits. It won’t be long before we have fresh produce to enjoy!” Jing Qingxin replied, her words bright with laughter.

She turned, picked up the enamel cup, poured in spring water from the space, and handed it to Gao Shen, saying softly, “Drink some water to relieve your fatigue.”

Gao Shen accepted the cup with gentle warmth, drinking it all in one go.

“It’s getting late. We should rest early,” Jing Qingxin glanced at her watch, realizing how late it was.

Just as Jing Qingxin was preparing to lie down, Gao Shen reached out, pulling her into his arms. As she was about to look up and ask, a low, tender voice sounded above her, “Your hair isn’t dry yet. Be careful or you’ll wake up with a headache tomorrow.”

His words warmed Jing Qingxin’s heart, and she smiled, “It’s fine. I’ve pretty much dried it already.”

“Take out a towel,” Gao Shen said seriously, his tone leaving no room for refusal.

Knowing Gao Shen’s stubborn streak, Jing Qingxin didn’t argue and promptly produced a towel from "Flowing Light Brocade."

Gao Shen pulled Jing Qingxin onto his lap, spreading her long, black hair across his thighs. He then took the towel and gently dried her hair.

In this posture, their eyes met easily, as if the whole world had faded away, leaving only the two of them, eyes brimming with tenderness and affection.

“Gao Shen, do you think I’ll ever be able to go back?” Jing Qingxin suddenly asked, her voice soft and almost a whisper. It was a question she’d pondered and asked herself many times in these past two days, but no answer was forthcoming.

She knew that worry and anxiety had been deeply suppressed within her, tucked away in the corners of her heart. Perhaps it was the tranquil atmosphere, perhaps because the world at this moment felt as if it held only him.

Gao Shen’s hand paused briefly in its gentle work, then resumed, his expression serene. Only he knew the truth: his feelings about this matter were selfish.

“Gao Shen?” Jing Qingxin saw his silence and called softly.

“Yes, I’m here. Do you want to hear my honest answer?” Gao Shen spoke quietly. He didn’t want to make things hard for her, nor did he wish to see her sad, but the current situation demanded she make a choice.

Jing Qingxin was taken aback, then nodded lightly.

“I want you to stay by my side.” Gao Shen’s gaze locked onto Jing Qingxin, as if willing her to see the steadfast sincerity in his eyes.

After a pause, Gao Shen continued slowly, “I don’t know what the time tunnel truly is, but I believe the heavens arranged all this for a reason—it proves that there is a connection between us. Qingxin, let’s leave everything to fate. It will give us an answer eventually.”

He couldn’t believe that fate would bring them together only to know each other, not to love or stay together. Why else would they both possess identical ancient jade pendants? Why else would Jing Qingxin cross time to arrive at his side?

Because it was her, and him—no one else.

In that instant, Jing Qingxin felt her heart settle. The corners of her lips lifted as she spoke with conviction, “Yes! I believe that, in the grand scheme of things, everything is destined. We are meant to be together.”

Gao Shen’s lips curled into a slight smile; he said nothing more, but the determination in his eyes was enough to reveal his true feelings.

Jing Qingxin closed her eyes, savoring the gentle touch of his fingers through her hair. With him here, her heart was at peace.

When Gao Shen had finished drying her hair, he gazed at the girl resting on his knees—her serene sleeping face, her breathing slow and steady—clearly, his beloved had already drifted into dreams.

Gao Shen gently gathered Jing Qingxin into his arms, adjusted her posture, lay down beside her, and held her close. He pressed a light kiss to her fair forehead.

Good night, my beloved.

—Extra—

Happy Dragon Boat Festival holiday! Qingqing has already eaten zongzi.

May everyone’s life be filled with harmony and happiness!

Finally, remember to vote for the story, and if you tip, I’ll be even happier! Haha, I’ve accidentally caught the bug of shamelessness.

This book was first published by Xiaoxiang Academy. Please do not repost!