"Redtail Fish, now that your backbone has been refined, this small river is no longer suitable for you to remain in. If you have no other matters to attend to, I'll escort you to the Xiangjiang River along with Hu Shi today. How about that?"
As Gu Ning'an's words fell, Hu Shi's expression shifted. Instinctively, he clung to the Redtail Fish's fin beneath him.
However, Redtail Fish remained calm. It had long known this day would come and understood that if not for Gu Ning'an's intervention, it would have been forcibly taken into the Xiangjiang River the last time it encountered the City God of Xiangzhou.
"Thank you, sir!" Redtail Fish's voice sounded, though it was somewhat immature and unclear due to the recent refinement of its backbone.
After hesitating for a moment, Hu Shi finally asked, "Master Gu, does Redtail Fish really have to leave?"
Gu Ning'an nodded. "This place is no longer suitable for its growth."
Sensing Hu Shi's reluctance, Redtail Fish spoke to comfort him: "Hu Shi, if you miss me, you can visit me at the Xiang River. Just call for me by the riverbank, and I'll come to you."
Hu Shi blinked in surprise. "But I don't even know where the Xiangjiang River is, and my grandpa won't let me go so far away."
"You'll know it after today," Gu Ning'an replied with a smile. "But you're still too young now. If you really want to visit Redtail Fish, you'll have to wait until you're a bit older."
Hearing there would be a chance to reunite, Hu Shi's expression softened slightly. "Then, sir, let's go and send Big Fish off."
At this, Gu Ning'an lightly tapped his finger. A crystal-clear droplet of water rose from the Eight-Zhang River.
With a soft pop, the droplet burst, transforming into a misty veil that enveloped Hu Shi and Redtail Fish, concealing them from view.
"Let's go," Gu Ning'an said. Redtail Fish carefully turned its body. Despite its cautious movements, the river water churned turbulently, its waves crashing against the riverbanks and washing away some of the flowers and grass growing nearby.
Redtail Fish swam slowly, deliberately trying to stretch out the time and delay the inevitable farewell.
But every journey has an end. After half an hour, their parting moment finally arrived.
With a wave of Gu Ning'an's hand, Hu Shi's body floated gently, like a feather, and descended onto the riverbank.
Before he could marvel at the sensation of floating, Hu Shi's eyes reddened as he gazed at the confluence of the rivers. Unable to hold back, he shouted, "Big Fish, I'll come to visit you! Don't go too far!"
Redtail Fish released two bubbles and replied, "Got it. Come find me when you're older!"
"Okay!" Hu Shi nodded vigorously. Two round teardrops slid down his cheeks. Seeing this, Redtail Fish thanked Gu Ning'an, then leaped high into the air. Its glistening scales reflected dazzling light under the sun.
"Master Gu, Hu Shi, see you in the future!"
With a loud splash, a massive wave surged upward as Redtail Fish swam swiftly toward the distance.
Gu Ning'an gazed at the newly formed strand of Worldly Qi in his palm, then patted Hu Shi's head with a smile. "Don't cry. You'll meet again someday."
Sniffle, sniffle!
Hu Shi sniffled hard, nodded with an "Mm," wiped away his tears, and followed Gu Ning'an as they walked briskly away.
…
"Master Gu is here! Please, come in!" Zheng De greeted Gu Ning'an warmly as he walked him inside, calling out toward the inner room, "Dear, Master Gu is here! Add a place setting!"
Hearing this, Gu Ning'an chuckled. "The way you're calling out makes it sound like I came specifically for a meal."
"Huh?" Zheng De feigned confusion. "Isn't that exactly why you're here?"
Gu Ning'an walked past Zheng De with a laugh. "You guessed right—I really did come for a meal."
Zheng De, who was about to explain he was joking, swallowed his words upon hearing this. "So you really are here to freeload, Master Gu…"
Gu Ning'an paused and looked back. "What? You're not willing to spare a meal?"
"Willing! Of course, I'm willing!" Zheng De grinned broadly and waved his hand. "Not just one meal—if Master Gu wants to have three meals here every day, we'd be delighted!"
Gu Ning'an shook his head with a smile. "You've become quite the talker lately."
As Zheng De was about to retort, a voice came from the inner room: "Master Gu, Zheng De, dinner's ready!"
"Coming!"
"Got it!"
Gu Ning'an and Zheng De both responded and walked into the dining hall, where they sat down.
On the dining table were the standard four dishes and one soup: stir-fried edamame with eggs, some green vegetables, braised pork with preserved vegetables, and a bowl of chicken soup with golden-orange oil floating on top.
Tan Bing, eager to serve Gu Ning'an some soup, was directly refused by him. After all, over the past month, her belly had grown considerably. Gu Ning'an simply could not accept having a pregnant woman bend down to serve him soup.
"Master Gu, I didn't know you were coming, so it's just some home-cooked dishes. I hope you don't mind," Tan Bing said politely.
Gu Ning'an, holding his bowl of chicken soup, smiled and said, "I'm just here to freeload, so I wouldn't complain about anything. Besides, these home-cooked dishes are much more lavish than what I usually prepare for myself."
"It seems that Zheng De has been making a fair bit of silver selling his goods lately?"
Upon hearing this, Zheng De quickly waved his hand. "Sir, you're teasing me. The silver I earn is nothing compared to the fast fortune you make just by reading a fortune for someone."
"Our family eats well because my wife suffered a lot recently. She's pregnant now, so she needs to be well-nourished."
Gu Ning'an smiled and just as he set his soup bowl down, Tan Bing's face suddenly changed. She covered her mouth and quickly ran out.
Zheng De, alarmed, immediately set down his chopsticks and followed her out.
Soon, the sound of dry heaving came from outside, continuing for nearly half a tea's worth of time before gradually stopping.
Once inside, Tan Bing, pale-faced, spoke up. "I'm so sorry, Master Gu. The morning sickness is quite bad. You two can go ahead and eat. I have no appetite right now. I'll wait until you finish before I eat."
"That's not right," Gu Ning'an shook his head and took a golden kumquat from his sleeve, offering it to her. "Eat this kumquat; it might help ease your morning sickness symptoms."
"Golden kumquat…" Tan Bing hesitated as she took the fruit, her expression conflicted. "Master Gu, to be honest, ever since I returned home last time, I haven't been able to stand the sourness of these. Just seeing them makes me a little queasy…"
Gu Ning'an waved his hand. "It's sweet. Go ahead and eat it."
Seeing this, Zheng De took the kumquat and brought it to Tan Bing's mouth, smiling. "Don't let the Master's kindness go to waste. Try it, my dear."