Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Ye Xiu walked leisurely. He was not in a hurry
It was a bit of a pity that he couldn’t become a mage after he transmigrated to this world. But at least through his hobbies, he had achieved short-term financial freedom and could do whatever he wanted to do.
After accumulating some gold coins, he could buy a property that belonged to him without affecting the quality of his life.
As for himself, he could be considered to have completely taken root in this foreign world.
The only regret was that when he returned home, he would always be alone. The house was empty, and he always felt a bit lonely.
However, he didn’t dare to make friends. If he accidentally revealed his identity as a transmigrator, wouldn’t it attract the black mage, kidnapped him, and sliced him up for research?
Ye Xiu shook his head and tossed those thoughts out of his mind. When he passed by the market, he thought of the 100,000 gold coins he had earned today and turned around to walk in.
How could he not celebrate after nailing such a big business deal?
The market here was in a good location. The surrounding residents were all willing to come over to buy vegetables, which also attracted many merchants.
Ye Xiu walked around and bought some chicken, duck meat, and all sorts of fruits and vegetables.
Along with the high-quality wheat wine from the tavern, he left the market with satisfaction.
After walking for a while, Ye Xiu suddenly heard a faint panting sound behind him. He turned his head and saw that it was a snow-white puppy running behind him. Its body was only the size of two palms.
Seeing that Ye Xiu had turned his head, it didn’t run away. Instead, it wagged its tail and rubbed its head against its calf.
“You want to follow me, little guy?”
Ye Xiu smiled. He squatted down and stroked the top of the puppy’s head.
When he got closer, he realized that the fur on the puppy’s back leg had been pulled off. Its exposed flesh had an abnormal bruise. It was obvious that someone was torturing it. Its belly was caved in, and its ribs could be seen. It was probably a starving stray dog.
Thinking of his identity as a transmigrator, wasn’t him a wanderer in this world as well?
“Sigh, we had similar experiences. The only difference is that I wasn’t bullied, so I don’t have to worry about my life. Since we’ve met, you’ll follow me from now on.”
Ye Xiu carried the vegetables with one hand and carried the puppy home.
The puppy whimpered twice. Its body moved and it changed into a comfortable position to lie in Ye Xiu’s arms.
“You’re completely white and you’re a stray dog. You’re lucky to have met me at the market. Why don’t I give you a name that suit you?”
“I’ll call you Xiaobai from now on.”
“Xiaobai, I don’t see any reaction from you. You must like this name very much, right? Okay, that’s your name from now on.”
On the way home, Ye Xiu didn’t stop talking and rambled on.
Even though he knew that Xiaobai didn’t understand, Ye Xiu was still willing to talk. He wanted someone he could talk to, no matter the other party understood or not. Xiaobai was a very good listener to him.
He could also talk about some of the knowledge he had before he transmigrated. The dog didn’t understand what he said, so it wouldn’t leak any secrets.
After carrying Xiaobai home, Ye Xiu gave it a simple doghouse and went to the kitchen to cook.
Ye Xiu specially cooked a pot of porridge for Xiaobai. He prepared to slowly heal its body. If nothing unexpected happened, Xiaobai would accompany him for the next ten years or so until its final day.
Ye Xiu really liked the feeling of having a bond with a dog in his life.
It made him feel like he wasn’t alone.
…
The next day.
Early in the morning, the sun rose from the east.
Ye Xiu timed the time to go out. He held Xiaobai in his arms as he walked towards his bookstore.
When he arrived at the bookstore, Ye Xiu took a deep breath of the cool morning air. His mood immediately became better. It looked like he would have another happy day.
He didn’t seem to have anything to do today. He just wanted to practice his painting.
After all, he had earned 100,000 gold coins from his ink wash painting yesterday. His skill couldn’t be rusty.
He had been learning ink wash painting all this time, but he could feel that his skill could still be improved. At the same time, he could improve his calligraphy. It could be said that he killed two birds with one stone.
Ye Xiu spread out the paper and took out the brush from his bag. He was stunned for a moment.
The brush that he often used was very easy to use. The tip of the brush was made of an unknown beast fur. It was completely white without a single flaw, but there were traces of ink on it.
“Strange. I washed it yesterday. Why is there still ink on it?”
Ye Xiu felt that it was a bit strange.
He liked to use this brush very much. Every time he used it, he would wash it clean, but there would often be strange phenomena.
After he left the brush for a while, ink would seep out of the tip of the brush. He didn’t know where it came from, and the color of the ink was very dark. Perhaps there was a piece of solidified ink stuck inside the tip?
Ye Xiu was curious, but he didn’t have any thoughts of dismantling the brush.
He could use other brushes to draw, but he always felt that something was off. He only felt comfortable with this brush.
If he dismantled it, he might not be able to draw a good ink wash painting, which might affect his business.
Ye Xiu shook his head and decided to wash the brush again.
He first moved a small table to the front of the shop, then walked into the bathroom. He took out a black iron basin from inside and took over half of the basin of water. Then, he put the iron basin on the small table.
He brought over a chair and shook the brush in the iron basin to wash the tip of the brush.
The look of this iron basin wasn’t good, but it was very convenient to wash the brush.
The space in the iron basin was divided into two halves by a metal partition. The brush could be washed twice without needing to change the water again.
Speaking of which, this iron basin had a background. It wasn’t bought, but a gift from a guest.
The youth called Lu Xun who looked cold and unapproachable. But after seeing Ye Xiu’s ink wash painting, he was no different from the other guests. He was stunned by it.
After spending 50,000 gold coins to buy Ye Xiu’s ink painting of ‘The Sun, Moon, and Sky’, Lu Xun seemed to see that Ye Xiu didn’t have the tools to wash his pen, so he kindly gave him this iron basin.
Lu Xun seemed to be difficult to approach, but his observation was very meticulous.
It wasn’t anything precious, so Ye Xiu immediately agreed.
Even though it wasn’t pretty, it had good practical value. It could be used as a hotpot on a bonfire, and it could be used to wash brushes.
Not long after, the water in the iron basin became half black and half white.
Ye Xiu took out a brush and placed it on the other side to continue cleaning.
Suddenly, a gentle female voice came from behind, “Good morning, Mr. Ye.”
Turning his head, he saw a gold-haired lady wearing a gray cloak, who had an amiable temperament, standing not far away and greeting him respectfully.
She had just taken off her cloak and hat. Her hair was a bit messy on her forehead, and her eyes were bright. She was a very beautiful woman.
“It’s you. Good morning.” Ye Xiu smiled.
The person who had come was the young miss he had met before. However, this time, she didn’t wear a mask, so he could admire her beauty.
Ye Xiu put the brush in the clear water and stood up, “Come in and sit.. What do you want to buy this time?”