Chapter Four: Better to Live Vividly Than Die Lifelessly

Jiang Zhuoran listened to her inner voice with a hint of pride. If circumstances allowed, she really wanted to show off a little in front of Jiang Zao.

Of course, she only thought about it...

“Zao Zao, I’ll take you to where you’ll be staying,” Jiang Zhuoran said, restraining her emotions as she extended her hand to her.

Jiang Zao looked at the culprit with the beaming smile and struggled inwardly before finally placing her hand in hers.

[Forget it...]

[It’s just the cultivation world where the strong dominate and the weak serve—it’s not like it’s unplayable.]

[If you can survive, you live; if not, you die.]

[Anyway, eighteen years later, sisters will both be heroes again.]

There was no need to coax herself so much.

Jiang Zhuoran twitched at Jiang Zao’s self-encouragement. She truly couldn’t understand why simply asking about the Immortal Sect felt like she was about to be killed.

...

“Zao Zao, this is where you’ll be living from now on, right next to me,” Jiang Zhuoran said as she led Jiang Zao to a small bamboo grove behind the mountain, pointing to a modest wooden cabin.

Jiang Zao looked at the simple house with some satisfaction, then glanced around. Sure enough, she saw a faint outline of another house nearby—that should be her place.

But wasn’t the difference a little too stark?

Although she couldn’t see clearly, it was obvious Jiang Zhuoran’s house was much larger, with a sheen that made it clear her small cabin could not compare.

It was like the contrast between a villa and a small flat.

Oh, her cabin couldn’t even compete with a small flat.

Jiang Zhuoran noticed her silence and guessed she might not like the place, but decided to test the waters.

“Zao Zao, don’t you like it here?”

Choosing this bamboo grove garden as her residence was unavoidable.

Jiang Zao wasn’t the master’s disciple, so she couldn’t have an independent courtyard like the others and had to settle for this humble spot.

Originally, she wanted to ask if Jiang Zao would like to live with her, but she was afraid of rejection and never asked.

She blamed herself for acting rashly and getting angry at Jiang Zao’s inner thoughts, which led to this situation.

Now that she was clear-headed, she felt guilty.

But it was too late for regrets; she could only try to make it up to her in other ways and hoped Jiang Zao wouldn’t resent her.

“I really like it here, sister,” Jiang Zao said with a smile, but her eyes were calm and unreadable.

Jiang Zao’s professional fake smile was sincere towards everyone.

Jiang Zhuoran breathed a sigh of relief but hadn’t yet rejoiced when she saw the girl look at her with a pitiful expression.

“Sister, where will I eat from now on?”

Jiang Zhuoran, reminded by her question, realized Jiang Zao hadn’t started cultivation and needed to eat daily.

Although she had been at the Immortal Sect for a month, she often took fasting pills for cultivation and had no idea where the disciples ate.

There was a small kitchen in her courtyard, but it was unused and had fallen into disrepair—clean on the surface but empty inside.

Jiang Zhuoran felt embarrassed and planned to let her rely on fasting pills for two days until she could show her where the disciples’ dining hall was.

But Jiang Zao seemed to know her thoughts and, before she could speak, Jiang Zhuoran heard an inner voice completely at odds with her polite exterior.

[You brought me here; you’re supposed to solve my meals.]

[Don’t think you can fool me with fasting pills—I wouldn’t even let a dog eat those.]

Jiang Zhuoran’s words caught in her throat, and she chose to remain silent.

Fasting pills were unpleasant but necessary—she couldn’t have Jiang Zao running around every day just for food.

She had eaten them daily and didn’t mind, except for the taste.

But...

Jiang Zao said even dogs wouldn’t eat those pills!

Then what did that make her, who ate them every day?

Worse than a dog?!

Forcing a smile, Jiang Zhuoran softened her tone.

“There’s a small kitchen in my courtyard. I’ll take you there later, and you can use it to eat.”

Since Jiang Zao wouldn’t eat fasting pills and didn’t know where the sect’s kitchen was, this was the best temporary solution.

She also planned to restock the kitchen utensils.

[If I have to cook myself, I’d rather just go down the mountain and buy something.]

[If I cook for myself, I’m afraid I’ll kill myself with my cooking.]

[If this embarrassing story gets out... just thinking about it makes me restless.]

[But the disciples at the Immortal Sect really are pitiful—they don’t even have a proper place to eat.]

“Then I’ll trouble you, sister,” Jiang Zao said politely, hiding her complaints.

Jiang Zhuoran clenched her teeth to suppress her frustration.

She really wanted to throw her out and forget her!

No, no... she was her little sister brought here by her, so she couldn’t abandon or scold her.

Jiang Zhuoran kept trying to calm herself, took a deep breath, and said, “Zao Zao, don’t be so formal with me.”

Holding back her emotions, Jiang Zhuoran led Jiang Zao on foot to her courtyard, wanting her to remember the route.

So she could find her way back later.

...

As He Mobai’s direct disciple, everyone had their own courtyard, and Jiang Zhuoran, being the last to join, was no exception.

[It really is the difference between a villa and a small flat.]

[And look at the building materials—definitely not ordinary wood.]

[But the landscaping is truly beautiful—it lifts the spirit. I almost want to live here.]

Did she... want to live here?

Maybe she should ask?

Listening to her inner voice, Jiang Zhuoran began to speculate, sensing Jiang Zao’s struggle over her own residence.

She had many rooms and could easily spare one for Jiang Zao, which would also let her keep an eye on her.

But if she asked and Jiang Zao refused, wouldn’t that be awkward?

Ah...

What a difficult choice, such a dilemma!

Jiang Zao was engrossed in the surroundings, unaware of Jiang Zhuoran’s dilemma, admiring the grand house and exquisite courtyard. She couldn’t deny her envy, but it was only envy.

Jiang Zhuoran, as He Mobai’s direct disciple, deserved such treatment; Jiang Zao was just an ordinary person brought here at her request.

She was already grateful that He Mobai, that madman, hadn’t slapped her to death.

She didn’t dare make any demands of a madman.

Besides, with Jiang Zhuoran’s connection, the sect disciples wouldn’t be too hostile towards her.

“Sister, what’s wrong?” Jiang Zao asked, snapping out of her thoughts as she saw Jiang Zhuoran pacing with a furrowed brow, biting her finger.

“Ah... nothing,” Jiang Zhuoran said, calming down after being startled. She looked at Jiang Zao’s puzzled expression and hesitated before asking, “Zao Zao, would you like to live here?”

[Huh? Why would she suddenly ask if I want to live with her?]

[Could it be... she’s mentally unstable from some shock?]

[Hope it’s not contagious!]

Jiang Zao’s inner alarm rang loudly as she silently stepped back, distancing herself from the strange Jiang Zhuoran.

Jiang Zhuoran laughed at her little action. “If you don’t want to, fine!”

She wasn’t blind; of course, she saw it.

Her good intention to let her move was mistaken for insanity.

Whatever, she didn’t want to care anymore!

“It’s not that... I really want to live with you, sister,” Jiang Zao said, stepping forward and grabbing Jiang Zhuoran before she could leave, looking pitiful.