C32 A Thousand Years of Misery!

The old man grumbled as he moved to the gate, ready to shoo people away. His long beard puffed out comically, like steam escaping, as he huffed in frustration.

Huo Lingxiao stepped forward, blocking the door. He shot a glance at the flustered old man, who looked like he was preparing for battle, and confidently carried the girl into the yard, familiar with the place.

"Hey, Sixth Boy, didn't you hear me? Get that troublesome girl out of here. She's not welcome. Move her out, now," the old man shouted, seeing that he was being ignored. Huo Lingxiao not only entered the yard but headed straight for the main house.

The old man, clearly anxious, hurried after him, calling out, "Don't bring that girl inside! I've got a lot of treasures in there, and when she wakes up, she'll surely cause trouble with my stuff."

Panting, the old man chased them into the house, trying to usher them out. Huo Lingxiao, however, remained calm, placing the girl on a bench. He glanced coolly at the old man acting up. "Uncle Qian, bring a blanket over."

"No way, let her freeze. Serves her right," Uncle Qian huffed, acting like a stubborn child, hands tucked into his sleeves.

Huo Lingxiao raised an eyebrow. "Well, when she wakes up, I'll just tell her about the new fun things you've planted in the backyard. How about that?"

"You little rascal, you wouldn't dare!" Uncle Qian's eyes widened in anger, glaring at Huo Lingxiao.

Huo Lingxiao shrugged, nodding towards the girl on the bench, suggesting Uncle Qian could test whether he would dare or not.

"You little troublemaker, you and that mischievous girl are a perfect match, always ganging up on an old man like me," Uncle Qian fumed, his beard bristling as he turned away in a huff.

When he returned, he was holding a blanket. Without hesitation, he tossed it over, muttering, "This was meant for our cat, but I guess it'll do for her."

"The lazy cat you have?" Huo Lingxiao's expression darkened as he prepared to throw the blanket away.

"Hey, what are you doing? Are you looking down on our cat? Fine, if you don't want it, give it back to me." Elder Qian, annoyed, quickly snatched the blanket back before Huo Lingxiao could toss it.

As he held onto the blanket, Elder Qian smirked with satisfaction.

"Uncle Qian, don't laugh so loud, or you'll wake her up. If she hears you threw a cat's blanket over her, what do you think will happen to your cat?"

Huo Lingxiao draped his military jacket over the girl, speaking lazily.

Startled, Elder Qian almost dropped the blanket he was holding.

"You, you better not tell her," Elder Qian grumbled, reluctantly handing the blanket back. "Cover her with it, it's not the cat's blanket."

Huo Lingxiao glanced disdainfully at the blanket in Elder Qian's hands. "No need, keep it for your cat."

"You, you brat, you're so picky." Elder Qian's mustache twitched in irritation.

"Yeah, picky. For my girl, only the best will do," Huo Lingxiao replied with a lazy smile, glancing at the girl on the bench with a hint of affection in his eyes.

Elder Qian opened his mouth in surprise. "Did you just say 'your girl'? What do you mean? Would you dare say that in front of Mingyuan, that tightwad?"

He chuckled as he finished.

Huo Lingxiao shot him a look, suddenly turning serious. "Uncle Qian, I'm here because there's something wrong with her health."

"What do you mean?" The old man, who had been smiling jovially, suddenly froze.

He turned again to the girl on the bench, noticing her unusual pallor, and asked, "What's happened to this girl? Has she gotten into trouble again?"

Huo Lingxiao shook his head. "It's not her causing trouble; trouble found her. Our little girl is delicate and gentle. How could she possibly stir up any trouble?"

"Ha, don't try to fool me, kid. With her mischievous nature, it's a wonder she doesn't drive people crazy. Who would dare to mess with her?"

The old man clearly didn't believe him, but he stepped forward to take a closer look at the pale girl. He placed his fingers on her wrist to check her pulse and suddenly frowned. "What exactly happened to her, Sixth Boy? Tell me in detail."

"Did you notice something off, Uncle Qian?" Huo Lingxiao's eyes darkened.

"She's not quite right. Let her rest here for a bit. You come with me to the back room, and we'll talk," the old man nodded, signaling for Huo Lingxiao to follow him.

In the back room, Huo Lingxiao's expression was unreadable. His long, slender fingers tapped coldly on the table as he spoke in a low voice, "Are you suggesting that the girl has an uncontrollable urge related to blood?"

The old man, now serious, stroked his beard thoughtfully. "It's too early to say for sure. We need to investigate further. Hopefully, it's not what we fear."

He sighed, glancing at Huo Lingxiao's somber face, and waved his hand dismissively. "Oh well, that girl must have some kind of cosmic debt. They say troublemakers live long, and with all the chaos she causes, the universe must be watching over her. She'll be fine."

"Alright, we'll go with your suggestion, Uncle Qian. She can stay here for now," Huo Lingxiao agreed, his eyes slightly darkened.

Just then, a piercing cat's cry echoed from outside the hall.

"Meow!"

The sound was sharp and shrill, as if the cat was being plucked bald, and it was filled with a sense of grievance.

"Oh no, my little Fluffy, something's wrong. That little rascal must be awake."

Old Man Qian didn't wait for Huo Lingxiao to say anything. As soon as he heard his cat's cry, he was ready to dash out.

A calm voice from behind gave him a friendly reminder, "Uncle Qian, remember, you're supposed to be a blind fortune teller now. If you run out with your eyes wide open, aren't you afraid our little girl will notice and tear this place apart?"

Thud!

Old Man Qian stubbed his toe on the threshold.

His toe cramped with pain, and he glared back at Huo Lingxiao, who was lazily enjoying the spectacle. Regret filled his heart; why had he let these two little troublemakers into his courtyard?

It was enough to drive him mad.

He had been living a peaceful life, enjoying his wine and snacks, until fate decided to send these two little rascals to torment him.

These two troublemakers must be his penance from a past life.

Sigh!

Old Man Qian closed his weary eyes and let out a long sigh to the heavens.

In his heart, he prayed that the heavens would take pity on him for putting up with these two little rascals and send them away soon, so they wouldn't bother him anymore.

He just wanted a quiet life. Was that too much to ask?

"Uncle Qian, if you don't go check the front hall soon, your cat might end up completely bald."

Huo Lingxiao picked up the tea from the table, took a leisurely sip, and raised an eyebrow as if savoring the taste, a faint smile playing on his lips.