Chapter 59: Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law: Thick Skin is All You Need

You Nian’s tasks at the Investigation Department had long since ended, but she delayed returning to Half-Mountain Spirit Garden because of the overwhelming enthusiasm from the young staff there.

The Investigation Department dealt with monotonous piles of cases every day, and they couldn’t easily make friends. Suddenly spotting a little rabbit made everyone find it novel, and You Nian, who had always been neglected at home, instantly forgot her duties as Ye Xi’s contract demon upon finding a place where so many people wanted to play with her. Besides, with Ye Xi drifting in and out of consciousness, she didn’t really need the little rabbit by her side, so Ye Tan didn’t hurry to drag You Nian back.

It was clearly the little rabbit who had gotten so caught up in playing that she forgot all about home. When Ye Xi finally saw You Nian in the office, the rabbit pitifully wiped away nonexistent tears. “Dr. Ye, Snake Sister, you finally remembered me. The Investigation Bureau is no place for a rabbit!”

If Ye Tan hadn’t warned them beforehand about how comfortably You Nian had been staying at the Investigation Department, Ye Xi and Shen Mingjin might have actually been fooled by the aggrieved little rabbit.

Ye Xi glanced at the fake-crying You Nian and mercilessly exposed her. “You Nian, you’ve gained quite a bit of weight.”

“No way!” You Nian guiltily touched her round little belly, feeling the extra flesh, and her aggrieved expression froze on her face. Her voice grew much quieter. “They… they abused me, forcing me to eat snacks every day!”

What kind of abuse was that?

Ye Xi eyed the little rabbit still spinning lies and quietly waited for her performance to end.

Those bright, profound eyes seemed to pierce right through the rabbit’s heart. You Nian quickly surrendered in the silent standoff.

Feeling completely seen through, You Nian pouted boredly. “Fine, fine, I admit they were all really nice to me.”

Ye Xi looked at the glowing, round-bellied You Nian and gave her a serious evaluation. “You Nian, you’ve truly fallen.”

You Nian stuck out her neck and lifted her head high, immediately retorting, “Dr. Ye, you are truly degenerate.”

She huffed twice. “I was pretty worried when I heard you’d been hurt, but now I take back my concern for you.”

“I didn’t see you rushing back out of worry.”

“I… I was…” You Nian crossed her little arms over her chest, unable to find an excuse, and could only mumble, “It’s all because the sisters at the Investigation Department were too enthusiastic.”

“Excuses.” Ye Xi had just rebutted her when a sudden thought struck her. “Were they all enthusiastic toward you?”

“Of course! I’m super popular!”

Something wasn’t right.

The Investigation Department is the General Bureau’s most impartial department. Not only did its people rarely associate with demons, but they also kept limited contact even with colleagues from other departments. If they truly liked little rabbits, they should have picked mindless ones to play with, not an intelligent royal from the Moon Perch Clan like You Nian.

Weren’t they afraid of getting tangled in You Nian’s complex web of connections and being reported by demons?

Thinking back, You Nian had only just been pulled away from her side when she and Shen Mingjin encountered Yin Erou and Shao Yan, nearly dying without a sound.

The moment surveillance vanished from around them, they had almost been assassinated. Was it really just coincidence?

Ye Xi felt like she was developing paranoia, suspecting everyone except Shen Mingjin and Ye Tan at the slightest provocation. It wasn’t a good habit, but it seemed necessary.

She reached out and knocked on You Nian’s forehead. “Besides playing with you, what else did they do?”

“Nothing.”

You Nian recounted everything from her days at the Investigation Department, emphasizing how enthusiastic everyone had been toward her. The only oddity was that after spending a week there playing with them daily, she hadn’t remembered a single staff member’s name. According to her, different people played with her every day—even morning and afternoon shifts were different.

After hearing this, Ni Yueying and the others also sensed something off.

Of course, speculation wasn’t evidence.

Ni Yueying and Ye Tan exchanged a glance, and sarcasm flickered in Ye Tan’s eyes. “If the Investigation Department’s rotten too, It’s normal that nothing gets investigated.”

Her cold mockery seemed aimed at the Investigation Department, but the blade pointed at Ni Yueying, more like an accusation of her incompetence.

Ni Yueying let out a soundless sigh, her fingers pressing against her heart.

Time had flown by; she was no longer in her prime from the days of uniting the two clans. Now, her demon power was restricted, her body eroded by demon poison, and her eyes blinded by disloyal subordinates. She understood the source of Ye Tan’s anger, but she was powerless to change the current situation.

With trusted allies and strength gone, Ni Yueying stood isolated and helpless.

Loneliness and powerlessness.

Perhaps due to the mother-daughter blood bond, Ye Xi could read the complex emotions hidden beneath Ni Yueying’s sigh. She blocked Ye Tan, who was about to argue further. “Grandma, shouldn’t we go eat now?”

Ye Tan reached out and jabbed Ye Xi’s forehead hard. “You still have the appetite for that!”

“The people take food as heaven—nothing under heaven is greater than eating.”

Ye Xi clutched her forehead, suppressing her fear and suspicions under a lively facade. “Bureau Chief Ni, what are you treating us to?”

Ye Tan was indulgent toward Ye Xi. Seeing her genuine interest in Ni Yueying’s treat, she urged Ni Yueying along with her. “She’s asking you!”

Ni Yueying tugged at the corner of her mouth, revealing a gentle smile. “I know a really good restaurant.”

She didn’t dwell in sorrow for long. Topping her flashy red wig and exaggerated butterfly mask, she slipped out of the General Bureau, leading Ye Xi’s group to the dining spot. To better conceal their identities, they were all fitted with similarly outrageous wigs.

Ye Xi tugged at the blue wig sprouting from her head, feeling passersby stare extra glances her way.

She felt a bit awkward. “Being this flashy—will it really hide our identities?”

“It will.” Ni Yueying touched her red hair, her expression calm. “In their eyes, I’m dignified; they won’t expect this exaggerated look.”

It sounded reasonable.

But the General Bureau folks might not spot them—others still had eyes.

You Nian adapted well to her new style, stroking her yellow hair and pointing at a roadside camera. “There’s a camera there.”

Ni Yueying: “It won’t capture us.”

Her power wasn’t at full strength compared to her past self, but against ordinary great demons like Shao Yan, she was still formidable.

If Shao Yan could manipulate Ye Xi’s phone to send messages, Ni Yueying naturally could too.

Ye Xi held Shen Mingjin’s hand, following behind Ni Yueying. “Ni… Mom… Can I learn some messaging techniques?”

Calling her “Bureau Chief” felt awkward; “Mom” did too.

Their relationship wasn’t close enough for easy familiarity, so she skipped straight to business.

Ye Xi needed a way to contact Ye Tan that demon powers couldn’t interfere with. She was still too weak to handle dangers alone; Ye Tan was her most reliable backup.

As for Shen Mingjin, they’d stick inseparable.

“That’s too troublesome.” Ni Yueying turned back, tapped Ye Xi’s arm, and threads of coolness seeped into her skin. “This will do.”

In that brief instant, Ye Xi felt an invisible network form in her mind. At its edges stood three figures: Ni Yueying, Ye Tan, and Shen Mingjin.

The links to Ni Yueying and Ye Tan were green leaf marks; to Shen Mingjin, a faint wisp of pink mist.

Ye Xi, ever quick to think and associate, realized from this consciousness link why Ye Tan—without Ni Yueying’s blood—could absorb so much of her power.

Skin-to-skin contact was another intimate bond, besides shared power, that quickly formed and shared resources.

Ni Yueying didn’t notice Ye Xi’s thoughts veering off. She withdrew her hand. “In the future, you can use the Wanling Tree’s power to contact me, your grandma, and Mingjin. As for the others…”

Her voice trailed off, a faint worry creasing her brow.

Ye Xi guessed she meant no one else was trustworthy, but she didn’t say it outright—for You Nian’s sake, and to avoid biasing Ye Xi’s judgment.

Their situations differed; perhaps Ye Xi could find other reliable people.

Ni Yueying suddenly looked up at the sky, speaking with lost wistfulness. “Ye Xi, you’ll grow stronger and stronger. In the future, you won’t need to seek aid from anyone or fear anyone. Instead, we might need your protection.”

?

Ye Tan, who knew Ni Yueying best, cut in before Ye Xi could process it. “I’m letting you protect Xiao Xi, not give her all your power!”

Ye Xi caught on and hurriedly joined Ye Tan in stopping her. “You don’t need to give me too much power.”

Ni Yueying didn’t respond verbally. She took Ye Tan’s hand, pulling her along a bit hastily.

A shimmering green light trembled on the back of her hand, a special leaf mark emerging.

Fortunately, their path grew more remote, ducking into alleys where no people lingered—otherwise, the sight might have scared ordinary folk.

Ye Xi noticed the green surging madly toward Ye Tan, the power flowing automatically upon contact. Ni Yueying must have done this countless times.

Ye Tan yanked free, deep disapproval in her eyes.

She would curse Ni Yueying and vent at her often, but that didn’t mean she was indifferent.

Suppressing demon poison required power too. If she gave it all away, Ye Tan knew the outcome.

Ni Yueying stroked her palm and gave Ye Xi a deep look. “I can’t lose another child.”

Her gaze shifted to Ye Tan, bluntly pointing out their ambiguous bond. “Neither can you.”

A faint sting paled Ye Tan’s face; she averted her eyes evasively and turned to Shen Mingjin. “Mingjin, I heard about your situation from Shen Shuyun. Your power should have recovered some by now, right?”

Ye Tan’s intent to dodge the heavy topic was obvious. Ye Xi vaguely recalled that Ni Yueying and Ye Tan had lost two children—sudden deaths without even bones left.

Even for the Wanling Tree, nurturing life wasn’t easy; it demanded power, time, and endless energy.

For white-haired parents to send off black-haired children once was devastating; they’d endured it twice.

Between them lay not just the substitute misunderstanding, the Ye Clan’s tens of thousands of aggrieved souls, but also their children’s blood.

Ye Xi’s gaze shifted between them. Even she, usually adept at small talk, fell silent, unable to bridge their rift.

Simple misunderstandings could be explained, clashing feelings eased—but with these shackles, maintaining the status quo was best.

Shen Mingjin hadn’t expected Ye Tan to pivot to her. Recalling the seals breaking one by one, a blush crept over her fair skin. “Mm, quite a bit.”

“Your aunt said your talent is excellent. If you can unseal everything soon…”

Ye Tan trailed off, her voice suddenly hoarse.

You Nian looked up in confusion. “Why’d you stop?”

As her gaze lifted, she spotted Shen Mingjin’s flushed face. Not seeing clearly enough, the little rabbit hopped up. “Snake Sister, why are you blushing?”

The rabbit’s comical effort to peer only embarrassed Shen Mingjin more.

Ye Xi and Ni Yueying both saw Shen Mingjin’s awkwardness.

Before Ye Xi could speak, Ni Yueying suddenly said, “A Tan, last time, the last time we snuck out like this was to a hotel.”

“…”

Was this her idea of defusing?!

Ni Yueying’s words turned one embarrassed person into two. Shen Mingjin shrank desperately behind Ye Xi, while Ye Tan shot her a speechless look, stomped hard on her foot, sneered, and quickened her pace.

Ni Yueying, the culprit, felt no embarrassment at all—likely deliberate.

She had a habit of stirring contradictions, like at the General Bureau: chiding Ye Xi for gossiping about elders while spilling her history with Ye Tan.

She respected Ye Tan’s wishes on one hand, while pretending it was a slip of the tongue to reveal her relationship with Ye Tan on the other.

Others might not understand this mental journey, but Ye Xi understood it all too well. It was one thing on the lips and another in action.

Playing pitiful while quietly staking her claim.

As one of the parties involved, Ni Yueying wasn’t embarrassed, and neither was Ye Xi. Before they left, she had already told Shen Mingjin everything. She couldn’t wish for more that everyone knew she and Shen Mingjin had been wife and wife.

Unfortunately, the only listener who wasn’t involved, You Nian, completely failed to grasp what Ye Tan was angry about or what Shen Mingjin was avoiding. She just bounced along after Ye Tan. “Doctor Ye, Snake Sister, hurry up!”

This was like performing a play for the blind.

Of course, what Ni Yueying truly wanted to tell might not have been You Nian, but Ye Xi.

Ye Xi didn’t dwell on what Ni Yueying was thinking. She could find some similarities between herself and Ni Yueying’s personality, which invisibly drew them closer.

This was probably the wonder of blood ties.

The place where Ni Yueying treated them to dinner was a very remote restaurant.

It wasn’t large in scale, and its location was truly out of the way. There were few customers inside, and the only staff was the owner herself—an old lady with a face full of wrinkles, looking about seventy or eighty years old. Her murky eyes had a slight gray tint, but her body was still fairly healthy.

She was clearly familiar with Ni Yueying and came forward to greet her as soon as she entered. “Little Ying, you’re here.”

A faint smile hung on Ni Yueying’s lips. “Sister Ren.”

“This…” Ren Shu looked at Ye Xi and the others in surprise. “This is the first time you’ve brought friends over.”

“Not friends, family.” Ni Yueying corrected her, her gentle gaze landing softly on Ye Xi and Shen Mingjin. She draped her arms over their shoulders. “Sister Ren, these are my daughters.”

Ye Xi and Shen Mingjin both turned their heads to look at her, both momentarily stunned.

You Nian still didn’t know about Ye Xi’s relationship with Ni Yueying. She watched as Ni Yueying suddenly claimed to be Ye Xi’s mother.

Before Ye Xi could deny it, she muttered softly, “So you can take advantage like this.”

After the ordeal in Wanghe Village, the little rabbit had grown closer to Ye Xi and was no longer as reserved and cautious as before. She puffed out her little chest. “I’m Mama too.”

The short little rabbit caught Ren Shu’s attention. Ren Shu bent down slightly to look at the opportunistic You Nian and reached out a hand covered in wrinkles to pat her head. Her eyes crinkled into lines from smiling. “Ah Ying, is this your granddaughter?”

“I’m Mama!” You Nian earnestly declared this to Ren Shu, jumping up and down in place anxiously.

Ni Yueying pressed down on the rabbit’s head and picked up Ren Shu’s words. “Yeah.”

Ren Shu touched You Nian’s cheek, her affectionate gaze enveloping the little one. “Little Ying, your granddaughter is so cute. Your two daughters are both so beautiful. If only I…”

She seemed to remember something, and her voice trailed off slowly.

A flicker of reminiscence and sorrow appeared in Ren Shu’s eyes, prompting You Nian to ask curiously, “Grandma, don’t you have any kids?”

“No.” Ren Shu shook her head. “My lover passed away, but… even if she were alive, we wouldn’t have had children. She…”

A spark lit up in Ren Shu’s aged, murky eyes. “My lover was very beautiful.”

She seemed unable to recall more, or perhaps unwilling to bring it up again.

Ye Tan suddenly seemed to think of something and asked Ni Yueying softly, “Is it her?”

Ni Yueying nodded. Ye Xi followed up, “Grandma, who is it?”

Ren Shu’s ears caught Ye Xi’s questioning voice. She finally remembered there was one person whose identity she hadn’t figured out. She raised her eyes in astonishment and carefully studied Ye Tan’s face. The more she looked, the more shocked she became. “Little Ying, this is your mother-in-law?”

Cough cough!

Ye Xi nearly choked on her own saliva, but Ni Yueying nodded with a smile. “Yes.”

Ignoring Ye Tan’s murderous glare, she steadied Ye Tan’s shoulder and pushed her a bit closer to Ren Shu. “Sister Ren, doesn’t my mother-in-law look pretty young?”

Ren Shu nodded seriously. “Your whole family looks so young, and so beautiful…”

Ye Tan brushed off Ni Yueying’s hand and shot her a fierce glare before walking alone to a corner seat.

A smile tugged at Ni Yueying’s lips. “Sister Ren, my mother-in-law has a bit of a temper. Don’t take it to heart.”

Ren Shu lowered her voice. “Little Ying, go keep your mother-in-law company. I’ll go prepare the food.”

“Okay.” Ni Yueying agreed softly and instructed the elderly Ren Shu, “Sister Ren, no need for too much—just a few home-style dishes will do.”

Ren Shu was quite old, but her legs and feet were still nimble.

She acknowledged Ni Yueying and quickly headed to the back kitchen.

After Ren Shu went to the kitchen, Ni Yueying led Ye Xi and the others to the spot Ye Tan had chosen and sat down. Ye Tan lifted her eyelids slightly. “How did you say it out loud?”

“Thick skin is all you need.”

Ni Yueying sat nonchalantly beside Ye Tan, who immediately bounced up from her chair. “Ni Yueying!”

Ye Xi and Shen Mingjin were both startled, unsure whether to sit or stand.

Ni Yueying didn’t even blink as she forcibly pulled Ye Tan back down. “Mom, sit.”