As dawn broke, the first rays of sunlight draped the world in a golden veil. A clear birdcall rang out, heralding the sun's slow ascent. The sky bloomed with vibrant red, purple qi rising from the east, casting an aura of serene harmony over the land.
The morning glow was poetic, radiant sunlight piercing the clouds to dance upon verdant mountains and shimmering waters. The river's surface sparkled, its ripples forming countless golden ribbons, vibrant and breathtaking. Towering peaks stood wreathed in mist, like an immortal realm. A spiritual spring gurgled through the ravines, cascading down cliffs in a misty waterfall, its spray scattering like smoke. A rainbow arched over the spirit river, a bridge linking heaven and earth.
Amid this stunning scenery, a small figure stood out.
A child, barely four years old, gripped a trident taller than himself, his eyes fixed on the river, poised to spear fish. On a stone slab by the shore lay a woman in snow-white robes, her expression languid, basking in the tranquil beauty of the moment.
"Xiao Fanzi, hurry it up!" Ye Qing Xian called out cheerfully, her voice crisp and melodious, like an oriole's song. Her lovely eyes squinted, a playful smile curving her lips.
"Got it, Boss! Almost done!" Xiao Fanzi replied promptly, his tender face brimming with earnest diligence.
He quickened his pace, the trident swinging wildly with each forceful thrust. Yet, beneath his effort, he muttered under his breath, "Stab you… stab you!" as if venting his frustrations on the fish.
Splash!
A fish with dragon-like whiskers leaped from the water, its body tracing a graceful arc through the air. Xiao Fanzi reacted swiftly, skewering it with his trident. Its scales gleamed like molten gold, crystalline and tough. Over a meter long, its flesh looked plump and delectable.
This was a Dragon Scale Fish, a spiritual creature of great divinity, prized for its exquisite flavor and its ability to bolster blood and strengthen sinews. Xiao Fanzi expertly cleaned it, lit a fire, and sliced the meat into thin strips, his practiced movements betraying how often he'd done this.
When the fish was cooked, he carefully carried the pot, his face alight with a bright smile, and presented it to the woman with solemn reverence. "Please, Boss, enjoy!"
"Not bad. You're teachable." Ye Qing Xian lazily opened her eyes, her gem-like pupils appraising her little subordinate with a satisfied nod.
Her red lips parted as she savored the meal, delighting in each bite. Who could imagine the invincible Holy Emperor of the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands reduced to my obedient lackey? she thought, suppressing a laugh. Good thing he's lost his memories and started anew, or else, heh…
Lin Fan, watching her relish the food, seethed inwardly. Goddamn it, does she know what I've been through these years?
This woman, radiant as a fairy, her beauty unforgettable, took perverse pleasure in tormenting him, building her joy on his misery. When he was barely a year old, she'd forced him to fend for himself. Fine, self-reliance was one thing, but demanding him to serve her tea, cook her meals daily? That was child abuse, plain and simple.
What kind of person does this? I'm just a kid!
Worse, she'd saddled him with the name Lin Fan, calling him "Xiao Fanzi" endlessly. Did she think he was clueless about its implications? A generic, throwaway name, mocking his existence.
Truly worthy of being raised by the Four Calamities of the Heavens—her heart's as black as they come! Lin Fan grumbled under his breath.
"Xiao Fanzi, what's that muttering?" Ye Qing Xian's brows arched, her pearly teeth glinting as she smiled, but the air carried a dangerous edge.
Lin Fan jolted, plastering on a fawning grin. "Heh, just thinking if I should give Boss a massage next, make you feel all happy and relaxed!"
Ye Qing Xian barely contained her laughter, her chest heaving with mirth. Lin Fan's cheeky demeanor, paired with his tiny frame, made him an irresistibly adorable little boy. Holding back a chuckle was impossible.
"Alright, get to it!" She stretched languidly, reclining on a spacious bench.
Damn it, one day I'll make you pay for this, for the sake of my… dignity! Lin Fan thought, his smile stiff, memories of past humiliations stinging.
With a hop, he climbed onto her, beginning what had become, over the years, his one small pleasure: giving massages. Her body was soft, her skin smooth as lamb fat jade, glowing faintly with an ethereal sheen. He pressed carefully, not too light or heavy, moving from shoulders to back, switching to gentle taps.
"Boss, how's the pressure?"
"Decent," Ye Qing Xian replied leisurely, her face glowing with comfort.
But sensing a pair of wandering hands, she warned, "No lower, or your head's mine. Can't be lecherous so young!"
"Huh? Boss, what're you thinking? I just wanted to give you a full-body massage. I'm four—what could I do?" Lin Fan protested, his childish voice dripping with innocence, his expression pure as snow.
"Oh, I know exactly what you're scheming, you little pervert. One wiggle of your butt, and I've got your number." Ye Qing Xian smirked, her tone teasing.
Lin Fan was speechless. She looked like a sacred fairy, untouchable and refined, yet her words were crass, her shamelessness thicker than a pig's hide.
As if reading his thoughts, she flicked his forehead hard, crowing, "No badmouthing this fairy in your head! A lackey should act like one. If I were still my sharp-edged younger self, I'd string you up and teach you how to be a proper minion!"
"Ow!" Lin Fan yelped, tears welling from the stinging pain. She hadn't held back. Still, he protested, "I'm innocent! I admire you like the endless river, my heart's full of you—how could I badmouth you?"
A torrent of flattery followed, praising her until Ye Qing Xian beamed, almost embarrassed by the adulation.
"Ahem, good to see you get it, Xiao Fanzi. Being my lackey is a privilege countless would kill for. You should feel lucky!" she declared, brimming with self-satisfaction.
Lin Fan wanted to crawl into a hole and die. How had he started life saddled with this shameless, vain woman? Silent, she was a divine lotus, fit to be a saintess. But the moment she spoke, she was a cunning, impish devil, utterly unrestrained.
"Yes, yes, yes… Serving Fairy Boss is my life's greatest honor. Xiao Fanzi will heed your golden wisdom forever!" he nodded fervently, playing along.
"For being so sensible, I've decided to give you a chance—go out and make your mark!" Ye Qing Xian said, her mood buoyant.
"What? I can leave?!" Lin Fan shouted, overjoyed, but doubt crept in. It felt too good to be true.
He'd dreamed of escaping for ages, but every attempt had failed. This jungle was impassable for him alone, teeming with ferocious beasts and raptors. And if Ye Qing Xian caught him sneaking off, the consequences were grim—days of torment.
Is this a trap?
"Boss, honestly, I'd rather stay by your side. The outside world's got nothing on you—you're the most beautiful sight in existence," Lin Fan said, his words honeyed but cautious, wary of falling into another of her schemes.
Once, she'd tricked him like this, and he'd suffered three days of torment. He'd begun to wonder if she was menopausal.
"I'm serious this time. As my attendant, you're too weak. That won't do!" Ye Qing Xian said, eyeing the little weakling with mild disdain.
In truth, she worried she might actually break him, derailing greater plans. The future held… significant consequences, and she couldn't afford to mess this up.
Lin Fan bristled. Disdained? By her? Who was the one who'd kept him here for four years—four long, grueling years, a saga of suffering!