Fighting to be Kind in a Cultivation World

Chapter 388: Time with Ai and Lin

Chapter 388: Time with Ai and Lin

As Shi and I come back up the tunnels back into Gong’s area of control, we see that everyone else already has started working on their cultivation and own projects.

Ai, Lin, and Gong cultivate together, whilst occasionally stopping to practicing their techniques. When we approach, they all finish up their practice, to run over to Shi excitedly asking how it went. Shi matches their energy and starts chatting with them, telling them all about the underground area.

To my surprise, she invites everyone to come join us down there next time.

I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised, though. I already made it special for her by taking her there first, so she just wants to share it with others.

Man... I really got lucky with them all.

They talk for a bit more, before Ai runs up next to me to grab my hands. Jumping in place, a far cry from her usual demeanor.

“I’m next! Where are we heading to?”

I give her a huge smile, loving how much she is looking forward to this. I pull her into a hug, holding her close to me and gently rubbing her head. As I do so, I let her know where we’ll be heading next.

“Actually, I wanted you, Lin, and I to head on the date together, if you are both alright with that?”

They both look at me and each other with surprise, but thankfully quickly nod, figuring that there is likely a good reason for that. With this in mind, I pull them to the surface and through the demihumans sectors and back into the normal part of the city.

I turn to Ai, but speak to both of them.

“So, my idea for the date is based on something you both had told me about a while back, in some of our late-night talks. You guys dreamed about what it would be like to just go around like the rich people and just explore the city, without worrying about whom to look out for or whether you can even be there...”

Their faces instantly light up in equal parts anticipation and disbelief.

Normally, I wouldn’t use this as a date idea... but this city is a trauma for them, as much as it is a home. Being forced to be on the bottom rung of society, to go through the things they did... they need a fresh look at how different things are today for them.

I lean over conspiratorially, whispering between both of them.

“...Don’t you want to know what it would be like to spend money like water? Spend a night on the town, in the luxury districts?”

Lin has a dazed look while Ai speaks.

“...wouldn’t that be expensive, though?”

I give a full smile and before her eyes, condense a spirit stone in my hand, using far too much qi to do so to speed up the process, but did anyway to make a point in an instant.

“What’s money, to cultivators like us?”

After the realization dawns on their face, they look at each other and promptly start dragging me to the luxury areas.

Ah...I may have made a mistake.

Lin squeezes her hand back and moves her other hand to clasp it in hers.

“You’re right... Things have changed. We have changed.”

“...”

She falls silent again, but begins stroking the cat's back, which reciprocates, pushing itself against her hand. This small action breaks the dam, causing small tears to continuously drop down her cheeks.

Lin’s always tried to stay strong for Ai. Holding it in and dealing with things for the both of them. Ai certainly had her struggles, but Lin also had hers.

I take the initiative, pulling all of us in a hug while speaking to each of them.

“You guys deserved all of this, even before you became cultivators. This and even better.

“I’ll make sure you get it.”

Ai holds both of us tight, close to tears herself. I can’t help but squeeze them a little closer.

We stay all like this for the next 15 minutes. Long after Lin stopped crying.

There’s another moment of peace before Ai separates from us with a smile.

“Alright... let’s get back home so we can pet our kitties more.”

“Heh.”

Lin snickers.

Ai looks confused, but then gives out a chuckle, shaking her head. Even I give a laugh when I realize she’s thinking dirty.

“Never change, Lin.”

With that ending note, we went back over to Gong’s territory, coming into the demihumans village. And as we do so, seeing Gong practically hopping in place, in excitement.

I whisper a light teasing about Gong, to Ai and Lin.

“...Someone’s eager...”

“I heard that!”

Gong’s yell echoes out from the distance and we can’t help but run a little faster to meet up with her again.