Things in the pond

Chapter 26

"Good morning," the man greeted casually.

"Good morning." Ting Cong didn't understand the fox's reaction, but couldn't ask any further questions. He replied when he heard the person speak.

"Are you two here for fun?" the man asked.

Ting Cong nodded.

The smile on the man's face also turned somewhat sinister. "A demon dwells in this pool..."

Tingcong and the fox exchanged a glance, then looked at the person.

“We know,” the fox nodded earnestly.

The man's expression turned somewhat strange.

"Because I am a fox..."

Ting Cong immediately covered the fox's mouth, "She's just guessing. However, I'm a disciple of the Taoist temple on the mountain, and I've heard my master mention it."

"Oh?" The man looked at the fox.

The fox is now a perfectly human, with no trace of demonic aura left. Even if that person could see right through her, they still wouldn't be able to discern her true nature.

"It seems your master is quite skilled. Since he told you, why did you come here?" The man, seeing nothing amiss, spoke again to Tingcong.

"I was just curious, so I came to take a look," Ting Cong said with a smile, making up a story on the spot.

"And you even brought a girl with you..." The man's tone was slightly sarcastic, "Aren't you afraid she'll be kidnapped by demons?"

"Huh?" Tingcong was stunned, and so was the fox.

"Demons all rely on their good looks to seduce people. Didn't your master tell you that?"

Hearing this, the fox became angry. She leaped up with a "whoosh," brandishing her claws—but she forgot she no longer had claws. So, the movement became somewhat silly.

"What are you doing?" the man asked the fox, his face expressionless.

The fox froze on the spot, chuckled awkwardly twice, and said, "Wow... is the demon really that beautiful...? I can't wait... Hahaha..."

= =|||

The man glanced at her disdainfully and said to Tingcong, "Hmph. Most women in this world judge a book by its cover. You'd better watch yourself."

After saying that, the person disappeared from the spot.

"This is outrageous!!!" the fox cried out in frustration. "This must be a fairy!!! Fairies are so annoying!!!"

"Master is also an immortal..."

"..." The fox squatted down, drawing circles under the will-o'-the-wisp, "Ting Cong, you're going too far... Let's not talk about the past anymore, life is already full of storms, even if the memories can't be erased, love and hate are still in my heart..." The fox sang a mournful song.

"Alright, alright, I won't say anymore." Ting Cong reached out and waved away the will-o'-the-wisp above her head.

The fox looked at him with teary eyes, "Are you angry?"

"No." Ting Cong sat down, turned his head away, and didn't look at her.

"Tingcong?" The fox leaned closer and whispered.

"What?" Ting Cong replied, still not looking at her.

"..." The fox thought for a moment and then said, "I didn't judge people by their appearance."

Ting Cong burst out laughing. "I know!" He reached out and tapped the fox on the head. "You can't tell the difference between beauty and ugliness at all!"

The fox covered its head, looking mournful. "Just say what you want to say, why hit me?"

"I didn't hit anyone, I hit the fox."

= =|||

"..." The fox stood up, picked up a persimmon, and threw it at the fox.

Ting Cong dodged, "Why are you throwing things!"

"The biggest difference between humans and animals is that humans use tools..." The fox picked up another one, "To prove that I am a qualified human, I need to use tools."

"What kind of nonsense is this?!" Tingcong retorted, picking up a persimmon and throwing it at them.

The pond suddenly became noisy.

Seeing that he was at a disadvantage, the fox picked up several persimmons, closed his eyes, and threw them wildly.

"Oh……"

A soft, pleasant voice rang out. Upon closer inspection, the dragon had already been knocked to the ground.

"Idiot!" The fox immediately ran over, asking with concern, "Are you alright?"

Chi touched his sore nose, shook his head with tears in his eyes, and said, "It's nothing..."

"I'm sorry. But it's all the fox's fault, so please don't blame me," Tingcong said as he came over.

The fox glared at Tingcong, "You've gone too far..."

"I didn't say anything wrong!"

The dragon looked at the two of them, clutching its paws, and said innocently, "I'm fine... stop arguing..."

"We didn't argue!" Tingcong and the fox shouted in unison.

The dragon shrank back, frightened.

"By the way, where did everyone go?" Tingcong changed the subject.

"Old Catfish told everyone to go to the frogs, but told me to go to the pond next door," Chi honestly replied.

"Huh? Why?" the fox asked, puzzled.

"I don't know," Chi answered honestly.

"Then why did you come back? Did the dragon bully you?" the fox asked again.

"I was worried, so I came back to check." After saying that, Chi looked around. "If there's nothing else, I'll go back to the pond next door."

"oh……"

After saying this, Chi turned and left.

"...This idiot is getting more and more eccentric..." the fox said helplessly.

“Yes…” Ting Cong replied helplessly.

"Ah!" the fox cried out, realizing something.

"What?!" Tingcong was startled.

"They went to look at the frog's photo album and didn't even call me!!!" After saying that, the fox took off running.

"You—" Tingcong immediately chased after him, "You really are judging by appearances, you sly fox, stop right there!!!"

...

...

The catfish sat in the courtyard behind the Taoist temple, looking at the bright red maple leaves filling the yard.

"You're here to admire the autumn leaves?" Ji You asked, taking a sip of tea and looking at the maple leaves.

"Hmm... I guess so. I heard that a poet passed by last time and even wrote a poem about the maple leaves here?" the catfish said.

Ji You sighed and pointed to the largest maple tree.

The catfish looked closely and saw a line of small characters written on it: "A winding stone path leads up the cold mountain, where houses stand amidst the deep white clouds. I stopped my carriage to admire the maple forest at dusk, its frosted leaves redder than February flowers." —XX was here.

= =|||

"Damaging public property..."

“Hmm.” Ji You nodded calmly, “That’s why I specially built a courtyard and surrounded all the maple trees.”

"so……"

Ji You turned to look at the catfish, whose teacup was still full and untouched.

"Did you need something from me?" Ji You asked.

The catfish was silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "Tomorrow, I would like to ask the master for a favor."

"If it's about exorcising demons or something, I'm afraid I can't help... that's too unethical," Ji You replied earnestly.

The catfish stared at him intently, then chuckled and said, "Heh... speaking of being unethical, I once..."

"I won't call you immoral, but don't change the subject."

"Cough cough..." The catfish straightened itself. "There may be unusual celestial phenomena tomorrow. If there are any changes in the town, I hope you can help me, Master."

Ji You looked at the clear blue sky and nodded. "It's my duty, no need to be polite."

"Hehe... You're being too polite, I once..."

"I'm not going to be polite with you anymore, don't change the subject..."

"..."

The catfish sighed and stood up. "Alright, I'm done talking, I'm leaving."

"No need to see me out." Ji You nodded.

"Tsk tsk, what beautiful maple leaves..." Catfish exclaimed as he stood in the maple forest before leaving.

Ji You smiled faintly, "I can't compare to you."

The catfish froze for a moment, then looked horrified. "Master Ji You, this constitutes sexual harassment..."

Ji You frowned slightly. "Be respectful in appearance and obedient in words! See the guest out!"

Two boys appeared instantly, their brows furrowed with a hint of murderous intent.

The catfish turned and waved, "Ah... goodbye, goodbye..."

It darted down the mountain in a flash, glancing back with a smile.

I can't compare to you.

Is this a compliment?

I remember a long time ago, there was a frog who liked to take advantage of people.