Thinking about this, Chu Ge felt he had something more to do; he could no longer spend his whole life holed up in his room writing.
For example, those gatherings he had originally planned to decline, including but not limited to online writers' association gatherings, local writers' circle gatherings, and classmate reunions, might all become things he had to attend.
He especially needed to socialize with people in professions like Lin Wuyang; who knows, he might unexpectedly learn about some supernatural situations.
It wasn't that he was particularly interested in whether others had special abilities, but rather that he really needed to go out and find clues about Qiu Wuji's escape; otherwise, relying solely on sitting in front of the computer writing, he would never find anything.
The more Chu Ge thought about it, the more his head ached. He really didn't like socializing; he had previously declined almost all of these invitations. Really… besides his work being in disarray, was his life about to completely change as well?
But seeing Qiu Wuji silently clearing the dishes and washing them, that slight headache vanished instantly, as if rubbed by her gentle touch.
The advantage of being a cultivator is that she can wash dishes in seconds. Unlike other couples who share a room and the woman cooks, meaning the man usually has to wash the dishes, this conventional chores are no longer necessary. It's more comfortable than eating out—delicious, cheap, and hygienic, plus she's pleasing to the eye, wearing black stockings and high heels.
Psychologically, it's incredibly satisfying. This woman, a peerless master admired by everyone in her own world, is here cooking and washing dishes like a dutiful wife. Chu Ge knew that Qiu Wuji wasn't necessarily swayed by rent; she definitely felt guilty for disrupting his work and intended to make amends.
For this, what's a few changes?
The first change: exercise.
After dinner, she wrote an extra chapter. By nine o'clock, having digested her food, Chu Ge stepped onto the treadmill.
The treadmill was readily available, bought on a whim when Chu Ge decided to start exercising. However, before that, you wouldn't recognize it as a treadmill—it was piled high with various boxes and shelves, resembling a shelving cart. According to Zhang Qiren, "Brother Chu, your treadmill is pretty good, it can hold a lot."
Just carrying the stuff down made him sweat profusely in the sweltering heat. Embarrassingly, he only ran at eight kilometers per hour, and after less than ten minutes, he jumped off like a dog, standing to the side, panting and supporting his knees.
Qiu Wuji leaned lazily against the sofa reading, his gaze sweeping over him with a sidelong glance and a sigh that held an unreadable meaning.
Chu Ge wanted to die.
"Your running gadget is quite ingenious," Qiu Wuji said leisurely, withdrawing his gaze. "It's just a bit too restrictive. Should I add an isolation shield around it so it can't get out until it runs for a certain amount of time? I feel like that would be more effective."
"Do you think I'm Huang Bo?" Chu Ge rested for a moment, feeling quite refreshed, and regained his confidence. "This is just the result of not exercising for too long. If you can persevere, you can go longer! I could at least run a marathon in college..."
Perseverance... Qiu Wuji curled his lip. Judging from how you used it like a junkyard before, I know what your so-called perseverance is. No wonder you write about a protagonist with unwavering determination; it's just something you can't do yourself, so you fantasize about it in your book... just like the woman he can't have.
Just as he was thinking this, he saw Chu Ge lie down, his hands bent in front of his chest, supporting himself on the floor.
Qiu Wuji moved several feet to the side, his eyes wary. "What kind of lewd posture is that?"
"That's called a push-up. What does an old lady like you know?" Chu Ge began to huff and puff as he did push-ups. Qiu Wuji couldn't help but think this position looked like... well, this world is so strange. Judging from the change in body posture, it looked like muscle training, but why use a position like that for sex...?
Then Chu Ge collapsed to the ground after three minutes.
Qiu Wuji's gaze turned strange again.
Is this all you do for half an hour?
Chu Ge couldn't take it anymore and jumped up: "Why are you staring at me? Read your book!"
"Tch." Qiu Wuji's gaze returned to his book.
Chu Ge could no longer continue training. Dejectedly, he went into the bathroom in his pajamas. Just as he stepped inside, another head poked out: "Do you want to shower? Judging from your current cultivation level, since you haven't even achieved the state of fasting, you're probably not yet free from worldly impurities."
Qiu Wuji said calmly, "I know a cleansing technique. Want me to use it on you? It'll save time and effort."
Chu Ge shrank back: "No, it feels strange. It doesn't feel like I've properly washed myself. It's just a makeshift solution when I'm out and about."
The bathroom door closed, and soon the sound of running water filled the air. Qiu Wuji placed her book on her lap, her gaze somewhat unfocused.
So, living together is such a hassle. The feeling of a man showering naked in front of you, separated only by a door… it's really unsettling.
Well, it's all clean and tidy, anyway, no one saw it.
And Chu Ge's last comment, whether intentionally or not, definitely resonated with her.
Forget about using cleansing spells; even though her original body was long since free from worldly dust, she still occasionally felt the urge to take a bath. Women, you know…
He was probably doing it on purpose. Did he not know his own nature? Did he also want to experience what it felt like to have a woman bathing next door?
Pah! How shameless! I'm not going to bathe! Qiu Wuji angrily left her seat and returned to the second bedroom.
She froze for a moment as soon as she entered.
Originally, the second bedroom had no bedding, just a bed board, and she had planned to continue her cross-legged cultivation. But this time, upon entering, she saw that the sheets, pillows, and blankets were already neatly laid out, faintly exuding a fragrance.
This… Chu Ge bought and placed it here before she even returned?
How much he longed for someone to live with him!
I really don't need to sleep… Qiu Wuji silently looked at the little pig pillow on the bed, unsure of her own feelings.
Night deepened.
Determined to adjust his sleep schedule, Chu Ge wrote another half-chapter as a draft for tomorrow before going to bed.
The air conditioner hummed softly, providing a comfortable coolness in the sweltering summer heat and subtly calming his inner restlessness. Chu Ge stared at the ceiling, wondering if Qiu Wuji knew how to use an air conditioner. Oh, it probably didn't matter; she was perfectly immune to heat and cold, right? She'd even been wearing her thick robes out in public before.
After waiting for a while, there was no sound from next door. Exhausted from exercising, Chu Ge hadn't stayed up long today, and before he knew it, he'd drifted off to sleep.
Just as he fell asleep, Qiu Wuji seemed to sense something, sneaking out from next door like a thief, grabbing the pajamas she'd bought that day, and dashing into the bathroom.
"You lecherous brat, trying to fantasize about me taking a bath through the door? Does he think I can't hear when I'm asleep? Humph."
After a brief examination, the bathroom fixtures were easy to use. Qiu Wuji carefully undressed, revealing her fair, smooth body.
A bath would be so comfortable…but it's a pity this place is a bit small; there isn't even a bathtub…
As it turns out, whether mortal or fairy, bathing time is an absolute nightmare. Chu Ge slept fitfully for almost an hour, but not used to going to bed so early, he was woken up early by the urge to urinate. Rubbing his eyes, he staggered to the toilet.
Just as he stepped out of the room, he saw Qiu Wuji sneaking out of the bathroom like a thief.
The two met in astonishment in the middle of the living room. Chu Ge stared blankly at Qiu Wuji, who had just emerged from the bath. Her hair was wet, carrying the fresh scent of shampoo, and she looked like a ripe flower, delicate and alluring.
They were both wearing identical couple pajamas, the smiling faces on the clothes looking at each other, incredibly cute.
The atmosphere was momentarily silent.
Qiu Wuji's face gradually turned crimson.
Being caught sneaking a shower was bad enough, but this outfit was utterly humiliating! What kind of uniform is this for sect disciples?!
Several seconds passed in silence. Just as Qiu Wuji was about to find an excuse to explode, Chu Ge suddenly smiled slightly and said softly, "Good night, get some rest."
Qiu Wuji swallowed his rage, turned and watched Chu Ge's retreating figure disappear into the bathroom, remaining silent for a long while.