Chapter 1796 - 161: The Difference

"Well, ever since I became a Phoenix... it seems my appetite hasn’t been great. I used to get hungry often in Nali. Master Tao says it’s because I can absorb energy from the World Tree Root here, so I don’t eat much anymore. But there’s a benefit to this..."

"What benefit?"

As Fisher was drawn in by her words, Valentina gave a sly smile, shook her wings to lift her clothes a bit, and pointed to her clearly defined waistline,

"Of course, I won’t get fat."

"..."

Fisher touched his chin, recalling her human body when he saw her in the Northern Realm, then nodded in agreement,

"That’s true, you had a little belly back then, and now you don’t."

Though true, Valentina puffed out her cheeks in anger, clearly displeased with Fisher’s mention of her having a little belly.

"I used to always sit in a wheelchair and couldn’t move. Having a bit of flesh is normal!"

"It’s not a bad thing; it all looks very nice."

"Liar, you obviously care..."

Valentina put down the clothes she had lifted up earlier, paused for a moment, and then continued,

"...Want to feel the difference?"

"..."

Fisher was slightly stunned, glancing down at Valentina who was also looking at him. Before he could open his mouth to respond, Valentina’s face flushed, and she quickly backed away a little to explain,

"Not that kind of try, at least wait until bed?! I meant a lap pillow!"

"A lap pillow..."

"Mm-hmm, because... mm, the flesh on my thighs has reduced significantly."

Valentina awkwardly concocted a reason, but Fisher saw that she might have noticed he looked tired and wanted him to relax a bit.

"If my wife suggests it, I can’t refuse..."

"Mm-hmm."

Valentina lowered her head as Fisher already lay on his side, leaning into her lap facing the same direction.

After a moment of silence, she gently reached out to caress Fisher’s head and shyly said,

"Ho... how is it? Have I lost a lot of weight compared to before?"

Fisher quietly leaned against her thigh, feeling it tremble due to her nervousness and shyness. Lying there dumbly, he sensed not only her care but also a vitality distinctly different from when she was disabled in the past.

"..."

He suddenly felt grateful for helping Valentina stand up again was truly wonderful.

"Boop..."

In the next second, her warm fingers poked at his cheek since he didn’t reply. She lowered her head to look at him, trying to see what he might be thinking.

"So soft, so warm."

"What kind of evaluation is that? It has nothing to do with me being a bit slimmer!"

After being poked several times by his wife, Fisher helplessly reached out, gently placed her hand on his cheek.

"By the way, didn’t you want to tell me about Alagina this morning?"

Before he could settle down for even two seconds, Valentina’s voice rang out, sounding like a death knell, causing Fisher’s body to tense slightly.

For some reason, just a moment ago, the warm Phoenix Feather became like the legendary Feather Robe carrying frost and storm, freezing his face.

"Um..."

Valentina’s hand gently shifted backward, grabbing his ear. Though she had never done this before, somehow, after becoming his wife, she seemed to awaken a hidden instinct, handling it with ease.

However, she didn’t use force. After a sigh, she spoke,

"Earlier, Alagina told me she decided to leave the Wutong Tree once everything ends. She doesn’t want to distract you or let our matters disrupt the upcoming events. I don’t want that either..."

"So, Valentina, what do you think?"

"Think about what?" Valentina pinched Fisher’s ear again, pouting as she spoke, "Carefully think it over. Perhaps Alagina is right. Though she formed a bond with you first, entering the Wutong Tree requires the Holy Marriage decree left by the Moon Princess. It seems unavoidable."

Question: How might Fisher feel hearing Alagina’s words now?

Could it be a sigh of relief? It seems Valentina also believes Fisher’s choice was a helpless one, saving him the trouble of explaining himself. She’s supplemented the reasoning herself and convinced herself—how wonderful!

If thinking this way, then it’s advisable not to research demi-human girls without maxing out survival skills.

If believing it’s necessary to be nervous and deny this point, then it suggests a potential for researching demi-human girls, but it’s not yet enough; one must also recognize the crux of the issue.

The key issue is that Valentina’s words seem to be convincing herself, though Fisher now agrees there’s likely no hassle. After all, Valentina seems to have already convinced herself, saving effort.

Yet, if Alagina thinks Fisher and Valentina’s Holy Marriage was a helpless act, can Valentina and Fisher, who experienced the Holy Marriage, view it this way?

If holding the Holy Marriage implies a makeshift means of entering the Wutong Tree, what might Fisher’s view of this relationship be?