Bi Bidong let out a scornful laugh, turning her back to Qian Renxue as she gazed out the window:
"Yes, I did want you to go. What a pity—your dear grandfather protects you so fiercely, refusing to let you take any risks no matter what."
Her tone was light, betraying neither joy nor anger, yet it pierced Qian Renxue's heart like a needle.
Qian Renxue stood frozen, the fragmented words she had overheard outside the hall now casually confirmed by Bi Bidong.
Her heart felt clogged, stifled and panicked.
She opened her mouth, wanting to ask, "Do you really want me to take such a risk so badly?" But the words that came out were:
"Why me?"
Bi Bidong didn't turn around, her voice carrying through the window frame with a faint, elusive chill:
"Because you are a Qian, the heir of the Angel God."
"The Spirit Hall has raised you all these years. Shouldn't you do something for it?"
"I..."
Qian Renxue was left speechless, her eyes involuntarily reddening.
"If I go, will you be happy?"
Her voice was soft, carrying a hint of hope she herself hadn't noticed—like a candle flame flickering in the wind, weak yet persistent.
Hearing this, Bi Bidong slowly turned and walked toward her step by step.
She crouched before Qian Renxue, her movements not gentle but carrying a strange sense of pressure.
Her fingertip lifted Qian Renxue's chin, forcing her to look up.
Their eyes met; deep within Bi Bidong's violet pupils surged complex emotions, veiled by a layer of icy film.
"What do you think, my dear daughter?"
Her voice was drawn out, tinged with an elusive nuance—as if probing, yet mocking.
Qian Renxue's heart skipped a beat. Gazing at Bi Bidong's face so close, she mustered her courage and asked:
"Then if I go, in the future... can I call you Mother?"
The question was like a stone tossed into a lake, causing a ripple in Bi Bidong's eyes.
The icy film seemed to crack, revealing a flash of pain beneath.
But only for a moment. Then she abruptly released her grip, her voice cold as forged ice:
"No!"
Two words, resolute and unyielding, leaving no room for negotiation—like a blunt knife harshly cutting into Qian Renxue's heart.
Qian Renxue staggered back a step, her eyes instantly reddening. The courage she had mustered shattered completely before those two words.
Staring at Bi Bidong's restored indifference, she suddenly found her utterly unfamiliar.
"Why..." Her voice trembled with tears.
"Enough."
Bi Bidong cut her off sharply, a trace of impatience in her tone as if another word would be a waste of effort.
"Go if you're willing. If not, I can always find someone else. No need to linger here."
Her words were like a bucket of cold water, dousing the last ember of hope in Qian Renxue's heart and igniting the stubbornness in her bones.
Qian Renxue lifted her head abruptly, tears still clinging to her lashes, her gaze turning unusually resolute:
"I understand! I will go!"
Three words, spoken quickly and urgently, carrying a desperate, all-or-nothing determination.
Bi Bidong's back stiffened almost imperceptibly, but she didn't turn around, only uttering a faint "Hmm," her voice devoid of any emotion.
Qian Renxue stared at the back that never turned toward her, feeling as if something was clogging her heart, aching with suffocating tightness.
She bit her lower lip, turned, and strode out, her steps so swift it seemed she was fleeing.
Pausing briefly at the doorway, she ultimately said nothing, pulled the door open, and quickly disappeared down the corridor.
The door closed softly, separating two worlds.
Bi Bidong slowly turned around, gazing at the empty doorway, the turbulent emotions in her eyes finally unveiled.
There was pain, struggle, and a trace of something even she was unwilling to admit—reluctance.
She raised a hand to press her throbbing temple and murmured in a voice so soft only she could hear:
"This is the path you chose... very well..."
Qian Renxue wiped her tears haphazardly with the back of her hand, stumbling as she ran out of the Papal Hall.
The night wind, cool against her face, made her tears flow even more fiercely.
Just as she rounded a corner in the corridor, a figure blocked her path.
"It's you!"
She lifted her tear-streaked face, recognizing Su Yu, her tone tinged with flustered embarrassment.
"It's so late—why aren't you back in your room sleeping? What are you doing here?"
Su Yu looked at her red-rimmed eyes, his brow furrowing slightly.
Before Qian Renxue could answer, he stepped forward, pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, and naturally wiped the tears from the corner of her eye.
"If I were asleep, how would I get to see the proud little puppy crying?"
Su Yu's tone held a hint of teasing, but his eyes concealed concern.
"Who's a puppy?!" Qian Renxue abruptly turned her face away, evading his hand, her voice choked yet still defiant.
"I'm not crying! It's... the wind is too strong, and sand got in my eyes!"
As she spoke, she rubbed her eyes vigorously again, only making them redder, like a wronged little rabbit putting on a brave front.
Su Yu didn't expose her, simply tucking the handkerchief into her hand:
"Wipe your eyes—they're red as a rabbit's. Whatever the reason, crying like this would even make Xiao Hui's heart ache."
Qian Renxue's movements stilled. She looked down at the handkerchief in her hand and offered no further rebuttal.
The night wind tousled her hair, brushing against her cheeks with a chill that helped calm her slightly.
"You..."
She sniffled, her voice muffled, "Why are you here?"
"Just out for some air, happened to pass by," Su Yu said softly, watching her downcast eyes.
"Did something happen? You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to, but don't keep it bottled up alone."
Qian Renxue clenched the handkerchief tightly, her knuckles turning white. After a long moment, she whispered almost inaudibly:
"I'm leaving Spirit City."
"Is it about the plan the Pope mentioned this morning?"
Su Yu's tone deepened as he looked at her reddened eyes.
Qian Renxue jerked her head up, surprise flooding her gaze: "You already know?"
"I overheard a few words outside the hall when I returned this afternoon."
Su Yu didn't hide it. "The Grand Elder has already rejected the Pope's plan. You don't have to go."
Qian Renxue lowered her head, staring at her tightly clenched hands, her voice soft as a sigh:
"But... I've already promised her."
"Promises can be broken," Su Yu frowned.
"That place is too dangerous. Infiltrating the Heaven Dou Imperial Family—one misstep and you'll be beyond redemption. There's no need for you to..."
"I have to!" Qian Renxue interrupted him, suddenly raising her head. Her light purple eyes flashed with stubborn light.
"She's my mother, isn't she? If I succeed, perhaps... perhaps she'll treat me better."