Outside, the sun was rising…
Ye Qiu was still meditating. Zhu Zhuqing had already woken up and was sitting beside him. After watering the Blue Silver Emperor, she kept staring at Ye Qiu.
She was planning to leave.
Before leaving, she had to remember Ye Qiu clearly.
More importantly, he had to remember her as well. She couldn't allow him to forget what he had done for her—just as he had promised before.
Under her gaze, Ye Qiu's eyebrows twitched slightly, and a faint blush crept onto his face.
Seeing that Ye Qiu was even more embarrassed than she was, Zhu Zhuqing temporarily put away her own embarrassment and reached out, removing the thing that originally belonged to her from Ye Qiu's eyes.
"Oh?" She noticed that Ye Qiu had actually finished meditating. A mischievous smile appeared on her lips.
"Ye Qiu~ Why aren't you opening your eyes yet? Am I that scary? Aren't you uncomfortable holding your breath? Whew~"
A gentle breeze blew toward Ye Qiu's eyes. He blinked several times, his eyelids still half-closed, until he had no choice but to open them.
"Why are you so close to me?" Looking at the beautiful face only inches from his own, Ye Qiu quickly turned his head away before daring to breathe properly.
"Haha~ You weren't like this when you were applying medicine to me!"
"I've already forgotten about that…"
"You dare!" Zhu Zhuqing immediately grabbed his collar and shoved him to the ground.
"From now on, I won't allow you to forget!"
"Really?" Ye Qiu looked at her, wondering if she was testing him again.
Seeing Ye Qiu standing there blankly, sharp claws shot out from her hand.
"Did you hear me clearly?!"
"I did, I did!" The words might be fake, but the claws at his neck certainly weren't.
In the end, Ye Qiu followed his heart. After all, he truly couldn't forget.
"So," Zhu Zhuqing asked softly, "after thinking all night, have you figured out how I feel?"
"Huh?" Ye Qiu laughed awkwardly. Was this something he could say? What if it was just his imagination?
"Huh? Still hesitating? It seems you're not quite sure…" Zhu Zhuqing pursed her lips. Her eyes showed a hint of shyness, mixed with annoyance. She was secretly irritated by how stubborn he was.
Shadow Spider Spears suddenly emerged from her back and positioned themselves around Ye Qiu.
"What are you trying to do?" Ye Qiu raised an eyebrow, nearly activating his martial soul. This was far too dangerous.
"To make you understand more clearly!" she said, then bit down on Ye Qiu's lips.
Their eyes met.
This time, Ye Qiu didn't hesitate. Three tomoe instantly appeared in his eyes as he was about to activate his soul skill—
—but a spider spear was already pressed against his eyelid.
Forced into submission, the red glow in his eyes faded, leaving the mischievous cat free to do as she pleased.
This time, it lasted longer than the night before.
Ye Qiu's face flushed deeply from holding his breath, his eyes nearly tearing up from humiliation.
"Hiss—"
A sharp pain shot through his mouth.
After a long moment, their lips finally parted.
"Now… do you understand?" Zhu Zhuqing asked impatiently, her eyes filled with desire, her face burning red as she struggled to catch her breath.
Ye Qiu was still adjusting his breathing when he noticed her expression growing increasingly dangerous. He hurriedly nodded.
"Say it."
"Huh? Do I really have to say it?"
"What do you think?" She sat on him, pressing her hand against his chest, Shadow Spider Spears hovering menacingly above. It was clear she wouldn't let this end otherwise.
"Gulp…" Ye Qiu swallowed hard, turned his head away in embarrassment, and whispered,
"Y-you… you like me…"
The shame was overwhelming. Ye Qiu couldn't help but close his eyes.
This felt completely different from saying 'I like you.'
Hearing his answer, Zhu Zhuqing's face lit up with joy. Her neck flushed red, her eyes filled with satisfaction, and her voice trembled with delight.
"Say it again!"
"You like me…" Ye Qiu's face burned, even his toes curling from embarrassment.
"Hehe! Did you hear my confession yourself?" Zhu Zhuqing looked down at him with a teasing gaze.
"I heard it!" Ye Qiu was on the verge of tears.
This was your confession? Why did I have to say it?!
He deeply regretted not being more confident earlier.
"Well… even though I already know," Ye Qiu said awkwardly, "I already have a rabbit—no, I mean, I already have Xiao Wu!"
As embarrassing as it was, he had to make things clear.
"Did I ask for your consent?" Zhu Zhuqing's eyes dimmed slightly, but her tone remained firm.
"Huh?" Ye Qiu froze.
"I'm just informing you," she said coldly. "Letting you know. Humph!"
She finally withdrew her Shadow Spider Spears, stood up, and pulled Ye Qiu to his feet.
Blushing, she straightened his clothes while he was still completely dazed.
"Release your horse."
Ye Qiu looked at her strangely but did as she said.
Zhu Zhuqing mounted her iron-hoofed horse and looked back at him.
"I'll help you with that favor. If I really go to Soto City, I'll protect that girl named Xiao Wu."
"Then… thank you."
Before Ye Qiu could say anything else, her voice and the horse's neigh cut him off. She rode forward like an arrow, shooting straight toward the cave entrance.
"Holy crap! My girl!" Ye Qiu shouted, snapping out of it and rushing toward the exit.
Zhu Zhuqing's voice echoed from outside.
"Ye Qiu! Just you wait!"
Her voice was loud and cheerful.
Yes… she had a new goal now.
She would become stronger—strong enough to break free from marriage, from family, from fate itself—and then embrace Ye Qiu openly.
As for that girl named Xiao Wu…
She wanted to see exactly what she looked like.
Ye Qiu rushed out of the cave, but both Zhu Zhuqing and her horse had already vanished.
"She left just like that?!"
They were so intense just moments ago, and now she was gone without hesitation?
Who cheated whom here?
The sudden contrast left Ye Qiu feeling unsettled and anxious. The more he thought about it, the more depressed he became.
"Damn it! I've been on the defensive again… and I even lost a girl!"
"Phew… she bit really hard. My tongue is still bleeding… tui!"
Ye Qiu spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva, glanced twice in the direction Zhu Zhuqing had left, then returned to the cave.
Looking at the empty space, he felt an uncomfortable emptiness. Humans truly are creatures meant to live together. When someone you see every day suddenly leaves, the silence feels unbearable.
He walked to Zhu Zhuqing's bedside, planning to store the bed in his divine space.
But when Ye Qiu saw what she had left behind, he covered his face with his hand, his lips twitching.
"Did she leave this on purpose…?"
Several pairs of black stockings lay neatly on the bed.
Ye Qiu wondered if she had misunderstood him. He really only wanted to cover his eyes back then!
With a helpless sigh, he activated his divine power and quickly stored everything away—out of sight, out of mind.
He sat cross-legged in front of the Blue Silver Emperor and gently stroked its leaves, worry creeping into his heart.
"I don't know if it was right or wrong to send her to protect Xiao Wu… I hope those two don't end up fighting."
He began carefully reflecting on his relationship with Zhu Zhuqing.
Saying he didn't like her? That would be a lie. Who doesn't like beautiful girls? Besides, he had already seen her and touched her…
But if it was love? There had been strong feelings during the kiss… and when he applied medicine…
The problem was—he already had—
"Damn it! What am I even thinking about?!" Ye Qiu grabbed his hair.
He collapsed to the ground, exhausted, eyes closed. He needed peace.
The leaves of the Blue Silver Emperor brushed against his face, gently stroking him as if offering comfort.
Its trunk emitted a faint green glow as a warm life force slowly flowed into Ye Qiu's forehead.
His chaotic emotions gradually settled.
"I didn't expect the Blue Silver Emperor to have a calming effect," Ye Qiu murmured.
"It seems having a plant companion isn't so bad."
After a while, he stood up, looked at the Blue Silver Emperor, and watered it again.
Since bringing it out, it had grown remarkably well. What was once knee-high now reached his waist.
As if responding to his praise, its leaves swayed happily.
"Hehe…" Ye Qiu played with it for a bit longer, feeling much better.
Suddenly—
A childish voice echoed in his mind.
"Whee…!"
"Who's there?!" Ye Qiu spun around, staring at the cave entrance.
There was nothing—only his echo.
What's going on lately? Why do I keep hearing girls laughing? Ye Qiu frowned deeply. This shouldn't be happening—especially not more than once.
"Brother… he… here…"
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