Tang San's heart instantly leapt into his throat.
The footsteps were light, coming from the stairs.
He recognized that familiar rhythm immediately—it was Xiao Wu.
His body tensed as he held his breath, listening as the footsteps drew closer step by step.
They stopped in front of the room next door.
Knock, knock, knock.
The door opened, and Su Bai's slightly lazy voice sounded.
"You're here?"
Then came Xiao Wu's somewhat nervous reply.
"Mm…"
But the door didn't close right away.
Su Bai spoke again, his voice not loud, yet clear enough to pass through the wooden wall.
"Xiao Wu, does Tang San know you came to see me tonight?"
Tang San froze.
He heard it clearly—Su Bai was definitely saying it on purpose for him to hear.
Xiao Wu sounded puzzled as she softly replied:
"No. Third Brother is Third Brother, and I'm me."
"Why would I tell him?"
Bang. The door shut.
A chill ran from the top of Tang San's head down to his feet.
"Third Brother is Third Brother, and I'm me."
Those words pierced his heart like a needle.
For six years, from Nuoding City to Shrek, he had always treated Xiao Wu as his little sister—perhaps even something more.
But now, she said something like that.
A deep sense of loss and betrayal swallowed him whole.
"Xiao Wu… my Xiao Wu…"
Tang San muttered, unable to accept it.
He suddenly flipped off the bed, barefoot, pressing his ear tightly against the cold wall.
He had to listen.
He needed to know what was happening inside.
…
Inside the room.
Su Bai closed the door and turned to look at Xiao Wu, who seemed a little uneasy.
The girl wore a pink outfit, her long scorpion braid hanging behind her. Her big eyes curiously scanned the simple room.
There was only a bed, a table, and a chair.
"Su Bai-gege, you…"
Xiao Wu wanted to ask about the strange aura she felt from him.
Su Bai reached out, lightly touching the rabbit-ear accessory on her head, then letting his fingers slide along her hair to her braid.
Xiao Wu stiffened slightly, her cheeks warming.
She had only ever been this close to Tang San before.
But now, she didn't feel that same familiarity toward him.
Instead, Su Bai's presence made her heartbeat quicken.
"Xiao Wu, you're very pretty. Your braid suits you well," Su Bai said softly.
Xiao Wu nervously clutched her clothes, her heart racing.
She instinctively took a small step back, overwhelmed.
"S-Su Bai-gege… don't…"
Her voice came out soft and weak, lacking any real firmness.
…
Next door.
Tang San pressed himself against the wall, barely able to make out the conversation.
Then he heard Xiao Wu's faint, trembling voice.
"…don't…"
Boom!
Those words exploded in his mind like thunder.
Blood rushed to his head.
"Su Bai! What are you trying to do to Xiao Wu?!"
Tang San's eyes turned red as his breathing grew heavy.
His soul power surged uncontrollably.
Anger, jealousy, and killing intent intertwined, nearly burning away his reason.
He couldn't keep listening like this.
He had to go in.
Tang San turned abruptly and stepped out of his room.
The corridor was dark, lit only by moonlight spilling through the windows.
Using the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, he moved silently to Su Bai's door.
Yet, for some reason, he didn't push it open immediately.
Instead, he pressed his ear against the door.
This time, the sounds inside were clearer.
…
Inside the room.
Su Bai looked at Xiao Wu, whose face was flushed red, clearly flustered.
At the same time, his keen senses picked up the suppressed breathing outside the door.
Tang San couldn't hold back already?
This was just the beginning.
He suddenly stepped forward, reaching out and pinning Xiao Wu lightly against the door.
Thud.
The sudden movement startled her.
"Ah! Su Bai-gege!"
Her voice was filled with surprise.
Su Bai leaned closer and whispered quietly, just for her to hear:
"Don't move. Someone's listening outside."
His breath brushed past her ear, making her shiver slightly as she froze in place.
…
Outside the door.
Tang San heard everything clearly.
The dull thud—like someone hitting the door.
Xiao Wu's startled cry.
Then silence.
Only her quick breathing remained, along with Su Bai's low, indistinct voice.
Tang San couldn't make out the words—but it didn't matter.
His mind had already filled in the rest.
He clenched his fists, his body trembling—not from fear, but from overwhelming anger.
His nails dug into his palms, drawing blood, yet he felt nothing.
Six years.
Six years of companionship.
He had always believed Xiao Wu belonged by his side.
But now, everything seemed to be slipping away.
Humiliation surged within him.
An unbearable humiliation.