Fu Shi smirked confidently and replied, "Of course. I have Old Antique's memories, after all. I know exactly where she puts her things!"
-----------------------------------
Fu Lin skillfully constructed the key, as if the lock posed no obstacle in his hands. With a "click," the lock opened.
Fu Lin, rubbing his hands, looked inside with great anticipation. Inside were luxurious clothes neatly stacked together, shimmering with the unique luster of silk, each one like a delicate work of art.
His eyes lit up instantly, and he eagerly reached out, gently stroking the clothes before finally putting them back with satisfaction and locking them up again just as they were.
At last, he carefully shoved the iron box back under the bed, pulled along Fu Shi beside him, and hurriedly left the scene.
However, not long after Fu Lin left, the door of the room was slowly pushed open.
Fu Hua walked in from outside, her gaze quickly falling on the open wardrobe and the signs that the clothes inside had been disturbed. Her brows furrowed slightly.
...
Fu Lin had already returned to Kiana☆'s apartment. Looking at the table full of food, his stomach growled twice at just the right moment, and he smiled as he walked toward the dining table.
But when he saw Sirin biting her finger, drool unconsciously dripping from the corner of her mouth, her cute appearance made it hard not to laugh.
Fu Lin couldn't help teasing, "Sirin, look at you, why don't you eat if you're this hungry?"
Hearing Fu Lin's words, Sirin snapped back to her senses, quickly wiping the drool from her mouth as her face flushed red, "Mm~ Because I have to wait for big brother to come back first!"
As soon as Sirin finished speaking, Bella, who was standing behind her, pulled out a camera from who knows where and took a 360-degree round of shots with a "click, click, click" at the blushing Sirin.
Fu Lin's mouth twitched, rendered speechless by Bella's antics.
At this moment, Mei☆ and Elysia came out of the kitchen carrying the last two dishes, their gazes falling on Fu Lin.
"Fu Lin, welcome back."
"Now that everyone's here, we can finally eat~"
At the same time, Kiana☆ suddenly leapt straight into Fu Lin's arms, her tone like a child acting spoiled toward an adult, "Fu Lin~"
Fu Lin's lips curved slightly as he reached out and stroked Kiana☆'s soft hair, then lifted her into a princess carry.
In Fu Lin's arms, Kiana☆ appeared especially well-behaved. Only after he gently placed her on the chair at the dining table did she reluctantly release her arms.
Standing there, Fu Lin looked at everyone getting along so well, and a warmth welled up in his heart.
'Even when I'm not here, everyone gets along just fine.'
Then, as everyone sat around the table, Fu Shi stuffed food into her mouth and mumbled unclearly, "How can it be this delicious? Feels even better than the cooking of this world's Mei."
A glint flashed in Mei☆'s eyes as she smiled and said, "After all, during the time in the Elysian Realm, I often competed in cooking with Kevin and Vill-V, so my skills just kept improving."
As everyone was happily eating, Fu Shi's phone suddenly rang. Seeing that the caller was Old Antique, she quickly answered.
Then Fu Hua's voice came through the phone, "Fu Shi, Fu Lin, where are you right now?"
Fu Lin's heart skipped a beat. He exchanged a glance with Fu Shi, and both saw nervousness in each other's eyes.
Fu Shi pretended to stay calm, winked at Fu Lin to keep quiet, and secretly told him telepathically to leave it to her, "Ahem, we're eating right now, Old Antique. What's up?"
There was silence on the other end for a moment before Fu Hua slowly said, "My wardrobe shows signs of being tampered with. Does Fu Lin know anything about this?"
'What the heck, suspecting me straight away? Is Old Antique onto me?'
Fu Lin's heartbeat quickened, sweat forming on his forehead.
Just as he was about to explain, Fu Shi suddenly cut in and said, "Old Antique, since we were about to go to another universe, I went back to rummage through the wardrobe to see if there were any new clothes. I really didn't mean anything by it."
Fu Lin looked at Fu Shi in surprise, not expecting her to take the blame onto herself.
Hearing this, Fu Hua's expression softened, and she said helplessly, "You… next time, just tell me in advance what you want to do, and I'll help you find it. I thought a thief named Fu Lin had broken in."
Fu Shi nodded like a pecking chick, replying obediently, "Mm-hmm, got it, Old Antique. Next time I'll tell you beforehand."
After Fu Hua hung up, Fu Lin patted Fu Shi on the shoulder approvingly, "Loyal!"
Fu Shi raised her chin proudly, "Of course. How do you plan to reward me?"
Kiana☆ eyed the two of them suspiciously, grumbling, "You two didn't sneak off to the class rep's dorm to do something bad again, did you?"
Fu Lin followed Fu Shi's excuse, explaining, "Just went with Fu Shi to get some clothes, nothing shady."
After the meal, Sirin leaned back in her chair with a round belly, let out a long burp, and looked lazy, "Burp, so satisfied~"
Elysia quickly tidied up the table, turning back with a cheerful smile, hands on her hips as she swayed, "Since everyone's full, let's rest early and gather strength to head out tomorrow morning~"
With that, Bella supported a drowsy Sirin back to the room, while Mei☆ followed Elysia into the room Kiana☆ had temporarily designated.
Only Fu Lin, on his way to his own room, was blocked by Kiana☆, who dragged him straight into her room.
The reason Fu Lin didn't resist was twofold, first, to avoid Fu Shi's "extortion," and second, since Kiana☆ was pregnant now, she probably wouldn't do anything too out of line.
At least, that's what he thought.
But just as Kiana☆ was about to close the door, Fu Shi suddenly pressed her hand against it and squeezed her way in, "Wait! I want to sleep here too!"
"No way!"
Of course Kiana☆ wouldn't agree. Without a second thought, she forcefully pushed the door shut, locking it with a "click," leaving Fu Shi outside.
After banging on the door for a while, Fu Shi realized she wouldn't get the chance to "dual cultivate" with Fu Lin tonight. Fuming, she stomped her foot and stormed off to Fu Lin's room instead.
Having driven Fu Shi away, Kiana☆ turned to Fu Lin.
Whether it was the warm light in the room or something else, her cheeks glowed faintly red. Her tongue brushed lightly against her lips, and her voice softened, "Fu Lin~ do you want to take a bath first?"
Seeing the smile she couldn't hide in her eyes, Fu Lin suddenly felt his earlier thoughts had been far too naïve.
His gaze dropped briefly to her slightly rounded belly, then quickly shifted away. His throat bobbed slightly as he answered quietly, a touch tense, "You go first."
Kiana☆'s eyes curved in delight, as if she didn't notice his strange tone. She tugged at his sleeve, her fingers warm, "But I want to bathe with Fu Lin~"
The moment she said this, Fu Lin stiffened, turning his head to avoid her sparkling expectant eyes, the tips of his ears turning red, "No, you're pregnant, it's inconvenient."
"But it's inconvenient for me to bathe alone too~" Kiana☆ leaned closer, her warm breath brushing his ear. "Fu Lin will take care of me, right?"
Her voice was soft, with a hint of coquettishness, making Fu Lin's resolve waver.
Just as he was about to steel himself again, Kiana☆ was already pulling him toward the bathroom.
The warm bathroom lights glowed as steam slowly rose, blurring their figures.
Watching Kiana☆'s careful movements, Fu Lin ultimately didn't refuse. He simply supported her waist, softly reminding, "Slower."
Kiana☆ looked up at him, her lips curling into a sweet smile, "Don't worry, I won't hurt the baby~"