The dust had barely settled when Ning Rongrong's wide eyes remained locked on Qian Yu, stunned into silence. The tension had passed, but her breath still trembled with awe.
"Are you sure you're okay?" she asked softly, as if her voice might shatter what had just been resolved.
Qian Yu gave a small nod, calm and reassuring. "I'm fine. And if anything comes up… I'll handle it. Always."
She blinked once. Then again. Her lips curled into a relieved smile. "Mm!" she nodded eagerly.
Just then, footsteps padded softly against the cobbled street. Xiao Wu approached, her presence gentle but curious, ears picking up the unfamiliar voice. The two girls stood before one another, a stillness settling as they studied each other.
Qian Yu broke the silence, waving a hand between them. "Xiao Wu, this is Ning Rongrong—the one I told you about, remember?"
He'd spoken of her before, during his return from the soul beast hunt in the Star Dou Forest. Now, seeing her up close, Xiao Wu offered a polite smile and extended her hand.
"Hi. I'm Xiao Wu."
Rongrong's smile bloomed like a spring flower. She took the hand, warm and firm. "Ning Rongrong. It's so nice to finally meet you."
Qian Yu tilted his head. "By the way, Rongrong—what brings you to Soto City?"
Her eyes sparkled as she looked at him. "I came to find you, of course!"
"Me?" he asked, pointing a finger at his chest in disbelief.
"Mm-hmm! You saved me back then, remember? I told you I'd marry you when I grew up. So I… snuck out of the clan to come find you."
A silence rippled through the air. Xiao Wu's eyes twitched. Her lips parted slightly as she turned to Qian Yu, brow furrowed.
"Brother Qian Yu... what is she talking about?"
Now both girls were staring at him. Expectantly. Intensely.
He chuckled, a little awkwardly, scratching his head. "That was something she said when she was a kid. You know how children say all kinds of things—they don't count."
"No!" Rongrong shook her head fiercely. "I meant it, Qian Yu! I'm serious!"
Tears welled up in her eyes, and her voice quivered like a string drawn too tight. "You don't want me? After everything? I came all this way just to see you—and I nearly—" Her words caught, drowned by emotion.
"Of course I want you!" Qian Yu exclaimed, stepping forward.
Her tears froze, then slowly retreated, melting into a radiant grin. "So… you're saying yes?"
He sighed with a soft smile, ruffling her hair. "You don't have anywhere else to go right now. Just come with us for now, alright?"
"Mm!" she nodded again, beaming.
Xiao Wu, not to be outdone, clung tightly to Qian Yu's arm with a defiant little pout. "Don't think that just because Brother Qian Yu is letting you stay, you can swoop in and steal him away from me!"
"He's mine!" she declared with playful fire.
Rongrong stepped forward and latched onto Qian Yu's other arm. "No way! I've been promised to him since I was little. I'm not giving up!"
Qian Yu stood in the middle, caught between two tiny hurricanes, each clinging to a sleeve—one on the right, one on the left. He smiled faintly, though a flicker of weariness crept behind his eyes.
Then, a guard arrived, breaking the stand-off.
Dressed in the livery of Soto City's elite, he bowed respectfully. "Young Master Qian, your residence has been prepared. Would you like to see it now?"
Qian Yu raised an eyebrow. That was fast. He had to admit—the city lord didn't waste time.
"Alright, lead the way," he said.
Still flanked by his determined companions, he followed the guard down the quiet path.
From the shadows, a figure watched.
A woman.
She emerged like ink spilled across moonlight—raven-black hair cascading over her shoulders, skin pale as frost, her presence chilling and uninviting. Her figure was bold, curvaceous, yet her face remained unreadable. Not stoic—empty.
Eyes as dark as obsidian, yet devoid of spark, contrasted sharply with her beauty. She wore black leather—jacket and trousers—fitting like a second skin. She stood still, a ghost in the night.
"So you're the one who beat up Dai Mubai?" she murmured, almost fondly. "That scumbag deserved it... but if he dies, I die too."
Her eyes narrowed, sharp with grief. "You owe me, Dai Mubai," she whispered.
And then, silently as a shadow, she began to follow Qian Yu from a distance.
Their new home was nestled between a mountain and lake, a hidden estate sculpted into the embrace of nature. The moment they stepped into the courtyard, the scenery stunned them.
Towering trees framed the path. Wildflowers danced along the edges. The lake before them sparkled beneath the setting sun, while the mountain loomed behind, ancient and silent. The villa sat at its heart like a forgotten temple, elegant and serene.
"So beautiful!" Xiao Wu gasped, eyes wide with wonder.
"I didn't think a small city like Soto would have such a gem," Rongrong added, equally awestruck.
Qian Yu smiled, watching them with quiet amusement. "You like it?"
"Love it!" they chimed in perfect harmony.
"Any place you like is my favorite, Brother Qian Yu!" Xiao Wu declared.
"Everything about you is my favorite!" Rongrong added proudly.
Qian Yu chuckled under his breath. Weren't these two supposed to be best friends in the original tale? Now they were rivals, thanks to him.
He gave each of them a light pat on the head. "Then we'll stay here."
"Yay!" they cheered, bouncing on their heels.
The guard from before approached once more and bowed. "The city lord wishes to gift this estate to you, Young Master. Should you ever require his help, simply speak the word."
Qian Yu nodded in acknowledgment. "Tell him I'm grateful. And if I ever come into good fortune, I won't forget his generosity."
"Of course, I'll deliver your message." With a final bow, the guard departed.
Qian Yu led the girls into the villa, exploring the many rooms and open halls. It was spacious and warm, full of quiet corners and cozy alcoves.
Eventually, they stopped in front of two side-by-side rooms.
"Xiao Wu, this one's yours. Rongrong, take the room next to hers."
"Nope!" Xiao Wu protested immediately, hugging his arm. "I'm sleeping with you!"
"Me too!" Rongrong declared, latching onto his other arm.
"You both have your own rooms!"
"You do too!"
The bickering sparked again until Qian Yu raised both hands like a weary mediator. "Okay, okay. Let's settle in first. If you really want to, you can sleep in my room later."
"...Fine," they mumbled in unison, pouting.
Night fell.
After dinner, both girls followed Qian Yu into his room without a word, curling up beside him—each clinging to an arm like he was the last warm blanket on a cold winter's night.
And so, between two fiercely affectionate rays of sunshine, Qian Yu tried his best to sleep.
But his heart was very, very awake.
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