Dai Chengfeng's teasing gaze landed unabashedly on Bibi Dong's snow-white skin.
"No… credibility?"
Hearing this, Bibi Dong followed Dai Chengfeng's gaze and glanced down. In that instant, she realized that her current appearance indeed lacked any persuasive power.
She quickly raised her hands and fastened five buttons in succession, completely concealing the breathtaking view that could captivate anyone.
"You insolent disciple!"
"I… I'm speaking the truth! You… you get out of here right now! Leave immediately!"
"If you don't leave, don't blame me for being harsh!"
Bibi Dong pointed toward the study door once again, desperately trying to regain her dignity as the Pope. However, her voice trembled slightly with anger and embarrassment.
"Teacher…"
Dai Chengfeng was completely unfazed by Bibi Dong's "harsh" demeanor. Instead, he took a step forward, his towering figure looming over her once more.
"You're really going to drive me away?"
Dai Chengfeng leaned down slightly, bringing his lips close to Bibi Dong's ear. His warm breath brushed against her sensitive earlobe as he spoke in a low voice, "It's been… many days since I've held you, Teacher… and slept soundly."
"Tonight… the moonlight is perfect. Why don't we…"
"No!"
Bibi Dong almost reflexively rejected him, her voice rising slightly with unmistakable panic. "Nonsense! This is the Spirit Hall!"
"Hold… holding me while sleeping?"
"If someone with ill intentions finds out, how can I maintain my position in the Spirit Hall?"
"Heh!" Dai Chengfeng straightened up, chuckling lightly and deliberately dragging out his words. "Since Teacher insists on driving me away, I am not an unreasonable person."
He made a show of turning to leave. Seeing this, Bibi Dong let out a sigh of relief but couldn't help feeling that Dai Chengfeng wasn't the type to give in so easily.
Sure enough…
Just as Dai Chengfeng lifted his foot to take a step, he paused and turned his head slightly. "However…"
"If I leave this time, I might never come back."
"Teacher, you wouldn't want your crucial fifth divine trial… to fail because of some 'unexpected' circumstances, would you? Would you rather beg me to stay?"
"You…!"
Bibi Dong glared at Dai Chengfeng. She knew he was capable of following through on his threat…
If she sent him away today and refused to seek him out, it was entirely possible that he wouldn't come back on his own.
And Bibi Dong's fifth divine trial truly couldn't proceed without Dai Chengfeng. She merely wanted him to stop being so audacious—not to completely sever ties with him.
The thought of denying him tonight only to have to seek him out later, possibly facing even more "unequal" demands, filled her with dread.
After all, Dai Chengfeng had already used this tactic before…
Thinking of this, Bibi Dong looked down at her hands, her cheeks flushing red.
For a moment, Dai Chengfeng stood in front of the desk, saying nothing. He patiently waited for Bibi Dong's response, a confident smile playing on his lips.
Meanwhile, Bibi Dong was caught in an internal struggle…
"Should I endure a brief moment of peace tonight and then seek him out later, or should I let this little troublemaker have his way?"
As for using force or threats to compel Dai Chengfeng?
For some inexplicable reason, Bibi Dong completely dismissed this option.
The room fell into a brief silence, broken only by the sound of their breathing.
Finally, Bibi Dong's stiff posture relaxed slightly.
She closed her eyes, her long lashes trembling violently. Through clenched teeth, she forced out a few barely audible words.
"Just… just for tonight… You must leave before dawn!"
She had relented.
"Your disciple will follow your orders."
An instant later, Dai Chengfeng's face lit up with his usual radiant and gentle smile.
Before the words had fully left his mouth, he swiftly moved closer. With effortless strength, his arms naturally scooped under Bibi Dong's knees and behind her back.
"Hmm?!"
With a soft gasp of surprise, Bibi Dong found herself effortlessly swept off her feet.
"Teacher, rest assured. I'll only do what you 'allow' me to do."
Dai Chengfeng leaned down and whispered softly into Bibi Dong's ear, his tone laced with triumph.
Caught off guard by the sudden embrace, Bibi Dong instinctively felt the sensation of weightlessness. Her hands reflexively wrapped around Dai Chengfeng's neck for support.
This near-dependent posture made her feel even more humiliated. She turned her face away, avoiding his handsome profile, which was now inches from her own. She could feel his steady yet rapid footsteps as they moved…
Her mind raced with thoughts of what would happen next. She bit her lips tightly, overwhelmed with shyness.
After all, this was the Spirit Hall…
While Bibi Dong was lost in thought, Dai Chengfeng carried her with light, quick steps through the teak side door of the study, heading toward the grand bedroom door that symbolized the private domain of the Spirit Hall's highest authority.
The flickering lights along the corridor cast their intertwined silhouettes on the walls, exuding an aura of intimacy and passion.
Cradled in Dai Chengfeng's arms, Bibi Dong's violet eyes shimmered with moisture. Her heart was a tangle of emotions…
Anger? Shame? Reluctant compromise? Or perhaps… a dependence and fluttering heart that even she refused to acknowledge?
She didn't know. She felt as though she could no longer distinguish between them.
---
The Pope's Palace, Bibi Dong's bedroom.
The room was bathed in soft light, permeated by the faint, elegant fragrance unique to Bibi Dong—cold yet tinged with the mysterious scent of flowers.
The grand bed was adorned with luxurious silk, shimmering under the hazy moonlight.
Without hesitation, Dai Chengfeng carried the beauty in his arms directly to the bed.
His grip loosened, and instead of gently laying her down, he tossed Bibi Dong onto the soft, spacious center of the bed.
Bibi Dong sank into the plush blanket, her long purple hair cascading like a waterfall. She instinctively tried to prop herself up.
However, Dai Chengfeng's movements were faster!
One large hand easily grasped both of Bibi Dong's slender wrists, pinning them above her head against the pillow. The other hand braced beside her body, firmly trapping her within the confines of his embrace.
"Dai Chengfeng, you… mmph!"
Before Bibi Dong could finish her sentence, Dai Chengfeng silenced her completely with a kiss.
"Mmm…"
Bibi Dong's mind went blank. All resistance and reproach were shattered by this sudden, intense, and almost predatory kiss.
She felt as though all her strength had been drained away. The firm grip on her wrists rendered her immobile, while the familiar yet heart-stirring sensation on her lips rapidly unraveled her resolve.
Shame, anger, resistance… these emotions melted away like ice under the sun.
In their place came a long-forgotten, dizzying sensation that made her want to surrender.
Her tense body gradually relaxed, and she even began unconsciously responding to Dai Chengfeng's kiss. The arms wrapped around his neck tightened involuntarily.
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