"Brother Bei, it's delicious! So sweet… Xiao Wu wants more of her brother's sweet liquid~"
Her silvery laugh, mischievous and innocent, echoed beside the hot spring deep in the mixed circle of the Star Dou Forest.
Su Bei nearly stumbled into the water face-first. Damn, little rabbit, don't just casually say stuff like that! Your words could kill a man twice!
Xiao Wu sat perched on a boulder, long hair cascading like a black waterfall, damp from the steam. Droplets rolled down shining strands and slid off her white shoulders. Her hair—silky, straight, so long it pooled around her—was enough to fuel every long-hair obsession Su Bei never knew he had.
He stilled, comb in hand, and sighed from the heart. "No wonder you're the legendary hundred-thousand-year Rabbit. Hair like this… it could start wars."
He gently dragged the red sandalwood comb through her mane, slow and careful. Even so, the comb snagged against a knotted strand.
"Hss—Brother, it hurts!"
Xiao Wu poked his chest with a finger, lips pouting.
"Hold on," Su Bei soothed, tugging carefully, unwinding the tangle with infinite patience. "I'll be gentle. Tell me if this is better."
"Mm. It's better."
His hands worked steadily, the comb gliding rhythmically. For a moment, it felt oddly domestic. Almost too domestic.
"In the human world," Su Bei said softly, "when parents comb their daughter's hair before marriage, it's tradition. They give three blessings as they pass the comb: First, comb till the end. Second, comb white hair together. Third, comb with children and grandchildren as blessings fill the home."
He paused, comb resting against her silky locks. "So, when I comb Xiao Wu's hair now… it means I recognize you as family. You'll always have me."
The words struck like lightning.
Xiao Wu's eyes blurred instantly, tears spilling down her delicate cheeks.
"Xiao Wu has no parents…" Her trembling voice ripped from her throat as she spun around, crashing into his chest. Her hair whipped against his face, wetting his skin. Tears soaked his tunic.
Su Bei froze, comb heavy in his hand.
She sobbed against him, gasping, "My father… disappeared long ago in the core circle of the forest. He never came back. From then on, it was just Mother and me. Then… One day, strong humans found us—when Er Ming wasn't there. We couldn't defeat them. Mother… was killed protecting me…"
Her hands clenched his robe until her knuckles whitened.
Su Bei's breastbone ached with her grief vibrating into him. Inside, he was a mess. Brother Bei, you idiot, you just had to bring up combing traditions. Now look what you've done—you made the rabbit cry!
The memory of the culprit surfaced: Bibi Dong. The coldest, richest, most terrifying Empress of Douluo—slayer of countless 100,000-year beasts. The gulf between rabbit and spider would never close.
"Xiao Wu…" He sighed deeply, dropping a palm on her head. His tone softened, as rare as snow in summer. "I'm sorry. Cry all you want. But listen—revenge filled with anger only makes you reckless. Humans are sharp and cruel. Hide yourself. Grow strong. Just… don't throw your life away."
Xiao Wu lifted her face, red-eyed and fierce. "Brother Bei, will you… will you go with me? To the human world? To help me get strong enough?"
He blinked, then smiled faintly. "I was fated to find you for this reason. The path ahead will be bloody, but I'll walk with you."
Her lips quivered into a small smile for the first time.
Later, with tears wiped, Xiao Wu expertly braided her hair back into its familiar long scorpion tail. Su Bei admired silently. She truly had lived two lives—the elegance of a girl and the instincts of a soul beast fused together.
And then—ding.
The system's prompt chimed cheerfully:
[Level-C tasks complete: Hug Xiao Wu, relied upon by Xiao Wu.]
[Level-A Strategy Task triggered: Comb Her Hair – Completed!]
[Rewards: Immortal Herb "Acacia Heartbroken Red"; Twin multi-use consumables: Top-grade Paraquat ×1; Paraquat ×1.]
[Xiao Wu Affection Value: 40]
Su Bei's jaw nearly dropped. What the hell is paraquat doing here!? System, are you trying to poison me?!
Ignoring the strange "herbicide" prize, his focus shot instantly to the shining red flower that manifested in his vision.
Acacia Heartbroken Red.
Legends whispered in his mind, half-remembered, half-story. A young man who loved flowers, who lost a celestial bride punished by Heaven, who wept until blood welled onto a peony and turned it crimson—the immortal blossom that could only be plucked by those who truly loved.
Tang San had won it in the "original tale." But here, it fell to him.
Su Bei gently presented it to Xiao Wu. Petals gleamed like rubies, glowing with an inner pulse that seemed alive.
"Xiao Wu. This is Acacia Heartbroken Red. If you eat it, your soul power will leap by at least ten levels. If you keep it, it will conceal your soul beast aura perfectly. No human will sense what you are."
Her mouth fell open, eyes sparkling in awe. She clasped the flower reverently to her chest. "Brother Bei… this is your first flower to me. How could I eat it? I'll treasure it forever."
Su Bei exhaled relief. Thank the gods she isn't like Tang San, using OP herbs like cheap supplements. Protect this flower, little rabbit.
He forced his tone serious. "But promise me—you must keep it with you at all times. Especially in battle. If it leaves your side, danger will follow."
Xiao Wu nodded repeatedly, fingers tracing the petals. Her smile bloomed, the gloom of grief lifting a little. "Brother, this flower… proves legends are true, don't they?"
Her eyes gleamed with childish wonder, trust, and something deeper she didn't yet understand.
And Su Bei, seeing that fragile trust resting in his arms, tilted his head back and sighed quietly.
Tang San, brother… sorry again. This rabbit is already tangled in my arms, combed by my hand, carrying my flower. By the time you get here, you won't even know what you lost.
--
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