The night passed without further words.
By dawn, as the lamps of Spirit Hall's hotel began to light up one by one, Qian Renxue sat pale-faced, staring at Su Linfeng before her. She reached out and gently stroked his black hair.
Inside, she sighed.
So he really has grown up… just a little reckless, that's all.
How did it come to this?
He was supposed to be her younger brother. And beyond that, he wasn't even human, but a spirit beast.
Why did it have to be Linfeng?
Even now, staring at him, she could hardly believe what had happened.
What was she supposed to do from here?
"Linfeng!"
Her face burning red, Qian Renxue demanded, "Be honest. Who did you learn all this from?"
Su Linfeng scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Uh… well…"
"Ah—no, forget it. I shouldn't have asked!"
Her nerves snapped, and she almost cursed herself. What was I thinking, asking something so embarrassing?
Her blush deepened to crimson.
Damn it! It already happened, and here I am about to faint from nerves… yet this brat is sitting there calm as ever! How infuriating!
She knew full well he was her little brother, and she had only ever wanted to spoil him a bit. But instead, he had completely turned the tables on her.
Somehow, Linfeng had become her first little man.
How could they still go on as siblings after this?
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.
In the next instant, she couldn't hold back. Just like when they were younger, she raised her hand and cracked her knuckles down on his head.
"You little brat!"
Smack!
"Ahh—ow!!"
Su Linfeng clutched his head, wincing with a crooked grin.
"Big Sis, what was that for? Why call me a brat out of nowhere?"
"Hmph!"
Her cheeks crimson, Qian Renxue glared. "You don't even realize what you did wrong, do you? What a blockhead!"
"I didn't…"
Linfeng muttered, feeling wronged. "Didn't you once say… being with the person you like, this is also a way of showing love?"
"Self-righteous fool!"
Her blush spread all the way to her ears. She muttered, half exasperated, half shy: "You don't understand a damn thing. Bibi Dong never taught you that! And you… You even dragged me into it… hmph!"
Turning away sharply, she pulled the blanket up and presented her back to him. Her body trembled faintly.
…
Su Linfeng let out a quiet sigh.
Clearly, what happened had shaken her deeply. But one thing he was sure of—he liked her.
He had liked her before. He liked her now. And he would like her in the future.
He would protect Qian Renxue, no matter what.
"…Haa."
Qian Renxue sighed too, brows twitching as she whispered, "Brat… what happened today, you'll keep secret for life! Do you hear me?"
"Uh…"
Another brat!
One called him "little bastard," the other "little brat."
So what, was he forever doomed to be stuck with the word "egg" in his nicknames?
Su Linfeng was speechless.
Still, he nodded softly. "I know, Big Sis. I'll never tell a soul…"
"And another thing."
Her blush deepened as she firmly added, "This will never happen again. The next time we meet, we'll go back to being just brother and sister. You'll forget everything that happened today!"
"What?"
Su Linfeng blinked, muttering, "Forget it? That's impossible…"
"What was that?!"
Qian Renxue shot upright, glaring fiercely at him. "You must forget!"
But in that sudden movement—
The quilt slipped.
Her body stiffened. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Su Linfeng's gaze. Their eyes met.
Recognition in each other's looks.
Qian Renxue stammered: "Y-you… don't you dare come closer…"
Morning light brightened the streets.
Heaven Dou Royal Academy's team had already prepared to depart. Outside, the road buzzed again with noisy crowds.
Only then did the door to Qian Renxue's room creak open, and Su Linfeng slipped out, carefully, like a thief.
It was already too late for jumping out the window—the streets were packed with people. He had no choice but to brave the main hall.
But just as he reached the corner of the corridor—
He ran smack into Dugu Yan, who was just returning from Spirit Hall.
"Su—"
"Ah! Uh, well!"
Su Linfeng nearly jumped out of his skin. Before she could even finish, he blurted out, "I was just passing by! Just came to check if you all were ready to leave yet. Y-you know me, I've got nothing else to do anyway…"
Dugu Yan: "…"
I didn't even say anything yet…
Why did Brother Su look so nervous? Did something happen?
But then she remembered last night—and her cheeks flushed too.
"I just got back. I'll pack up my things, then we'll head out with the team."
Linfeng nodded quickly—then bolted straight down the stairs without looking back.
Leaving Dugu Yan blinking in confusion.
What was that about?
Meanwhile, Su Linfeng's legs nearly gave out beneath him. Thank heavens he'd bumped into Dugu Yan instead of someone from Heaven Dou Academy.
If anyone else had seen him coming out of the Crown Prince's quarters… how could he possibly explain?
Inside the room.
"Whew!"
Qian Renxue emerged from the bath, face scarlet, muttering under her breath:
"What a mess…"
Her time in Spirit City had left her exhausted every single day—and on top of that…
That brat!
Spoiling him once or twice was one thing, but he had pushed it too far. Who knew what he'd do next…
Forget it.
She shook her head furiously, cheeks still burning. Her head spirit bone shimmered faintly as she once again assumed the form of Xue Qinghe.
Lifting her gaze to the morning sun, she adjusted her attire and makeup.
Only after a long while did Qian Renxue finally step out of the hotel.
The Heaven Dou Royal Academy team was already waiting.
"Your Highness!"
Yu Tianheng stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "The Royal Legion is ready outside Spirit City. We can depart for Heaven Dou immediately."
Qian Renxue nodded.
Standing at the hotel's entrance, she glanced around.
And sure enough, she spotted two hidden figures in the shadows.
One was Bibi Dong, watching silently from the north.
The other was Su Linfeng—smiling that infuriating, mischievous smile.
That little brat dares to laugh…
Just wait. One day, I'll get back everything you took from me—with interest.
"Your Highness."
Noticing her distraction, Yu Tianheng grew concerned. "You don't look well. Perhaps you haven't rested enough these past days? The journey will take a month by carriage. If Your Highness is unwell, we could rest here another day or two before departing."
"No need."
The suggestion made her face go pale. Qian Renxue (as Xue Qinghe) quickly waved her hand. "We leave immediately. Prepare the formation!"
Rest for another two days? Absolutely not.
It wasn't a matter of cost.
It was a matter of survival.
Her eyes flicked once more toward a certain corner of Spirit City. I'm already dead tired. If I stayed two more days, I might not even be able to walk again…
Overreaction? Hardly.
She was human.
But the other one wasn't.
A spirit beast's physique and stamina far surpassed any human's. And Su Linfeng… was no ordinary spirit beast. He had already surpassed the apex.