Flirting with Hu Liena

Bibi Dong had summoned Ling Chang'an and Hu Liena to her bedroom again today. The gloom that had once hung over her was completely gone, and she now carried herself with a rather refined air. It was clear just how much trouble Ling Chang'an's proposal had helped her resolve.

Bibi Dong was dressed in her papal robes, though she wore no crown. Her hair flowed loosely over her shoulders, and her entire body exuded the beauty of a mature woman.

Bibi Dong lounged lazily in her chair. Before her sat a portion of the pastries Ling Chang'an had made before leaving, and she occasionally picked one up to eat. Her rosy lips looked especially alluring.

"Come, Nana. Have some of the pastries your little junior brother made first, then tell me about your experiences and gains from this trip." With a wave of Bibi Dong's hand, half the pastries flew over to Hu Liena.

Hu Liena glanced at Ling Chang'an, then nodded at Bibi Dong before taking a small bite. Her taste buds immediately felt a burst of comfort. So these were the pastries her little junior brother had made himself. They really were delicious.

"Teacher, we were somewhat careless on this trip. I failed to protect Senior Sister and allowed that Soul King to take her away. I..." Ling Chang'an took the initiative to stand and shoulder the blame himself.

This was where Ling Chang'an was clever. A man had to learn to take responsibility, especially before Bibi Dong. Taking responsibility was particularly important.

Given Bibi Dong's past experiences, a man who refused to take responsibility would never earn points in her eyes.

Sure enough, seeing Ling Chang'an take the initiative like this, Bibi Dong's beautiful eyes curved slightly as she nodded repeatedly. She was quite pleased with his attitude.

"All right, Chang'an. This is not your fault. I already know what happened. What I need to criticize is that you were blindly overconfident. You should not have charged into the stronghold alone, especially when you knew they had a Soul King among them!"

Yet Ling Chang'an refused to admit fault. If he admitted it now, would that not break Hu Liena's heart?

"Reporting to Teacher, this disciple believes I was not wrong. When Senior Sister was captured, I only wanted to save her. Even if it meant death, I would not hesitate!"

I would not hesitate!

Hearing those four words, Hu Liena's delicate body suddenly trembled. Her beautiful eyes reddened slightly as she thought, Little Junior Brother... so he really cares about me that much...

Yes, that man had been a Soul King, yet Little Junior Brother had still rushed in without hesitation. To save her, he had not even cared about his own life...

Thinking back to that ambiguous moment between herself and Ling Chang'an, Hu Liena felt something different quietly appear in her heart...

After hearing Ling Chang'an's words, Bibi Dong gave him a complicated look, then glanced at the dazed Hu Liena. She immediately understood something.

But was it not a little too soon?

And for some reason, Bibi Dong felt a faint, inexplicable sense of loss in her heart. As for why she felt that loss, even she could not say.

"It is a good thing that the two of you care for each other. But Teacher hopes that before acting on impulse, you will consider your own safety. Do you understand?"

Naturally, Ling Chang'an obediently agreed and gave a deep reflection on his mistakes.

The three chatted for a few more sentences. Bibi Dong even kept the two of them for dinner before finally allowing them to leave.

Before they left, Bibi Dong specifically told them:

"From now on, come here every day after class to study, and have dinner here as well. All right, go."

Bibi Dong's words meant that her relationship with Ling Chang'an and Hu Liena had become extremely close. Otherwise, she would not have even mentioned dinner.

Hu Liena, meanwhile, was still completely bewildered. She had no idea that Bibi Dong was acting this way entirely because she was benefiting from Ling Chang'an's favor.

Hu Liena lived near Papal Hall, but after coming out today, she did not return immediately. Instead, she accompanied Ling Chang'an as they walked down the streets.

Night had already fallen, but Spirit City remained brilliantly lit. The moon was full tonight, and moonlight spilled across the entirety of Spirit City...

Hu Liena walked silently beside Ling Chang'an beneath the moonlight. Clearly, she had things she wanted to ask him, yet she did not know how to begin.

Too much had happened today, and Hu Liena still had not fully processed it all. But without question, Ling Chang'an's place in her heart had risen sharply.

"Senior Sister, do you have someone you like?" Ling Chang'an suddenly asked.

Sea King had to seize his opportunities. At moments that stirred the heart enough, he had to immediately stir the other person's heart as well.

"Ah, n-no. I'm still young..." Where was Hu Liena's dignity as the senior sister now? Her little face was red, making her look like a shy young girl.

"Mm, that's good. Senior Sister, I'll head back first. See you tomorrow." Ling Chang'an let out a sigh of relief, waved goodbye, and left. He said nothing more, only those words: "That's good."

Today's teasing had already been enough. Those three words would also leave Hu Liena plenty of room for imagination. Saying more would only spoil it.

Watching Ling Chang'an's departing back, Hu Liena stamped her foot and pouted as she muttered to herself:

"What is that supposed to mean? First he asks whether I like someone, then says that's good. What does he mean by that?"

She waved a fist at Ling Chang'an's back before returning to her own residence. Yet her mind kept replaying everything that had happened today, and her cheeks turned red again.

After returning to the hotel, Ling Chang'an saw his parents and several managers holding a meeting. When they saw him return, the young waitresses first greeted him with bright smiles, and Ling Chang'an responded to each of them in turn.

After exchanging greetings, Ling Chang'an casually sat beside the conference table, hugged his mother's arm, and asked, "Mom, what are you discussing?"

Ling Chang'an's father smiled and rubbed his head as he said:

"You came at just the right time. This matter actually has something to do with you. Our family business is officially expanding."

The reason Ling Chang'an's family business had not expanded before was because their backing had not been strong enough. But now, Ling Chang'an was the Pope's personal disciple. Their backing could not be more powerful, so expansion was only natural.

Moreover, Ling Chang'an's father had a sharp eye. This expansion would mainly target the capitals of the Two Great Empires, Heaven Dou Empire and Star Luo Empire. Besides opening hotels, they would also open shops selling the pastries Ling Chang'an had been developing these past few days.

"Mm, that sounds good. My pastries have quite a market on Douluo Continent. Keep it up, Dad. Oh, and have someone try this later and see if they can make anything from it."

Ling Chang'an took a sheet of paper and a pen, swiftly wrote down several items, then handed the paper to his father.

Silica sand, limestone, soda ash...

That was right. These were the raw materials for making glass. Although Douluo Continent already had glass, it did not have crystal-clear glass. This was a market, and Ling Chang'an intended to see whether he could seize it.

"Dad, remember to have them keep proper data records. See what temperature works best, and make sure every attempt is recorded..."