The Sudden Knock at the Door

Teahouse.

In the VIP private room.

After finishing a pot of fine tea, Qian Renxue set down her teacup and looked at Bai Wanwan, who was eating pastries with her head lowered. She curled a finger and lightly flicked her forehead.

Feeling the barely noticeable pain on her forehead, Bai Wanwan put down the half-eaten pastry and looked at Qian Renxue blankly.

"What is it, Sister?"

Bai Wanwan blinked several times, her eyes full of innocence.

"Wanwan, shall we go take a look at the residence Xue Luochuan gifted us?"

Qian Renxue toyed with the key in her hand as she asked softly.

"Go look at the residence?"

Bai Wanwan raised her eyes to check the time, a thoughtful look appearing in them.

"How about we go tomorrow instead?"

"Sister, we didn't rest at all last night. Why don't we go back and rest first?"

Bai Wanwan brushed the pastry crumbs from her hands, her expression extremely serious.

They had been absorbing Immortal Herbs all night yesterday. Strictly speaking, they had indeed gone the entire night without rest, so taking a little break now was perfectly reasonable.

Yes, that was exactly it.

It definitely wasn't because she coveted resting her head on Sister's lap or anything.

Bai Wanwan could pat her chest and guarantee that, swearing on her morals.

Moxiong, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them and secretly observed Qian Renxue and Bai Wanwan.

Naturally, he knew that the two had stayed in the same room last night.

But what had the Young Master and Young Lady been doing all night without resting?

Moxiong's gaze gradually turned somewhat strange, but he quickly cast aside the thoughts in his mind.

The Young Master and Young Lady had been close friends since childhood. Their friendship was deep and their relationship exceptionally good—something everyone in the Worship Hall knew.

If they had not rested all night, they must have been diligently cultivating.

Moxiong reaffirmed his thoughts, and his expression gradually returned to normal.

"Fine. Let's head back first, then."

Qian Renxue smiled, put away the key, and rose from her seat.

The moment Qian Renxue stood, Bai Wanwan rose with her. She reached out to hook her arm around Qian Renxue's and headed outside.

Moxiong silently followed behind them.

They left the teahouse.

And returned to the hotel.

Qian Renxue arrived at the door to her room and entered together with Bai Wanwan.

This time, Moxiong did not follow them. Instead, he returned to his own room.

Inside the room.

Qian Renxue had only just sat down on the bed when Bai Wanwan lay down on her side and rested her head on Qian Renxue's lap.

Qian Renxue had long since grown used to this, so she said nothing and merely stroked Bai Wanwan's icy blue hair with her fingertips.

Bai Wanwan let out a soft yawn.

She shifted slightly, found the most comfortable position, then gradually closed her eyes, seemingly drifting into sleep.

The room was very quiet, without a single sound.

Qian Renxue continued gently stroking Bai Wanwan's hair, but an imperceptible trace of contemplation appeared in her eyes. Her gaze remained fixed on Bai Wanwan's sleeping face.

"Wanwan?"

Qian Renxue called softly. Looking at her slightly parted cherry lips, she inexplicably found them quite alluring.

After waiting for a moment.

Bai Wanwan did not respond, but her breathing was steady, as though she had fallen asleep.

Qian Renxue's hand, which had been stroking her hair, came to a stop. She involuntarily lowered her head slightly and moved closer to Bai Wanwan.

The distance between them grew smaller and smaller.

Until their breaths lightly stirred each other's hair.

Bai Wanwan still did not move, but the small hand resting at her side silently clenched the bedsheet.

She had heard Qian Renxue's voice just now, but she had been on the verge of falling asleep, and Qian Renxue had spoken so softly that she had not responded.

But now, Bai Wanwan was no longer sleepy in the slightest.

Though her eyes remained closed, she could clearly sense that Qian Renxue was very close—extremely close. Close enough that she could even feel their breaths mingling.

What is Sister doing, getting so close?

Should I open my eyes?

As her thoughts spun, Bai Wanwan suddenly recalled Qian Renxue's joke from that morning about having her offer herself in marriage.

Could Sister be...

That can't be right, can it? I can't become a Dragon Knight.

But Sister is a Spirit Emperor, while I'm only a Spirit King who's close to reaching Spirit Emperor. Setting combat strength aside, can I resist, or can't I?

Just as Bai Wanwan was seriously pondering this, she could distinctly feel Qian Renxue move a little closer. The faint warmth of her breath fell upon her face.

Then...

Knock, knock, knock. The sound of knocking echoed through the room.

"Wanwan, this Silver Crown really is beautiful."

Qian Renxue raised her gaze to the Silver Crown Bai Wanwan wore. After seeming to murmur to herself, she looked toward the door.

"What is it now?"

Qian Renxue called out to the person outside.

Hearing Qian Renxue's voice, Bai Wanwan quietly let out a breath of relief, and her hand slowly loosened its grip on the bedsheet.

So she was examining the crown?

Bai Wanwan thought silently, a faint disappointment quietly surfacing in her heart—one she did not even notice herself.

"Young Master, Dugu Bo has arrived. He says he has something to discuss with Young Lady."

Moxiong's voice sounded from outside the door.

"Understood."

Qian Renxue replied, then looked at Bai Wanwan, whose head rested on her lap.

Bai Wanwan opened her eyes at that moment.

"Dugu Bo is here?"

"He came even faster than I expected."

Bai Wanwan sat up and met Qian Renxue's gaze. "Sister, I'll go take a look first."

"Go on."

Qian Renxue nodded gently.

Bai Wanwan walked toward the door and turned the handle. With a click, the door opened, and she walked straight out.

After Bai Wanwan left, Qian Renxue turned her gaze toward the wrinkles that had been clawed into the bedsheet.

Her fingertips gently smoothed them flat.

An almost imperceptible curve touched Qian Renxue's lips, and a faintly contemplative look appeared in her eyes. No one knew what she was thinking.

Outside the room.

In the somewhat quiet corridor, Bai Wanwan looked at Dugu Bo, who stood beside Moxiong. She made a gesture of invitation, then walked ahead.

At the end of the corridor.

In the hotel's guest lounge, Bai Wanwan and Dugu Bo sat facing each other.

"May I ask why you have come at this time, Senior?"

Bai Wanwan knowingly asked.

"It's about the detoxification."

"I have already considered the price I can pay. We can discuss it properly."

Dugu Bo let out a soft breath, his gaze incomparably solemn.

"Please, Senior."

Bai Wanwan made an inviting gesture, indicating for Dugu Bo to speak first.

"This old man has nothing much to offer. Only this bit of strength is still somewhat presentable."

"If there is anything you need done in the future, or anyone you want killed, just tell me. This old man will handle it for you. What do you think?"

Dugu Bo asked softly.