Caught! (Please Vote and Tip)

"I'm full. You can have the rest."

Just as Su Xian was digging in with gusto, a pair of chopsticks suddenly reached into his bowl, holding a plump Frog Leg. Su Xian froze for a moment, then followed them with his eyes.

A faint blush crept up Qian Renxue's cheeks. She lowered her head awkwardly, her eyes darting to the side.

Seeing Qian Renxue like this, Su Xian was thrilled. This was the first step of a long journey—she had finally learned to take the initiative.

It had been worth it for a dignified Prince like him to run into the kitchen and cook!

"I gave my portion to them. You should try some too. We can have Qinghe make it again another time."

Seeing Qian Renxue's behavior, Nan Gongling smiled knowingly. Noticing Xue Ye and the other two staring eagerly, she immediately offered up her own portion.

"Thank you, Empress Dowager!"

"Damn it! Don't you two know how to spare a thought for your old man? You snatched it so fast."

"Imperial Father, you're used to delicacies from land and sea. Don't fuss over it so much."

"Listen to yourselves! So I'm the only one eating delicacies, while you Princes are living on chaff and vegetables?!"

"Our treatment can't compare to yours, Imperial Father."

"Ahhh! You two unfilial brats are going to anger me to death!"

"..."

The family happily shared dinner together. It had been a long time since they had enjoyed days like this. It was already late, so Su Xian and the other three left the Imperial Palace.

"If you like my cooking, I'll make more for you tomorrow."

Holding Qian Renxue's small hand, Su Xian tightened his grip after she put up a token struggle and gave in, as though he did not want to let go for even a single step.

"Mm."

Seeing her reflection fill Su Xian's gentle eyes, Qian Renxue's heart trembled. She nodded involuntarily.

"Hehe, Big Brother, I wonder if you'd welcome me coming over often to mooch meals?"

Xue Wuji popped out from nowhere and spoke with a shameless grin, his eyes fixed on Su Xian with anticipation.

"Get lost! Get as far away from the Heaven Dou Empire as you can," Su Xian snapped without mercy.

You want to ruin our private time together just for food and drink? Believe it or not, I'll chop you down with one swing!

Damn it!

If you really keep coming over on foot without taking the hint, believe it or not, I'll break your third leg too.

Xue Wuji: ...

Fuck, that's cold!

Su Xian Prince Residence.

It was midnight, yet Qian Renxue, dressed in her nightclothes, was still awake.

Resting her head on one hand, Qian Renxue sat by the window, gazing absently at the moon in the distance. Scenes from dinner kept flashing through her mind. That warm, cozy atmosphere had captivated her.

In the past, she had also wanted to sit down for a meal with her family. Happiness or sorrow did not matter—as long as the family was together, that was enough.

But as she grew older, expectation became disappointment, disappointment became longing, and longing became despair.

Her parents were like enemies. Her father ignored her, and her mother did not care for her either.

From childhood to adulthood, aside from being somewhat close to Grandfather, she had never felt even the slightest warmth from her parents.

And now, it seemed she had finally felt it...

What was more, there was now someone by her side who cared for her even more.

Thinking of Su Xian's gentle, tender gaze and how he seemed to want to hold her in the palm of his hand, a warm current flowed through Qian Renxue's heart. The corners of her lips curved up almost imperceptibly.

This feeling was wonderful—so wonderful that it felt like a dream. She had even begun to forget why she had come here in the first place.

For one moment, she truly wished she were just an ordinary girl...

She wanted to stay here like this, think of nothing, and be cherished by that fool forever.

Unfortunately, she knew that was impossible!

She could not change the fact that she was Bibi Dong's daughter, nor could she change the irreconcilable relationship between Spirit Hall and the Heaven Dou Empire.

The moment she thought of her identity being exposed, Qian Renxue's heart clenched. She could not imagine how that fool would react when he learned who she really was.

Would he be enraged by the deception and betrayal, wanting to kill her?

Or would he be unable to bear it and lose his mind entirely?

She did not dare think any further.

"Perhaps I should go back and admit to that woman that my plan has failed."

After struggling inwardly for a while, Qian Renxue revealed a relieved yet bitter smile.

Reason told her that perhaps this was the best outcome.

Before she fell in too deep, before Su Xian became unable to extricate himself, before they stood against each other in a life-and-death battle someday, she should leave as soon as possible.

But did she really want to leave this place?

She looked around the room, her eyes filled with reluctance. Though this was only her first day living here, she had glimpsed the shadow of a home.

She did not want to return to Spirit Hall. She did not want to remain in that shattered ice cave that had driven her to despair...

Tap, tap, tap...

Just as Qian Renxue was lost and helpless, faint footsteps suddenly sounded from outside the door.

They were different from the usual footsteps. It seemed the visitor had deliberately softened their steps, making the sound extremely light.

Her heart tensing, Qian Renxue thought an intruder had broken in. She immediately lay down on the bed, narrowing her eyes as she watched the door vigilantly.

Creak~

The door opened silently. A figure tiptoed inside, then closed the door again.

"It's him!"

Qian Renxue's pupils contracted sharply, and delight welled up in her eyes. She had not expected the visitor to be Su Xian.

But...

In his own residence, does he really need to sneak around like this?!

Qian Renxue did not wake immediately. She wanted to see what exactly he was planning to do.

"She really is asleep."

Su Xian quietly approached the bedside. Seeing Qian Renxue asleep, he could not help but let out a sigh of relief.

It had not been in vain for him to stay up until midnight. He had finally waited it out.

Looking at Qian Renxue's sleeping face, Su Xian smiled softly and carefully climbed onto the bed.

Boom!

"What are you doing?!"

Qian Renxue's heart jolted violently. She immediately sat upright, clutching the blanket tightly as she stared at Su Xian in panic and alarm.

"Damn!"

Su Xian was startled too. He had not expected Qian Renxue to still be awake, and he nearly rolled off the bed in fright.

"Haha... I just came to see whether you were asleep."

Seeing Qian Renxue furrow her brows and glare at him with a humiliated, furious expression—as though she were looking at some lecherous flower thief—Su Xian felt utterly awkward.

Fuck!

I got caught trying to climb into bed and sleep beside my future wife. How am I supposed to handle this?!

He was truly panicking now!

"Then why did you get onto the bed?!"

Qian Renxue bit her lips hard and shouted in disbelief, her face already flushed crimson.

"I was worried you might not be used to it here, so I came to keep you company!"

Su Xian's face reddened as well. Before Qian Renxue could react, he immediately turned and climbed onto the bed.

"You!!"

Qian Renxue's heart trembled as she clutched the blanket and pulled away from Su Xian, seemingly terrified that he might do something.

"Don't be afraid. I'll sleep on this side. I promise I won't touch you," Su Xian hurriedly swore.

Qian Renxue was only a little over fifteen in actual age. He was not that much of a beast—he could wait until later!

"Really?"

"Really, I swear!"

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