♂,
Dao Lotus honestly said, "She said... 'What kind of war has this child of yours been through to develop such a mindset and ability?'"
"What does that mean?" I asked blankly. Seeing me staring stupidly, Zhu Dao Essence said, "It means exactly what it says! What else could it mean?"
"No... didn't you say it was thought-provoking..." I said with a smile. Only then did Zhu Dao Essence remember the key point, so she turned to Zhu Dao Lotus.
"Hey, Big Brother Xia, she called you 'this child'! Isn't that strange enough? Think about it—what did she call you before?" Zhu Dao Lotus's face was flushed and utterly charming. Her cyan palace dress was truly beautiful, making her look like a girl from a painting.
"I don't remember. Who would remember such trivial things?" Even if I did remember, I had to say I didn't. Chu Yan was still watching from above. Wouldn't I be asking for trouble by saying it aloud and letting her accuse me of holding a grudge?
"Hmph, so you don't remember. What a good boy. Before this, Mother called you things like 'you little brat.' Doesn't that count?" Zhu Dao Essence pinched my shoulder and laughed with a rather mischievous air. At the same time, she looked somewhat delighted as she said, "See? Mother is even calling you 'this child' now. Doesn't that mean she's changed her opinion of you?"
"That's right. And... before, she wouldn't even let us meet, would she? Look at things now—with everyone watching..." Zhu Dao Lotus said, her face flushed as she glanced at the spectators who were gradually leaving.
I raised my head and finally looked around. I hurriedly looked away in fright. Countless hostile eyes were glaring at me, suddenly reminding me that the two young women