"Didn't you tell me to put you down? And you were groping me all over, too. You stupid Rogue Rabbit."
Ye Qiu ended Martial Soul Possession and crouched down to look at Xiao Wu, his face full of innocence and reproach.
"I-I wasn't groping you! And I'm not stupid. You're the rogue—you kissed me!"
Xiao Wu pouted and furrowed her brows, grabbing Ye Qiu by the collar and nestling against his chest.
"Help me up."
"Okay."
Ye Qiu smiled and nodded, then scooped her up around the waist again. As expected of a Soft Bone Rabbit, her body was incredibly soft, and she smelled lovely.
"I-I meant help me up, not carry me," Xiao Wu said shyly.
"Then I'll let go right now."
"Don't! You're not allowed to let go!"
As soon as she heard him, Xiao Wu immediately wrapped her arms around Ye Qiu's neck, afraid her bottom would suffer again.
"You said it yourself."
Ye Qiu smiled softly. The alarm still lingered on the little rabbit's face, and she looked so vulnerable that it was hard not to want to protect her.
Xiao Wu lowered her eyes and asked quietly, "W-why are you looking at me like that?"
"What if I want to bite you again?"
Ye Qiu murmured softly, lowering his head and bringing his face toward Xiao Wu's.
"What?! No! Even though Sister Xiao Wu lost, you can't bully me like that! I'll listen to you about anything else. You just can't kiss me again."
Xiao Wu bit her red lip and quickly raised a hand to push Ye Qiu's face away. She looked at him earnestly, tears in her eyes almost ready to spill.
"Haha. All right, all right, I was just teasing you. Don't look at me so pitifully. Don't worry, I won't bully you like that again."
Ye Qiu laughed and nodded.
There was no hurry; they had plenty of time. All that mattered was that Xiao Wu didn't end up with Tang San.
The reason he had secretly joined Spirit Hall was that he knew there could be no friendly relationship between him and Tang Hao and his son if he wanted to protect Xiao Wu.
As for why Tang Hao had let him get close to Xiao Wu, perhaps he was confident in his own strength—or perhaps he was plotting some other trick.
Reassured by Ye Qiu's promise, Xiao Wu relaxed a little. She obediently lay in his arms, shyly gripping his shoulder.
Ye Qiu carried her slowly toward Dorm Seven.
"By the way, Ye Qiu, how do you know my Soft Skills? You even know my Soul Skill."
Xiao Wu looked at Ye Qiu in amazement.
"Take my hand." Ye Qiu couldn't be bothered to explain, so he simply let her see for herself.
Xiao Wu hesitated, then laced her fingers with Ye Qiu's. Soon, his memories flowed into her. When she learned about his ability, she stared at him blankly, unable to come back to herself for a long time.
"What do you think? From now on, I'll know everything you know. You'll never beat me," Ye Qiu said, thoroughly pleased by Xiao Wu's stunned expression in his arms.
Xiao Wu's expression changed at his words.
"Hmph! Then I just won't let you copy my Soul Skills anymore."
"You said you'd listen to me about everything except letting me bully you. Were you lying to me?" Ye Qiu stopped walking and stared at her impassively, his eyes as calm as still water.
"I-I wasn't lying to you." A hint of panic appeared in Xiao Wu's eyes, and she hurriedly added, "I'll cooperate with you."
"Really? Good. Looks like I can use this secret to keep you around for the rest of your life." Ye Qiu gave her a mischievous smile. He held the hand resting in his palm and gently squeezed it, his face brimming with confidence.
"For the r-rest of my life?!"
Xiao Wu's face filled with alarm. She tried to pull her hand away, but Ye Qiu held it firmly, leaving her to glare at him and grind her teeth.
Ye Qiu laughed inwardly.
Xiao Wu really was innocent and carefree at this age. Aside from the animal instincts she'd picked up in the forest, she was quite lovable.
She was just right as she was. If Xiao Wu found out that her identity had long been exposed under the noses of Titled Douluo, she might not be so carefree anymore.
Before long, Ye Qiu carried Xiao Wu back to Dorm Seven.
Some of the others had already finished their cultivation and were getting ready for bed.
Xiao Wu quickly tried to jump out of Ye Qiu's arms, but Ye Qiu wasn't about to let her have her way.
"Ye Qiu, what happened to Xiao Wu?"
Tang San had also paused his cultivation for the time being. Seeing Xiao Wu in Ye Qiu's arms, her face bright red, he felt his heart stir. She really was quite adorable.
"Nothing. She just fell during our sparring."
Ye Qiu answered honestly.
Xiao Wu buried her face in his chest. She couldn't stand the knowing looks the others were giving her.
"Hey, Ye Qiu!"
When they reached his bed, Ye Qiu gently tossed Xiao Wu over onto the bed beside his.
Xiao Wu rolled twice on the bed, then shot Ye Qiu a shy, bashful glare through her beautiful eyes.
Tang San watched the scene with a strange look. How could Ye Qiu be so rough with such a cute girl? He should have handled her gently!
"Ahh..."
Ye Qiu ignored her and flopped onto his own bed with a satisfied groan. Only after a while did he speak.
"What are you groaning about? I'm tired too, you know."
"Sister Xiao Wu never asked you to carry me!"
Xiao Wu's face flushed with anger, but she still put on airs as their eldest sister. She couldn't lose face in front of the younger boys.
"All right, you'd better go wash up again. Otherwise, you won't get a blanket tonight." Ye Qiu lay on his side, propping his head on one hand as he watched Xiao Wu and waved her away as if shooing her off.
"Fine, I'll go. Tomorrow, Sister Xiao Wu will buy a new blanket herself."
Xiao Wu had registered as a Soul Master and received a Gold Soul Coin. She was a rabbit with money now.
"Couldn't be better. Then I won't keep sleeping badly and waking up in the middle of the night because you kick me."
Ye Qiu waved a hand dismissively. Cuddling up with her was quite nice—who didn't like someone soft and sweet-smelling? But he couldn't stand that rabbit's constant kicking.
"You!"
Xiao Wu blushed and grumbled angrily.
"Then Sister Xiao Wu won't buy one. I'll kick you to death tonight!"
She made a face at Ye Qiu, grabbed her change of clothes, and walked out of Dorm Seven.
Watching Xiao Wu leave with a snort, Ye Qiu stretched. Lying on his bed, he thought about how to spend the next few years at Notting Academy.
When should he intercept the Celestial Herbs?
Which people should he target for copying their Soul Skills?
When would be the best time to report Tang Hao and his son without exposing Xiao Wu's identity to everyone else?
Ye Qiu didn't want his first target for his first Soul Skill to go to waste. He'd be heartbroken.
"Hmm? Xiao San, did you need something?" Ye Qiu looked curiously at Tang San, who was walking toward him.
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