"Y-you ate it?!"
Hearing Ye Qiu's instruction, Xiao Wu's expression shifted. She seemed reluctant.
"Of course. If you don't eat it, what are you saving it for, next year?" Ye Qiu frowned and shot Xiao Wu an annoyed look.
"But, but I wanted to..."
Xiao Wu hesitated.
She gazed at the red flower in her hands, reluctant to part with it. She felt the flower had a special meaning: it represented her unwavering devotion to Ye Qiu, and Ye Qiu's trust and affection for her.
"Silly rabbit."
Seeing that Xiao Wu was still unsure, Ye Qiu couldn't help smiling. He cupped her soft cheeks in both hands and turned her to face him, then asked gently, "I'm right here beside you, so why do you keep looking at the flower? Which would you rather have with you, this flower or me?"
"Y-you, of course. Mm!"
Xiao Wu answered hurriedly. Ye Qiu was naturally the most important person in her heart.
"Then there you go!"
Before Xiao Wu could finish speaking, Ye Qiu slowly bent down and kissed her rosy lips, savoring them tenderly. Every now and then, soft, contented moans escaped her.
"Mmm~"
As Ye Qiu's lips pressed against hers again and again, Xiao Wu's heartbeat quickened. Her long eyelashes fluttered, sending out waves of misty, smoldering glances. Slowly and awkwardly, she began to return his kiss, following his lead.
After a long while,
Only when Xiao Wu could barely breathe and could no longer stand steadily did Ye Qiu finally let her go.
Dazed, Xiao Wu leaned against Ye Qiu's chest. This was the longest he had ever teased her. Her petite face was flushed, and her beautiful eyes were hazy, as though she were drunk. Even after Ye Qiu stopped, her soft, rosy lips still parted and closed, glistening with saliva. Her tender, adorable rabbit tongue was visible between them, moist and enticing.
Ye Qiu lifted Xiao Wu's chin and made her look at him. Smacking his lips, he asked softly, "Can you listen to me now and eat it?"
"I-I can. I'll do whatever you say."
Xiao Wu's face was as rosy as a peach blossom. Her voice was quiet and tender as she answered in a daze, nestled against Ye Qiu with an enamored look.
"Then hurry up." Ye Qiu chuckled and let go of her.
Xiao Wu stumbled, nearly falling over, but Ye Qiu caught her, and she remained leaning against his chest.
"Ye Qiu~ I-I need to rest for a bit." Xiao Wu's face was flushed and her steps were unsteady. She had never kissed anyone for so long before and was a little short of breath.
"All right."
Ye Qiu nodded. He didn't tease her; after all, he'd only gotten this good at kissing after spending a long time exploring with another rookie, Dugu Yan.
Looking at the adorable, slightly goofy rabbit, he couldn't help giving her baby-soft cheeks another couple of nibbles. Then he straightened the clothes he'd rumpled. He couldn't help it: he'd developed a bad habit of wanting to grab something whenever he cuddled with Dugu Yan, who was already fully developed.
A quarter of an hour later,
With Ye Qiu watching, Xiao Wu sat down cross-legged. Holding the Lovesick Heartbreak Red, she glanced at him with a blush, then stopped hesitating and raised the flower to her mouth.
As if it had a mind of its own, the Celestial Herb suddenly turned into a streak of red light and slipped into Xiao Wu's slightly parted lips.
Xiao Wu froze for a moment, then quickly closed her eyes.
Standing beside her, Ye Qiu once again surveyed the area with his Eye of Insight.
Only then did he carefully observe the changes in Xiao Wu's body.
The Lovesick Heartbreak Red was the king of flowers.
Consuming this herb could grant one the power to endure as long as heaven and earth. It could raise one's Soul Power by at least ten levels, comprehensively transform the body, and even bring the dead back to life and restore flesh to bare bones. Most importantly, it could help Soul Beasts who had transformed into humans conceal their aura.
Given what Tang Hao knew at the moment, this ability wasn't all that useful. But once he died and took the secret with him to the underworld, things would be different!
As Ye Qiu watched,
Xiao Wu seemed like the heart of a pink flower, while the Lovesick Heartbreak Red's petals bloomed around her. Blood-red light rippled across her skin, and the flow of her blood was visible to the naked eye. The Lovesick Heartbreak Red was transforming her body, helping her move closer to becoming human.
Purple Demon Eyes!
A dazzling light swirled in Ye Qiu's eyes. Even his Purple Demon Eyes, at the Mustard Seed level, couldn't see Xiao Wu's true form.
Time passed.
Celestial Herbs that chose their owners really were different. In just over half an hour, Xiao Wu had finished refining the Lovesick Heartbreak Red!
Her soft rabbit ears stood upright, and a white tail tinged with pink appeared at her lower back. Even a Soul Ring emerged beneath her: two yellow and two purple. She had become a Soul Ancestor, surpassing Ye Qiu in cultivation in one fell swoop.
Xiao Wu opened her eyes.
A bewitching red glow bloomed in them: the miniature Lovesick Heartbreak Red. The light faded, and the flowers around her closed and disappeared into her body.
Looking at Xiao Wu, who still seemed a little dazed, Ye Qiu couldn't help being dazzled by her beauty. He crouched down and gently lifted her soft, smooth chin.
"Silly rabbit, come back to me."
Xiao Wu blinked. When she recognized the person before her, her lovely face flushed, and her eyes filled with excitement. She threw herself straight at Ye Qiu.
"Ye Qiu!"
"Whoa!"
Xiao Wu's sudden embrace knocked Ye Qiu flat on the ground.
"Ye Qiu~"
Pinning Ye Qiu to the ground, Xiao Wu gently pressed both hands against his chest. Her ruby-red eyes brimmed with affection as she softly called his name and gazed into his eyes.
"What are you doing? Hurry up and get off!"
The back of Ye Qiu's head hurt. He stared helplessly at the little rabbit lying on top of him, who had stayed there for ages without doing anything else.
"Oh! I-I'll get up right now." Xiao Wu hurried to rise, then hesitated. Blushing, she quickly kissed him lightly beside the lips, like a girl who'd stolen a piece of candy. A smile crept across her face as she gently helped Ye Qiu up.
Ye Qiu rolled his eyes and rubbed the back of his head.
"Ye Qiu, I didn't mean to." Seeing him rub his head, Xiao Wu realized what had happened. She had indeed heard a sharp crack just now. She quickly reached out to take over, gently massaging his head.
Her face was full of concern and an apologetic smile.
Ye Qiu smiled and took her hand.
"All right, I'm fine. Let's head back to Dorm Seven first. We can talk about everything else later."
"Mm, whatever you say."
Xiao Wu smiled sweetly, already perfectly at ease following Ye Qiu's lead.
Between the classroom buildings, where classes had yet to begin,
A young man and woman walked out together. The young man was handsome, with bright eyes and pearly teeth. The girl's eyes were crescent-shaped, and she held his hand tightly, smiling warmly at him from time to time.
"Silly rabbit, why are you still smiling? I just took a bath, and now I'm dirty again." Ye Qiu shot Xiao Wu an exasperated look. He'd been lying on the ground for quite a while.
"It's okay, Ye Qiu. I'll wash all your clothes for you." Xiao Wu hugged his arm, looking sincere and a little apologetic, though she couldn't suppress the smile on her face.
After all, Ye Qiu had just praised her, saying she'd become prettier and more beautiful.
"Really?" Ye Qiu couldn't help smiling. He leaned close to Xiao Wu's ear and teased, "What about my body? Will you wash that clean too?"
"Huh?!" Xiao Wu turned bright red. She looked at Ye Qiu, conflicted.
Thinking of how far Ye Qiu and Dugu Yan had gone—how they'd almost gone all the way—Xiao Wu stiffened her neck and fought back her embarrassment. Stammering, she said, "I-I can!"
Before you continue