Sweet Enough to Give You a Toothache

After returning to the Bu Family, Xue Ming enjoyed a few rare days of leisure.

Since the Senate was reorganized, the Nameless One has officially become the BOSS's personal guard. Sentinels like Hasben have been coming one after another to gather intelligence. They're practically ready to set up a barbecue night market in front of Lady Fenxing's cabin and settle down there.

Upon learning that Xue Ming was getting engaged to Xiao Qi, Aunt Bu Mei immediately transformed into a furious marriage-urging team leader, relentlessly launching a mental attack on her son.

At the family gathering, Xiao Qi has become a shy little girl these past few days, for three reasons.

First, Aunt Bu Mei treats Xue Ming almost like a second son. A Xing tells his mother all the stories that happened in the underworld. Xue Ming, the older brother, has a very good relationship with Liu Xing. When Bu Mei learned that Xue Ming and Xiao Qi were going to get married, she went to the ancestral temple to ask for two pieces of family heirloom jewelry and gave them to Xiao Qi as a betrothal gift.

Secondly, Aunt Bu Mei prepared a set of dance textbooks for A Ming and Xiao Qi. They were all Latin dances with ambiguous and intimate movements, requiring the two to be wildly close. Aunt Bu Mei sat in the audience and watched with delight. Xiao Qi stared at her lover's face so close to hers, feeling his hot hands supporting her waist and embracing her face. She had four nosebleeds that day and was incredibly embarrassed.

Thirdly, Aunt Bu Mei only reserved one room for them, refusing to allow the engaged couple to sleep in separate rooms, only mentioning that many guests came to the house during the Spring Festival and there were no extra rooms for them to sleep in.

After this series of operations--

Xue Ming, on the other hand, didn't react excessively and behaved naturally and gracefully.

Xiao Qi secretly gave a hundred thumbs up to Aunt Bu Mei's series of perks, but this female rogue didn't dare to make a move on her fiancé at all. There was always a thin veil separating them, but she didn't break through it.

These past few nights, she's been thinking about Xue Ming, who's sleeping on the sofa, constantly.

She was afraid he wouldn't come, and also afraid he'd cause trouble. In the end, she ran to the supermarket at the street corner and stared at the hygiene products counter for a long time. When the cashier started urging her, she blushed and slowly crawled back to the mansion.

Xiao Qi was about to go back to Shanwei to see Ning Guang's father when she finally left the guest room with great reluctance. Before leaving, she pouted at Xue Ming a few times.

Ming Ge continued his normal training and eating at his aunt's house, maintaining his physical condition and having his muscle structure checked.

Before leaving, he made a promise with A Xing that they would practice in the arena next time they met—his male character, according to the arena rules, was still no match for Meteor. He hoped that the two of them could both improve.

When they were going to take a bus home from Jiulong West, Xiao Qi pinched his lower back hard.

--The seemingly dull but actually clever male protagonist finally wakes up.

"What's wrong?"

Xiao Qi: "Hey, have you been like this these past few days?"

Xue Ming: "Is there a problem?"

Xiao Qi stuffed the high-speed rail ticket into her lover's hand. "No! No problem. It's just that we've known each other for two years, right?"

Xue Ming: "Yes."

Xiao Qi counted the days on her fingers. "The first time I went back to your hometown with you, we booked a double room. You slept for the first half of the night, and I slept for the second half."

Xue Ming: "Yeah."

Xiao Qi continued, "Back then, we took a taxi back to the city, right? On the way, you promised to take me horseback riding! But we never had the chance!"

Xue Ming: "You better be talking about riding a horse."

Xiao Qi chuckled, his face full of cunning and slyness.

"Well, you see. I'm so weak, I'd fall over if you pushed me!"

Xue Ming suppressed a laugh, found a seat, and helped Xiao Qi put her luggage on it.

"You might as well put it more clearly."

Xiao Qi: "I just want to drive! I love driving!"

Xue Ming: "And then?"

Xiao Qi sat by the aisle and shooed her lover toward the window. She put her arm around Xue Ming's shoulder, as if they were brothers, and gently blew on his earlobe.

"Hey, for the past two years, you've really been living in the same room as me, sleeping on the sofa and me sleeping on the bed?"

Xue Ming's attitude was very serious. "If you don't agree, I can't touch you; it's illegal."

"Then!" Xiao Qi suddenly became excited, but swallowed the words that were about to come out. "That can't be. It can't be like it was two years ago, can it? Has nothing changed at all?"

Xue Ming counted down the days, one by one.

"On the first night, I asked you if you wanted to sleep together, and you said you weren't feeling well."

Xiao Qi: "No, I meant I wanted you to rub my tummy! That's just me being affectionate!"

Xue Ming: "The next night, you got up to pee around 1 a. m. and chatted with me until 3 a. m., talking about everything from TV dramas and movies to tourist attractions. In the end, we talked about all sorts of one-night stand stories. I asked you again if you wanted to sleep together, and you said you were sleepy."

Xiao Qi: "I really was sleepy."

Xue Ming: "On the third night, you forgot to take off your clothes again when you took a shower, and you were posing for me through the stained glass. I didn't know what to say. I came in and handed you your pajamas and a towel, and you asked me if I wanted to shower together. I said yes, but you immediately changed your mind and said that we would catch a cold if we showered together."

Xiao Qi: "I was just testing you. I didn't expect you to agree so readily."

Xue Ming: "On the fourth day, you climbed right onto my sofa and kissed me over twenty times. Then, when I picked you up to throw you onto the bed, you immediately dodged under the covers—are you the one who's lecherous, or am I, Bai Qingqing? I'm really confused."

Xiao Qi: "I... I think we still have to travel in the morning, so let's save our energy."

Xue Ming: "Not ready?"

Xiao Qi: "Indeed."

Xue Ming: "No rush."

Bai Ziqing felt inexplicably annoyed by these adult topics, so she discussed it with Xue Ming.

"Do you think this is another kind of two-way barrier? Like, haven't we been dating for that long already?"

Xue Ming: "Yes."

Xiao Qi: "It seems like there's always a door I just can't open."

Xue Ming: "Do you like me?"

Xiao Qi didn't hesitate at all when facing that straight punch.

I love it!

Xue Ming: "So, which do you value more, the physical essence or the spiritual essence?"

Xiao Qi: "I like them all."

Xue Ming: "So that means you're a little insecure?"

Speaking of which--

Xiao Qi, on the other hand, wasn't shy at all.

"No! It's not that twisted! That's not true!"

Xue Ming thought for a moment, then continued.

"Isn't this perfectly healthy? Do you have someone else in your heart? A childhood sweetheart I don't know about? Someone you like even more?"

Xiao Qi slapped Xue Ming across the face, raising her hand high before gently bringing it down. "Are you kidding me!"

Then Xiao Qi asked nervously.

"Then tell me—since we've been apart so much these past six months, have you seen any other pretty girls?"

Xue Ming thought for a moment, and finally said, "That's quite a lot."

Xiao Qi became even more nervous. "Who?"

Xue Ming: "They're basically all dead."

Xiao Qi: "Not a single one is alive?"

Xue Ming: "Why are you asking this?"

Xiao Qi: "There are pretty ladies to watch together! Won't you save a few to share with me?"

Xue Ming immediately put on a strange, incredulous expression, quite exaggeratedly, "Do you like bad women?"

"Big Sister! Big sister is bad! Little sister is cute! Hahahaha!" Xiao Qi burst into laughter, feeling a sense of satisfaction that her mischievous scheme had finally succeeded after finally getting her chance to trick her employer.

The scenery outside the train window flashed by, and it was a long time before Xiao Qi finally snapped out of her ecstasy and asked a serious question.

"My employer, what do you like about me?"

"Great figure." Xue Ming immediately replied fluently, "Beautiful, cheerful, and healthy."

Xiao Qi: "You just love physical appearance, huh?"

Xue Ming: "His soul is also quite something, teetering on the edge of crimes like pyramid schemes, fraud, theft, and robbery."

Xiao Qi: "Hahahaha"

Xue Ming: "So you actually think I'm praising you?"

Xiao Qi pursed her lips, trying not to laugh, and tilted her head to look at her fiancé with slightly narrowed eyes.

Xue Ming: "Okay, I love you walking alone in the dark alley, I love the way you refuse to kneel?"

Xiao Qi: "Hahahaha!"

Xue Ming: "Why don't you touch me? I feel more at ease when you touch me. That Soul Hall elder's smile is scaring the kids in the back row to tears."

Xiao Qi: "I won't touch you anymore, it's indecent. I've touched every inch of your body."

Xue Ming: "Is this really something that can be said openly on the high-speed train?"

Xiao Qi's sweet words, "I'm not embarrassed," are like those of a social terrorist. "As long as I'm not embarrassed, it's others who are embarrassed."

It seems we've run out of things to talk about.

--Xiao Qi leaned on Xue Ming's shoulder, still like a koala, lifting up the armrest in the middle of the seat and hugging Xue Ming's arm tightly, refusing to let go.

The scenery outside the window is infinitely beautiful; it is the time when the fiery spring sun is rising.

Xue Ming stared at his lover beside him, noticing her shiny hair, fair forehead, and the faint scent of herbal shampoo.

Xue Ming suddenly asked, "Have you been exercising lately?"

Xiao Qi: "Why are you asking this?"

Xue Ming: "I just want to torture you a bit."

Xiao Qi: "Uh, I've been idle ever since you passed your VIP trial mission."

Xue Ming: "Did the boss give you a day off?"

Xiao Qi: "Yes, if you ring the Summoning Bell, I'll come to help you, but I've been waiting for more than half a year, and it seems like Big Sister doesn't have that need."

Xue Ming: "I'm afraid something will happen to you—I can't even take care of Meteor. If you come to Forty-Eight District, I won't be able to handle it."

Xiao Qi said rather shyly, "To be honest, I haven't been exercising much, but I've lost more than three pounds."

Xue Ming: "Your muscles aren't in good condition?"

Xiao Qi nodded and remained silent.

Xue Ming: "Where's the emergency Summoning Bell?"

Xiao Qi: "The BOSS didn't ask me to go on any missions, nor will he allow me to accept any."

Xue Ming: "Why?"

Xiao Qi: "It knows you're on a very important mission. If I go somewhere else and something happens, it won't be able to explain it to you."

Xue Ming: "Are you still in the cocoon state?"

Xiao Qi immediately became anxious. "Hey! Jiang Xueming! Not everyone is like you, able to transform into a Morpho butterfly in just one or two years!"

For VIPs at the station, like Teacher Su Ling, who belongs to the golden generation, it's normal to complete their transformation around the age of thirty.

Jason Megan has experienced setbacks and hardships before completing her transformation in middle age, and can be considered a key member of the EMAIL team.

Hasben Madison and Bu Liuxing are geniuses. Hasben has a very powerful father. Not to mention the psionic genes inherited from his bloodline, this kid is a centurion who has grown up in extremely intense urban warfare, so his transformation speed is naturally very fast.

Bu Liuxing has loved extreme sports since Dadu was a child, and has been on the verge of life and death more than once. He was raised by Aunt Bu Mei, and his physical constitution is also different from that of ordinary people.

Xue Ming asked about Bai Qingqing's progress in her transformation because the club was about to open and she would be dealing with all sorts of people from society. She was worried that something might happen to Xiao Qi.

Xue Ming: "Then forget I asked."

"I know you're worried about me." Xiao Qi pursed her lips, looking sullen. "The teacher's watching me!"

"Let's not talk about that." Xue Ming changed the subject and brought up the matter of going home. "I want to talk to Uncle Ningguang about the engagement. Do you think he'll agree?"

Xiao Qi never worried about that. "He'll marry you? He can't wait for me to find a good partner."

Xue Ming: "Do I count?"

Xiao Qi whistled playfully.

"You're the best cop in the world. Once you handcuff me, this criminal, I'll never escape again."

Xue Ming thought for a long time before finally speaking in a low voice.

Can I call you in advance?

Xiao Qi: "What are you shouting for?"

Xue Ming: "Wife?"

Xiao Qi took a deep breath, looked up at Xue Ming, and the two were very close.

She pursed her lips, biting them, as if a fox was scratching at her heart, something she couldn't say out loud. She only knew that her fiancé seemed to know everything, yet also knew nothing.

"Too old, don't shout."

Xue Ming glanced sideways at her lover.

"Okay, then I won't shout—whatever you say, darling."

To be honest, if Ming De knew about this little incident, he would probably fall into the broad arms of the Hunter King and laugh himself to death.

By the time we got back to Taohe Town, it was almost dinnertime.

The betrothal gifts Xue Ming brought were two sets of gold jewelry from Aunt Bu Mei, and two sets of clothes for Uncle Ningguang to use during the wedding toasting ceremony. After pushing open the door of the old house, Xiao Qi and her father exchanged New Year's greetings, and then Xiaoqi led Xue Ming to sit in the living room. Bai Ningguang could roughly guess what Xue Ming had come for.

The old man didn't say much, but his eyes revealed the same cleverness as his daughter's.

He furtively sat down next to Xue Ming, afraid that his daughter would hear something, and urged Xiao Qi to go downstairs to get some braised food and drinks.

After Xiao Qi went downstairs, Ning Guang and Xue Ming began to speak.

"Xiao Jiang, you brought me all this gold jewelry and clothes. Are you two getting your marriage certificate?"

Xue Ming immediately said, "I'm getting married this July. I came to your house to tell you."

Speaking of this--

Uncle Ning Guang suddenly frowned.

Xue Ming was a little nervous, unsure of what was going on.

Until Uncle Bai Ningguang's expression softened infinitely, yet also carried a sense of loss.

"I always felt like I hadn't grown old, until you told me this today, and I realized that Qingqing is getting married."

It seems like in an instant, Uncle Ningguang transformed from a child king into an adult.

"She comes back two or three times a year, and before we knew it, she'd grown up so much."

Xue Ming hugged Uncle Ningguang's shoulder. "Tell me the truth, are you unhappy because I didn't bring you a toy gun?"

Bai Ningguang chuckled dryly, his expression almost identical to his daughter's. "Hahahaha, you naughty girl."

Xue Ming pursed her lips, unsure of what to say. This father and daughter really knew how to manipulate people's minds.

Putting aside these trivial matters, Bai Ningguang inquired about their relationship.

When are you planning to have children?

Jiang Xueming: "My boss keeps urging me! No rush, things will work themselves out."

Bai Ningguang: "My daughter has a bad temper; she's always been a bit crazy. Please be patient with her."

Jiang Xueming: "I like her very much; she has a vitality that I lack."

Bai Ningguang: "You really know how to talk."

Jiang Xueming: "Any other questions, Dad?"

Bai Ningguang: "Don't shout yet! I have a few more questions."

Jiang Xueming: "Yes, please ask."

Bai Ningguang: "Tell me the truth—what exactly do you and Qingqing do?"

At this point in the conversation, Jiang Xueming didn't know how to respond.

Bai Ningguang guessed, "You're so familiar with guns. When I video-called Qingqing, she was always out at night. When we first met, you told me you went to Hong Kong alone to make a living. Tell me the truth, are you part of the triads? Otherwise, where did you get so much money?"

"No, no, no," Xue Ming shook his head repeatedly. "It's not like that."

Bai Ningguang hesitated, then finally patted Xue Ming's hand.

"Then take good care of her—I can't help her much anymore. After she went to Hong Kong, she said her workplace not only provided food and accommodation but also training. I didn't expect it to even provide a boyfriend! Heh. I, as her father, have always felt ashamed."

Xue Ming: "Of course."

Bai Ningguang: "Should we feel ashamed?"

Xue Ming immediately realized, "No, no, no! I should take good care of her!"

That night, Xue Ming and Xiao Qi drank a lot of alcohol, and Uncle Ningguang told them about the love stories of their generation from many years ago.

The content is also quite boring. It mainly revolves around the issue of housing allocation in the production team, which leads to many couples vying for houses and forming unhappy families. For example, Bai Ziqing's mother also made do with Uncle Ningguang for a house, eventually having a child, only to lose her job in middle age and separate as they pursued different lifestyles.

Xiao Qi had planned to stay at home for one night, but her father unexpectedly kicked his daughter and future son-in-law out of the house.

The chilly early spring wind made Xue Ming and Xiao Qi shiver, so they found a small hotel nearby to spend the night.

--The rest of the story cannot be detailed here; children cannot read it, and adults cannot read it casually, not even for extra money.

The next morning, Xue Ming brought back lily bulbs and pork shank to cook porridge. He helped Xiao Qi through the door and immediately headed to the kitchen.

Bai Ziqing, clutching her lower back, asked her elderly father for a cigarette from the fruit platter meant for guests.

"--What's wrong with you?" Bai Ningguang had just put down the fruit plate when he saw his daughter sprawled on the sofa, her hair a mess.

Xiao Qi exhaled a smoke ring, looking quite well, but still wincing in pain. "It's nothing, I twisted my ankle while riding horses last night."

Bai Ningguang frowned. "You'd better be talking about horseback riding."

Xiao Qi's body trembled from laughing, which aggravated her lower back pain. Her sixteen big white teeth shone with confidence and strength as she smiled.

"It really was riding a horse."

Bai Ningguang was skeptical, but as he went to the kitchen to help Jiang Xueming tidy up the clay pot, he casually asked a question.

"Did you go out last night?"

Xue Ming answered very politely.

"She's been on spring break lately and has been slacking off, resulting in significant muscle loss. She definitely needs to start exercising."