A Girl Won't Stay Home, Even When She's Young

Facing Bibi Dong's seemingly fiery gaze, Tang Yuehua said nothing and merely smiled faintly, leaving Bibi Dong fuming inside.

"Older Brother, what's wrong with Sister Dong'er and Sister Yuehua? It feels like they don't really like each other."

Sitting in Pei An's arms and eating almond cake, Xiao Qian Renxue swallowed the bite in her mouth, leaned close to Pei An's ear, and whispered her question.

Xiao Qian Renxue had no strange ideas in her heart.

She simply felt that both Bibi Dong and Tang Yuehua were wonderful older sisters. Why would two such wonderful sisters dislike each other?

Qian Renxue had deliberately leaned close to Pei An's ear and lowered her voice. Tang Yuehua, a Ninth Rank Soul Master, could not hear clearly, but how could Bibi Dong possibly fail to hear it?

Her expression stiffened ever so slightly.

Had she made it that obvious, enough for even a child like Qian Renxue to notice?

Gently rubbing Xiao Qian Renxue's long golden hair, Pei An smiled tenderly. "Xue'er, you misunderstand. Sister Dong'er is only joking with Sister Yuehua."

Pei An was actually a little embarrassed.

He was not some blockhead who understood nothing.

As for Tang Yuehua, he had only vaguely suspected it, but Bibi Dong...

Pei An was certain that Bibi Dong was so hostile toward Tang Yuehua because of him.

The affection between senior sister and junior brother had long since changed in nature.

Naturally, he could not possibly tell Xiao Qian Renxue something like that.

Although Tang Yuehua had not heard Qian Renxue's earlier whisper, Pei An's words let her roughly guess what had happened.

"That's right. We older sisters are just playing around."

Tang Yuehua took the initiative to gently loop her arm around Bibi Dong's.

Feeling the movement, Bibi Dong's body visibly stiffened for a moment.

Yet she did not pull away, instead smiling as she played along.

"Is that so..." Xiao Qian Renxue narrowed her beautiful eyes, somewhat suspicious.

But when Pei An picked up a piece of almond cake and brought it to her mouth, Xiao Qian Renxue immediately tossed her doubts aside.

The atmosphere gradually became peaceful.

Pei An handled the official documents Golden Crocodile Douluo had yet to deal with, while Qian Renxue nestled in his arms.

Though the little girl did not understand these strange matters, nestled in Pei An's arms, she still imitated him as she looked through the documents.

Tang Yuehua tidied up the food box, softly bid Pei An farewell, and left.

Their statuses were what they were. Pei An, the Pope of Spirit Hall, was handling official affairs; what business did she, the Young Miss of Clear Sky Sect, have staying here?

Tang Yuehua had always known her limits and would never overstep her role.

As for Bibi Dong, she took the initiative to help Pei An handle some of the documents.

With her abilities, dealing with such matters was not difficult.

Time flowed quietly away like sand.

Knock, knock.

A light knock sounded at the door.

"Pope." Ghost Douluo's distinctively hoarse voice rang out.

Setting down the silver Black Feather Pen in his hand, Pei An stretched his wrist slightly, his voice carrying a trace of laziness. "Come in."

The door slowly opened, and Ghost Douluo walked in.

His face was concealed by a massive hood and black mist, making his true features impossible to see.

Pei An had seen Ghost Douluo's True Appearance before, so he understood the reason for this attire.

Ghost Douluo's martial soul was unusual, and the conditions for awakening it were something ordinary people could scarcely imagine.

His face, too, was inseparably tied to that incident.

In truth, at Chrysanthemum Douluo's earnest request, Pei An had already restored Ghost Douluo's face with life energy.

Yet he had not changed his attire.

In Ghost Douluo's own words, he had grown used to it and did not want to change.

Pei An would not force him over such a matter, so he said nothing more.

However, Chrysanthemum Douluo had always been very dissatisfied about it.

He was the one who most hoped Ghost Douluo could show himself with his True Appearance.

Unfortunately, no matter how he tried to persuade him, Ghost Douluo remained unmoved.

"Pope." Ghost Douluo dropped to one knee before Pei An, respect and gratitude mingling in his voice.

"Get up. How many times have I told you? When we're alone, just treat me normally." Pei An rubbed his brow helplessly.

"Yes." Ghost Douluo answered, though the words would most likely go in one ear and out the other.

"What is it?" Knowing his temperament, Pei An stopped dwelling on it and asked directly.

Ghost Douluo rose to his feet, though he kept his head slightly lowered. His hoarse voice emerged from beneath the wide hood.

"Pope, Dugu Bo has come with his granddaughter. He wishes to see you."

Hearing this, Pei An nodded slightly. "I understand."

Pei An's connection with Dugu Bo dated back to his early years.

At the time, Pei An had been planning to obtain the Immortal Herbs within the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well.

While he was at it, he resolved the hidden danger posed by the toxins afflicting Dugu Bo's family.

Dugu Yan's parents, who had died young in the Original Work, were still alive now.

Overcome with gratitude, Dugu Bo took Pei An to the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well and gifted it to him in repayment.

The relationship between Pei An and Dugu Bo was half benefactor and half friend.

"Grandpa Dugu and Yanyan are here. Does Xue'er want to go see them together?"

Qian Renxue nodded repeatedly. "Mm-hm, mm-hm! Xue'er has missed Yanyan so much!"

Over the years, this was not Dugu Bo's first visit to Spirit Hall.

Because of Pei An, he also held the title of elder.

Qian Renxue and Dugu Yan had known each other since childhood.

They were not far apart in age, with Qian Renxue only two years older. They got along well and had quite a good relationship.

Pope's Palace Reception Hall

One old and one young figure sat there.

Dugu Bo gently sipped at the tea, which still gave off wisps of pale steam.

Beside him, Dugu Yan swung her Short Legs, her little lips slightly pouting as she spoke in a soft, sweet voice.

"Grandpa, when are Brother Pei and Sister Xue'er coming? Yanyan misses them~"

Hearing his granddaughter's words, Dugu Bo explained helplessly, "Girl, what are you so anxious for? It hasn't been that long."

Dugu Bo was truly helpless when it came to Dugu Yan.

Whenever she was home, his granddaughter constantly talked about her Brother Pei and Sister Xue'er, and every so often she would clamour about coming to Spirit Hall.

Not only him—even his son and daughter-in-law, Dugu Yan's parents, found it hard to soothe her.

Although Pei An was his benefactor, one thing was one thing and another was another. Dugu Bo was still rather displeased.

As a Granddaughter Fanatic, he felt deeply defeated.

Unable to bear the girl's tearful attacks any longer, Dugu Bo could only bring her here.

However, he had another purpose in coming this time.

The idea had come to him after hearing of someone else's precedent.

Though somewhat reluctant, Dugu Bo had to admit that it would be a better arrangement for Yanyan.

As for Yanyan herself...

Dugu Bo glanced at the eager green-haired little girl beside him and sighed softly in his heart.

This girl probably wished for nothing more.

A girl won't stay home once she's grown, and she was not even that grown yet, but already he could not keep her...