Fu Qin's face grew more and more exquisite with age: sharp brows, bright eyes, a high nose bridge, and skin as fair as fine white jade. Every time Xiao Wu looked at him for too long, she felt her heart race.
Tang San stood off to the side, watching Xiao Wu fuss over Fu Qin. For some reason, he felt a little uncomfortable.
He furrowed his brow and said, "Xiao Wu, there are bound to be winners and losers when you spar. Fu Qin's strong, he just lacks experience."
In his eyes, Xiao Wu was his wife in his past life and would be his wife again in the future. There was nothing wrong with her caring about his little brother.
After all, Fu Qin had stayed by his side all these years and treated him with the utmost respect. At heart, Xiao Wu cared about Fu Qin because he was one of their own.
He didn't notice that the look Xiao Wu gave Fu Qin had long since lost its pure affection for a "little brother." In its place was a tangled affection so intense it could not be undone.
Hearing Tang San's voice, Xiao Wu instantly suppressed the feelings in her eyes. When she turned around, she was back to her usual lively, cheerful self.
"I know, Third Brother! I was just a little worried when I saw Fu Qin get hit hard enough to bleed from the corner of his mouth."
As she spoke, she pulled a bottle of anti-inflammatory medicine from her Soul Tool and pressed it into Fu Qin's hand. Her fingertips brushed his palm by accident, leaving behind a trace of warmth.
"Here, take this. Put it on quickly, so you don't end up with a scar. You're so cute; it'd be a shame if you had a scar."
Her words were so direct and bold that even Fu Qin, though he'd been prepared for this, couldn't help but freeze for a moment.
Tang San's brow furrowed even deeper. He felt that something Xiao Wu had said today was strange, but he couldn't put his finger on what was wrong.
Fu Qin hurriedly took the bottle.
"Thanks for the anti-inflammatory medicine, Sister Xiao Wu. I'll take it right now."
He could feel Tang San's puzzled gaze, so he quickly changed the subject.
"Third Brother, Sister Xiao Wu, we'll be graduating before long. Shouldn't we start making plans? Are there any advanced academies you'd like to attend?"
Tang San's attention was diverted, just as Fu Qin had hoped, and he nodded.
"Yeah. Teacher recommended an advanced academy called Shrek. I hear its teachers are all at least Soul Emperors."
As he spoke, he looked at Fu Qin with a measure of admiration.
"Your Soul Skill combination has a lot of potential. With enough practice, you might be able to reach Soul Saint, or even Soul Douluo, someday."
Fu Qin sneered inwardly.
Soul Saint? Soul Douluo? Who did he think he was looking down on?
He wanted to see the look on Tang San's face when he discovered that the little brother who had always "admired" him was far stronger than he was.
And when he realized that even Xiao Wu, his beloved from his past life, had no heart for him at all.
"I'll definitely work hard, Third Brother!"
Fu Qin put on that admiring expression again, his gaze so sincere that no one could doubt him.
Standing to one side, Xiao Wu watched Fu Qin defer to Tang San, and a hint of delight flashed through her eyes.
Tang San had already told her all about Fu Qin. It was very possible that Fu Qin was the butterfly effect brought about by their rebirth.
And according to Tang San's guess, Fu Qin might well be someone blessed with great fortune, just like them.
At first, the two of them had only suspected as much. But now they were certain: Fu Qin was absolutely blessed with great fortune. Perhaps he could even become a god alongside them someday!
Three days later, they had left Nuoding City.
The carriage stopped outside Suotuo City.
Suotuo City's streets teemed with people. The rumble of the carriage wheels over the flagstones was drowned out by merchants hawking their wares and passersby chatting and laughing.
As soon as they left the station, Tang San turned to the two of them and said, "Wait here for me. I'm going to pick something up. I'll be right back."
He gestured toward an unremarkable little shop owned by Flender.
The Dragon Whisker Needle hidden in the Crystal Board had been one of his trump cards in his previous life, so naturally, he wanted to retrieve it as soon as possible.
"Sure thing, Third Brother. Go ahead. We'll look around nearby while we wait." Xiao Wu answered at once, a sly glint flashing in her eyes. Before Fu Qin could react, she grabbed his wrist and pulled him into a secluded alley nearby.
The alley was lined with weathered brick walls.
As soon as they reached the depths of the alley, Xiao Wu abruptly turned around and wrapped both arms around Fu Qin's neck.
Her sudden move startled him.
Then Xiao Wu rose onto her toes, and her fragrant lips pressed directly against his cheek.
Fu Qin's pupils contracted. He felt her fragrant breath and, for no reason he could explain, didn't dare move.
Her hands weren't idle either. One arm held his shoulder while the fingertips of her other hand traced his waist through his clothes, making every hair on his body stand on end.
The affection rating on the panel climbed wildly: 390, 395, 402... In just a few seconds, it had broken through 400.
Fu Qin felt terribly awkward.
Good grief.
Xiao Wu wanted to be Diao Chan, but he had no intention of being Dong Zhuo.
He turned his head slightly and rested both hands lightly on Xiao Wu's shoulders.
"Sister Xiao Wu, don't... We're outside. I really..."
His feigned reluctance only seemed to add spice to the moment for Xiao Wu. A playful look rose in her eyes as she gazed at him.
Not only did she refuse to stop, she kissed him with even greater abandon.
After a long while, she finally lifted her face.
"What are you afraid of? There's no one else here. Honestly, your big sister thinks very highly of you... Stick with me from now on, and there'll be plenty in it for you."
Her voice carried a hint of haughtiness and stubbornness. For some reason...
She knew she shouldn't be doing this, but she did it anyway.
Fu Qin's handsome face, his gentle nature, and the way his eyes smiled whenever he looked at her all made it impossible for her to pull away.
And when Fu Qin occasionally showed a trace of shyness, it made her desire to protect him surge. She wanted nothing more than to pull this man fully into her embrace.
Fu Qin could clearly feel Xiao Wu's body heat rising rapidly.
He couldn't help but marvel inwardly. This Fate Arises and Fades buff of his was outrageously powerful.
And sure enough, 400 affection points were no joke.
Xiao Wu had completely forgotten their old "sworn-siblings bond." She didn't even care that Tang San was in the picture.
He gently patted Xiao Wu's back, his tone soothing.
"Sister Xiao Wu, I know... But calm down first. Third Brother will be back soon."
His words only brought a hint of disdain to Xiao Wu's face.
She broke off the kiss, her nose brushing against his.
A faint smile touched her lips.
"So what if he comes back? As long as he doesn't see us, what's wrong with getting a little closer?"
As she spoke, her little hand began to wander again.
Fu Qin hurriedly caught her hand. He was genuinely afraid Xiao Wu would pin him against the alley wall and have her way with him.
"Sister Xiao Wu, don't. I can't betray Third Brother."
Xiao Wu scoffed at his words.
Hadn't Tang San kept a mistress behind her back? She hadn't said a word about it.
Seeing Fu Qin's flushed cheeks and bashful expression, she couldn't help letting out a soft laugh.
"All right, I'll listen to you this time, but next time..."