Fu Qin nodded. A blush still lingered on his cheeks, making him look as though he'd been bullied badly.
Only he knew it was all an act.
He needed to maintain the image of a "shy little brother," keeping Xiao Wu's affection from dropping while making sure Tang San didn't notice the slightest crack in his disguise.
Xiao Wu let go of him with satisfaction and straightened her slightly rumpled skirt. Her cheeks were flushed, and her breathing was still a little uneven.
She glanced at Fu Qin, her eyes full of amusement, then turned and said, "I'm going to the restroom. Wait here, and don't run off."
Fu Qin nodded obediently. He watched Xiao Wu disappear around the mouth of the alley before slowly letting the bashful look fade from his face. A complicated glint passed through his eyes.
At 405 points, her affection had reached an extremely dangerous level.
Over the past two years, Xiao Wu had grown bolder and bolder. If this continued, Tang San would discover them sooner or later.
He was still thinking about how to keep things within bounds when Tang San's voice came from behind him. "Fu Qin, where's Xiao Wu?"
Fu Qin immediately turned around, putting on his shy expression again. He pointed toward the mouth of the alley. "Sister Xiao Wu went to the restroom. She should be back soon."
Tang San nodded and came to stand beside him. His gaze swept over Fu Qin's flushed cheeks and slightly disheveled collar. His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. "What's wrong? Why's your face so red?"
"N-nothing," Fu Qin hurriedly lowered his head and pretended to straighten his collar. "Maybe I walked too fast just now and got a little hot."
Tang San didn't think much of it. In his eyes, Fu Qin had always been a shy, introverted younger brother. Besides, his mind was full of plans for after retrieving the Dragon Whisker Needles and the approaching Soul Master Tournament, so he didn't look into it further.
The two stood silently in the alley, the atmosphere a little strange.
Fu Qin could sense the Soul Power fluctuations radiating from Tang San. Level 28 Soul Power wasn't top-tier, but Tang San's combat skills and practical experience far surpassed those of his peers. He was indeed quite formidable.
But in Fu Qin's eyes, it was all show and no substance.
With his Level 33 Soul Power, the combined Soul Skills "Hundred Refinements: Materialization" and "Divine Mechanism: Object Manipulation," and the extreme insight granted by "Heavenly Eye: Construction," defeating Tang San would be as easy as turning over his hand.
The only reason he'd kept up the act was to maximize the effects of the Intelligence-Reducing Halo, gradually convincing Tang San that he was "a big, big good citizen."
Before long, Xiao Wu returned.
When she saw Tang San standing beside Fu Qin, the heat in her eyes immediately vanished, and she returned to her usual lively, cheerful self. She came bouncing over. "Third Brother, you're back! Did you get it?"
"I did." Tang San nodded, looking at Xiao Wu with a trace of tenderness. "Let's go settle in at the Rose Hotel first. If we don't get there soon, there might not be any rooms left."
"Okay, okay!" Xiao Wu replied at once. "I'm exhausted. Let's hurry up and rest."
She walked over to Fu Qin and, as if it were perfectly natural, linked her arm through his. Her fingertips gave his wrist a light pinch, a playful hint in her touch.
Fu Qin stiffened slightly but didn't pull away. His cheeks flushed again, and he put on a bashful look.
Tang San walked ahead, completely unaware of the little exchange behind him. He was still eagerly planning their next steps. "We'll rest for the night, then report to Shrek Academy tomorrow. I hear their entrance exam is strict, so we should get ready in advance."
"Got it, Third Brother," Xiao Wu replied casually, though all her attention was on Fu Qin beside her. She leaned close to his ear and whispered, "I'll come find you tonight."
Fu Qin's heart tightened. He had just opened his mouth to refuse when Xiao Wu let go of his arm and bounced over to Tang San, chattering away as she asked him about Shrek Academy.
Soon, the three of them arrived at the Rose Hotel.
The hotel was luxuriously decorated, and its lobby was bustling with people, most of them Soul Masters on their way to report to Shrek Academy.
Tang San went to the front desk and said to the receptionist, "Two rooms, please."
He had originally planned to share one room with Xiao Wu and get another for Fu Qin.
After all, in his eyes, he and Xiao Wu had been husband and wife in their previous life. There was nothing wrong with staying together, and with the feelings they'd shared in that life, he'd thought Xiao Wu wouldn't refuse.
But as soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Wu immediately said, "No! Get three rooms!"
Her voice was loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.
Tang San froze and looked at her, confused. "Xiao Wu, why three rooms? We can share one."
Xiao Wu stepped over to Tang San, rose onto her tiptoes, and leaned close to his ear, speaking so quietly only the two of them could hear. "Third Brother, we're not married yet, so I can't share a room with you. And it wouldn't be convenient for Fu Qin to stay alone, either. Three rooms is perfect. We'll each have our own."
Her tone was firm, with an obstinacy that brooked no argument.
Tang San's expression immediately grew awkward, and a trace of disappointment flashed in his eyes.
He hadn't expected Xiao Wu to refuse so decisively. In their previous life, although they hadn't officially married, they'd already been of one mind. Sharing a room had been only natural.
But in this life, Xiao Wu's attitude was completely different, and he was caught off guard.
Looking at her determined expression, he could only force a smile, his voice edged with humility. "All right, we'll do as you say. Three rooms."
Seeing that they'd reached an agreement, the receptionist quickly completed the check-in and handed them three key cards.
"Here are your key cards. All the rooms are on the third floor: 301, Blue Ocean; 302, Pink Sweetness; and 303, Red Rose. They're all next to each other."
Tang San took the cards and handed one to Fu Qin. "Fu Qin, you take 301. I'll take 302, and Xiao Wu will take 303."
"Thank you, Third Brother Tang." Fu Qin accepted the key card shyly.
But Xiao Wu suddenly stepped forward, snatched the card from Fu Qin's hand, and handed him her own. "Fu Qin, let's switch. I'll take 301, and you take 303."
Tang San thought it was a little strange but didn't dwell on it. He assumed Xiao Wu was just being playful and said with a smile, "Sure, switch if you want. It's all the same."
Fu Qin looked at the key card in his hand, then at the sly smile in Xiao Wu's eyes, and felt helpless.
Xiao Wu clearly wanted him to stay closer to her, so she could sneak over to see him that night.
Rooms 301 and 303 were next to each other, though 302 lay between them.
The three of them took their key cards to the third floor and went to their respective rooms.
Fu Qin had just pushed open the door to 303 when he heard a faint sound from next door, in 301. Xiao Wu had clearly wasted no time.
He stepped inside, casually shut the door, and leaned against it, looking at the panel where her affection still stood at 405 points.
Damn it. Looks like tonight won't be peaceful.
Meanwhile, in room 302, Tang San sat on the edge of the bed, running his fingers over the Crystal Board in his hand, his brow faintly furrowed.