Tang San's Doubts

Fu Qin nodded, his cheeks still flushed with a lingering redness, making him look as though he had been thoroughly bullied.

Only he himself knew that all of this was a disguise.

He needed to maintain this image of a "shy little brother," ensuring that Xiao Wu's favorability did not drop while preventing Tang San from detecting even the slightest flaw.

Xiao Wu released him with satisfaction, smoothing out her slightly disheveled skirt. Her cheeks were flushed, and her breathing remained somewhat rapid.

She glanced at Fu Qin, her eyes filled with smiles, then turned and said, "I'm going to the restroom. Wait for me here; don't go wandering off."

Fu Qin nodded in response, watching Xiao Wu's figure disappear around the corner of the alley before slowly retracting the shyness from his face, a flash of complexity crossing his eyes.

A favorability score of 405 had already reached an extremely dangerous threshold.

Over the past two years, Xiao Wu's behavior had become increasingly bold. If things continued like this, Tang San would discover it sooner or later.

Just as he was pondering how to maintain the right balance, Tang San's voice came from behind him: "Fu Qin, where is Xiao Wu?"

Fu Qin immediately turned around, reverting to his timid demeanor, and pointed toward the alley entrance: "Sister Xiao Wu went to the restroom; she should be back soon."

Tang San nodded and stood beside him. His gaze swept over Fu Qin's flushed cheeks and slightly messy collar, and his brows furrowed imperceptibly: "What's wrong with you? Why is your face so red?"

"No, it's nothing," Fu Qin quickly lowered his head, pretending to adjust his collar, "Maybe I walked too fast just now, it's a bit hot."

Tang San didn't think much of it. After all, in his eyes, Fu Qin had always been a shy and introverted little brother. Furthermore, his mind was currently occupied with his plans after retrieving the Dragon Whisker Needle and the upcoming Spirit Master tournament, so he didn't probe further.

The two stood in the alley in silence, the atmosphere somewhat subtle.

Fu Qin could sense the spirit power fluctuations radiating from Tang San. Although his level 28 spirit power wasn't top-tier, Tang San's combat techniques and practical experience far exceeded those of his peers, giving him undeniable strength.

Yet, in Fu Qin's eyes, this was nothing more than a facade.

With his own level 33 spirit power, combined with the combo spirit skills of "Hundred Refinements: Materialization" and "Divine Mechanism: Object Manipulation," and supplemented by the extreme insight provided by "Heavenly Eye: Construction," defeating Tang San would be as easy as turning over his hand.

The only reason he kept up the disguise was to maximize the effect of the Intelligence-Reducing Halo, letting Tang San believe step by step that he was a "thoroughly good citizen."

Not long after, Xiao Wu returned.

Seeing Tang San standing beside Fu Qin, the fervor in her eyes instantly vanished, replaced by her usual lively and cheerful demeanor. She skipped over: "Third Brother, you're back! Did you get the item?"

"I got it." Tang San nodded, his gaze toward Xiao Wu carrying a hint of tenderness. "Let's go to the Rose Hotel to get settled first. If we don't go early, I'm afraid there won't be any rooms left."

Xiao Wu immediately agreed: "Yes, yes! I'm exhausted, let's go rest quickly."

She walked up to Fu Qin and, seemingly naturally, hooked her arm through his, though her fingertips gave his wrist a light pinch, carrying a hint of a playful suggestion.

Fu Qin's body stiffened slightly. He didn't pull away, merely letting his cheeks flush red again, maintaining his shy appearance.

Tang San walked in front, completely unaware of the small movements behind him, still enthusiastically planning the upcoming itinerary: "We'll rest for the night and go to Shrek Academy to report tomorrow. I hear the entrance examination there is very strict; we need to prepare in advance."

"Got it, Third Brother," Xiao Wu replied casually, though her attention was entirely on Fu Qin beside her. She leaned into his ear and whispered, "I'll come find you tonight."

Fu Qin's heart tightened. Just as he was about to refuse, Xiao Wu had already let go of his arm, skipping over to Tang San's side and chattering away about Shrek Academy.

Soon, the three arrived at the Rose Hotel.

The hotel was luxuriously decorated, and the lobby was bustling with people, most of whom were spirit masters heading to Shrek Academy to report.

Tang San walked to the front desk and said to the clerk: "Two rooms, please."

His original thought was that he and Xiao Wu would share one, and Fu Qin would have another.

After all, in his view, he and Xiao Wu were husband and wife in their past life, so there was nothing inappropriate about staying together. With the foundation of their past relationship, he felt Xiao Wu wouldn't refuse.

But the moment the words left his mouth, Xiao Wu immediately interjected: "No! We need three rooms!"

Her voice was neither too soft nor too loud, just enough for those around them to hear.

Tang San was stunned for a moment, looking at her with confusion: "Xiao Wu, why do we need three? We can just stay in one."

Xiao Wu walked up to Tang San, stood on her tiptoes, and leaned into his ear, saying in a voice only the two of them could hear: "Third Brother, we aren't married yet. I can't stay in the same room as you. Besides, it's inconvenient for Fu Qin to stay alone. Three rooms is just right; we'll each have our own."

Her tone was firm, carrying a hint of unquestionable stubbornness.

Tang San's expression instantly became awkward, a flash of disappointment crossing his eyes.

He hadn't expected Xiao Wu to refuse so decisively. Although they hadn't been formally married in their past life, their hearts had long been connected, and staying together had been a matter of course.

Yet in this life, Xiao Wu's attitude was completely different, catching him off guard.

Looking at Xiao Wu's firm gaze, he could only offer a sheepish smile, his face showing a hint of humility: "Fine, I'll listen to you. Three rooms it is."

Seeing that the two had reached an agreement, the clerk skillfully processed the check-in and handed over three key cards.

"The three of you, here are your key cards. They are all on the third floor: 301 Blue Ocean, 302 Pink Sweetness, 303 Red Rose. They are all adjacent rooms."

Tang San took the key cards and handed one to Fu Qin: "Fu Qin, you take 301, I'll take 302, and Xiao Wu takes 303."

"Thank you, Brother Tang San." Fu Qin took the key card and said shyly.

Xiao Wu, however, suddenly stepped forward, snatched the key card from Fu Qin's hand, and shoved her own card into his: "Fu Qin, let's switch. I'll take 301, and you take 303."

Although Tang San found it a bit strange, he didn't think much of it, assuming Xiao Wu was just throwing a tantrum, and said with a smile: "Fine, switch if you want. It's all the same."

Fu Qin looked at the key card in his hand, then at the glint of cunning in Xiao Wu's eyes, feeling helpless.

This Xiao Wu was clearly trying to get him to stay closer to her, making it easier for her to come find him at night.

Although 301 and 303 were adjacent, they were separated by 302 in the middle.

The three of them took their room cards to the third floor and returned to their respective rooms.

Fu Qin had just pushed open the door to 303 when he heard a faint rustling from 301 next door; clearly, Xiao Wu could not wait any longer.

He walked into the room, shut the door behind him, and leaned against the panel, staring at the favorability rating that remained stuck at 405 points.

Damn it, he thought to himself, I'm afraid tonight won't be peaceful.

Meanwhile, in room 302, Tang San sat on the edge of the bed, his fingertips tracing the Crystal Board in his hand as his brows furrowed slightly.