The inn room.
The morning light carried a hint of warmth, making the blush on Xiao Wu's cheeks stand out even more.
She curled up on the inner side of the bed, her long eyelashes fluttering softly. Her breathing was even, but there was a faint trace of languor to it.
The intimacy she'd shared with Fu Qin last night seemed to linger in every part of her body. Each time she shifted, a secret ache and softness tugged at her, making her knit her brows. Yet a satisfied, alluring look flickered in her eyes.
Tang San lay on the opposite bed. When he woke, he happened to see Fu Qin reaching over to tuck Xiao Wu's blanket around her, his movements impossibly gentle.
Seeing Xiao Wu's rosy complexion and springtime warmth in her eyes, and thinking of how Fu Qin had kept watch by her bedside all night, Tang San felt a tide of gratitude surge through his heart.
Ever since his rebirth, he'd always felt that Xiao Wu was somewhat distant toward him. But looking at her now, he realized he'd been overthinking it.
Fu Qin really was his best brother. Not only had he cared for Tang San attentively when he was seriously injured, but he'd also taken such good care of his "wife." Tang San would repay this brotherly affection in this life, no matter what.
"Fu Qin, thanks for the effort." Tang San spoke at last, his voice still somewhat weak, but unable to conceal his gratitude. "Xiao Wu... is she all right?"
Fu Qin turned around with a suitably warm smile, secretly laughing to himself.
The prompt on the System Panel hadn't disappeared yet.
[The Intelligence-Reducing Halo is in effect. Tang San believes, "Xiao Wu just didn't sleep well last night. With Fu Qin looking after her, nothing will happen to her."]
Combined with the favorability that had shot up to 99, it made Fu Qin feel that this reborn Tang San was practically a cuckolded husband.
"It's all right. Xiao Wu stayed up with you for half the night and only dozed off in the second half. Let her sleep a little longer."
He made it up on the spot, but his gaze happened to brush past the tips of Xiao Wu's ears, which were flushed red.
Remembering how she'd been beneath him last night, he couldn't help his Adam's apple bobbing.
Woken by their conversation, Xiao Wu slowly opened her eyes. The instant she saw Tang San, she switched back to her gentle, obedient manner. Her voice was soft and sweet. "Third Brother, you're awake? Are you feeling any better?"
Only when she looked at Fu Qin did a flicker of slyness and dependence flash quickly through her eyes, making her look just like a little cat that had successfully stolen a treat.
She remembered how rough Fu Qin had been last night, and how the two of them had shamelessly done those blush-inducing things right beside Tang San. Her heart couldn't help pounding.
Just then, the door was gently pushed open. Ning Rongrong walked in carrying a food box. Her goose-yellow gauzy skirt made her look especially charming, and the soft fullness at her chest swayed slightly with each step.
"Brother Fu Qin, I bought breakfast. There are meat buns and soy milk, your favorites."
She first gave Fu Qin a sweet smile, then glanced at Tang San. Seeing him wolfing down his food without a shred of decorum, disdain filled her eyes.
Tsk, Tang San had no manners at all. And he was supposed to be Sister Xiao Wu's boyfriend? He didn't have the bearing of a strong cultivator in the slightest. The way he ate was just like a starving ghost reincarnated.
Ning Rongrong secretly grumbled to herself.
Turning around, she offered Fu Qin a delicate plate of osmanthus cake, her voice coquettish. "Brother Fu Qin, this is for you. I saved it especially for you."
Fu Qin smiled and accepted it, popping a piece into his mouth. Its sweet fragrance filled the air.
Seeing this, Xiao Wu struggled to get out of bed, but the moment she raised a leg, she stumbled, and an even deeper blush instantly flooded her face.
Fu Qin had worn her out badly last night. Her legs were still sore and weak, and she couldn't walk normally at all.
"Careful!" Fu Qin hurried forward to steady her, his arm naturally circling her waist. Feeling her soft skin against his palm, he teased her quietly by the ear.
"You couldn't hold back last night, and now you're feeling the consequences?"
Xiao Wu's face turned scarlet. She pinched him, but still leaned close against him, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz. "That's because of you..."
Tang San heard the reproach in her voice and assumed she was simply feeling unwell. He was even more touched by Fu Qin's thoughtfulness.
[Tang San's favorability +5. Current favorability: 99]
The system prompt popped up again, and Fu Qin's smile deepened.
With the Intelligence-Reducing Halo, Tang San was practically a walking favorability ATM. He wouldn't mind having a few more "brothers" like this.
By midday, Xiao Wu had mostly recovered under Fu Qin's "attentive care." Her Soul Power still felt a little sluggish, so she couldn't fight at full strength, but running and jumping were no problem.
She wore the new dress Fu Qin had bought her, bouncing along beside him and slipping her arm through his whenever she got the chance. They were utterly close.
Ning Rongrong followed behind them, watching them act so intimately without a care for anyone else. She felt a sour pang in her heart, but there was nothing she could do.
She wanted to be that close to Fu Qin, too, but Xiao Wu always beat her to it. All she could do was stomp her foot in frustration and scheme about how to get Fu Qin to pay her more attention.
Just then, Zhu Zhuqing let out a sudden shriek from the room next door.
Her voice brimmed with fear and struggle. "Let go of me! Dai Mubai, have you gone mad?"
"What's going on?" Fu Qin's expression changed, and he rushed out first. Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong hurried after him.
The three of them ran to the door of the room where Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun were staying. The door stood ajar, and Zhu Zhuqing's struggling cries and Dai Mubai's excited shouts came from inside.
Fu Qin kicked the door open. The sight before him made his pupils contract.
Dai Mubai was dressed in white. His usually wicked eyes were now shining brilliantly, his face alight with the wild joy of finding something lost and recovered. He clutched Zhu Zhuqing's hand so tightly that she frowned, red marks already appearing around her wrist.
"Hahaha! I'm back! I'm back again!"
He shouted incoherently, deep affection and ecstatic joy practically spilling from his eyes.
Zhu Zhuqing's face was pale, her cold, beautiful features filled with fear and disgust. She desperately tried to wrench her hand from Dai Mubai's grip, but couldn't break free.
"Let go of me! I don't know you! Dai Mubai, what's gotten into you?" she roared, her eyes full of confusion and fear.
On the other side of the room, Oscar and Ma Hongjun had also woken up. Sitting on their beds, both of them wore expressions of earth-shaking change.
Oscar still had that lecherous look about him. His gaze at Zhu Zhuqing was full of excitement, along with a hint of... sinister intent.
Ma Hongjun, however, had shed his usual lecherous manner. His eyes had become steady and resolute, and when he saw the scene around him, he too was overcome with indescribable joy.
Standing outside the room, Fu Qin felt a stir in his heart and instinctively activated his Insight ability.
The next moment, the three men's personal panels appeared clearly before his eyes.
Dai Mubai: Age 52,000, Martial Soul: White Tiger, Soul Power Level: 37 (divine memories awakened), Identity: Reborn—God of War Oscar: Age 51,000, Martial Soul: Sausage, Soul Power Level: 30 (divine memories awakened), Identity: Reborn—God of Food Ma Hongjun: Age 50,000, Martial Soul: Evil Fire Phoenix, Soul Power Level: 28 (divine memories awakened), Identity: Reborn—Phoenix God
"As expected, they've all recovered their memories from their past lives."
But he was still confused about one thing: he didn't know whether they'd taken over these bodies or simply recovered their memories.