Clearly an Idiot in Love

Luo Yang wore an expression of utter hopelessness.

"This type of curse usually doesn't manifest immediately, especially since you are still young."

Zhang Huanyun continued to console him, "According to records, if this curse were to trigger, it would take at least several years. Besides, by the time you are strong enough, it might not be impossible to resolve."

"Alright, don't overthink it. Get some good rest these next few days. In a few days, your Aunt Eight will personally escort you to the Spirit Pagoda."

Having said that, he patted Luo Yang on the shoulder.

The other Blood Gods also stepped forward one after another, offering words of encouragement or advice.

A moment later, everyone left one by one, leaving only Luo Yang and Blood Eight, who had been standing quietly to the side, in the medical room.

"Don't be afraid."

Blood Eight walked over to the bedside and sat down, reaching out to gently stroke Luo Yang's hair. She said softly, "They are right; it isn't that easy for Abyss creatures to emerge."

"Even if that Black Empress has truly gone mad and is willing to pay any price to get out, her strength will be suppressed by more than half by the plane's laws. Once she reaches our territory, it's not certain who will be the one cleaning up whom."

I hope so...

Luo Yang sighed inwardly.

If it really came to that point, it seemed he would have no choice but to... lie flat and accept his fate.

Blood Eight changed the subject, asking seemingly at random, "What do you think of that Black Empress? How does she look?"

The question came rather abruptly.

Luo Yang blinked, recalling the Black Empress's appearance.

In all fairness, the Black Empress's looks completely conformed to human aesthetics, even more stunning than any internet celebrity or star he had seen in short videos in his past life.

It was a beauty that transcended racial boundaries, possessing a demonic charm—dangerous, yet alluring.

"She's quite good-looking," he answered honestly.

However, the moment the words left his lips, the temperature in the medical room seemed to drop by two degrees.

Blood Eight didn't speak, but her eyes narrowed slightly. Her fingers slid from Luo Yang's hair to his temple, and she gave his earlobe a light pinch.

The movement was gentle, but Luo Yang inexplicably felt a chill crawl up his spine.

"Oh?" Blood Eight still wore a smile, her voice soft, "How good-looking is she? Better looking than me?"

A death trap!

Luo Yang's heart skipped a beat, and his survival instincts instantly kicked in!

"The Black Empress is indeed good-looking, but that kind of beauty is cold, like a statue. Aunt Eight, you are different."

Luo Yang wore an innocent smile, watching Blood Eight's gradually narrowing eyes as he picked up his pace.

"Aunt Eight, your beauty is alive. You laugh, you get angry, you ruffle my hair, and even though your cooking occasionally burns, you put so much heart into it. Does the Black Empress have any of that? She isn't even human!"

Blood Eight froze.

Luo Yang struck while the iron was hot, his expression becoming even more sincere, "Besides, in my heart, Aunt Eight is always the most special. 'Peerless beauty,' 'a face that sinks fish and drops geese'—those phrases were made just for you."

The silence lasted for three seconds.

Then, Blood Eight let out a "pfft" and laughed.

She released his earlobe and instead flicked his forehead lightly, "Slick-tongued. Who did you learn that from?"

But her expression had clearly shifted from overcast to sunny, and the dangerous aura that had permeated the room dissipated.

"Self-taught," Luo Yang breathed a secret sigh of relief and grinned, "A skill specifically developed to coax Aunt Eight into a good mood."

"Then you little brat still have a conscience. If you had dared to say another woman was better looking than me, Aunt Eight would have truly wasted all these years of doting on you."

Blood Eight gave a light huff.

But the next second, her expression turned serious again.

She suddenly reached out, cupped Luo Yang's face, and forced him to look her in the eye.

"Luo Yang, listen well." Her voice dropped, and she enunciated every word clearly, "What I am about to say is no joke."

Luo Yang was taken aback by her sudden seriousness.

"If one day, you are truly led astray by the Black Empress, or some other messy woman..."

Blood Eight stared intently at him, her gaze so complex that Luo Yang couldn't decipher it; it held worry, reluctance, and a near-paranoid possessiveness.

"I won't let you go."

She leaned in closer, her breath brushing against Luo Yang's face.

"I will find a place where no one can find you and lock you away. No sunlight, no other people, only me visiting you every day. One day, one year, a lifetime, until you are too old to move."

She spoke slowly and with great sincerity.

It sounded like something a yandere would say, but Luo Yang could feel that she truly meant it.

The medical room fell into a deep silence, broken only by the occasional ticking of the medical equipment.

Blood Eight stared at him, seemingly waiting for his reaction.

Fear? Terror? Or perhaps crying and promising that he would absolutely never be seduced by a wicked woman?

However, Luo Yang only looked at her quietly, watching her for a long time.

Then, he shook his head.

"I'm not afraid."

Blood Eight's beautiful brows furrowed slightly.

"Because if I could be with Aunt Eight for the rest of my life," Luo Yang's voice was soft, but every word was clear, "I think I would be very happy."

"..."

Time seemed to stand still at that moment.

Blood Eight froze where she stood.

Her hands were still cupping Luo Yang's face, but the temperature at her fingertips suddenly spiked. Immediately, her eyes widened, her pupils contracted slightly, and her lips parted slightly in an unconscious reflex.

To be with her for a lifetime... to be happy and content...

Was this... a confession?!

Then, at a speed visible to the naked eye, a blush began to spread from her neck, climbing over her cheeks until even the tips of her ears were dyed pink.

"I... I was just joking, don't you dare take it seriously!"

Blood Eight's voice suddenly rose, hurried and flustered. She let go of his face and tried to step back, but nearly tumbled off the edge of the bed.

"You, you have to get married and have children in the future! How could you possibly stay with me forever? Don't tell me... don't tell me you want me to help you give birth to..."

Halfway through her sentence, she choked on her words.

If...

If she really stayed with him forever...

If...

If they really had children in the future...

The child's eyes should look like his, the nose should look like his, and the way they smile...

Ahhh, Blood Eight, what are you thinking about!!

Blood Eight suddenly covered her face, curling up like a boiled shrimp. The skin peeking through her fingers was so red it looked like it might bleed.

Luo Yang: "..."

No, he only said one sentence; why was her reaction so intense?

Besides, this level of innocence clearly showed she had been single since birth. If she ever really started dating, she would probably be completely eaten alive by the other person.

"Um, Aunt Eight?" Luo Yang probed, "I'd like to be alone for a while. I haven't fully digested the Plane Blessing yet."

"Ah? Oh! Right, okay!"

Blood Eight practically sprang up. She kept her back to Luo Yang, feeling as if steam were rising from the top of her head; she didn't dare to meet his eyes at all.

"You, you focus on your cultivation! Aunt Eight won't disturb you! If you need anything, anything at all, just call us!"

With that, she hurried away as if fleeing, forgetting even to close the door.

Luo Yang looked at the open door, and after a long moment, he smiled helplessly.

"What is all this..."

He shook his head, closed his eyes again, and began to guide the power of the Plane Blessing within his body.

Meanwhile, around the corner of the hallway, Blood Eight leaned against the wall, her hands pressed against her chest.

The heartbeat within was terrifyingly fast.