Bibi Dong's Conflicted Feelings

Three days later...

Morning came. Ban Shu had gotten up especially early. The day before, he had promised Bibi Dong that after their theory class today, they would go stroll around Spirit City together and take a good break.

Besides, he was also planning to tell Qian Xunji about the Soul Bone. A gentleman's word was as good as a team of horses—he'd already made the promise, so he had to keep it.

As he opened the door, Ban Shu was just about to praise the sun for shining so brightly when a figure suddenly lunged at him.

"Xiao Ban!!"

Bibi Dong crashed into Ban Shu, then grinned and patted his head. "Did you sleep well last night? Any nightmares?"

"Y-yeah... I slept fine."

Taken by surprise, Ban Shu was struck hard enough to feel some pain. He wasn't hurt, but he nearly fell over.

"Bi, Bi, Dong! You know that's dangerous, right? And have you gotten fat again?"

"Are you asking for it?"

At that, Ban Shu rolled his eyes and reached out to pinch Ban Shu's cheek. "How dare you say that to your big sister? As punishment, you have to carry me to the cafeteria!"

"What the heck?"

Ban Shu rolled his eyes and set Bibi Dong down. "Besides, why should I listen to you?"

Hearing that, Bibi Dong's expression gradually turned sorrowful. She raised a finger and lightly wiped away the few tears gathering at the corners of her eyes.

"The child has grown up. He's rebellious and won't listen. He won't even heed his big sister anymore. This is so heartbreaking. Boohoo."

As she finished, Bibi Dong covered her face and began to cry.

"Hey, hey, hey!"

Ban Shu scratched his head helplessly, then finally sighed. "All right, I don't really mind..."

"That's more like it. Let's go!"

Before Ban Shu could finish, Bibi Dong lowered her hands and beamed, spreading her arms wide. She didn't look like she'd been crying at all.

"You..."

Ban Shu let out a deep sigh and helplessly picked Bibi Dong up.

I fall for it every time, but it's never the same trick twice. Women really are dangerous creatures! Ban Shu thought to himself.

As he carried Bibi Dong down the road, everyone who saw them smiled. Some even gave Ban Shu a discreet thumbs-up.

Feeling all those eyes on them, Ban Shu patted Bibi Dong. "Dong'er, we're awfully close like this. Don't you think people are looking at us differently?"

"Are they? I haven't noticed."

Ban Shu rolled his eyes. "Your face is buried against my chest. What can you see?"

"I don't mind, but I'm worried this might cause trouble for you. If everyone from Spirit Hall sees us like this, how are you going to find a boyfriend?"

Ban Shu spoke with conviction. "Dong'er, why don't you get down? I'm only thinking of what's best for you."

"That's none of your business! Just keep walking!"

Bibi Dong blushed and tapped Ban Shu's chest, though her blows were barely stronger than a kitten's paws.

"All right, if that's how it is!"

Ban Shu gave a faintly mischievous smile. Before Bibi Dong could react, he tossed her into the air. As she screamed, he caught her in a bridal carry.

"What are you doing?!"

Bibi Dong was so startled that she gasped repeatedly, her face turning bright red.

"I can't be the only one embarrassed. If you're here, you're sharing the blame," Ban Shu said quite naturally.

"Hmph!"

Bibi Dong raised a little fist and struck Ban Shu hard in the chest, then buried her face again.

You're so embarrassed, yet you still won't get down. What's wrong with you? Ban Shu had tried every trick he could think of to get rid of Bibi Dong, but none had worked, so he could only resign himself to carrying her and run toward the cafeteria.

This big, big, big blockhead!

In Ban Shu's arms, Bibi Dong muttered the insult so quietly it was almost inaudible. Then she came to her senses and hurriedly shook her head. "What am I saying? Xiao Ban is still just a child. I've sinned, I've sinned."

"But..."

Bibi Dong furtively glanced up at Ban Shu. After absorbing Soul Rings twice in a row—both of them high in years—Ban Shu had grown rapidly. He was almost taller than Bibi Dong now.

She found it hard to think of Ban Shu as a child, especially since he was so mature for his age. The way they usually interacted was no different from how people their age treated each other.

"What is it?"

Seeing Bibi Dong acting strangely, Ban Shu felt puzzled. Why was her face so red? And why was she making that odd expression?

"Nothing! Hurry up!"

"Strange."

Ban Shu couldn't make sense of Bibi Dong's thoughts, so he hurried toward the cafeteria, eager to get away from her.

As they neared the cafeteria, Bibi Dong finally let Ban Shu put her down. She smoothed her hair, then hurried inside without even looking at him once.

Ban Shu was glad to have his hands free. With his hands behind his head, he followed her in and glanced around. He immediately spotted someone he knew.

"Hey, Brother Ling!"

Ban Shu waved and led Bibi Dong over to Li Ling. "You're here for breakfast too? Where's Uncle Li? Didn't he come with you?"

"Oh, it's you two."

Li Ling smiled at them, then said, "Yeah, Dad went on another mission, so it's just me."

"I see. Uncle Li really is busy. He only got back a few days ago, and he's already left again."

Ban Shu sighed. Ever since he'd graduated from his apprenticeship, Li Yan seemed to have stopped serving as his bodyguard. He hadn't expected him to head out again after only three days.

If it weren't for me, Li Yan might have kept working nonstop.

So being my bodyguard counts as a vacation? Ban Shu mused, rubbing his chin. After all, no one in Spirit Hall dared hurt him, and he always had bodyguards outside. He was perfectly safe.

After breakfast, Bibi Dong went to the library first. She didn't think reading was very useful, but Ban Shu had insisted, so she could only do her best to stuff knowledge into her head.

Though it didn't seem to help much.

Ban Shu, meanwhile, went to see Qian Xunji first.

Ban Shu entered the Pope Palace and said respectfully, "Teacher."

"Mm, Xiao Ban, you're here?"

Qian Xunji stood up and walked over. He patted Ban Shu on the shoulder. "After this Wolf Bandit Hunt, your strength must have improved by leaps and bounds."

"That's right, Teacher. I'm sure I could beat the version of myself from a few days ago without breaking a sweat!"

Ban Shu nodded. He dared to say that not because his Soul Power had increased by much, but because he'd gained combat experience.

The incident had helped him improve a great deal, both in battle experience and mental fortitude.

"Mm."

Qian Xunji nodded. "Xiao Ban, what brings you here?"

"Oh, right."

Ban Shu took the azure Gale Soul Bone out of his ring. "Teacher, here's the thing..."

He briefly explained the promise he'd made earlier.

"Mm, that's fine."

Qian Xunji nodded, his eyes full of approval. "You were able to resist the temptation of the Soul Bone and keep the prospect of immediate gain from clouding your judgment. Xiao Ban, I'm proud of you."

"It's nothing. It was the right thing to do."

Ban Shu smiled and scratched his head.

"Very well. I approve."

Qian Xunji nodded and took Ban Shu to the Spirit Hall treasury to exchange the Soul Bone for the corresponding number of Gold Soul Coins.