Hehe...

Qian Xunji's brows knitted into a deep frown. The pen in his hand clattered onto the desk, splattering a few drops of ink across the pristine paper and spreading into a small black stain.

He slapped the desk, his voice exploding through the vast hall.

"How did I ever agree to let him become a worshipper?!"

After turning it over in his mind, Qian Xunji's face suddenly darkened. His brows drew together even tighter, nearly enough to crush a fly.

He recalled Bibi Dong's exaggerated expression from earlier, how obedient she had seemed. At the time, he'd thought his student was just acting spoiled, but looking back now...!!

"Damn it—I've been tricked!"

Qian Xunji pounded the desk, making the documents on it jump.

"That little rascal!"

"They've only known each other for a few months, and she's already taking his side!"

Qian Xunji couldn't help feeling annoyed. It was as if a stone had lodged in his chest, making it hard to breathe.

But once words were spoken, they couldn't be taken back. He had already agreed; he couldn't go back on it now.

Otherwise, wouldn't he lose face in front of his own disciple?

He took a deep breath and slowly let it out. After repeating this several times, he finally managed to suppress the Evil Fire welling up inside him.

"The old man hasn't returned yet, so the Second Worship is in charge of the Worship Hall now..."

His fingertips tapped lightly on the desk, making a steady tok, tok sound. After a moment, he made up his mind and called out loudly:

"Someone!"

The hall door was gently pushed open, and a servant entered with a bow.

"Bring me a box of fine wine and good food. The best you can find!"

"Yes, sir!"

About an hour later.

Qian Xunji walked along the corridor leading to the Worship Hall, two large jars of wine in his left hand and a three- or four-tiered food box in his right.

Red cloth sealed the mouths of the jars, but even so, their rich aroma mingled with the scent of the dishes wafting from the food box, spreading through the dusk.

He stopped outside Golden Crocodile's residence and called out respectfully:

"Second Worship, are you there?"

"It's Ji'er. I have something to discuss with you—about your student..."

Meanwhile, at Zhao Linchuan's residence.

A large grill stood in the courtyard, its coals burning brightly. Orange flames licked at a dressed young deer, and fat dripped onto the coals with a sizzle, sending up wave after wave of mouthwatering aroma.

Zhao Linchuan sat in front of the grill, holding a brush as he leisurely coated the venison with seasoning.

Bibi Dong and Yan Lingji were busy at the stone table nearby, one chopping vegetables and the other mixing sauces. They worked together with easy familiarity, occasionally murmuring something to each other as their soft laughter drifted away on the night breeze.

"Ah! I'm exhausted!"

Bibi Dong placed the last plate of skewered meat down, straightened up, and stretched her arms high above her head. Her bones cracked.

"Then have some extra later and replenish your strength."

Zhao Linchuan turned over the young deer, now roasted golden and crisp. The fat glistened in the firelight, and the fragrance grew even richer.

He glanced up at Bibi Dong and said gently, "Stay here with us tonight. Let yourself really cut loose."

"Stay here with you?"

Bibi Dong looked at Yan Lingji, then at Zhao Linchuan. Her tone was strange, and her eyes darted uncertainly.

"Th-that doesn't seem quite right... I'd be an outsider. What if I disturb you two...?"

"Then you can drink juice," Zhao Linchuan said, rolling his eyes at her. "If that won't do, you can have plain water."

"No way!" Bibi Dong said as she washed her hands. "I haven't relaxed in ages. Tonight, I'm going to let myself cut loose!"

Time drifted by.

The night grew darker, and the moon climbed high overhead. Its cool light spilled across the courtyard, laying a faint silver sheen over every blade of grass and every tree.

Laughter and conversation rose and fell in the courtyard. The three of them sat around the grill, glasses clinking as they feasted and drank.

Bibi Dong drank the most. She started with a few cups of fruit wine, but it wasn't enough for her, so she switched to liquor and drank cup after cup. Soon her cheeks were flushed and her eyes unfocused.

She held Yan Lingji's hand and rambled on about this and that. When she was happy, she burst into laughter; when she was moved, her eyes turned red. She was the very picture of a drunk little girl.

Yan Lingji, by contrast, drank very little. Most of the time, she was putting food on Bibi Dong's plate and pouring her water. Now and then, she clinked glasses with Zhao Linchuan and took only a small sip.

Zhao Linchuan drank quite a bit too, but his expression never changed. He remained as calm and composed as ever, though he said a little more than usual and occasionally cracked a joke that sent Bibi Dong howling with laughter.

It was now deep into the night.

The moon had climbed to its zenith, and its cool light flowed like water.

All three were thoroughly drunk. Bibi Dong was already staggering, so Yan Lingji helped her to the guest room, tucked her in, and placed a cup of warm water by her bed before quietly stepping out.

Then Zhao Linchuan and Yan Lingji returned to their bedroom. They lay down and soon fell fast asleep.

Moonlight slanted through the window lattice, spreading a strip of silvery white across the floor.

The night was so quiet that only the occasional chirping of insects outside broke the silence.

After an unknown length of time, the guest room door was gently pushed open.

Bibi Dong staggered out, her hair disheveled and her nightdress rumpled. She still looked thoroughly drunk.

Squinting, she made her way unsteadily toward the toilet at the end of the corridor, but after only a few steps, she suddenly stopped.

She stood in the middle of the corridor, moonlight falling across her face and illuminating her hazy, glistening eyes.

She tilted her head as if trying hard to remember something.

"Hehe..."

No one knew what had come to Bibi Dong, but the corners of her mouth slowly spread into a foolish grin.

She turned around and staggered toward the other end of the corridor.

A moment later, Bibi Dong pushed open a bedroom door. Its hinges gave a faint creak that sounded especially loud in the silent night.

Startled, she hunched her shoulders and waited. Only after making sure she hadn't woken anyone did she continue inside.

Bibi Dong rose onto her tiptoes and crept toward the bed, one careful step at a time.

Moonlight streamed through the window, falling across the two still figures on the bed.

Zhao Linchuan lay on his back, breathing evenly, fast asleep.

Yan Lingji lay on her side beside him, her long hair covering half her face.

Bibi Dong stood beside the bed, gazing down at Zhao Linchuan's face without moving.

After a long while, Bibi Dong swallowed. As if she had finally made up her mind, she climbed onto the bed as quietly as she could and crouched over Zhao Linchuan's chest.

Her heart raced as if it were about to leap out of her chest. Her face was hot enough to fry an egg, and her palms were slick with sweat.