"Xiao Gang, I don't care how many levels you are, I only care about you as a person."

On the other side of the Star Dou Forest.

Here, connected to a small lake, stood a three-room wooden cabin, clearly a man-made structure along the shoreline.

The cabin was not large, yet it served as a testament to the three of them becoming the Golden Iron Triangle.

This was precisely the temporary residence of Yu Xiaogang, Flender, and Liu Erlong.

At this moment.

In front of the small cabin.

Flender stood beneath a large tree, with Yu Xiaogang by his side.

"Xiaogang."

Flender turned his head to look at his brother of many years, his voice somewhat dry. "I... I have something to tell you."

Yu Xiaogang was taken aback. "What is it?"

Flender opened his mouth, hesitating, and only after a full two and a half seconds did he grit his teeth and say, "I... I like Erlong."

"Ever since the day I met her, I have liked her."

Yu Xiaogang froze.

He looked at Flender, seemingly trying to find a trace of a joke on the other man's face, but Flender's gaze was incredibly earnest.

"Boss Flender, you..."

"I know you like her too."

Flender interrupted him, offering a bitter smile. "We've known each other for so many years; do you think I can't tell from the way you two look at each other?"

"I just... wanted to be clear with you first, and then I am going to confess to Erlong."

"No matter the result, the relationship between the three of us will not change."

"Please don't say anything yet, can you?"

Yu Xiaogang remained silent for a moment, ultimately using his silence to replace any answer.

Seeing this.

Flender took a deep breath and strode toward the cabin.

Liu Erlong happened to be walking out of the house, and seeing Flender's solemn expression, she was slightly startled. "Boss Flender, what's wrong with you?"

At this moment, Liu Erlong had just finished bathing, her long, fiery red hair still damp.

Under the glow of the setting sun, her delicate face radiated a faint halo, and her curves were faintly visible beneath her soaked clothing, causing Flender to falter in his steps, nearly tripping.

"Boss Flender?"

Liu Erlong noticed the commotion, looked up, and seeing Flender's hesitant expression, she couldn't help but be stunned. "What is the matter with you?"

"Erlong, I have something to tell you."

"What is it, being all mysterious?"

As Liu Erlong spoke, she looked around. "By the way, where is Xiaogang?"

"He... he is currently indisposed."

"What could possibly be so inconvenient?"

Liu Erlong scratched her head. "The three of us, what is there that we can't talk about?"

Seeing Liu Erlong's oblivious nature, Flender took a deep breath, looked directly into her eyes, and said softly, "Erlong..."

"Hmm?"

"I like you."

Liu Erlong, "(ｷ｀ﾟДﾟ´)!!"

"You, what did you say?"

"From the moment I met you until now, I have always liked you."

At this, Liu Erlong finally understood why Flender said Yu Xiaogang was indisposed.

It turned out he was confessing his feelings to her directly!

No wonder he said Yu Xiaogang wasn't convenient to be here, so that was it...

Thinking of this, the expression on Liu Erlong's face stiffened.

Two and a half seconds later, her expression recovered slightly, though she remained hesitant and could not look Flender in the eye. "Boss Flender, I..."

"Let me think about it."

"Alright!"

Liu Erlong lowered her head and walked toward the cabin to the side; it seemed she was going to find Yu Xiaogang?

Flender took it all in, remaining silent, only sitting on a wooden chair nearby in a daze, feeling somewhat dejected.

A moment later.

Liu Erlong sought out Yu Xiaogang. "Flender, Xiaogang, let's go inside the house to talk."

"Alright..."

Once inside the wooden house and seated, Liu Erlong took a deep breath. Her gaze swept over Flender before finally landing on Yu Xiaogang's face, her voice trembling slightly. "Big Brother Flender, I know you've been good to me."

"But... I'm sorry!"

"I have always looked at you as my own elder brother."

"The person I love is Xiaogang."

As she spoke, she grabbed Yu Xiaogang's arm and looked earnestly at Flender. "It has been that way for a very, very long time."

Caught by Liu Erlong's tug, Yu Xiaogang's body stiffened instantly. He struggled to pull his arm back, but Liu Erlong gripped it tightly. He lowered his head, not daring to meet Flender's eyes, and muttered, "Erlong, don't be like this. Big Brother Flender, he..."

"He what, he!"

Liu Erlong raised her voice. "Love is love, what is there to hide or hold back! Xiaogang, give me a straight answer. Do you have me in your heart or not!"

Yu Xiaogang swallowed hard. He glanced at Liu Erlong's proud figure from the corner of his eye, then looked at the bitter expression on Flender's face. Finally, he nodded, his voice low. "I do."

In that instant.

The air seemed to freeze.

Although Flender had long suspected it, his face still turned pale after seeing the scene before him.

"Big Brother Flender."

Liu Erlong turned to look at Flender, her eyes filled with apology. "I know you like me too..."

"But I'm sorry, I have always viewed you as an elder brother in my heart, so..."

"Fine, I understand."

Flender stood up, brushed the dust off his robes, and looked at Yu Xiaogang, his tone suddenly becoming solemn. "Xiaogang, I'm leaving Erlong to you."

"If you dare to bully her, I will be the first to never let you off."

"Big Brother Flender, I..."

Yu Xiaogang wanted to say something more, but Flender raised a hand to interrupt him. "Say no more. I, Flender, am not such a narrow-minded person."

"Since you two are in love, I wish you well."

Having said this, Flender paused and forced a smile. "At the very least, I am still your Big Brother Flender; you must save the position of officiant for me."

Liu Erlong's eyes reddened, and she nodded heavily. "Thank you, Big Brother Flender."

"What's there to thank?"

Flender waved his hand, turned around, and spoke in a hoarse voice. "Alright, you two talk. I'm going for a walk outside."

With that, he strode toward the woods, his silhouette stretched long and thin under the setting sun.

Liu Erlong watched him leave, then turned to look at Yu Xiaogang, her eyes filled with anticipation. "Xiaogang, are... are you willing?"

Yu Xiaogang fell silent.

At this moment, it had been less than two years since he had broken up with Bibi Dong—not even two full years—and he still couldn't quite let go of her in his heart.

After all, she was the Saintess of Spirit Hall, a true beauty of high status and wealth!

And now this...

"Xiaogang?"

Seeing him remain silent, a trace of disappointment flashed in Liu Erlong's eyes. "Are... are you unwilling?"

"No."

Yu Xiaogang snapped back to reality. Looking at Liu Erlong's expectant and nervous face, his heart softened. "I am willing."

"It's just..."

"Just what?"

"It's just that I feel I've wronged you."

Yu Xiaogang sighed. "I am only a level 29 Great Spirit Master; I am not worthy of you."

"I don't care about those things."

Liu Erlong grabbed his hand, her eyes full of determination. "Xiaogang, I don't care what level you are. I only care about you as a person."

"Erlong..."