Bibi Dong: Am I Really Love-Brained?

That matter had gone nowhere to this day, and she had never urged him about it either.

At the thought, Bibi Dong pressed her lips together, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her eyes—one she herself hadn't even noticed.

"He never tells me what he's thinking." Bibi Dong suddenly spoke, her voice tinged with a grievance she wasn't even aware of.

As soon as the words left her mouth, she froze.

She had never said anything like that to anyone before.

As the Saintess of Spirit Hall, she had always stood above others, composed and self-possessed. How could she ever have such a girlish mood?

But facing Deng Tianxin, with him pressing her with question after question, the things she had buried deep in her heart came rising to the surface, beyond her control.

There were things she wasn't unaware of. She simply didn't want to think about them.

For instance, she was always the one to initiate whenever they met. Whenever she brought up troubles with her cultivation, Yu Xiaogang always turned the conversation to his own research. And when she asked what he thought of Spirit Hall, he always gave vague answers without ever making himself clear.

Bibi Dong suddenly felt as though she really was love-brained.

Watching Bibi Dong's expression change, Deng Tianxin knew his words had struck home.

He had never thought that he could change Bibi Dong's fate with a few words. He only wanted to obtain the fragment inside her.

Once he got the fragment, Bibi Dong could do whatever she wanted.

What he had seen and heard on Earth in his previous life had taught him a few things.

Good people got no reward. Respect other people's fate.

Sometimes, there was nothing wrong with being a little selfish. At least you could protect yourself and keep others from hurting you.

Most people were kind at heart, but seeing some of the bizarre things online made everyone realize that they shouldn't be so quick to play the good person. Being a little selfish was better.

"Well, if there's nothing else, I'm leaving. Goodbye."

"Stop."

Bibi Dong's voice came from behind him. Her tone was calm, but Deng Tianxin's foot froze mid-step.

He turned around stiffly and saw that Bibi Dong had gotten to her feet at some point. Arms crossed over her chest, she looked down at him.

"You little brat." Bibi Dong tilted her head, a faintly amused smile playing on her lips. "You've stirred up a mess of feelings in me, and now you think you can just turn around and leave?"

Deng Tianxin's mouth twitched.

Oh, no. Here she goes again.

"Big sister," Deng Tianxin said, turning to face her and trying to look sincere. "Everything I said just now was for your own good, truly. Maybe it wasn't pleasant to hear, but every word came from the heart—"

"Didn't you just say you were a bandit?" Bibi Dong cut him off unhurriedly, walking toward him with graceful steps. She bent down, bringing her face close to his. "A bandit who won't rob anyone, but gets involved in my love life instead?"

Deng Tianxin was left speechless.

"And besides..." Bibi Dong held out her index finger and lightly tapped his forehead. "You're just a little squirt. What do you know about liking someone? About being together? About a 'love life'?"

"I..."

"How old are you? Six? Seven?"

"I..."

"A little brat, spouting one grand principle after another. Who are you trying to fool with that grown-up act?" Bibi Dong poked him in the forehead with each word. Her tone held a little teasing, a little irritation, and a complicated emotion she couldn't quite name.

Deng Tianxin was poked backward again and again until, at last, he clutched his forehead and glared at Bibi Dong, aggrieved.

What had he said? Good people got no reward! He'd kindly tried to warn her, and not only had she ignored his advice, she'd poked him in the forehead!

Sure enough, it was better to be a little selfish.

"Big sister." Deng Tianxin took a deep breath, put on a serious face, and said, "I admit I'm young, but I meant every word. If you don't like hearing it, just pretend you never heard it. Anyway, I—"

"Who said you could leave?" Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow.

"Then what do you want?" Deng Tianxin spread his hands helplessly. "You've already hit me and said your piece. If you're still unhappy, I'll apologize, all right?"

Seeing Deng Tianxin's resigned, what's-done-is-done expression, Bibi Dong suddenly burst out laughing.

Strange.

It really was strange.

A moment ago, his words had left her feeling stifled. He had dug up, one after another, the questions she had deliberately avoided, leaving her a complete mess.

And yet, seeing him put on that little grown-up act, she couldn't help laughing.

This little brat was still a baby, yet he always wore an expression as if he'd seen through the ways of the world.

He was clearly scared stiff of her, yet he still dared to say such cutting things.

"There's no need to apologize." Bibi Dong's smile faded as she looked at him seriously. "What you said just now was harsh, but..."

She paused, as if weighing her words.

"But some of it really was something I'd never thought about."

Deng Tianxin froze.

That was unexpected.

He had thought Bibi Dong would keep arguing with him or simply hit him. He hadn't expected her to admit it.

Bibi Dong crouched down in front of him again. This time, the teasing look was gone, replaced by a rare seriousness.

"You're right. I really can't come up with any evidence that Xiao Gang isn't a good-for-nothing," Bibi Dong murmured, almost to herself. "And I really don't know what he's thinking. Every time I ask, he tells me I wouldn't understand and says he'll tell me once he succeeds."

She smiled bitterly.

"But when will he succeed? Even he can't say."

Looking at Bibi Dong like this, Deng Tianxin didn't know what to say.

This wasn't right. He had come to collect fragments, not to be a relationship counselor.

Besides, he had just said that he'd never be a good person, that he'd respect other people's fate and let Bibi Dong do whatever she wanted.

But...

Seeing her with her head lowered, Deng Tianxin realized he couldn't just turn around and walk away.

Damn this wretched kindness.

"Ahem." Deng Tianxin cleared his throat, crossed his arms over his chest, and put on an impatient look. "Big sister, I'll ask you just one thing."

Bibi Dong raised her head.

"Do you like him as a person, or do you like the feeling of liking him?"

Bibi Dong froze.

"What I mean is..." Deng Tianxin held up his little hand and counted on his fingers, one by one. "Do you truly think he's worth liking, or do you just feel that someone cares about you and understands you, so you can't let go?"

Bibi Dong opened her mouth, but no words came out.

Seeing that, Deng Tianxin added, "If someone else appeared now—someone who cared about you more, understood you better, and was more capable and talented than him—would you stop liking him?"

Bibi Dong's brows drew together slightly as she fell into thought.

She had never considered that question before.

All this time, she had believed Yu Xiaogang was the only person who understood her.

The people in Spirit Hall respected her because she was the Saintess, fawned on her because of her status, and feared her because of her strength.