"Mom, can I ask for anything I want?"
Lin Tian leaned closer to Bibi Dong, a mischievous grin spreading across his tender little face, as if his cunning scheme had succeeded.
"Lin Tian, don't ask for anything too outrageous! Mom has to get up early tomorrow to handle state affairs at the Pope Palace, so don't keep me up too late tonight."
Bibi Dong's face flushed bright red. Even her ears, hidden beneath her wine-red hair, had turned scarlet.
Lin Tian looked at the snow-white swanlike curve of his Pope mother's neck, and a trace of longing crept into his eyes.
But until he was strong enough to take down His Holiness the Pope, he still needed to be careful.
A woman's heart was like a needle at the bottom of the sea.
One wrong thing he said, or one mistake he made, might drive this peerlessly beautiful Pope away.
If that happened, he'd be the one losing out in a big way!
"Mom, you've taken such good care of me all these years. I want to give you a kiss. Is that okay?"
Lin Tian stepped forward and took his Pope mother's hands. Then he stood before her with an obedient look, his tender little face full of earnestness.
"Lin Tian, you want to give Mom a kiss? You only want to kiss Mom, right?"
Bibi Dong was taken aback by his request. She had thought he would ask for something much more outrageous!
She hadn't expected him to just come over and kiss her. Though Bibi Dong was happy, a hint of disappointment also stirred within her.
Had she lost her charm?
Did this child she'd lovingly raised only want to kiss her, without any other thoughts at all?
Still, perhaps that was for the best. Spirit Hall was full of people with loose lips. If word got out that she was an old cow eating young grass, it would be hard to explain!
"All right, Lin Tian. You can come over and give Mom a kiss."
His Pope mother had agreed!
Lin Tian hadn't expected her to accept such an outrageous request, and he was thrilled!
If he'd known Pope Mom was so easy to persuade, he should have asked for something even more outrageous.
Like cuddling in bed—or riding a spider...
But those could wait. He'd have other chances in the future.
With His Holiness the Pope's permission, Lin Tian slowly moved forward and pressed his lips to Bibi Dong's cheek.
It was only a brief kiss, but Lin Tian could still feel the softness and elasticity of His Holiness the Pope's skin.
The rich fragrance of gardenias mingled with her distinctive scent, drifting into Lin Tian's nostrils again and again. It was lovely, sweet...
Perhaps wanting to tease the Pope before him a little more, Lin Tian moved his lips to her earlobe and whispered:
"Mom, from today on, you're mine! I've left my mark on your ear. No one can take you away from me."
Before Lin Tian could finish, Bibi Dong's earlobe tingled from his teasing, and she tried to turn away.
But the moment she turned, Lin Tian moved first and sealed her full, red lips with his own.
Once a sheep entered the wolf's den, it wasn't getting away without leaving a little meat behind.
Bibi Dong's eyes widened as Lin Tian kissed her, staring in disbelief at what was happening.
She had been kissed against her will—and the one kissing her was the little boy she'd found nine years ago on the back hill of Spirit Hall.
She never thought the melodramatic scene she'd read about in books would actually happen to her.
For a moment, Bibi Dong didn't know what to do.
Only after the time it took to drink a cup of tea did Lin Tian finally release her lips, amid his Pope mother's protests.
"Pope Mother, forgive me for being a little rude. Your gardenia scent is just too wonderful!"
Lin Tian lifted his little head. His tender voice rang in Bibi Dong's ear, and his words brought a faint blush to her pretty face.
This little rascal really dared to say anything!
She was his mother in name, after all. Though they weren't related by blood at all, they still called each other mother and son at Spirit Hall.
If anyone else heard him, their jaws would hit the floor.
Seeing Lin Tian grow bolder by the moment, Bibi Dong lightly raised her arm and tapped his head with her slender, fair fingers.
"You little rascal, what nonsense were you saying just now? Remember, within Spirit Hall, I'm the one in charge. Do you understand, you little rascal?"
Seeing the slender fingers in front of him, Lin Tian didn't hesitate. He opened his mouth and bit down on his Pope mother's finger.
Then he began rubbing his tiny teeth against her slender finger, quickly turning Bibi Dong's pretty face scarlet once more.
This little rascal really knew how to tease a woman.
Who knew how many girls across Douluo Continent would fall for him once he grew up?
He certainly had a few tricks up his sleeve.
Seeing Lin Tian keep her finger in his mouth and refuse to let go, Bibi Dong's expression remained unchanged. She showed no sign of displeasure.
If anyone else had dared to treat her so frivolously, the peerlessly beautiful Pope would probably have flown into a rage on the spot.
But Lin Tian was different. His eyes would always hold only her.
What's more, this little rascal had already decided to go out and gain experience so he could protect her.
That determination softened Bibi Dong's gaze as she looked at Lin Tian.
Then Bibi Dong pulled her finger from Lin Tian's mouth and glanced at the teeth marks with her rose-red eyes. She wasn't angry at all.
On the contrary, she even felt a little pleased.
This little rascal was so devoted to her. Once he truly grew into a powerful Soul Master, he was bound to become a sharp weapon in her quest to unite Douluo Continent.
Twin Martial Souls, Innate Full Soul Power, and personal guidance in Soul Power cultivation from the seven elders of the Worship Hall.
By all appearances, this boy's future achievements would be no less than her own.
He might well become the youngest Titled Douluo in Douluo Continent's history. He could even become a god—both were entirely possible.
Good boy, Mom really will be counting on you in the future!
Bibi Dong thought to herself, then reached out and pulled Lin Tian into her arms. Her proud chest pressed tightly against his face, leaving him in a state of both pain and bliss.
A moment later, Bibi Dong leaned down and whispered in Lin Tian's ear, her words carrying a hint of bewitchment.
"You're quite the little man. If you work hard and grow stronger, I'll belong to you alone!"
At his Pope mother's soft whisper, Lin Tian's cheeks flushed bright red.
"Mother, don't worry. I'll grow stronger as quickly as I can. When that day comes, you'll belong only to me!"
After he spoke, Lin Tian shook his head and rubbed against Bibi Dong in her arms again and again. There was no denying that this woman, with all the allure of a mature beauty, smelled absolutely wonderful!
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