She was still young and could not explain exactly what this strange feeling was.
She only knew that whenever she drew close to the young man before her, the unease in her heart faded by more than half.
The bonfire crackled, orange-red flames dancing and illuminating Lu Xiao's profile.
He had swordlike brows and starry eyes, with a handsome face. There was none of a young man's flamboyance in his gaze; instead, it held a composure and depth far beyond his years.
Ning Rongrong sighed inwardly. How could there be someone so good-looking in this world? Unable to resist, she secretly stole several more glances at him.
At that very moment, Lu Xiao seemed to sense something and slowly turned his eyes toward her.
Their gazes abruptly met.
From Ning Rongrong's perspective—
The night wind suddenly stilled. Even the rustling of bamboo leaves in the forest seemed to soften gently. The orange-red light of the bonfire appeared to slow by half a beat, quietly settling in their eyes.
Lu Xiao's eyes were far too clear, far too calm.
Ning Rongrong's pupils contracted slightly. Her delicate earlobes quietly reddened, and she hurriedly lowered her head, pretending to focus on gnawing at the roasted meat.
She had grown up in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and had seen countless exceptionally gifted geniuses within the sect, yet she had never met such a unique young man.
Seeing Ning Rongrong's strange behavior, Lu Xiao looked puzzled. "What's wrong? Is the roast not to your liking?"
Ning Rongrong hurriedly shook her head, her cheeks stuffed round like a little squirrel caught stealing food. Her soft voice was muffled. "It's delicious! Even better than the roast made by the imperial chefs!"
Du Busi snorted at that. With a flick of his fingers, he made another clean cut, and a large piece of charred meat fell from the beast leg, its grease glistening crystal-clear.
"Of course!"
His tone carried a hint of pride. "This was roasted by yours truly. How could it compare to those ordinary cooking skills?"
The people of the Body Sect had eaten Soul Beasts since childhood. Calling their methods of cooking Soul Beasts "the best under heaven" would not be wrong at all!
"But you little girl mustn't eat too much. This type of Soul Beast has a peculiar toxin in its flesh. It's harmless to humans, but it can make those with weak Soul Power fall into a drunken state!"
Ning Rongrong nodded, but her mind was entirely on Lu Xiao. How could she possibly listen to Du Busi's warning?
Du Busi merely smiled faintly at the sight and said nothing...
Ning Rongrong took bite after bite of the tender, fragrant roasted meat, eating with great relish.
At first, there was nothing unusual. She only felt the power contained in the meat warming her entire body, leaving her exceptionally comfortable.
From time to time, she raised her eyes to secretly glance at Lu Xiao, her gaze brimming with innocent delight and her heart sweet and soft.
Yet before long, a subtle sense of dizziness quietly swept over her.
It was as though she were stepping on soft clouds, her entire body light and floaty. Her once-clear vision gradually became veiled by a hazy mist.
The bonfire, bamboo forest, and figures before her all began to sway gently. Even Lu Xiao's calm profile became blurry and incomparably gentle.
Ning Rongrong shook her little head, trying to dispel the strange drowsiness, but her mind only grew heavier and more swollen. Her whole body felt languid and weak, and she could barely sit steadily.
Only then did she belatedly recall Du Busi's earlier words—this roasted meat really could make one drunk.
"So, so dizzy..."
The little girl murmured softly. Her body swayed slightly, then toppled uncontrollably to the side.
Lu Xiao's gaze shifted. He raised a hand and gently but steadily caught her slender shoulder, finding it soft and warm beneath his palm.
At that moment, Ning Rongrong's little face was flushed and burning hot, while mist clouded her clear eyes.
Du Busi glanced at the little princess, whose drunken state was obvious, and spoke calmly. "I told you not to eat too much, but you wouldn't listen. Now look what happened."
Xiao Wu leaned closer to look at the dazed Ning Rongrong and softly suggested, "It's too late, and the wind is cold behind the mountain. She's drunk like this, so why not let her rest in the Bamboo Building for the night?"
Lu Xiao nodded slightly.
Surely Ning Rongrong had told Ning Fengzhi before coming out, right?
He could not possibly send Ning Rongrong home in this state.
It would be too hard to explain!
He settled Ning Rongrong in an empty room in the Bamboo Building, gently tucked the blankets around her, then left the room.
The night deepened.
Ning Rongrong, who had originally been sleeping soundly, grew increasingly hot and restless in her dreams.
Her drunkenness had not faded, and her consciousness was muddled. The reassuring, fresh scent beside her had also vanished.
In a daze, she threw off the blanket. Barefoot, she stepped onto the cool bamboo floor, her unsteady steps swaying like a lost little white rabbit.
Half asleep and half awake, she had completely forgotten where she was. Driven by her purest instinct, her small body stumbled slowly toward that familiar scent.
In another room, Lu Xiao had long since fallen into a deep sleep.
In familiar, secure surroundings, he let down all his guard. Days of exhaustion surged over him, and he fell asleep the moment his head touched the pillow, his breathing long and steady.
His brows relaxed, shedding his daytime composure and gaining a measure of peaceful ease. He did not notice the small figure slowly approaching him.
Ning Rongrong's mind was hazy. She pressed her little hand lightly against the bamboo door and slowly pushed the cool door panel open.
Ning Rongrong stood on her exquisite little jade-like feet, stepping across the cool, smooth bamboo floor. Her footsteps were unsteady and drifting, her figure swaying like a light evening breeze.
Guided by the purest instinct in her heart, she moved toward the bed step by step.
Lu Xiao's clean, crisp scent washed over her, completely enveloping her.
Her drunkenness surged, and sleepiness weighed heavily upon her.
Ning Rongrong bent down slightly, her slender little hand tentatively resting on the edge of the blanket as she gently lifted one corner.
The next moment, her small body carefully slipped inside, curling up softly beneath it.
Under the blanket, Lu Xiao's warm body heat gently enveloped her.
In an instant, all the heat and dizziness throughout her body vanished.
Only security and comfort remained, allowing her muddled body and mind to relax completely.
Without a care, she snuggled closer. Opening her little arms, she firmly wrapped them around Lu Xiao's arm and obediently nestled against him.
"So soft... so warm... so nice to hold..."
The next morning.
Lu Xiao was awakened by a burst of urgent knocking.
His mind was still hazy. He instinctively wanted to raise a hand to rub his brow, only to suddenly notice that his left arm was stiff and heavy.
Something soft and warm was clinging tightly to his arm.
Lu Xiao's heart skipped a beat, and most of his lingering drowsiness instantly vanished.
Ning Rongrong was curled up at his side, both arms tightly wrapped around his arm, her little face gently pressed against his sleeve as she breathed evenly and deeply.
After a night of peaceful sleep, most of the flush had faded from her cheeks, leaving only a faint pink blush.
Lu Xiao's heart suddenly tightened, and his mind instantly cleared.
Knock, knock, knock—
The knocking sounded again from outside.
Gu Rong's deep, hoarse voice came from beyond the door. It was calm yet imposing, each word heavy. "Lu Xiao, open the door."
Before Lu Xiao could recover, the blanket beside him bulged slightly, and a pair of slender, fair little hands lifted the covers.
Xiao Wu poked out her small head beneath slightly messy black hair, blinking her large eyes sleepily.
Rubbing her eyes, she muttered softly, "Lu Xiao, what's going on? Why is it so noisy so early in the morning..."
At that instant, Lu Xiao completely froze, his scalp tingling.
"Xiao Wu!"
Lu Xiao reached out and covered Xiao Wu's mouth, hushing her. "Why are you here?"
On his left was Ning Rongrong, the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, still asleep. Inside the blankets, Xiao Wu had just emerged, wide-eyed and innocent from sleep.
Outside the door were Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong!
Unless Lu Xiao had a mouth capable of talking the dead back to life, even jumping into the Lake of Life would not wash this clean!
Outside, Ning Fengzhi's gentle voice came again, unhurried yet carrying a trace of seriousness. "Lu Xiao, open the door. We have been waiting for quite some time."
Before you continue