Could You Give Me a Little Time?

Lin Xia took another step forward, getting even closer to Bibi Dong, ignoring the subconscious resistance Bibi Dong showed.

"That good-for-nothing Yu Xiaogang doesn't deserve to be the core of your pain! I was wrong, so wrong! My self-righteous revenge only reopened your deepest wounds!"

Lin Xia's voice was filled with self-reproach, but it quickly became more resolute.

"Until just now, until I felt that dark obsession deep within your soul, stirred by the Rakshasa and aroused by me... until you completely collapsed before me..."

Lin Xia looked at Bibi Dong's tear-streaked, astonished face and spoke each word slowly and deliberately, like the heaviest vow:

"I like you, teacher! I also like Sister Xue'er!"

"This sentiment may be shocking, it may even defy morality! But I will not deny it! Nor will I be deterred by it!"

Lin Xia's eyes gleamed with the determination of a lone wolf.

"I've decided to break it! Break this damned societal prejudice! Break this invisible shackle that torments you and me!"

"I can do it, teacher!"

His voice was filled with unwavering conviction.

"I will find a path, a path that will protect you from the corruption of the Rakshasa, a path that... will respond to the feelings between us! No matter how difficult it is, no matter what the cost!"

The final words, like molten lava, crashed down on Bibi Dong's already crumbling defenses.

The wall of despair she had built with anger, accusations, and self-loathing began to shake and crack violently in the face of Lin Xia's naked, unreserved, and resolute confession—a confession that threatened to destroy herself in order to save her.

She looked at him.

Looking into those young eyes, I saw a burning flame, a flame that contained anger at the injustice of the world, self-reproach for his own impulsiveness, but more than anything, a pure and intense protection and admiration that could burn away all darkness.

That look was more convincing than any words.

Bibi Dong recalled his innocent eyes when she was young, his amazing performances as he grew up, the hand he held tightly and the worry in his eyes when she was suffering the torment of the Rakshasa, and the coldness and sharpness he showed when he "avenged" her at the banquet... all these memories converged into the figure before her who was determined to pull her out of the Abyss at all costs.

Yes...

This child I've watched grow up—hasn't this affection already unknowingly crossed the line between teacher and student?

She just kept running away, numbing herself with her identity and responsibilities, regarding them as blasphemy, as an unforgivable sin.

How could she not like him?

This feeling, which she had buried deep in her heart and regarded as her greatest taboo and the source of her pain, was now brought to the forefront by Lin Xia so recklessly. Instead, it was like a key that suddenly broke open the cage that had imprisoned her!

Reason was still screaming, "No!", "This is destruction!", "I'm sorry, Xue'er!", "Eternal damnation!"...

But deep within, the soul corrupted by Rakshasa, tormented by pain, and surrounded by loneliness felt a long-lost, almost greedy warmth and hope for redemption in that resolute embrace and confession.

That's a power far greater than any Light Soul Skill!

The anger, accusation, and fear in Bibi Dong's eyes began to melt away like ice and snow.

The tears continued to flow silently, but the emotions they contained had subtly changed. They were no longer pure, desperate self-destruction, but rather a tremendous, precarious wavering and struggle.

Bibi Dong leaned against the cold wall, as if she had exhausted all her strength.

Her body stopped trembling violently, and only soft sobs remained.

Bibi Dong avoided Lin Xia's overly intense gaze, her eyes falling blankly on the scattered porcelain shards on the ground, the moonlight reflecting off them with fragmented, cold light, just like her chaotic thoughts.

Only her suppressed sobs and Lin Xia's heavy breathing remained in the room.

The silence spread as if it were a tangible entity.

I don't know how much time passed; perhaps only a few breaths, or perhaps as long as a century.

Finally, Bibi Dong took a deep, deep breath.

The movement seemed to have used all the strength in the body, and the shoulders rose and fell slightly with it.

Bibi Dong slowly raised her hand, her movements somewhat sluggish, as if every subtle action required immense willpower to sustain it.

With the back of her hand, she wiped away the streaks of tears from her cheeks, one last time, very slowly and forcefully.

When she raised her head again, her purple eyes were still red and swollen, carrying lingering sorrow and exhaustion, but the chaos and collapse within them had subsided, replaced by an extremely complex and heavy-hearted decision.

Bibi Dong's gaze finally fell back on Lin Xia.

It's no longer an angry accusation, nor a fragile escape, but rather a kind of compromising and... expectation tinged with scrutiny, struggle, and a hint of... unspeakable... acceptance?

"I..."

Bibi Dong's voice was still hoarse, but much calmer, carrying a sense of weariness after everything had settled down.

"I see."

Lin Xia's heart skipped a beat, and she held her breath, waiting for her next words.

He knew that the real turning point had arrived.

"Xiao Xia."

Bibi Dong's voice was deep and slow, carrying a heavy strength.

"Your feelings... Teacher... has sensed them."

Bibi Dong uttered these words with great difficulty, each word carrying immense Qian Jun.

"But..."

She changed the subject, and the struggle in her eyes resurfaced.

"This is too heavy a burden... for all of us... especially Xue'er... It takes time... to digest... to... think..."

Bibi Dong looked at Lin Xia with a pleading yet unquestionable gaze.

"Give me some time... okay?"

Lin Xia's heart was in her throat.

He saw the struggle in the teacher's eyes, and also a slight wavering behind that struggle.

I also understand that this is the biggest concession she can make under the immense shock and inner turmoil.

Pressuring her too much will only backfire, causing her to retreat back into her shell of despair.

"Good!"

Lin Xia nodded without hesitation, her voice resolute.

"Teacher, I promise you! I'll give you time!"

But Lin Xia immediately fixed his gaze on Bibi Dong, with a hint of youthful stubbornness and undeniable dominance.

"However, you must agree to one condition!"

Bibi Dong frowned slightly, waiting for him to continue.

"You need to be sure you won't run away!"

Lin Xia spoke slowly and deliberately, her eyes sharp as knives, as if she could Detect her soul.

"You must stay here, or at least... let me know where you are! You can't hide yourself away and suffer alone like tonight! Your pain, your struggle, I need to know! I need to make sure you haven't been Rakshasa Devour again! This is my bottom line! Teacher!"

Lin Xia's somewhat domineering request inexplicably eased Bibi Dong's tense nerves.

This stubborn demand, imbued with a strong sense of possessiveness and protectiveness, precisely demonstrates his determination and... how much he cares.

Bibi Dong looked at his young and determined face, remained silent for a moment, and finally nodded slowly and very solemnly.

"... Okay. I promise you."