Qian Renxue Carelessly Eats Golden Porridge

"Throughout my life, I've walked on thin ice. Do you think I can make it to the other shore?"

Dugu Bo gazed into the distance, lost in thought. No one had helped him along the way; he had relied entirely on himself, overcome the poison of his martial soul, found a treasured land, and seized a sliver of hope. After decades of traveling the continent, he had finally become a Titled Douluo.

But in the end?

He still had not been able to resolve the innate flaw of his martial soul, leading to the deaths of both his son and daughter-in-law. Only he and his pitiful granddaughter remained.

And now, his granddaughter might follow in his son's footsteps. How could that not break his heart?

When it rains, it pours.

Now, the greatest weakness of the Bilin Clan had been seen through by someone else. He did not even know whether that person was friend or foe, and he could not easily make a move against him. As a Titled Douluo, how could Dugu Bo not feel stifled?

Yun Chen knew nothing of Dugu Bo's melancholy, nor could he be bothered to know. He was currently busy in the kitchen of the Crown Prince's Residence.

"Hiss? I clearly put the sugar here just now. Where did it go?"

Yun Chen scratched his head in confusion. Ever since entering the kitchen, nothing had gone smoothly. Either the fire was too high, or he could not remember where he had put the seasonings.

"What are you doing?"

Suddenly, a cool voice sounded from behind Yun Chen. The voice was far too familiar to him; he did not even need to turn around to know who had come.

"Sister Xue... you're here..."

Yun Chen turned around and looked at Qian Renxue, who leaned wearily against the doorframe. He raised the spatula in his hand.

When Yun Chen had returned to the Crown Prince's Residence, he had originally intended to go straight to the study to find Qian Renxue. Instead, he found her exhaustedly asleep on her desk.

After asking the servants, he learned that Qian Renxue had not eaten all day. So Yun Chen had personally come over to make her some food and cook some porridge.

"Sister Xue, go back first. Once I'm done, I'll bring the food over."

As he spoke, Yun Chen turned back around and continued what he was doing. After all, his cooking was not that great. If he got distracted and chatted with Qian Renxue for a while, the pot would burn.

Qian Renxue watched Yun Chen's busy figure in the kitchen, her expression somewhat complicated.

To be honest, her experiences these past few days had made it difficult for her to see Yun Chen clearly. Normally, Yun Chen was a well-behaved little brother—gentle, even considerate.

But in the secret room, Yun Chen had been entirely different.

He had been so domineering, so wild, like a monarch ruling over all beneath heaven. Under that overbearing control, Qian Renxue had trembled again and again.

For some reason, that feeling had been incredibly addictive. Qian Renxue had even enjoyed it somewhat. She had always been strong and forceful in daily life, so obediently following orders felt quite novel.

Of course, Qian Renxue would never admit that deep down, she had already become deeply infatuated with that domineering side of him.

At that thought, Qian Renxue slightly turned her head away, her face flushing red. She breathed softly, her eyes occasionally darting toward Yun Chen.

Looking at the food he had already plated, its color rather appealing, Qian Renxue could not help but smile despite her exhaustion from handling official affairs.

"Which version of you... is the real you?"

Qian Renxue murmured softly. Those eyes, which had given Yun Chen the utmost pleasure more than once, narrowed slightly like those of a cunning fox as she continuously assessed the situation.

Yun Chen remained busy, and the only sounds in the kitchen were those of cooking. Qian Renxue stared unblinkingly at his back, watching his somewhat clumsy yet gentle movements, and for a moment, she became entranced.

Back then, he had given Qian Renxue a domineering feeling, a feeling of being controlled. Now, Yun Chen gave her warmth, a sense of comfort.

Both feelings made Qian Renxue deeply infatuated. Of course, if she had to choose, she preferred that domineering feeling in the secret room.

Watching Yun Chen busily work, Qian Renxue once again experienced the feeling of having a home. It was not the result of lust-clouded confusion, but a truly warm and loving little home.

In this moment of tenderness, Qian Renxue almost wanted to drown herself in it as she looked at the tempting food.

Qian Renxue even wondered whether she should simply elope with Yun Chen. They could find a secluded forest and live there like this, gently and peacefully, for the rest of their lives.

Perhaps one day in the future, there would be a little glutinous rice ball in the kitchen, asking his father in a childish voice what vegetables he still needed, saying he would wash them. And she would stand right here, gently wiping away his sweat. That did not seem so bad either.

At that thought, the tenderness in Qian Renxue's eyes nearly melted into water.

Qian Renxue slowly stepped forward and hugged Yun Chen from behind. His movements stiffened, but fortunately, he was cooking porridge rather than stir-frying.

He placed the spoon in the pot and covered the little hands wrapped around his waist with his own.

"What's wrong, Xue'er?"

"Nothing... I just wanted to hug you."

As she spoke, Qian Renxue buried her head in the crook of Yun Chen's neck. Her voice came out muffled, carrying an involuntary tremor of tears.

Yun Chen used his Soul Power to gently put out the fire. The porridge was nearly done.

He loosened Qian Renxue's arms and turned around. Before him were Qian Renxue's slightly aggrieved eyes, like those of a wronged little angel.

Yun Chen smiled, gently brushing away the remaining tears at the corners of her eyes before softly drawing Qian Renxue into his arms.

"What? You want it again? Are you that hungry?"

Qian Renxue's face instantly turned crimson. She shot Yun Chen a fierce glare, fully understanding what he truly meant. Yet she did not deny it. Instead, she buried her head in his chest again and said nothing.

That left Yun Chen somewhat dumbfounded. Looking at the scorching-hot Qian Renxue in his arms and meeting her somewhat seductive gaze, Yun Chen swallowed.

For some reason, Yun Chen felt as though Qian Renxue's maternal aura was especially strong right now. What he did not know was that Qian Renxue really was wondering whether it would be better to have a boy or a girl in the future.

"The food's ready. Eat first."

Yun Chen forcibly suppressed the heat in his heart, rubbed Qian Renxue's head, and gently pushed her away. After all, Qian Renxue had not eaten all day.

Even if she was starving, she needed to eat first to have the energy for other things.

Qian Renxue nodded obediently and simply stood beside Yun Chen with her head slightly lowered, looking as docile as could be.

Yun Chen looked somewhat surprised. It was not as though he had never seen Qian Renxue in this state.

But he usually only saw her like this during special moments. Seeing her so obedient in ordinary daily life was truly rare.

In the secret room, Yun Chen and Qian Renxue sat facing each other at the dining table. They ate in silence, but even that silence seemed to fill the surrounding atmosphere with pink bubbles.

Beneath the table, Qian Renxue's lively little foot occasionally brushed against Yun Chen's calf. It was an unmistakable provocation.

"Eat first. We'll talk after we're done."

Yun Chen frowned slightly and spoke flatly.

At his words, Qian Renxue guiltily lowered her head and stuck out her tongue at him.

That made Yun Chen smile inwardly. Qian Renxue's lively, adorable manner right now was truly irresistible.

But Yun Chen's words did not stop Qian Renxue's advance. Her little foot continued to stir trouble, even nearly touching the most sensitive area.

How could Yun Chen endure that?

"You..."

"Just drinking porridge is boring. This dish doesn't really suit my taste."

Qian Renxue stuck out her tongue and spoke with casual indifference.

"Fine... should I make something else?"

Yun Chen genuinely thought Qian Renxue was dissatisfied with the food, which was why she had been causing trouble.

"No need. You just need to add something to it."

"Add something?"

"Do you want sugar?"

Seeing Qian Renxue's unusual gaze and demeanor, Yun Chen was uncertain. He still tentatively offered a normal suggestion.

Who would have thought that Qian Renxue would merely shake her head lightly, her gaze slowly moving downward.

"Not sugar. I want something else, like white pure milk."

"I heard there's golden milk too. I want to try that as well."

In the end, Qian Renxue got her wish and drank rice porridge with golden milk added to it. Yun Chen, however, had lost his appetite. There was still a fire burning in his heart, neither rising nor falling.