When their little interlude was over, Bibi Dong's face was flushed, and a thin sheen of sweat lingered at her temples.
Leaning against the chair's armrest, she licked the corner of her lips, her voice languid and satisfied.
"Qingyu, that felt so good."
Jiang Qingyu straightened up and adjusted his disheveled collar, then bent down to pick up the outer robe that had fallen to the floor and dusted it off.
As he put it on, he glanced back and glared at her, snapping, "Get lost, get lost. You never behave yourself."
Bibi Dong smiled, unoffended. Instead, she rose unhurriedly, drew her purple-gold robe back into place, adjusted her slipping Papal Crown, and smoothed the loose strands of hair beside her temples.
"It's a crucial time, after all!"
She lifted her chin, perfectly confident in her reasoning.
"Miss this village, and you won't find another shop like it. Once the ceremony is over, I'll be busy, and you'll be off dealing with your Divine Positions. When will you have time for me?"
Jiang Qingyu fastened his belt, straightened his cuffs, and gave a cold laugh.
"So you're seizing every moment to take advantage of me?"
"That's right."
Bibi Dong admitted it without hesitation. She walked up to him, fastened the last button on his lapel, and lightly tapped his chest with a fingertip.
"You're my man. Who else would I take advantage of?"
Jiang Qingyu could not be bothered to argue and swatted her hand away.
"All right, enough. The ceremony is about to start. Hurry up and make yourself presentable. Don't let anyone notice."
Bibi Dong looked down at her robe. Their earlier antics had indeed left several creases across the front, and the gemstone at her neckline was crooked.
She straightened it, then went to check herself in