Orange Secretly Sends Intelligence, Dong'er Can't Stop Being Jealous

After Wang Qiu'er failed to return after sending word, there was a brief calm between Dong'er and Huo Yuhao. Yet something sweet was missing. Neither could say what felt wrong, but they were no longer as close as before.

That night, Dong'er accompanied him as they corrected the Destiny Record Formation the three of them had previously set up. They discovered that Qiu'er's aura seemed to have vanished entirely from the formation, yet it also seemed to have merged with Dong'er's. Once the formation was sealed, Dong'er wanted to leave first. She had just risen when Huo Yuhao grabbed her wrist before she could go.

Dong'er turned back to look at him. "Is there something else?" Huo Yuhao did not answer right away. There was nothing else. The records had been filed away, the soul tool formation had been shut down, and all of tonight's cultivation was complete. But he did not want her to leave. The thought came with startling clarity, even a hint of possessiveness.

Huo Yuhao said softly, "Don't hurry back."

Dong'er watched him for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

"Huo Yuhao, you've become quite proactive now."

There was a barb in her words, but she sat back down. Huo Yuhao pulled her a little closer and looked at her. "I wanted to see you because I missed you." The words were blunt, but coming from him, they sounded somewhat clumsy.

The sarcasm she had prepared caught in her throat. All she could say softly was, "Don't think that means I won't hold it against you."

"I know."

"And don't think I don't know that sometimes, you still think of her."

"I know."

Wang Dong'er laughed in exasperation. "Is 'I know' all you can say?" Huo Yuhao lowered his head and kissed the back of her hand. Seeing his lowered brows and eyes, all the grievances in her heart surged up again, but they were no longer like blades. Instead, they felt like a crumpled ball of warmth.

"Dong'er, I have never placed you behind anyone else."

Dong'er's eyes warmed. She reached out and pushed him, but could not push him away. Huo Yuhao took the opportunity to pull her into his arms and lowered his head to kiss her. The kiss was unhurried, but carried a sincerity that softened her heart. At first, she still wanted to keep up appearances and make him coax her a little longer. But Huo Yuhao's hand held firmly against her back, as though he was finally no longer merely passively enduring her anger, but truly meant to keep her in his arms.

"Like this," she said softly against his breath, "only makes me think you're just looking for a little fun with me."

A gleam of triumph finally appeared in Dong'er's eyes. She liked seeing him restrain himself, seeing him at a loss, and she also liked seeing him unable to restrain himself because of her. Huo Yuhao did not avoid her gaze.

"No, Dong'er. I miss you," he said.

Huo Yuhao lowered his head until his forehead rested against hers and said in a soft, slightly spoiled voice, "I miss you so much. Don't be angry with me anymore."

Dong'er's heart trembled at his coaxing. The Huo Yuhao who usually commanded every situation, powerful and exceptional, was earnestly coaxing her. An indescribable numbness spread from her heart. She raised her hand around his neck and gently kissed him back.

Leaning against his shoulder, Dong'er said softly, "Isn't this nice?"

Huo Yuhao held her hand. "It's very nice."

"Then why do you still have to think of her?"

"Dong'er, she was a companion who fought beside us." Huo Yuhao explained, "I have always felt that Qiu'er's existence must have had meaning."

Dong'er said softly, "Then what am I to you?"

Huo Yuhao turned to look at her. "My weakness, the person I love most, the place I want to return to most when I'm tired."

"You really know how to soften my heart."

Huo Yuhao smiled bitterly. "I'm telling the truth."

Wang Dong'er raised her hand to cover his mouth. "Stop talking. If you keep going, I'll forgive you too quickly again."

Huo Yuhao held her in his arms, yet in certain moments he still thought of Qiu'er—of the restraint in her message when she had contacted them but refused to return to the team. It made him feel guilty, but also more clearheaded.

The next day, a letter from Orange arrived at Shrek.

"A soul tool merchant convoy has disappeared along the Sun Moon Frontier. The location of the disappearance is close to the coordinates of Holy Spirit Cult remnant markings. Enclosed is a special soul tool component, suspected to be capable of simulating a Soul Beast's aura. The inner engravings are seventy percent similar to the guiding patterns left behind by the Scorpion Tiger Douluo's blood shadow."

The signature contained only two words: Orange. Dong'er's brows lifted slightly when she saw the letter.

"Her again?" Dong'er picked up the soul tool component, her voice calm. "She certainly knows what you need."

There was jealousy in those words, but also vigilance.

Huo Yuhao took the component and swept its internal structure with his Spirit Eyes.

"This is Sun Moon Empire military craftsmanship."

Dong'er's expression grew serious as well. "Isn't she the Sun Moon Empire's crown princess? She's taking a risk by sending you this?"

"Yes."

Huo Yuhao's heart sank. Orange's letter was not simply about old feelings. She was personally placing clues from the Sun Moon Empire in front of him.

Dong'er looked at him and sighed. "The women around you are each more troublesome than the last."