The crisp voice had a metallic edge, as though it had tried its hardest to correct that peculiar avian tone and sound deeper, more normal, more human. But it still fell just short, giving it a flavor all its own.
That crunchy-sounding "Senior Sister" changed Nan Xun's expression. Storm clouds gathered over his fair young face, and his gaze turned cold for an instant. Then, as if he did not want Qiao Ranran to see, he lowered his eyes and reached up to pinch the little fat bird's long beak.
The "Senior Sister" made Qiao Ranran laugh too. "Junior Brother Nan, where did you find such a little cutie?"
The Dark-Gold Sparrow had a distinctive look. To Qiao Ranran, the little fellow looked remarkably like a creature from her memories—a Cockatiel, only enhanced. Its round head, plump body, and tiny wings made her wonder whether it could ever fly.
It was adorably dopey, with two rosy patches of down on its cheeks. The only real difference was its beak, which had grown wildly out of proportion. It was long enough for Nan Xun to grab with his bare hand and impossible to miss.
But Qiao Ranran's words did not cheer Nan Xun up. She had called the little fat bird cute without responding to him. Once the dust had settled, all he had wanted was to return to Qiao Ranran's side and stand there openly, with every right to be there.
Qiao Ranran was going to hold a Bonding Ceremony, but the person beside her would not be him. Nan Xun's gaze gradually chilled.
"Junior Brother Nan, don't bully it!" Qiao Ranran held out a deluxe Hundred-Beast Pill to the little fat bird. Its tiny, bean-like eyes lit up at once, but with Nan Xun's hand still on its beak,