Thoughts raced through Meng Chen's mind, but he deliberately put on a troubled expression, rubbed his brow, and sighed.
"My dear young lady, if Sect Master Ning finds out I spirited you away to the Balak Kingdom, won't he have Senior Bone Douluo tear me into eight pieces afterward?"
"Oh, come on! What are you afraid of?"
Seeing him relent, Ning Rongrong stamped her feet impatiently and wrapped both little hands around his arm. Completely oblivious to the softness of her chest rubbing against him, she kept wheedling.
"My dad likes you best! Back at the sect, he mentions your name more often than mine! Besides, we're going traveling to see the world, not to steal things! Just come with me, Meng Chen. Brother Chen, pretty please?"
Feeling the sensation against his arm, Meng Chen smiled helplessly.
"All right, all right. Stop moving. Keep shaking me like that and my bones will fall apart."
Meng Chen withdrew his arm and flicked her forehead. Amid the girl's pained protests, the corners of his mouth rose slightly.
"We can go, but you have to give me time to prepare and let Brother Xue know while I'm at it. On the road, you must listen to me. If you dare throw a tantrum, I'll immediately pack you up and ship you back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
"Yay! Meng Chen, you're the best!"
Ning Rongrong nearly jumped with excitement. "It's a deal! I'll go back and pack. Whoever goes back on their word is a puppy!"
Without waiting for Meng Chen's reply, the Little Demoness lifted her skirts and dashed down the mountain, afraid he might change his mind.
Silence returned to the mountains. A breeze stirred the loose strands over Meng Chen's forehead as he watched that dainty, pale-yellow figure