"Enough! Stop talking!"
Linu suddenly interrupted Zhu Qiqi. Her voice was quiet, but carried a barely perceptible tremor.
She kept her head lowered, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes until her fingertips turned white. The last trace of color had drained from her cheeks, leaving her looking especially fragile beneath the luminous pearl's cold light.
Seeing Linu's stricken expression, Zhu Qiqi toned down her playful smile. Her voice softened, taking on a rare note of seriousness. "A-Nu, I know this hurts... actually... it hurts me too..."
She sighed softly, walked over, and sat beside Linu. In a hushed voice, she said, "Our hearts are made of flesh, after all. These days with that fatty have brought me happiness and joy I've never known before. He's honest and sincere... such a shame..."
She paused, her voice dropping. "We... don't have a choice."
Neither spoke for a while. Only the luminous pearl quietly shed its light, illuminating the tangled emotions hanging in the air.
Just then, the chamber door opened without a sound. The Black-Robed Youth entered slowly with several trusted followers, bringing the underground hall's sinister chill with him.
His gaze swept over Zhu Qiqi's face, which had already regained its brightness, then lingered for a moment on Linu's pale, downturned profile. A sinister smile curled his lips. "Thank you for your efforts this time, junior sisters... you both did well. Especially Qiqi. You adapted admirably."
His praise sounded flat and unemotional, yet carried a scrutinizing undertone.
"If we successfully rescue the Venerable One this time, you two will receive the foremost credit."
He paced slowly, his pale fingers tapping lightly against the cold stone wall beside him. "I will report everything to our lord. You will be richly rewarded."
Zhu Qiqi immediately put away every trace of