"How come you're here?"
Li Yingling reached straight out and swatted Li Xingtian, who was still putting on an act.
After two swats from his senior sister, Li Xingtian could no longer keep up his cool pose.
Though it did not hurt, Li Xingtian had learned his lesson and made a show of rubbing his chest.
He smiled. "I can't miss every big event in the sect, can I?"
Li Yingling teased him with a smile. "And whose fault is that? You came back and lay in ambush for everyone here?"
"It's called a surprise." Li Xingtian smiled, then cupped his hands toward Chu Xingchen beside him in greeting. "Master."
Chu Xingchen nodded with a soft chuckle.
Cui Hao walked in carrying the candy rack, took a skewer of candied hawthorns from it, and handed it to Li Xingtian.
"Eldest Senior Sister's orders. One each."
Li Xingtian reached out to accept it. Though he was not particularly fond of eating, he took a bite without hesitation.
He savored it before saying, "Very sweet. Very good."
Li Yingling nodded in satisfaction. "Of course. Just look who bought them."
"Honestly, seeing such deep affection between master and disciples makes me so envious."
Bai Xuanling leaned beside what had once been the VIP room along the corridor on the left. Her gaze shifted to Xie Lingyu.
"Lingyu, come into your master's arms. We at the Heavenly Derivation Sect are all about loving one another too."
Xie Lingyu's expression remained calm, as though she had not heard Bai Xuanling. She even turned her gaze toward Qinghe, who was snickering beside her.
Bai Xuanling followed her gaze.
Soon, Qinghe could no longer laugh either.
Bai Xuanling's tone had grown somewhat peculiar. "Then Qinghe can come give me a hug instead."
"N-no!" Qinghe hurriedly wrapped her