"Disciple..." Bibi Dong gazed at Xu Feng without blinking, her lips pursing involuntarily. She seemed to have endless things to say, but when the words reached her lips, they dissolved into choked sobs and grievance.
Drip! Drip! Drip!
Before long, bean-sized tears welled from Bibi Dong's eyes, streamed down her cheeks, and finally fell onto the bed.
"Ugh..."
"Teacher, don't cry!!"
Xu Feng rarely saw Bibi Dong cry, and faced with this situation, he became somewhat flustered.
"You're not dead. Thank goodness."
Seeing Xu Feng's reaction, Bibi Dong smiled through her tears, but her smile was strained, filled with intense hurt and sadness, as though she was still far from escaping her nightmare.
"Don't be scared, don't be scared. It's all right now, it's all right."
Xu Feng did not know exactly what Bibi Dong had dreamed about, but from her expression and eyes, he sensed complicated emotions: intense lingering fear, unwillingness, grievance, and dread that still gripped her heart. So he gave Bibi Dong a hug without hesitation.
"Don't be scared, don't be scared."
"It's over. It's all over."
Xu Feng held Bibi Dong in his arms and gently patted her back, hoping to offer her some comfort. After all, he had nightmares too, and having someone offer reassurance afterward would surely give a person a strong sense of security. He thought this should help.
"Disciple..."
"Bao'er..."
Bibi Dong also hugged Xu Feng tightly, pressing her head against his chest and rubbing against it again and again, as though she wished she could glue her entire body to his.
"Bao'er, when are you going to marry your teacher? You promised me." Bibi Dong suddenly spoke, her tone wheedling.
Boom!
(⊙o⊙) What?
Bibi Dong's words struck Xu Feng like a thunderbolt, making him shudder involuntarily and leaving him utterly dumbstruck.