444. Mom Didn't Force You

Qian Renjue stared at Bibi Dong before him, his expression a mix of confusion and disbelief.

“Mom, what are you doing?!”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

Bibi Dong tilted her head with a charming smile, alternately rolling up her sleeves. Her tone was gentle as she said, “I’m helping my son wash his feet.”

Qian Renjue put down the book in his hand, half-laughing, half-crying as he replied, “But I already washed them!”

“And who says you can’t wash them again?”

Bibi Dong raised a brow, countering with a question of her own. Without waiting for a response, she reached out toward Qian Renjue’s ankle.

“This...”

Qian Renjue’s mouth twitched slightly.

Suddenly, he understood the strange feeling he’d had earlier—it had to be because of whatever Qian Renxue had shared with Bibi Dong.

“Mom!”

Qian Renjue quickly leaned forward, gently grabbing Bibi Dong’s shoulders.

“What’s wrong, Jue?”

Bibi Dong looked up at him with her beautiful eyes, her gaze puzzled but amused.

“Mom, let me help you wash your feet instead,” Qian Renjue insisted as he grasped her arms, trying to help her up.

A joyful expression spread across Bibi Dong’s face.

She straightened up slightly, leaning close to Qian Renjue, her features glowing with warmth and delight. Her red lips parted as she spoke cheerfully:

“Are you serious?”

“Absolutely!”

Without hesitation, Qian Renjue nodded, his gaze unwavering as he looked at her. His handsome face bore an expression of sincerity and a touch of shyness.

“Pfft~”

Bibi Dong laughed softly, her jade-like hand rising to gently caress Qian Renjue’s cheek.

Her heart swelled with joy as she spoke tenderly:

“Mom didn’t force you, you know. If you don’t want to, I won’t push you.”

“I want to. I’m doing this willingly,” Qian Renjue replied earnestly.

“Haha, then Mom won’t hold back.”

Bibi Dong’s laughter was filled with satisfaction as she gracefully stood up.

Following Qian Renjue’s lead, she sat down on the edge of the bed.

“This is the least I can do,” Qian Renjue said with a smile. He crouched down, pulling the basin of water closer to him.

Bibi Dong leaned forward slightly, resting her chin in her hand as she watched Qian Renjue carefully test the water temperature.

Her gaze softened as she observed his attentiveness.

Her delicate feet swayed gently as she chuckled:

“I told you—Mom doesn’t need to force Jue like Xiao Xue does.”

“Heh...”

Qian Renjue smiled warmly.

To him, helping his mother wash her feet was perfectly natural and didn’t require overthinking.

A faint chill emanated from his hand as he adjusted the overly warm water temperature.


---

The bathroom door was slightly ajar.

Hearing the conversation outside, Qian Renxue pouted and let out a quiet huff.

Jue really is such a hypocrite!

With Mom, he agrees so easily. But I have to summon my Sacred Sword just to make him cooperate!

Still...

When she thought of Qian Renjue’s soft, attentive demeanor after yielding, she couldn’t help but smile.

What’s wrong with making him do it again?

It’s perfectly reasonable for a younger brother to wash his sister’s feet, right?

If he’s disobedient, he deserves to be disciplined!

Qian Renxue tilted her angelic face upward, the warm water cascading down her body.

The droplets slid effortlessly over her skin, leaving no trace behind.

The water trickled over her delicate face, down her neck, gliding across her elegant collarbone before descending along her long, flawless legs.

“This time... we’ll surely win, right?”

A slight smile curled at the corner of her lips.

Judging by the current situation, the continent was already within the palm of the Spirit Hall.

If there were any surprises, they would likely come from those meddlesome gods interfering from the heavens.

“Why haven’t they made a move yet?”

A hint of anxiety and urgency flickered in Qian Renxue’s heart.

Not seeing any counterattack from them felt like an invisible sword hung precariously over her head.


————


Splash—

A soft sound of water echoed in the room.

Bibi Dong sat gracefully at the edge of the bed, her elegant and noble face glowing with tenderness and affection as she gazed at her child.

Qian Renjue knelt before her, gently holding her soft, jade-like feet in his hands. The feet soaked in the warm water as he carefully tended to them.

Minutes passed.

Lifting one smooth foot out of the water, Qian Renjue dried it meticulously with a towel until no trace of moisture remained. He then gently placed it down and helped her slip into her sandals.

“Pfft~”

Bibi Dong laughed, her joy evident—she had lost count of how many times this evening she had smiled so brightly.

> [System Notification: Congratulations to the host for successfully conveying great love! (Recipient: Bibi Dong)]
[Reward: 300 Points!]



The system's voice was nothing new to Qian Renjue. After all, a similar event had triggered when he washed Qian Renxue's feet before.


“Mom, it’s done,” Qian Renjue said with a smile, moving the basin aside and looking up at her.

“Mm~”

Bibi Dong nodded slightly. She leaned forward, cupping Qian Renjue’s face with her delicate hands and tilting her head with a playful smile.

“No wonder Xiao Xue looked so happy when she mentioned this.”

“Thank you, Jue~”

Her voice was incredibly gentle as she leaned down and kissed his forehead, a warm gesture of affection.

“This is just what I should do,” Qian Renjue replied casually with a smile.

Click!

The bathroom door swung wide open, and steam poured out. Draped in a light veil, Qian Renxue emerged, her voice laced with mock resentment.

“Hmph! Why don’t you say such things to your sister?”

“Haha, I was joking with you at the time! Didn’t I do a great job anyway?”

Qian Renjue responded with an awkward laugh, picking up the basin and heading toward the bathroom.

Qian Renxue rolled her eyes at him before brushing past.

She then turned toward Bibi Dong, who looked radiant and overjoyed. With a smile, Qian Renxue threw herself into her mother’s arms.

“Mom, let Xiao Xue dry your hair for you~”

“Alright,” Bibi Dong replied, her lips curling into a light smile as she nodded.


---

As Bibi Dong’s purple hair dried, Qian Renjue returned to the room.

Click!

The lights dimmed.

In the once lively room, a calm and cozy warmth lingered.

Lying in bed, Qian Renjue was surrounded by a soft, soothing fragrance. A warm weight pressed against his chest as violet eyes stared into the night.

Feeling a sudden surge of excitement, he decided to start another treasure chest opening feast.

As he gently caressed the backs of two delicate figures beside him, he soothed their slumber while summoning the system.

> [Host Points: 8760]
[Would you like to spend 2500 points to redeem five 'Mystery Chests'?]
[Five 'Mystery Chests' redeemed!]
[Remaining Points: 6260]
[Would you like to open the chests?]
[Ding! Opening 'Mystery Chests']
[Congratulations! Rewards obtained: "Thank You for Participating," Artificial 100,000-Year Spirit Ring, Basic Energy Gathering Array, Spirit Nurturing Beads ×2]



“Phew...”

Qian Renjue let out a long breath.

Stupid system!

The words “Thank You for Participating” at the start had him ready to draw his sword. Thankfully, his luck seemed decent this time.

> [Thank You for Participating]: Balances luck; if this appears, the other rewards won’t be bad!

[Artificial 100,000-Year Spirit Ring]: As the name implies, it’s a 100,000-year spirit ring. If your body can handle it, you can absorb it directly! (Note: Only grants one spirit ability.)
[Basic Energy Gathering Array]: A foundational array used in crafting soul tools. Specific applications are left to the host to explore!
[Spirit Nurturing Beads]: Can store and nurture the souls of sacrificial spirit beasts, solving the issue of residual beast souls interfering with the host’s spirit ring functionality.



This is great!

Ignoring the luck-balancing nonsense, Qian Renjue stared at the blood-red orb, the manual, and the two transparent marbles in his system inventory, his heart brimming with joy.

Mom’s spirit ring issue might finally be resolved!

This ring could be perfect as the seventh ring for her second martial spirit. With this addition, Mom might finally break through to level 99!

Overcome with excitement, Qian Renjue couldn’t help but tighten his embrace.

“Mm~ Jue~ still not sleeping? What’s got you so happy?”

The quickened rhythm of his heartbeat hadn’t escaped their notice.