380. Tired From Standing

Hearing the rapid heartbeat near his ear, Qian Renjue didn’t lift the pillow to face Dugu Yan.

It was better to spare her the embarrassment—and himself the awkwardness.

Ye Lingling, now fully dressed, glanced at Dugu Yan, who was focused on sipping her tea. She then walked over to the bed, slightly bending down as she gently nudged the blanket covering Qian Renjue.

"Jue~ it's time to get up."

"I’m getting up now."

Qian Renjue swiftly removed the pillow and wiped the corner of his mouth with his hand.

"Mm."

Ye Lingling nodded softly and said gently, "Let me help you with your shoes."

"I can do it myself."

Before Qian Renjue could refuse, Ye Lingling had already crouched down, holding his ankle in her delicate hands.

"Uh..."

Qian Renjue sighed helplessly and let her tend to him.

Watching this, Dugu Yan glanced at the clothing rack, itching to help. But when her gaze met Qian Renjue’s violet eyes, she quickly lowered her head in embarrassment.

She wanted to assist him with getting dressed, but the thought made her too shy. In the end, she could only use her peripheral vision to watch Ye Lingling carefully dress and tie Qian Renjue’s attire.

Once he was neatly dressed, Qian Renjue wrapped his arm around Ye Lingling’s waist, planting a light kiss near her ear.

"Alright, Lingling. You and Yan wait for me a moment."

"Mm."

Ye Lingling nodded.

Dugu Yan watched Qian Renjue’s departing figure and finally let out a breath of relief.

She knew very well that the Holy Son must have realized who had kissed him earlier. He just chose not to mention it to avoid awkwardness.

Inside the bathroom, Qian Renjue splashed water on his face repeatedly, staring into the mirror.

He couldn’t understand why they always wanted to sneak in these little moments. Did it feel better that way or something?!

Meanwhile, Ye Lingling, now wearing her veil again, sat next to Dugu Yan. Noticing the lingering blush on her friend’s face, she asked curiously,
"Yan, what’s wrong?"

"N-Nothing..."

Dugu Yan shook her head lightly, too nervous to admit that she had just stolen a taste of Ye Lingling’s fiancé.

Ye Lingling didn’t overthink it, assuming her friend was still embarrassed from accidentally seeing Qian Renjue’s imposing figure earlier.

Before long, Qian Renjue emerged from the bathroom, refreshed.

"Lingling, Yan Yan, let’s go."

"Mm."

Both women nodded simultaneously.


---

Qian Renjue didn’t take them to the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena to watch the Spirit Master competition. Instead, he brought them to the bustling commercial streets of Heaven Dou City.

Ling Yuan discreetly followed them from the shadows, ensuring their safety.

After the two women grew tired from shopping, Qian Renjue escorted them back home.

At the entrance to the Dugu family residence, Dugu Yan clung to Qian Renjue’s arm and softly said,
"Your Highness, won’t you come in and sit with me for a while?"

"No need."

Qian Renjue shook his head, glancing at her with a teasing smile.

"I’m afraid if I go in, you might drug me."

"Ah?! I-I wouldn’t!"

Dugu Yan’s face immediately turned scarlet, and she frantically waved her hands in denial, stumbling over her words.

Then she realized: the Holy Son must be referring to what happened earlier at the hotel.

"Your Highness, I’m sorry~"

Dugu Yan bit her lip, lowering her head in guilt.

"Heh."

Qian Renjue chuckled softly, raising his hand to pinch her cheek gently.

"It’s fine. Just don’t sneak around like that next time, alright?"

"..."


Dugu Yan froze for a moment.

"Next time?!"


Did His Highness mean to say that this kind of thing was allowed—as long as it wasn’t done secretly?

Realizing this, Dugu Yan immediately raised her head, her eyes gleaming with joy. She nodded repeatedly.


"Yes, yes! Yan understands. Thank you, Holy Son!"

"Alright then, just go back and—wait, Yan Yan!"

Before Qian Renjue could finish his sentence, the beautiful snake woman before him suddenly lunged forward, her arms spread wide to embrace him.

Qian Renjue quickly turned his face away and raised a hand to push against her slim, snake-like waist. However, her movements were as slippery as silk, making resistance futile.

In an instant, her slender arms wrapped around his shoulders. Her soft, rounded figure pressed against him, and her plump, tender lips brushed against his cheek, stirring his thoughts.

Smooch!

Dugu Yan left a bold, lingering kiss before pulling back slightly. Blushing fiercely, she leaned closer to his ear, whispering with a shy smile,
"Your Highness, Yan Yan will do her best to fulfill her duties as your personal maid."

"Uh..."

It was only then that Qian Renjue noticed the cool, smooth sensation of a jade-green snake tail coiled tightly around his waist.

When he reached down to grasp it, Dugu Yan's body trembled slightly, her teeth clenched as her tail instinctively tightened around him.

Gritting her teeth softly, Dugu Yan murmured,
"Your Highness need not hold back~ Yan will learn to serve you well."

"Yan, I never said I wanted you to..."

Qian Renjue turned to face her, his body slowly becoming translucent as he prepared to phase out of the snake tail’s grip.

Before he could finish his sentence, Dugu Yan’s emerald-green eyes glowed faintly, and the snake tail uncoiled from his waist.

In a flash, the beautiful snake woman darted into the Dugu family estate, disappearing without a trace.

Only her playful voice lingered faintly in the air:
"If Your Highness ever wants to try spirit possession, Yan will gladly oblige."

"Uh?"

Qian Renjue blinked in confusion, his expression growing strange as the flow of his spirit energy slowed to a halt.

Rubbing his waist where the snake tail had coiled, he couldn’t help but feel a flicker of curiosity.

Could Yan Yan’s spirit possession... offer some sort of unique experience?


---

"Your Highness, what are you thinking about?"

Ling Yuan’s soft voice suddenly rang beside him.

"N-nothing," Qian Renjue stammered, shaking his head to clear his thoughts of any inappropriate musings.

Looking around, he eventually dropped his gaze and frowned slightly.

"Sister Ling Yuan, why are you squatting on the ground?"

Ling Yuan looked up with a bashful smile.
"I’ve been standing for too long, and I got a bit tired~"

As she spoke, she glanced at him with a teasing expression, her usual composure momentarily replaced with mischievous charm.

Qian Renjue rolled his eyes, raising a hand to lightly tap her on the head.

"Ah! Ow—cough, cough."

Ling Yuan dramatically leaned back, pretending to cough as she rubbed the spot where he had tapped her.

"Your Highness~"

Her cheeks flushed as she glanced around to make sure no one had witnessed her undignified behavior.

"Ling Yuan, you do realize we’re in public, don’t you?"

Qian Renjue frowned, shaking off the slight dampness on his fingers left from her playful antics.

"I-it was just a joke," Ling Yuan muttered, looking slightly regretful.

She gracefully stepped closer, gently taking his hand in hers. With a tenderness that felt like water, she wiped his fingers clean with meticulous care.

Her delicate actions, full of softness and warmth, left Qian Renjue slightly uncomfortable.

Behind him, a black, menacing claw emerged—his Evil God's Hook tracing circles in the air.

The dark void of a spatial portal formed, gradually engulfing Qian Renjue and Ling Yuan.

The entrance to the Dugu residence returned to its usual tranquility.


---

Inside the estate, around the corner of the main hall, Dugu Yan leaned against the wall, lightly stroking her lips with a satisfied smile.

Her heart was still racing as she replayed her words from earlier in her mind.

Would they have sparked the Holy Son’s interest?