369. Dare To Defy?

Dusk had passed, and the sky was growing dark. Qian Renjue returned to Spirit City with Ling Yuan, appearing at the courtyard gate just as he heard a delighted voice.

"Senior Brother, you’re finally back!"

Qian Renjue looked up. Hu Liena had swiftly left the swing, a charming smile on her face, as she ran over to him.

"Nana."

Qian Renjue smiled and caught the small fox girl as she leaped into his arms. She still carried a faint, sweet milk scent. Her soft body snuggled close, brushing against him in a way that was almost too captivating.

Before long, she’d be a mature fox, and even now, she was nearly there.

“Muah~”

Hu Liena boldly leaned up and planted a light kiss on Qian Renjue’s lips. Satisfied, she looked up at him, the milk scent lingering as she asked softly, “Senior Brother, is that little bunny doing well?”

“She’s fine, though she hasn’t quite given up her bunny habits.”

Qian Renjue chuckled. The spot Hu Liena had kissed held a faint sweetness.

“Haha, that silly bunny probably never will.”

Hu Liena laughed. She could somewhat guess what “habits” he was referring to.

In the past, she’d been envious of that silly bunny for being close to her senior brother, while she had to steal moments here and there.

But now, things were different; as long as her senior brother needed her, she was his, however he wanted.

“Hello, Sister Ling Yuan!” Hu Liena blushed and greeted Ling Yuan, who stood beside Qian Renjue.

“I thought you hadn’t noticed me, Nana?” Ling Yuan’s face held a playful smile, her tone a bit teasing.

“Oh, not at all! It’s just that Senior Brother is more important,” Hu Liena said with a pout, unfazed. Her feelings for her senior brother were no secret.

“Heh.”

Qian Renjue let out a short laugh, shaking his head with a helpless smile. “Alright, Nana, let’s go inside.”

“Yes, Senior Brother, please come in,” Hu Liena nodded softly, gently holding his arm. “Teacher and I have already prepared dinner.”

Qian Renjue was about to invite Ling Yuan to join them when he noticed a graceful figure standing under the courtyard eaves.

“Mom~”

Qian Renjue’s purple eyes lit up, his smile widening.

“Yes.”

Facing her beloved son, Bibi Dong’s smile was radiant, her beautiful eyes tender.

Her loose purple-red hair framed her stunning face, giving her a younger, softer appearance. Her clear, affectionate purple eyes shifted toward Ling Yuan, and she frowned slightly.

In front of Bibi Dong, Ling Yuan looked a bit like a guilty thief caught in the act. Though she’d been permitted to stay, meeting her future mother-in-law left her feeling somewhat uneasy.

Seeing Ling Yuan’s nervousness, Bibi Dong detected something amiss, though she only felt a twinge of jealousy and didn’t show any further reaction. Instead, she extended an invitation.

“Ling Yuan, why don’t you stay and join us for dinner? There’s plenty.”

“Yes,” Qian Renjue added, looking at Ling Yuan with a smile.

“Oh, n-no need, thank you, Your Majesty and Holy Son, for your kindness.”



“Ling Yuan, come inside and sit,” Bibi Dong commanded, heading toward the house.

To Ling Yuan, it seemed as though she was silently saying, Dare to defy me, and you'll never be welcome in this family again.

Ling Yuan, suppressing her embarrassment, quickly replied, “Thank you, Your Majesty!”

“Haha, Sister Ling Yuan, come try Nana's cooking,” Hu Liena teased, laughing as she took Qian Renjue and Ling Yuan by the arm and led them inside.


---

The lights were on in the hall adjoining the bedroom, and in the dining area, Qian Renjue gently massaged Bibi Dong's shoulders, a touch of surprise on his face.

“Mom, did you have another breakthrough?”

“Mmm,” Bibi Dong nodded, looking back with a bright smile. “I’ve reached level ninety-eight.”

“Incredible! Mom, you’ll be the strongest on land soon!” Qian Renjue exclaimed, impressed.

Bibi Dong rolled her eyes at him, a slight smile on her lips. Taking his hand, she gave a playful kiss on the back of it, joking, “With me this strong, maybe you should just devote yourself to taking care of me.”

“Mom will bear the burden and stay as Pope.”

“I’d have no problem with that, as long as I can be by your side,” Qian Renjue replied with a smile, leaning down and wrapping his arms around Bibi Dong’s shoulders from behind, his cheek resting close to hers.

“Hmph, no ambition,” Bibi Dong teased softly, lightly scolding him. She held his arms as she glanced back, and his fair face was just inches away, her lips almost feeling the warmth from his skin.

“By the way, has Ling Yuan done something to you?” she asked, curious.

“Uh…!”

Qian Renjue stiffened, an awkward blush creeping onto his face. “Mom, that… I really can’t talk about that.”

“Is that so?” Bibi Dong’s gaze softened, her face turning a bit pink from his closeness. She didn’t press further as Ling Yuan and Hu Liena returned with the dishes.

“All right, sit by me and let’s start eating,” Bibi Dong said, brushing her cheek against his and guiding him to the seat beside her. Hu Liena sat by Qian Renjue with a cheerful smile.

“Teacher, Senior Brother, shall we begin?” Hu Liena said brightly.

“Ling Yuan, no need to be so reserved,” Bibi Dong said kindly, serving her a portion of food.

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Ling Yuan replied, lowering her head and quietly eating, though she noticed Qian Renjue’s unease. If the Pope were to question her… what would she say?

Seeming unaffected, Bibi Dong picked out Qian Renjue's favorite dishes for him. “Eat up, Jue. Don’t let yourself get too thin. And Nana, you’re still growing, eat more.”

“Mm,” Hu Liena nodded, attentively serving Qian Renjue as she said, “Senior Brother, try this one!”

“Alright,” Qian Renjue replied, glancing at Ling Yuan as he offered her a portion of food with his chopsticks. Then he turned to Bibi Dong and asked, “Mom, has construction started on the six-winged angel statues?”

“I’ve already given the orders,” Bibi Dong replied with a smile. “It’s a fairly simple task for spirit masters, so the major cities are almost done. As for the more remote villages, during this year’s Spirit Awakening, each branch hall can place a smaller statue in their respective Spirit Halls for the villagers to worship.”

Seeing the value it brought to both Qian Renxue and the Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong was determined to complete this project.

Qian Renjue thought for a moment, then added, “Mom, perhaps those villages could receive a small budget each year to designate a caretaker from among the villagers to keep the offerings and statues maintained.”

“Good idea. I’ll issue the order tomorrow.”