368. Don't Sneak

Qian Renjue looked at Xiao Wu, who was lying on the ground laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes. He shook his head helplessly.

"Well... it seems that useless guy still has some purpose."

Qian Renjue glanced over at Yu Xiaogang in the distance, a faint smirk on his lips.

A mutated spirit beast... Such a convenient, yet unavoidable explanation.

With Yu Xiaogang's interference, Tang San likely wouldn’t even suspect that someone was deliberately playing tricks on him.

Ling Yuan wrapped her arm around Qian Renjue’s.

“Your Highness, should we keep following them and do something else?”

Qian Renjue skillfully held Ling Yuan’s waist, looking at Tang San and his teacher walking away in defeat. After a brief pause, he shook his head.

“Let’s leave it at this for now.”

“Mhm~”

Ling Yuan nodded softly, gazing up at Qian Renjue and resting her face against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart, a blissful smile on her face.

By this time, Xiao Wu had stopped laughing and was standing nearby, cheeks still streaked with tears, looking up at Qian Renjue with reluctance.

She quickly ran forward, hugging Qian Renjue tightly, her voice trembling with emotion.

“Your Highness, are you going back?”

“Yes, it’s time to head back.”

Qian Renjue smiled, gently stroking Xiao Wu’s hair.

“Shall I spend a little more time with you today?” he asked softly.

“Yes!”

Xiao Wu’s voice was cheerful, though tears glistened in her eyes. Qian Renjue, sighing, lifted her delicate face in his hands and gently wiped away her tears.

“Why are you crying, little bunny? It won’t be too many years; I’ll come to bring you home.”

“Mhm, Xiao Wu believes in Your Highness!”

Holding back her tears, Xiao Wu clutched tightly to Qian Renjue’s clothes, nodding repeatedly.

“All right, no more tears,” Qian Renjue said, pinching her soft cheeks.

“Today I can still be with you for half a day, and when I have time, I’ll come to visit you.”

Hearing this, Xiao Wu looked both joyful and surprised, unable to believe it.

“Really? Your Highness will come see Xiao Wu?”

“Of course,” Qian Renjue replied playfully.

“Thank you, Your Highness!”

Overjoyed, Xiao Wu tried to jump up and kiss him, but he didn’t cooperate. She didn’t give up, though, instead taking his hand and starting to lick his palm.

“Pfft, haha!” Ling Yuan couldn’t help laughing.

Qian Renjue’s expression changed slightly as he tried to pull his hand away, but Xiao Wu clung tightly to it, causing a few veins to pop on his forehead.

—

Once Xiao Wu finally calmed down, Qian Renjue took her and Ling Yuan back to the inn from the night before, using the spatial abilities of his spirit bone to teleport them.

They returned to the same room where Ling Yuan had absorbed much of his life force. After a simple lunch, Qian Renjue and Ling Yuan took Xiao Wu around town, exploring and having fun.

As dusk approached, Xiao Wu reluctantly bid farewell to Qian Renjue with a gentle kiss before setting off back to her academy.

Watching her walk away, glancing back every few steps, Qian Renjue raised his arm and waved goodbye to the little rabbit one last time.

Xiao Wu excitedly looked back, tiptoeing and waving continuously. Then she turned around and started running off.

Ling Yuan, standing beside Qian Renjue, placed her delicate hand near his lips, gently wiping away the wet mark Xiao Wu had left.

“Your Highness, are we heading back now?”

Qian Renjue held Ling Yuan’s soft hand and shook his head slightly.

“Since we’re here, let’s go to the Spirit Hall branch for a look.”

“Yes,” Ling Yuan nodded, nestling closer to Qian Renjue’s side as they walked toward the Spirit Hall branch together.

Qian Renjue glanced at Ling Yuan beside him and softly called out, “Sister Ling Yuan.”

“Hmm? What is it, Your Highness?”

Ling Yuan looked over at him, her gaze curious.

“About last night…”

Qian Renjue’s face showed a mix of embarrassment, his words trailing off.

Hearing this, Ling Yuan’s face turned bright red, rivaling the crimson glow of the evening sky. She felt a rush of shame and bit her lip, clasping her arms around herself. She looked down and hesitantly asked, “Does Your Highness not like it when I do that?”

“Well… uh…”

Qian Renjue looked up at the sky, responding softly.

Ling Yuan’s gaze dropped in disappointment, her lips nearly bleeding from her biting. She had tried so hard, forcing herself to be so gentle and graceful. Her breathing hitched, and, feeling on the verge of tears, she murmured in a low voice, “I understand, Your Highness.”

“If you want, just don’t sneak at night,” Qian Renjue muttered awkwardly, stammering slightly, his voice overlapping with hers.

“Uh—”

Hearing his words, Ling Yuan looked up in surprise, while Qian Renjue, shocked by her reaction, looked down at her. They locked eyes.

Qian Renjue suddenly felt a pang of regret, asking hesitantly, “Sister Ling Yuan, can I take back what I just said?”

Ling Yuan, her face flushed deeply, pressed her lips together, her cheeks turning redder and her ears hot. She shook her head slightly, refusing.

Gripping his arm firmly, she promised, “Your Highness, from now on, I won’t sneak.”

“…”

Qian Renjue stopped in his tracks, opening his mouth to speak but finding himself unable to.

He was simply thinking that Ling Yuan might not actually stop and would still catch him off guard. That’s why he added that last part. He definitely hadn’t meant to give her permission! But explaining it now would be difficult.

Raising a hand to his forehead, Qian Renjue looked toward the setting sun and took a deep breath, deciding not to say anything further. Overly hesitating would only make him seem insincere.

He just had to resist temptation, and even if he didn’t, even if he lost more life force again, he couldn’t go all the way with Ling Yuan.

After all, Lingling was still waiting for him. —

At Notting Academy, Xiao Wu no longer looked disappointed; instead, her face was full of sweetness as she skipped toward Dorm Seven.

She touched the golden collar around her neck. Inside it was something special from the Holy Son’s mother and a little brat who hadn’t yet been weaned, made just for her.

Xiao Wu bounced into Dorm Seven, spreading her arms wide and calling out in excitement, “Hey, everyone! Your Sister Xiao Wu is back!”

“Hello, Sister Xiao Wu!”

Everyone in Dorm Seven immediately stood up, bowing slightly to greet her.

“Haha, alright, alright, you can all sit down.”

Xiao Wu, a little smug, chuckled. She had reached level twenty long ago, while Tang San, due to her interference and the limitations of his first spirit ring, had only reached level twenty after more than two and a half years.

“Xiao Wu~”

Tang San suddenly sat up, pushing his covers aside.

“Pfft, hahaha…”

Seeing Tang San, who looked like a toad, Xiao Wu couldn’t help but laugh. Standing near the foot of his bed, she grinned and said, “Tang Xiao San, you’re back so soon! Was your spirit hunt successful?”

“Congratulations on becoming the new Spirit Master of Dorm Seven!”

Listening to Xiao Wu’s words, Tang San felt a mix of joy and sadness. Xiao Wu cared about him so much, and she believed in him.

Yet, once again, he had only managed to obtain a white ring, and he couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt.

“I’m sorry, Xiao Wu... I failed to meet your expectations.”