359. Sacrifice

Qian Renjue, dressed in a purple robe, arrived holding Ling Yuan’s delicate hand.

As they stepped through the portal, Xiao Wu’s joyful cheer immediately filled the air.

Qian Renjue looked forward, catching sight of Xiao Wu’s slender legs slightly bent, a flash of pink and a gentle floral scent drifting toward him.

His arms warmed as Xiao Wu leaped into his embrace, wrapping herself around his neck and hugging him tightly, her soft voice whispering sweetly in his ear:

“Your Highness, Xiao Wu really missed you~”

Qian Renjue paused, smiling warmly as he gently wrapped his arms around her waist.

“Yes, I know, little bunny.”

But then he noticed a strange feeling—a slight dampness on his cheek.

Xiao Wu hadn’t completely given up her old habit; she was licking his cheek with her little tongue.

Ling Yuan, observing this, couldn’t help but laugh a bit.

Qian Renjue didn’t mind.

He gently patted Xiao Wu’s soft back and said softly, “Alright, Xiao Wu, you can come down now.”

“Mmm~” Xiao Wu, blushing deeply, tidied up the wet spot she had left on his face before releasing her legs from around his waist.

She stood before him, close, looking up at him with a flushed expression, her voice soft:

“Your Highness~ I’m sorry~”

“It’s alright. Just take it slow; people should act like people.” Qian Renjue chuckled, brushing her hair and tapping her nose gently.

Xiao Wu nuzzled his warm hand and nodded eagerly. “Yes, yes, Xiao Wu will change~”

“Good. Wait—” Qian Renjue looked down, his face darkening slightly. Xiao Wu was licking his thumb.

Ling Yuan couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

Xiao Wu timidly let go, quickly swallowing any trace of drool before looking down, her pink bunny ears drooping sadly.

“Sister Ling Yuan!” Qian Renjue rolled his eyes, urging her to suppress her laughter.

Ling Yuan straightened up, her face still holding back a smile.

“It’s fine, Xiao Wu. I’m not upset with you,” Qian Renjue said, taking Xiao Wu’s hand and leading her to the table.

“Really?” Xiao Wu’s round pink eyes lit up, and her bunny ears perked up again.

“Thank you, Your Highness!”

Clinging to his arm, she followed him closely and gave a cheerful greeting to Ling Yuan.

“Hello, Elder Ling Yuan!”

Ling Yuan smiled gently, nodding, then silently moved to the window, peeking through a small gap with her delicate fingers.

Her beautiful eyes glimmered with a hint of violet as she glanced outside.

At the table, Qian Renjue asked with a smile, “You haven’t had dinner, right? I brought some of your favorites.”

“No, I haven’t!” Xiao Wu shook her head eagerly, already beginning to drool.

She’d saved her appetite for this.

Qian Renjue laughed and, with a wave of his hand, took out a spread of delicacies from his system storage: vanilla cake, fruit salad, and an assortment of pastries.

“Go ahead and eat first. Once you’re done, we can talk.”

“Mm, thank you, Your Highness~”

Xiao Wu's rosy eyes were full of joy.

Her stomach urged her to dig in, but she kept looking at Qian Renjue expectantly, as if waiting for him to eat first.

“Haha, I’ve already eaten; all of this is for you,” Qian Renjue said with a chuckle.

He picked up a cherry coated in vanilla sauce and held it up to her lips.

“Mm~” Xiao Wu blushed, parted her lips, and gently kissed the sauce before licking it twice and taking it in.

Her rosy eyes gazed at Qian Renjue, shining with happiness.

[Congratulations, host! You successfully spreading great love! (Target: Xiao Wu)]

[Reward received: 250 points!]

“Thank you, Your Highness~” Xiao Wu murmured, still holding his fingers between her lips.

“You’ve already thanked me several times since I arrived; you really should work on breaking this habit.”

With a soft pop, Qian Renjue pulled his finger back and teasingly dabbed her face with the wet spot.

“Haha~” Xiao Wu laughed, clearly enjoying it, showing no sign of wanting to change.

Ling Yuan caught sight of this scene, her fiery red lips pressing into a slight smile as she swallowed nervously.

She’d been preparing for tonight for so long, thinking maybe she’d finally have her chance.

Her face flushed as her heart raced, but she quickly cleared her mind, putting those thoughts aside and continuing her watch outside.

Qian Renjue, meanwhile, leaned on his hand, watching Xiao Wu eat like a happy little hamster, his face softened with affection.

“Nom~ nom~” Xiao Wu kept stuffing food into her mouth.

To her, the food made by “Mom” of Renjue felt felt like home.

Every now and then, she’d look up with a crescent-eyed smile, beaming up at Qian Renjue, her innocent joy making him smile too.

“Your Highness, Tang Hao is across the way,” Ling Yuan whispered in Qian Renjue’s ear as she leaned down.

“Tang Hao?” Qian Renjue’s eyes showed a hint of surprise.

“Gulp—” Xiao Wu, hearing this, hurriedly swallowed her food and said, “Your Highness, I… I didn’t know he would follow us…”

“It’s not your fault.” Qian Renjue laughed, gently pinching her worried little face. “He’s a Titled Douluo, after all.”

“But it’s fine he followed us. I needed to speak with him.”

Xiao Wu let out a sigh of relief, though she made a mental note against Tang San back in dorm seven.

Like father, like son—they were both trouble!

“Finish your meal, little bunny,” Qian Renjue said, adding more food to her plate with a cold gleam in his eyes. “Soon, you and Ah Yin can go for a walk while Ling Yuan and I pay him a visit.”

“Okay, Xiao Wu will behave.” She nodded obediently.

Just then, a pulse of energy radiated from Qian Renjue’s chest, and Ah Yin, the Blue Silver Emperor, appeared at his side, bowing low, her presence radiating allure that made it hard for Qian Renjue to look away.

“My master~” Ah Yin said, glancing over the table full of vanilla-coated treats with an almost reproachful gleam in her sapphire eyes.

All this food had nearly cost her part of her own branches.

Xiao Wu felt a chill at Ah Yin’s gaze, remembering all too well the fear of the Blue Silver Emperor’s wrath.

She looked away, feeling a hint of timidity.