Chapter 33 - 33. Warm Hug

Qian Renxue stood up and obediently took the things from Qian Xunji's hands, placing them neatly aside.

Qian Xunji smiled and patted her on the head.

Holding Qian Renjue, he sat down and picked up a spoon to feed him.

In a gentle voice, he said, "Xiao Jue, your mom still can't control her killing intent. She needs to rest for a while."

"Where will she rest?" Qian Ranjue, sitting in Qian Xunji's lap, looked up and asked.

"Of course, she'll rest in her courtyard."

Qian Xunji smiled and began feeding Qian Renjue, who opened his mouth cooperatively.

Chewing, Qian Renjue mumbled, "Won't it be boring if it's just Mom alone?"

"Hah," Qian Xunji laughed helplessly.

There was nothing he could do about that.

"Alright, Xiao Jue should rest well these days. Don't worry about your mother."

"Mm," Qian Ranjue replied absentmindedly, not asking further.

Qian Renxue comforted him, "Jue, after we awaken our martial souls, I'll take you to see Mom."

"Okay sister, Jue understand," Qian Renjue nodded but avoided looking at Qian Renxue.

Qian Renxue frowned slightly.

Hearing about the awakening of martial souls, Qian Xunji couldn't help but feel emotional.

Time flies, and now the two children are ready to awaken their martial souls.

He wondered if their talents would meet his expectations.

As he thought of this and looked at the siblings, Qian Xunji couldn't help but laugh at himself.

It seemed that this matter wasn't as important as he had once thought.

Even if their talents didn't meet his expectations, he wouldn't regret of what he had done to Bibi Dong.

...

Breakfast ended, and Qian Xunji hurried off to the Pope's Palace to work.

Qian Renxue, after cleaning up the table, was about to call Qian Ranjue to train with her.

But she saw that Qian Renjue had already laid down on the bed again.

Qian Renxue walked gracefully over, sat by the bed, and gently nudged Qian Ranjue.

"Jue, it's time to practice swordsmanship with your sister."

"Sister, Jue still doesn't feel well. Jue doesn't want to train today," Qian Renjue's voice was muffled as he buried his face in the covers.

"Not feeling well?" Qian Renxue frowned.

Qian Renjue had shown no signs of being unwell earlier.

"Tell me, where does it hurt?" Qian Renxue lay beside him, closely.

"I… I feel weak all over," Qian Renjue said in a low voice, but his guilty tone betrayed him.

Qian Renxue gently stroked his back and softly said, "Jue, look at me. Are you really not feeling well?"

"Sister..." Qian Ranjue turned his head, but when he saw how close her face was, he looked away, avoiding her gaze.

With his eyes downcast, he apologized, "I'm sorry, Sister. Jue didn't mean to lie to you."

"It's okay," Qian Renxue chuckled, lifting her hand to gently caress his face.

Seeing how listless he looked, she stayed silent for a moment before giving in.

While gently cupping his soft face, she whispered, "After we finish training, I'll take you to see Mom, okay?"

"Huh?" Qian Renjue's violet eyes lit up with surprise, and he looked thrilled.

"Really?"

"Of course," Qian Renxue smiled and pinched his chubby cheeks.

"That's great! Thank you, Sister!" Qian Renjue exclaimed excitedly, hugging her tightly and planting a kiss on her cheek.

Qian Renxue turned her head slightly to accommodate him, her face flushing a bit.

His affection warmed her heart.

It was soft, fragrant, and filled her with warmth.

She hugged him back gently.

...

In the morning, the sun shone brightly.

As she left the Pope's Palace, a cold killing intent surrounded Bibi Dong.

Her perfect face looked slightly haggard, with a hint of gloom in her eyes.

Like a prisoner, she was accompanied by Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, under strict supervision, heading toward her residence.

Since her return, she had not seen her children.

She knew that Qian Renjue was fine.

She could tell that from Qian Xunji's attitude.

But Bibi Dong still felt distressed.

Would that child ever come to see her again?

The more she thought about it, the more anxious and fearful she became.

At night, she couldn't stop recalling the terrified look in Qian Renjue's eyes.

Walking past the shade of trees, the warm sunlight fell on her but brought no warmth to her heart.

As she approached her small courtyard, she kept her head lowered.

"Young Master Jue," Ghost Douluo's raspy voice suddenly called out.

Bibi Dong's steps halted, and her heart skipped a beat.

She hesitantly lifted her violet eyes.

The killing intent and malice in her eyes melted like snow under the sun.

The dim light in her eyes began to brighten and regain life.

In her sight, the siblings were sitting at the courtyard entrance.

Qian Renjue was leaning quietly on Qian Renxue's shoulder, his forehead covered in sweat.

His clothes were soaked, making him look a bit disheveled.

Hearing Ghost Douluo's voice, Qian Renjue lifted his head, showing both joy and a bit of fear in his eyes.

Seeing this, Bibi Dong's face turned pale, and she quietly watched the siblings, who were still leaning against each other, stand up.

From about ten meters away, Qian Renjue began running toward her.

"Jue!" Qian Renxue grabbed his hand and followed closely behind, her eyes filled with caution.

Bibi Dong's purple eyes trembled slightly.

How many times had she wished that Qian Ranjue would run to her, just like before.

"Young Master Jue!" Ghost Douluo frowned, reaching out as if to stop him from approaching.

Suddenly, a cold glare fell on him.

Ghost Douluo's face freezed.

He looked back and saw Bibi Dong staring at him, her eyes filled with killing intent.

"What are you doing, Old Ghost?" Chrysanthemum Douluo quickly intervened, pulling him aside.

With the interference gone, Bibi Dong's gaze returned to Qian Ranjue.

She did her best to restrain her killing intent.

As they grew closer, time seemed to stretch on.

Finally, Qian Renjue stood before her.

They exchanged glances, trying to probe each other thoughts.

Qian Renjue's movements became more restrained.

Sensing no danger, Qian Renjue quickly stepped forward and hugged Bibi Dong's leg, looking up at her cautiously.

"Big sister..." His soft voice addressed her.

Hearing him call her that, Bibi Dong felt a bitter smile rise in her heart as she looked down at him.

She was both pained and relieved.

This was all her fault, her mistake.

"Can big sister squat down, please?"

Qian Renjue carefully tugged at Bibi Dong's hand, urging her to crouch down.

That one word, "Sister," felt like a dagger stabbing into Bibi Dong's heart.

Qian Renxue also walked up to her, looking up at the woman who gave birth to her.

She recalled the memories when Bibi Dong sacrificed her life without hesitation.

Seeing her daughter's reddened eyes, Bibi Dong remained silent.

She wanted to say something but found herself unable to speak.

She quietly crouched down.

"Hehe," Qian Renjue finally smiled, happily hugging her neck.

Before Bibi Dong could recover from the warmth of his smile, something unexpected happened.

Perhaps it was Bibi Dong's odd behavior on the carriage that made Qian Renxue hopeful.

Or maybe she had always wanted to do this from the moment she was reborn, no, even in her past life.

Qian Renxue, unexpectedly, extended her arms and hugged Bibi Dong too.