Outside the courtyard gate.
Qian Renxue stared wide-eyed at Qian Renjue, with his white hair. Anger and disappointment filled her face.
Just as she was about to step forward, she heard a panicked, hurried voice from inside.
"Jue, quickly, release it."
Bibi Dong, her eyes filled with fear and glistening with tears, cupped Qian Renjue's face, overwhelmed with regret and helplessness. Her voice trembled.
"Jue, Mom doesn't want to see it anymore."
"Oh."
Qian Renjue responded calmly, as if nothing was out of the ordinary.
Slowly, he deactivated his martial soul transformation and reverted to his usual appearance—blonde hair, purple eyes, and a cold expression.
Bibi Dong, still frightened, held his soft cheeks, noticing how cold he still was. "Jue, are you okay? Is everything alright?"
"I'm fine."
Qian Renjue's mind was clear, but he could no longer express or feel any emotions.
He still asked, "Mom, was it beautiful?"
That icy voice felt like it was stabbing into Bibidong's heart. Her eyes turned red, and her voice quivered with tears.
"N-No, it wasn't beautiful."
Heartbroken and filled with regret, Bibi Dong pulled Qian Renjue into her embrace, holding him tightly as if trying to warm him up again.
Her body trembled as she murmured tearfully, "Jue, don't do it again. It was Mom's fault."
The transformation lasted only a few moments.
The faint traces of red in Qian Renjue's eyes disappeared.
He returned the embrace gently, whispering softly, "Mom."
"Xiao Jue!"
Bibi Dong quickly sat up, cupping Qian Renjue's face with excitement.
"Mom, Jue is okay now."
Qian Renjue smiled gently, snuggling back into Bibi Dong's arms.
"Thank goodness you're okay," Bibi Dong said, briefly stunned before tears of joy fell from her eyes.
She hugged Qian Renjue tightly, filled with guilt and lingering fear.
She choked out, "I'm sorry, Jue. It's all Mom's fault."
Qian Renjue tilted his head, his face resting against Bibi Dong's cold cheek, and carefully asked, "Mom, can you stop using your killing intent to scare Jue from now on?"
"I'm sorry! Mom will never do that again."
"Really... I'll never do it again!"
Bibi Dong repeated herself over and over, consumed by guilt and remorse. Tears welled up in her beautiful eyes.
"Never again, Mom promises!"
"Thank you, Mom!"
Qian Renjue hugged her tightly around the neck, even sitting on her lap.
Bibi Dong only held him close, filled with relief.
Qian Renjue stroked her face, softly comforting her, "Mom, don't cry. Jue has already recovered."
"Mm, Mom won't cry."
Bibi Dong sniffled, her eyes red, but she couldn't stop the tears.
"Mom."
Qian Renjue smiled, pulling gently at Bibi Dong's neck.
"Jue."
Bibi Dong, compliant, bent forward slightly.
A gentle, warm touch landed on her tear-streaked cheek, slowly wiping away the tears.
"...."
Bibi Dong's eyes went blank, staring dazedly at Qian Renjue, as her pale face regained some color.
"Haha!"
Qian Renjue laughed softly as he sat in her lap, turning his face slightly and pointing to his cheek.
With anticipation, he said, "Today is Jue's birthday. Can Mom kiss Jue too?"
"Mm."
Bibi Dong came back to her senses, her voice tender with guilt. She gazed at Qian Renjue's smiling face and slowly leaned in, planting a kiss on his soft cheek.
"Hehe."
The warm breath and cool lips made Qian Renjue both ticklish and happy.
Bibi Dong looked up at her child, her lips parting softly.
"Happy birthday, Jue."
"Thank you! Thank you, Mom!"
Qian Renjue, overjoyed, hugged Bibidong's slender frame, snuggling into her lap and wiggling in excitement.
Bibi Dong watched quietly, her arms wrapped gently around him.
Her chin rested on his hair as she embraced him lovingly. Sensing something, she lifted her gaze and looked toward the courtyard gate.
It was empty.
Suddenly, Qian Renjue stirred as if he was about to get up, but Bibi Dong couldn't bear to let go.
"Jue."
"Mom, this is Jue's gift for you."
Qian Renjue didn't leave but instead turned around, picking up a small box from the table. He also wanted to stay a bit longer.
"A gift?"
Bibi Dong curiously looked at the box. She still remembered the last gift Qian Renjue gave her—deeply etched in her memory.
That night, she held him just like this, in her arms.
"Yes, this gift is called Ice Heart Pendant. It's really beautiful."
Qian Renjue nodded, opening the ancient-looking box.
Inside, what once looked like bird droppings had transformed into a clear, translucent droplet.
It lay quietly in the box, as pure as dew. Each link of the chain was a tiny rhombus, intricately connected, like stars adorning the night sky.
It was quite a marvel. The dimming sky made its beauty stand out even more.
Qian Renjue took out the pendant and held it up in front of Bibi Dong's eyes, asking excitedly, "Mom, how does it look? Is it beautiful?"
Bibi Dong glanced at the pendant, then raised her eyes to look at Qian Renjue.
She hadn't expected that the item Qian Renjue had been working on for so long would be a gift for her. She nodded slightly, her voice choked.
"It's beautiful. Mom loves it."
"As long as Mom likes it. Let Jue put it on for you, okay?"
"Okay."
Qian Renjue happily lifted the necklace, and Bibi Dong cooperated by lowering her head slightly.
The chain wasn't long, and the pendant hung just below her collarbone. Its exquisite luster was eye-catching, and its cool touch was refreshing.
"Haha, Mom has become even prettier."
Qian Renjue examined her closely, satisfied with his handiwork.
"Thank you, Jue."
Bibi Dong gently touched the smooth pendant, looking at Qian Renjue with ever-growing tenderness.
"Mm."
Qian Renjue nodded vigorously, then reminded her, "Mom has to promise Jue not to take it off, okay?"
"Mom promises you, I'll wear it all the time."
Bibi Dong responded seriously.
"You can't lie to Jue."
"I won't."
As soon as Bibi Dong finished speaking, Qian Renjue leaned in, planting a kiss on her lips.
[Congratulations, Host, for successfully expressing great love! (Target: Bibidong)]
[Reward: First Spirit Ring's age increased by 300 years!]
The system's new reward mechanism made Qian Renjue pause for a moment. He touched her softly before pulling away.
Bibi Dong stared blankly at Qian Renjue, feeling a slight sweetness on her lips.
"Mom, Jue is going back to have dinner with sister now."
Qian Renjue hugged Bibi Dong reluctantly, rubbing against her, before preparing to leave her warm embrace.
"Mm."
Bibi Dong nodded slightly, gently letting him go.
"Goodbye, Mom. Tomorrow, Jue and sister will come again!"
Qian Renjue, full of joy, stood outside the pavilion, waving goodbye to Bibidong. He turned and ran off quickly.
Bibi Dong sat where she was, watching Qian Renjue run out, feeling a bit dazed.
She touched her lips, then her stomach. The warmth from earlier was slowly fading—not disappearing into the wind, but seeping inside her, taking root in her heart.
As Qian Renjue crossed the threshold and left, a figure hiding outside the courtyard—Qian Renxue—finally appeared, stepping into the courtyard.