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Looking at Qian Renjue's innocent expression, Bibi Dong narrowed her eyes and held the candied hawthorn skewer near his mouth.
"Open your mouth."
"Mm!" Qian Renjue smiled and nodded. He leaned in to take a bite of the glistening red treat but missed.
"Huh?"
Qian Renjue looked up in confusion, only to hear soft laughter beside him.
"Pfft! Haha…"
Bibi Dong teased him, her candied hawthorn already at her lips. She skillfully bit off a piece and chewed contentedly.
"Mom?"
Seeing Qian Renjue's bewildered look made Bibi Dong even more amused. She bent down, pinching his chin playfully, and said with feigned reproach:
"You didn't even leave any for your mother. Not even a proper thank you, huh?"
Qian Renjue paused, then quickly smiled and nodded.
"Of course I did!"
The package in his hands disappeared, and he wrapped his arms around Bibi Dong's neck, giving her a gentle peck on the cheek before gratefully saying, "Thank you, Mom!"
"That's better," Bibi Dong smiled warmly, her cheeks slightly flushed as she affectionately pinched his face.
"Alright, be good. Mom still has unfinished business."
"Mm, goodbye, Mom. I need to go back and practice swordsmanship with Sister," Qian Renjue said with a smile, glancing at the two elders nearby.
"Goodbye, Sister Chrystanthemum, Grandpa Ghost!"
"Goodbye, Young Master Renjue."
Ghost Douluo nodded slightly, while Chrysanthemum Douluo smiled gracefully and bowed.
"Let's go," Bibi Dong said, slipping another hawthorn into Qian Renjue's mouth before turning and walking away with the two elders.
Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo exchanged glances and followed her silently.
Qian Renjue watched them leave before heading back the way he came.
On her way, Bibi Dong casually munched on her candied hawthorn while walking toward the Pope's palace.
But the closer she got, the more tasteless the treat became. Her once-smiling face gradually faded, replaced by an icy expression.
At only twenty-nine years old, Bibi Dong had already reached the eighty-ninth level as a Spirit Douluo!
The rank of Titled Douluo was now within reach!
…
By the time Qian Renjue returned to the training ground, Qian Xunji had already left, and Qian Renxue was lying on the grass, resting.
"Sister!"
Qian Renjue called out from a distance but got no response.
"Sister?!"
He quickly ran over and bent down to shield her from the sunlight.
"Renjue?"
The shift from light to shade made Qian Renxue blink and sit up slowly.
She looked at him and asked, "Where did you run off to this time?"
"I went down the mountain for a bit. I just saw that Mom came back," Qian Renjue said with a smile as he sat beside her.
"Mom's back?"
Qian Renxue was a bit surprised, but she didn't seem as happy as expected.
Instead, her eyes were filled with worry.
"Yeah, Mom even bought you a dress."
Qian Renjue nodded and took out a gift box from his soul guide, handing it to her.
Qian Renxue held the box, her expression dazed.
This was something she never would have imagined in the past.
These past three years had been the happiest time of her life.
Her parents' love, though not always present at the same time, was far better than what she had experienced before.
But the more beautiful things became, the more afraid she was of losing them.
The feeling of gaining something only to lose it again was far more painful than never having it in the first place.
"Keep it for now," Qian Renxue smiled faintly, returning the box to Qian Renjue.
"Mm, Mom also brought back a lot of treats," Qian Renjue said, putting the box away and taking out a small bamboo basket filled with colorful dried fruits.
"Sister, this is sweet and sour, really tasty. Try it?"
"Mm, thank you, Renjue."
Qian Renxue smiled gently and took a piece of the dried fruit he offered. She then reached out to feed him some as well.
Qian Renjue glanced at the crystal-clear piece of fruit between his fingers and pouted, "Sister, you bit my hand!"
Qian Renxue laughed and held her hand out near his mouth. "Then how about you bite me back?"
"No way… you're all sweaty."
Qian Renjue shook his head, refusing outright.
"Oh really? You weren't complaining when we were so close last night, but now you're being picky?" Qian Renxue frowned playfully, tapping his head.
Qian Renjue ducked his head with a grin. "You smelled nicer last night…"
Before he could finish his sentence, Qian Renxue had already wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her cheek tightly against his, giggling.
"No matter what, you can't look down on your sister!"
"Haha… I'm not… Ah…"
Qian Renjue struggled, but soon he was playfully pinned to the ground.
Qian Renxue's cool, damp cheek pressed against his, both of them flushed and out of breath.
…
After their playful tussle, the two siblings settled down. A gentle breeze brought a refreshing coolness, along with a faint fragrance.
Qian Renxue's hair was slightly disheveled.
She gazed down at Qian Renjue, who was resting his head on her lap. Her soft hands gently stroked his face, her expression distant.
"Sister, what are you thinking about?"
Qian Renjue asked curiously.
Qian Renxue's eyes were tender as she scratched his chin lightly and said softly, "I was thinking whether you've been secretly using your martial spirit again."
"…"
Qian Renjue's gaze shifted, avoiding her eyes.
"Can't you just listen to me for once?" Qian Renxue's tone was reproachful, but there was affection in her voice.
Unlike when they were younger, Qian Renjue had started to develop thoughts of his own.
"Sister, I have been listening."
"I only tried using my soul skill for half a minute… and that was a long time ago."
Qian Renjue explained as he gently held Qian Renxue's hand.
He remembered the family's rule: avoid using his martial spirit unless absolutely necessary.
But if he wasn't familiar with his own skills, he feared that when the time came, all his training would be useless.
Qian Renxue could understand this feeling.
Her years spent as an undercover agent left her with little combat experience.
"Don't worry, Jue, I'll protect you," Qian Renxue said softly, her voice firm, though her eyes were filled with concern.
Unlike Qian Renjue, she knew the timeline of events.
The twin douluo of Clear Sky Clan had already begun to rise, Tang Xiao had returned to the sect, and Qian Xunji had recently left in excitement after receiving some news.
It all pointed to the fact that what was destined to happen would come.
At this moment, she had very little power to change anything.
There were things she couldn't say and battles she couldn't fight.
She wasn't yet strong enough to protect the fragile family Qian Renjue had worked so hard to piece together.
"Mm," Qian Renjue responded softly. He turned to hug Qian Renxue's waist and muttered, "I'll protect you too, Sister… and Mom, and Dad."
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GIMME YOUR POWER STONE