.
("Ah——!)
Just when Qian Renjue was about to embrace Bibi Dong, the pitiful scream of the Soft Bone Rabbit rang in his ears.
In the corner of his eye, he saw the Soft Bone Rabbit, which had originally been lying on his shoulder, fly off and tumble across the ground.
At this time, it was covered in dirt and grime.
Panicking, the rabbit scrambled under the carriage, holding onto a wheel with a pitiful look, hiding behind it.
Its ears drooped, and it poked out half its head, fearfully staring at Bibi Dong, who was leaning on Qian Renjue's shoulder.
(The Holy Son's mom is too scary! Even scarier than Miss Xue. Now Xiao Wu is dirty!)
Ling Yuan Douluo glanced at the rabbit hiding under the carriage and couldn't help but stifle a laugh.
"How is it, Jue? Did you have fun?" Bibi Dong's gentle voice, mixed with a fragrant breeze, brushed against Qian Renjue's ear.
Qian Renjue could sense the danger in her tone, and as her seductive red lips barely grazed his cheek, he felt a chill.
"Yes, I had a great time, and I missed you, Mom."
Qian Renjue embraced the warm, delicate figure in his arms, inhaling the fragrance that wiped away the weariness and fatigue from his face.
Not seeing Bibi Dong for more than half a month made him feel like something was missing.
"Really?"
Bibi Dong's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, satisfaction filling her gaze, and the hidden danger disappeared.
"Of course it's true."
Qian Renjue's hand stroked her thin back, gently brushing over her smooth hair.
"If you missed me, why didn't you come back sooner?"
Bibi Dong's voice was soft, her tone carrying a hint of complaint as she looked up slightly at Qian Renjue.
Unable to resist, she pinched his cheek lightly, her face full of grievance.
If an outsider saw this, they would never believe that Bibi Dong, the Pope, could behave in such a way, moreover she was a powerful Title Douluo.
"I had some things that delayed me. You should know that, Mom."
Qian Renjue affectionately tidied Bibi Dong's hair, his fingertips brushing her smooth skin, delicate and soft like milk.
"I'm now at 56, Soul King, and I brought a gift for you too."
As he spoke, Qian Renjue couldn't help but glance at Ling Yuan Douluo, who was standing nearby.
Protecting and monitoring over him was her job.
Ling Yuan Douluo lowered her head slightly, just following orders.
Besides, Qian Renjue had long permitted her to stay by his side.
"Even though I know everything, I still wanted you to tell me personally." Bibi Dong smiled without any intention of blaming him.
She just wanted to ensure her son's safety.
"Okay, of course."
Qian Renjue nodded slightly, feeling relieved inside and smiling warmly.
"Mom will definitely be very happy. I'm sure Sister Ling still has a lot to explain."
"Really?"
Bibi Dong raised her eyebrows, looking at Qian Renjue's childish attempt to please her.
Her heart was filled with joy and satisfaction.
"Nothing else matters to me. Seeing you is enough to make me happy," Bibi Dong spoke softly, her voice tender, as she wrapped her arms around Qian Renjue's neck.
She pressed closer, leaving a faint red mark on his cheek with her white teeth, savoring the reunion with her beloved child after so many days apart.
Qian Renjue lowered his head slightly in response.
"I understand, Mom."
Ling Yuan, Chrysanthemum Douluo, and Ghost Douluo all diverted their gaze, looking around.
The mother-son relationship between the Pope and the Holy Son wasn't known to everyone.
If someone who doesn't know saw this, they might misunderstand it as an affair between master and disciple, which could negatively affect the Spirit Hall's reputation.
After a while, Bibi Dong went back and retrieving her staff and placing her laurel crown back on her head. The majestic aura of Pope radiating once more.
Meanwhile, Qian Renjue held his cheek, where he had suddenly been bitten, looking at Bibi Dong with a touch of grievance.
Her face smiled slightly, she stood straight and firm, her expression strong as she coldly snorted:
"Hmph! Just because you said you missed me doesn't mean I'll believe you without asking more questions."
"Mom, I didn't even meet her." Qian Renjue looked at Bibi Dong innocently.
He had been about to kiss her cheek, only to be interrupted by the sudden pain.
"Well, I don't care. It's already late anyway," Bibi Dong slowly wiped the corner of her mouth, speaking with a mix of sulkiness and dissatisfaction.
Her eyes were filled with blame and dissatisfaction.
"And you still haven't made up for it," she added.
"I—I'll make up for it now."
Qian Renjue hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly stepped forward.
"No need. Save it for later." Bibi Dong gently stroked Qian Renjue's face, her smile returning. "Tonight, you can tell me all about what you've been up to these past few days. But for now, go and rest. The matter with the Worship Hall can wait."
"Understood, Mom."
Qian Renjue obediently nodded.
He had learned the hard way not to upset Bibi Dong when she was in this mood.
"Oh, and I didn't tell Nana you're coming back," Bibi Dong reminded him softly.
In this sulking mood, she couldn't tolerate even a rabbit, let alone a scheming disciple.
With that, Bibi Dong turned and headed toward the Pope's Palace.
"See you later, Mom."
Qian Renjue bid her farewell politely, afraid of making another mistake.
Bibi Dong's lips curled up slightly as she savored the warmth lingering on her lips.
At least tonight, she wouldn't have any trouble sleeping.
"Congratulations, Holy Son, on reaching Soul King," said Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, seizing the opportunity to approach after Bibi Dong left.
Qian Renjue nodded with a smile.
"Thank you, Sister Chrysanthemum, Grandpa Ghost. I brought gifts for you too, so look forward to them."
Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo exchanged curious glances but did not refuse, nodding slightly in acknowledgment.
"Thank you for thinking of us, Your Highness. We'll take our leave now."
Qian Renjue watched them depart with a smile, but from his side, Ling Yuan's voice suddenly chimed in, sounding a bit aggrieved.
"Your Highness, you promised not to call Chrysanthemum 'sister' in front of me."
"Uh, I was fooled by her appearance again," Qian Renjue responded awkwardly, laughing.
Then, under Ling Yuan Douluo's glare, he returned to more serious matters.
"Sister Ling, I'll need you to work hard and refine all those pills."
"Don't worry, Your Highness, Ling Yuan will do her best," Ling Yuan Douluo immediately responded, her expression serious.
"But for now, Your Highness should rest. The Pope ordered me to make sure you rest properly"
"Alright, let's head back then."
Qian Renjue smiled helplessly as he raised his hand, storing the carriage into his system space.
("Ah——!")
The Soft Bone Rabbit let out a startled cry, shaking its dusty head in confusion as it watched the carriage disappear.
Seeing Qian Renjue walking away, it immediately bolted after him, crying out in confusion.
"Squeak squeak!"
(Your Highness, wait for Xiao Wu, wait for Xiao Wu!)