"Xiao Hancan?"
"So, your relationship with Junior Brother is that close? You even use terms of endearment that only Daoist couples would use?"
Fu Anan said, her expression no longer the gentle warmth from before. Instead, her brows furrowed tightly, giving off the aura of an immortal judging a sinner who had fallen into the demonic path.
Mo Bai waved dismissively, unconcerned, and said,
"You just don't get it. This is proof of how close us men can be."
Fu Anan took a deep breath. If it weren't for what Lin Qingming had told her, she probably wouldn't have cared. After all, what could possibly happen between two men?
But now, things were different...
That one sentence:
"That kid Xiao Han is 'stealing the house,' trying to drag that lazy bum onto the path of Longyang..."
That one sentence completely woke her up.
When she turned back to think about the intimate interactions between the two, they no longer seemed so innocent in her eyes.
Still, she didn't fully believe it yet.
After all, that information came from a top-tier rival.
It might very well be part of some strategy.
However, the credibility of that statement skyrocketed the moment she heard Mo Bai call him Xiao Hancan.
Now, all she wanted was to figure out the truth of this matter and come up with an appropriate response...
"If you want..." Mo Bai paused at this point, stood up from the hammock, and looked serious.
"If you want, I can call you Xiao Anan too."
Hearing this, the chaotic mess of thoughts in Fu Anan's mind instantly dissipated.
Her mind was now stuck on that one phrase:
Xiao Anan.
Didn't I just say that's something only Daoist couples would call each other?
If he's calling me that now, doesn't that mean he's admitting that I'm his Daoist partner? Daoist partner. Daoist partner...
Mo Bai took her hand—her hand, which was still clutching his—and looked into her eyes with sincerity.
"Of course," he said, "that's assuming you help me settle this disciple recruitment issue first."
At this point, Mo Bai's expression froze, and his tone began to shift:
"Senior Sister, you really have to help me this time. If I take this disciple, I'll never have a peaceful day again!!"
"I'm sure of it—Master must have an entire set of schemes waiting for me!!"
Fu Anan: (ー_ー)
What was I even expecting just now!?
This lazy fish, how could he possibly have such thoughts?
Suddenly, Fu Anan's expression stiffened.
She remembered what Lin Qingming had just said.
Fu Anan stood frozen on the spot, her mind spinning.
Could it be... this guy has already been led astray by that brat Xiao Han? Is that why he doesn't have the right mindset anymore...?
The more she thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.
Though she was reluctant to admit it, that brat Xiao Han was undeniably good-looking.
And his efforts to curry favor? Off the charts.
In just a year, he'd practically become Mo Bai's exclusive food supplier...
"No wonder... no wonder Lin Qingming said we'd been 'stolen from home.'"
"But what does it even mean to be stolen by another man?!"
At this moment, Fu Anan's mind was completely consumed by this matter.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.
She suddenly found herself sharing the same sentiment as Lin Qingming:
"With me around, how dare you go messing around with another man?!"
"No, wait... this is just Lin Qingming's speculation."
"I need to confirm the situation quickly and get to the bottom of this..."
The thought took root and completely occupied her mind.
Everything else was set aside—this was now her top priority.
She looked up and met Mo Bai's eyes, which were filled with a mix of sincerity and pleading.
She'd seen that look many times before and usually couldn't help but assist him.
But right now? She had absolutely no energy left to deal with him.
"Senior Brother, this was a direct order from the Sect Leader. If you have an issue, take it up with them. I've got something urgent to handle, so I'll be leaving now."
With that, she didn't give him a chance to reply.
A single leaf landed lightly at her feet, and in the next moment, it carried her into the distance, straight toward her goal.
Mo Bai: (||๐_๐)
"How could this happen? Where did it go wrong? She used to help me when I said that!"
The little sprite beside him covered her mouth, stifling a laugh:
"Looks like the plot is starting to correct itself—whether it's about taking on a disciple or the personalities of the main characters!"
"Heh, see? Following the plot is the way to go!"
"Very soon, everything will return to its proper track. The girls who are supposed to grow closer to you will grow closer, and those who are meant to be your rivals will act accordingly!"
At this, the little sprite began swinging her tiny legs, her face brimming with delight as she looked at Mo Bai:
"Little Bai Bai, as long as we stick to the plot, we'll transcend everything in the end!"
Mo Bai glanced at her.
Just as he was about to say something, a food box suddenly flew over. He reflexively reached out and caught it.
Before he could react further, the figure that had been hiding on the rooftop vanished in an instant, leaving only a fleeting silhouette.
The little sprite burst into even louder laughter:
"See, see? Even your junior sister is getting back on track! The moment she heard you were hungry, she rushed to bring you food—she's just too shy to face you directly!"
Mo Bai raised an eyebrow, looking in the direction she had disappeared. Then, with a faint smile, he turned to the little sprite and said:
"If you keep spouting nonsense, I don't mind stuffing you into the food box and eating you along with it."
"No, no, I still think the method I mentioned earlier is better."
The little sprite froze for a moment, then suddenly turned into a streak of white light and vanished.
"Hmph, meanie!"
A voice echoed in Mo Bai's mind.
At this moment, Mo Bai lowered his head to glance at the food box in his hand.
Opening it, he found one dessert after another neatly arranged inside.
Normally, seeing these desserts would bring a smile to his face, but this time, his brows furrowed slightly.
His mind began to swirl with some unspoken thoughts.
"Plot correction?"
"Does something like that really exist?"
"Ah, whatever, who cares. I'll just do what I need to do. With my lazy, salted-fish attitude, there's no way I could be a villain anyway..."
"Hmm? Why is my hand moving on its own? Oh, this Ice Crystal Cake smells amazing, and even Jade Dragon Whiskers are in here!"
"Well, after I finish all of this, I'll go talk to Master. I really can't take on a disciple. He knows that too—probably just has some other matter to discuss with me... sigh..."
"Oh~ this is delicious. Little Xi, want a bite?"
[Ding! You've gained 30 Villain Points, Source—Ling Xi.]
"Hmph, as a system sprite, I can survive without eating! I don't need your fake kindness!!"
"That's a shame then. Ah, this unique texture..."
[Ding! You've gained 20 Villain Points, Source—Ling Xi.]
...
At the same time, by a pond elsewhere.
Lin Qingming and Fu Anan stood side by side, each with a serious expression on their face.
"Junior Sister Qingming, you understand what you said earlier, right? This isn't something to joke about…"
Fu Anan said, her tone filled with gravity.
Lin Qingming's expression remained unchanged:
"You probably had some suspicions when you came here, didn't you?"
"The first time I noticed something was about a month ago…"
Fu Anan's eyes widened in shock—one month ago? It was that early?