"What?"
"They... slept together?!!"
"That brat Xiao Han, looking all shy??"
"No way, I don't believe it!"
...
After a brief conversation, the two of them understood the information they each held.
The atmosphere grew silent.
After a while, Fu Anan summarized:
"Now it's confirmed—this kid has feelings for Senior Brother, and he's trying to lead him down that path."
"Even if he hasn't agreed to do... that, he's already been subtly influenced and is in a very dangerous position."
Lin Qingming expanded on this:
"Based on what I've observed over this time, that brat is using a 'boiling frog' strategy."
"Continuously satisfying Senior Brother's various 'salty fish' demands—food, drink, everyday items…"
"Trying to make him dependent on him, so that in the end, he'll be forced to give in, follow along, and... you know."
As Lin Qingming continued, her expression grew even more grim:
"And he's been effective at what he's doing. Look at Senior Brother's state now?"
"That 'Xiao Han' nickname..."
Fu Anan chimed in: "When I heard that, I actually got chills!"
Lin Qingming nodded:
"Do you remember the first thing Xiao Han said after he got the communication jade?"
Fu Anan paused, her brow furrowed as she tried to recall.
"Hmm..."
"'Huff, huff... Senior, Senior Brother, I'm at the tavern here—what do you want to eat?'"
"Besides the heavy breathing, what's the problem?" Fu Anan asked.
She still mostly believed it, but she wasn't going to take everything at face value—there was analysis to be done.
"Humph." Lin Qingming sneered, recounting the earlier incident where Mo Bai had sent a message asking for food to be brought.
She then integrated the information she had gathered and continued:
"Based on what I've heard, that guy is currently in the Flame Domain on a training mission."
"I suspect that guy was originally hunting the Flame Demon. After receiving this salted fish's message, he gave up and went straight to the tavern—otherwise, why would he be panting?"
Fu Anan widened her eyes and picked up on Lin Qingming's point:
"To fulfill Senior Brother's somewhat disrespectful request, he ended a crucial training mission. If this isn't part of a much larger plan, I wouldn't believe it…"
She paused, clenching her fists as her expression grew increasingly grim:
"Damn it! I thought I was keeping a close eye on Senior Brother, but it turns out there's a little thief right under my nose, almost snatching away the whole place!"
"Senior Brother's got a screw loose—hungry and he's finding you or Xiao Han but not me."
"Losing to you, I can accept, but losing to a man? I can't die in peace!"
Hearing this, Lin Qingming showed a relieved expression and clapped her hands as she spoke:
"But it's not too late yet. Senior Brother even sent me a message—we can still save him…"
At this, Fu Anan's expression changed drastically:
"Right, now is just the beginning! The battle hasn't even started yet—where's the losing?!"
As soon as she spoke, a faint voice echoed in her ear:
"So, you've finally admitted that you have inappropriate thoughts about salted fish…"
Fu Anan froze, quickly turning her head away.
She had come in undercover, meeting Mo Bai after Lin Qingming. Despite Lin Qingming and Mo Bai's evident animosity, due to long periods of interaction, the two had been marked as a pair. There was no room for anyone else to intervene.
Although Fu Anan had a few stories with Xiao Bai later on, they hadn't yet reached the stage of true commitment. She had been carefully walking that line, waiting for an opportunity to step in and take her place.
Now, a younger brother had appeared, snatching the man away...
"Hmph, do you think you can hide those thoughts from anyone?" Lin Qingming sneered, then suddenly grew serious again: "At least, at least don't lose to a man!"
She felt genuine pressure from Xiao Han—pressure greater than from this seemingly otherworldly figure before her.
"Mm, the first priority now is to resist external threats," Fu Anan nodded, then her expression shifted as she raised a new question: "So, what's your plan?"
Lin Qingming squinted her eyes:
"Simple—if this kind of unfulfilled, twisted feeling is involved, just separate them for a while, and it'll quickly transform into normal friendship!"
"If that doesn't work, then keep them apart."
Hearing this, Fu Anan's eyes brightened—there was another method too.
That was to replace it!
Convince Senior Brother that compared to that stinky man, a girl is better...
In other words... sacrifice herself.
"Well, that method definitely can't be shared…"
Although they had formed an alliance for the moment, the young girl before her was still her enemy.
Fu Anan thought to herself—she would secretly execute her plan: not only bring down the pervert but also defeat this formidable foe with a single shot. It was a two-for-one special—how perfect!
She spoke out loud, saying, "Based on what we just discussed, Xiao Han should be rushing back right now."
"The priority now is to make sure they don't meet," Lin Qingming naturally nodded in agreement.
Imagine it: a guy hears your words, races back from afar, and brings you what you want. Wouldn't that be moving?
Fu Anan was excited:
"I just so happen to have a reason to get Senior Brother away!"
Lin Qingming guessed at it and smiled:
"You mean...?"
"Taking in a disciple!" Fu Anan said, thrilled.
With this excuse, she could keep Xiao Bai close, take him around to see the talented youngsters—let love blossom over time.
Lin Qingming's eyes lit up too:
"Though from what I see, that guy probably won't agree—he'll go straight to the Sect Master."
Hearing this, Fu Anan's expression froze:
"You're right. He definitely would do that."
She knew the Sect Master's real aim wasn't to have him take a disciple—it was something else entirely...
"Dark hand here, a stroke of genius from the Sect Master," she thought with a smile.
At this moment, it was her turn to step in—how could the established rules be changed so easily?
"But no need to worry—I've got a plan on my end too," Lin Qingming added, her expression serious but confident.
Fu Anan quickly composed herself, the two girls sharing a knowing smile…
Meanwhile, Mo Bai, who had just finished his sweets and climbed down from his hammock, was still oblivious.
He had already been pegged by these two leading ladies as a "pretender"!