Before Xiao Wu could even finish her sentence—
Ye Qiu flicked her forehead with a light knock, looking annoyed.
"Ouch!"
Xiao Wu winced, a tear almost slipping from the corner of her eye as she looked at Ye Qiu, confused and pitiful.
Ye Qiu raised his fist with a teasing smile. "Well, well, you little pervy rabbit. So young and already thinking about such naughty things?"
"You!"
Xiao Wu held her head and pouted, realizing Ye Qiu was teasing her again. Her lip puffed into a pout as she protested, "You're the one who started it! Don't call me pervy rabbit!"
"Tch. You're my little bunny—I'll call you whatever I like."
Ye Qiu slung an arm around her shoulders and gave her cheek a playful nibble, leaving a faint mark of his teeth behind.
"Ying~"
Xiao Wu bit her lip, squinting one eye shut as her hands gripped his clothes tightly. After he let go, she peeked up at him shyly and whispered, "Even if you call me that... you can't do it in front of others..."
Ye Qiu couldn't help laughing. "Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore. Let's go. We'll talk on the way."
He took Xiao Wu's hand into his and led her back toward Dorm Seven. Xiao Wu stayed silent, her pretty face glowing like a sunset sky.
Their fingers were interlocked, and deep in her heart, Xiao Wu was being overwhelmed by Ye Qiu's sweet words. She was both shy and slightly annoyed—but also undeniably happy.
After refining the Heartbreak Red, Xiao Wu's spirit power had jumped from level 32 to level 44—an increase of 12 levels! As expected from the King of Immortal Herbs—its effects were simply monstrous.
Also—
Xiao Wu's regeneration ability had grown immensely. To test it, Ye Qiu even gave her a "hickey" on her neck. The purplish-red mark disappeared in just moments, leaving her skin smooth and flawless as porcelain.
Although... her brain was still steaming.
When the two of them returned to Dorm Seven, Xiao Wu's face was still bright red, and her neck still carried a faint blush from that "berry." Clearly, she hadn't recovered from that sweet moment.
Like a shy little bride, she followed behind Ye Qiu with her head down, not daring to meet anyone's eyes.
Meanwhile, Tang San, who had just returned from training with Yu Xiaogang and was resting on his bed, immediately noticed their return. His eyes flickered as he sat up and asked in confusion, "Ye Qiu, where did you take Xiao Wu?"
"Oh? It's you, Little San... nowhere special, just took her out for a little walk," Ye Qiu replied with a casual smile.
His eyes narrowed as he looked at the guy trying to steal his bunny. Alertness flared in his heart.
This damn Tang San is shady as hell.
Even after Ye Qiu had already shared a bed with Xiao Wu, this guy still dared to harbor filthy thoughts about her. Disgusting!
Ye Qiu squeezed the soft hand in his palm, secretly marveling—this rabbit really was soft.
Xiao Wu pursed her lips, her face reddening further.
"A walk, huh?" Tang San looked unconvinced. His gaze lingered on Xiao Wu's flushed cheeks and slightly reddened ears. He frowned and asked with concern, "Xiao Wu doesn't look so well. Don't tell me you bullied her again?"
Ye Qiu tilted his head, looking at him strangely. "Say, Little San… when did you start caring so much about Xiao Wu?"
"Ah?!"
Ye Qiu's question made Tang San's face change slightly.
But he quickly recovered with that usual calculating calm, and said with an odd smile, "What are you saying? We've known each other for years, lived under the same roof. Isn't it natural to care for one another?"
As he spoke, he gave Ye Qiu a wry smile and tried to sound helpless. "I even thought about making Xiao Wu my little sister over summer break—but she didn't want to."
"You wish!"
Suddenly, Xiao Wu raised her head from behind Ye Qiu and snorted coldly. "Xiao Wu only does older sisters, not little sisters!"
"Oh, really?"
Ye Qiu's face showed surprise as he turned to the blushing Xiao Wu beside him.
Of course, he already knew the truth. That "older sister only" excuse was just Xiao Wu's way of dodging Tang San's advances.
Noticing Ye Qiu's gaze, Xiao Wu quickly tightened her grip on his arm, afraid he might misunderstand. She had always been obedient, never getting too close to Tang San.
"Yes…"
Tang San's expression dimmed, though he quickly masked it with a warm smile. He spoke seriously, "Even if Xiao Wu doesn't want to be my sister, I can still treat her like family, right? If anyone tries to hurt her… they'll have to step over my corpse first!"
Ye Qiu cursed inwardly.
You manipulative bastard. So that's how it is? Playing the noble martyr to get close to her? You're laying your cards right on the table now, huh?
On the surface, Ye Qiu stayed calm, smiling as he asked playfully, "What about me?"
"Huh?"
Tang San froze, then waved dismissively. "Forget it. You'd never want to be my little brother."
Then he added seriously, "But… we can still be friends."
"Haha! Didn't think you knew me so well!" Ye Qiu laughed heartily, though inwardly he was still gauging just how sincere Tang San really was.
Tang San smiled awkwardly.
It's not like he wanted to understand Ye Qiu.
But how could someone younger than him keep calling him "Little San" like he's a kid!?
Ye Qiu didn't care about Tang San's inner drama. He turned to Xiao Wu with a smirk and asked, "Hey bunny, if I were ever in danger… would you protect me?"
"Huh? Of course I would!"
Xiao Wu answered without hesitation, her little face turning bright red. "If anyone dares lay a hand on you, I'll fight them to the death! Unless I'm dead, no one can hurt you!"
"Haha! Little San, would you still protect Xiao Wu in a moment like that?"
Ye Qiu turned to look at Tang San with a grin.
Tang San's already dark face turned even darker. He didn't understand… wasn't Ye Qiu supposed to already have a fiancée? Was that all a lie?
Still, Tang San forced himself to smile. "Of course, I would…"
"Haha, relax! I was just messing with you."
Ye Qiu cut him off mid-sentence and pulled Xiao Wu into his arms.
Ye Qiu didn't believe a word Tang San said. He was the type to keep everything bottled up until someone else got hurt—then he'd unleash his hidden power in a dramatic burst.
Besides—
If Tang Hao really made a move, could Tang San stop him?
"Ah—"
Xiao Wu yelped softly, then nestled quietly into Ye Qiu's embrace.
Tang San's breathing grew heavier.
The scene before him stung. It felt like watching his goddess get shamelessly fondled in broad daylight.
He took a deep breath and asked, "So... what exactly did you two go do just now?"
Ye Qiu held Xiao Wu close and grinned. "Relax, Little San. I didn't bully her. She's blushing because I gave her a gift. She was just really happy, that's all."