"Huh? What did you say?!"
Ye Qiu was momentarily stunned, not hearing clearly. He leaned in closer and asked again.
Seeing Ye Qiu come closer, Xiao Wu felt a flutter in her heart, her face blushing red. She recalled how he used to bully her in the same way. She put down the carrot in her hand, swallowed the sweetness in her mouth, and said in a clear, melodious voice, "Sister Xiao Wu is asking… would you kick me away?!"
"Uh-haha…" Ye Qiu froze for a moment, then burst out laughing. He hadn't expected Xiao Wu to ask such a question. His interest was piqued. Propping his face with one hand, a teasing glint flickered in his black eyes.
"You can relax about that. I won't kick you now. Maybe when you're older, we'll see. After all, you made me miss out on so much rabbit meat… So, just like earlier—make it up to me using yourself, and feed me."
After saying that, Ye Qiu smacked his lips, his eyes showing a bit of anticipation as he looked at Xiao Wu.
Having felt Ye Qiu's inappropriate thoughts many times before whenever he fantasized about her growing up, Xiao Wu fully understood what he meant by "feed." Her heart suddenly raced, and she bit her silver teeth, her eyelids flushed red with embarrassment as she shouted:
"You—you're not allowed to have those dirty thoughts!"
"Alright, alright, I'll try not to think about them. But tell me, will you or won't you make it up to me using yourself?"
Ye Qiu chuckled and nodded slightly. He was still just a kid, and thinking about these things might not be good for his development.
Looking at Xiao Wu's delicate features, with strands of light brown hair swaying at the corners of her eyes, Ye Qiu showed a faintly teasing smile and reached out, wanting to pinch her soft little cheek.
"Ah! You!"
Just as he was about to touch her, Xiao Wu squealed and dodged away, her face red with shame. "Don't even think about it! You just said you didn't like that!"
Ye Qiu smiled faintly, gave Xiao Wu a once-over, and then formed a frame with his index fingers and thumbs, looking at her through the square. He said with a grin, "I never said I didn't like it. Of course, if you don't turn out pretty when you grow up, then I won't want you anymore."
"What?! But you already…" Xiao Wu's face changed, a hint of panic appearing. She stopped mid-sentence and looked at Ye Qiu with grievance.
He had already kissed her, and she'd kissed him too. According to Ye Qiu's own words, that was equivalent to "stamping" her. How could he say something like that…
Xiao Wu blinked, sniffled, and hurriedly exclaimed, "Sister Xiao Wu will definitely grow up prettier than she is now!"
Her eyes, tinged with red, sparkled with watery light. The delicate and alluring look on her face made Ye Qiu feel much better.
"Alright, alright, enough. Let's talk about that when you actually grow up pretty," Ye Qiu waved it off. He knew he was joking. He believed that once Xiao Wu matured, whether in looks or figure, she'd definitely be top-notch.
Ye Qiu reached into his clothes and pulled out a few lollipops, placing them on the table. "Here, just make do with this for lunch. I'm going to return the lunchbox to Grandpa Jack and let him know not to prepare any more rabbit meat tonight."
"Ye Qiu, where are you taking those bunny meats?"
Looking at the lollipops on the table and seeing Ye Qiu pack up the rabbit meat, Xiao Wu couldn't help asking.
Ye Qiu replied, "Can't waste food. I'll bring it back to Grandpa Jack. Just pretend you didn't see it."
"Oh~"
Xiao Wu gave in and nodded.
After saying that, Ye Qiu ignored her and walked out. Seeing the bedboards sun-drying outside, he didn't forget to remind Xiao Wu: "By the way, the bedboards outside—once they're dry enough, bring them in before they crack in the sun."
"Did you hear me?!"
"Sister Xiao Wu got it!"
Hearing her sweet shout, Ye Qiu finally carried the items and headed toward Grandpa Jack's house.
Xiao Wu looked at the candies on the table, recalling the earlier conversation. Her face burned with embarrassment.
It was all Ye Qiu's fault!
He always talked so shamelessly.
Xiao Wu touched her soft little face with her hand and looked down at her small frame, suddenly feeling a bit anxious. What if she didn't grow up as pretty as Ye Qiu imagined?!
"Ah~ No way! Sister Xiao Wu will definitely grow up beautiful!"
---
At this time, some villagers were heading back out to the fields to continue working. As Ye Qiu walked along, just greeting everyone had made his throat dry.
Still, it gave him a sense of pride, a kind of "returning in glory" feeling. After all, to the villagers, soul masters were indeed prestigious figures.
Time flew.
As the sun began to set, villagers working in the fields picked up their hoes and started heading home.
On a small hillside—where Tang San often trained—three figures stood quietly.
Maybe it was because Tang San had just lost his father and was feeling lonely, cold, and isolated. He actually took the initiative to invite Ye Qiu and Xiao Wu for a walk and chat.
Ye Qiu didn't reject him. Maybe Tang San was hoping to gain a big brother. So Ye Qiu brought Xiao Wu along.
On the hillside, both Ye Qiu and Xiao Wu had newly added silent sleeve darts on their wrists—hidden weapons Tang San had modified and gifted to them.
Ye Qiu didn't quite believe the whole "sworn brothers" thing. He understood clearly—Tang San wouldn't let anyone ride on top of him without resistance.
Standing in the middle, Ye Qiu looked at the setting sun, his smile warm and radiant. He looked friendly and approachable.
Xiao Wu stood beside him, staring at Ye Qiu's profile—still childish, but full of confidence. The sunset sketched his outline in gold.
Tang San silently observed Ye Qiu.
After a year, he had realized Ye Qiu's talent was immense, even surpassing his own. Though he had spent time on theory and hidden weapons, Ye Qiu's talent was undeniable.
He also understood Ye Qiu's temperament—laid-back, not overly concerned about things, able to blend in with kids, without any deep scheming.
Well—except for a bit of mischief now and then.
And maybe a little lecherous?! But still very frugal—not even a single grain of rice wasted in his bowl.
Ye Qiu stretched his arms lazily and turned to Tang San. "Xiao San, it's getting late. Let's call it a day. We'll have plenty more chances later."
"Mm, see you tomorrow then." Tang San smiled slightly. He was quite satisfied with Ye Qiu's look of shock when he saw his hidden weapon.
People admire strength—especially in the soul master world. He was confident he could win Ye Qiu's admiration and eventually, loyalty.
Unfortunately, Tang San didn't know—Ye Qiu's acting skills were superb. That "shock" was all fake.
"Bye, Xiao San!" Xiao Wu waved goodbye. When she turned back, Ye Qiu had already walked ahead. She stomped her feet and chased after him with little steps.
"Ye—Ye Qiu, you're too fast! Wait for Sister Xiao Wu!"
"Run faster yourself!"
Ye Qiu didn't slow down at Xiao Wu's call.
He wanted her to understand—sometimes, even if she shouted "don't go," his steps forward wouldn't stop.
Watching them walk off, hearing their bickering, Tang San couldn't help but smile bitterly. It seemed only Ye Qiu could handle Xiao Wu. But seeing Xiao Wu clinging to Ye Qiu again… made Tang San's smile stiffen unconsciously.
---
Returning to Grandpa Jack's house, once they confirmed that dinner didn't include rabbit meat, Xiao Wu finally sighed in relief. Carrying the food in one hand and holding onto Ye Qiu's arm with the other, they walked along like a little married couple.
Looking at her hand holding the food, Xiao Wu curiously asked, "Ye Qiu, where did Tang San's hidden weapon—the sleeve dart—come from?"
"I'll tell you later." Ye Qiu glanced at her and said indifferently, not stopping his steps. However, his forearm within the sleeve had already undergone Martial Soul Possession.
Hidden weapons have gaps. As long as there are gaps, venom can seep in. As for the inner structure, Ye Qiu could easily figure it out.
He had already seen through Tang San's intentions. But Ye Qiu wasn't someone whose appetite could be satisfied by a mere silent sleeve dart.
Especially since Xiao Wu's identity was now known to Tang Hao. Unless father and son were willing to give up the hundred-thousand-year soul ring and soul bone, there could be no peace between them.
Not to mention—Ye Qiu had secretly joined the Spirit Hall.
"Oh~" Xiao Wu responded softly, her tone a little disappointed. She didn't speak further and simply clutched Ye Qiu's sleeve tightly, following closely beside him.