"Because..."
In the kitchen.
Just as Ye Tian was about to open his mouth and placate Qian Renxue for the time being...
Bi Bi Dong had already arrived at the doorway.
Seeing Qian Renxue sitting side-by-side with Ye Tian, watching over the stove fire, she couldn't help but furrow her shapely brows and let out a low cry.
"What are you two doing?"
"Ah!"
Seeing Bi Bi Dong, Qian Renxue instantly shot to her feet, waving her hands frantically.
She had followed Ye Tian's advice.
For now, she called out...
"Sister!"
"We weren't doing anything."
"Is that so?"
Bi Bi Dong raised an eyebrow, glancing at the steaming medicine pot on the stove, which was emitting the fragrant aroma of meat.
Ye Tian stood up and explained, "Teacher, Little Xue came here this morning and said she wanted to help you make soup. I had no choice, so I took the liberty of starting it early."
As Ye Tian spoke, he felt a sense of helplessness in his heart. He had no idea if Qian Renxue, upon learning the true purpose of this chicken soup, would come to hate herself as well, seeing herself as an accomplice.
"Ah, right!"
With Ye Tian backing her up, Qian Renxue finally came to her senses. She hadn't done anything wrong, so there was no need to be so flustered.
Her golden hair swayed as she put on a cheeky smile, pointed at the steaming pot, and said cheerfully, "I came to help Sister make soup, and it just so happens to be ready now!"
"..."
Bi Bi Dong gazed at the noble girl before her, with her purple eyes and golden hair, and a hint of a daze appeared in her own eyes.
She was acting, but Qian Renxue's feelings were genuine.
These past few days were the only friendly contact they had shared in all these years. How could Bi Bi Dong's heart not be moved?
Ye Tian understood her conflict. In this situation, whether she killed him or not, she would be destined to live in some form of pain.
Aside from the bubbling of the chicken soup, the kitchen fell silent.
Bi Bi Dong stared at Qian Renxue, somewhat lost in thought.
"Sister, what's wrong?" Qian Renxue asked, carefully craning her neck.
"It's nothing," Bi Bi Dong replied faintly.
A determined light rekindled in the depths of her eyes, and her expression returned to one of calm.
Admittedly, Ye Tian's persuasion and Qian Renxue's sincerity had shaken her resolve, both from without and within. But she had never wavered; she would absolutely not stop because of this!
She was just half a day away, just this one final step... She absolutely could not fail!
If Qian Xunji didn't die, she would forever struggle in the pain of the past. The best way to escape a nightmare was to tear it to shreds completely!
As her voice fell, Bi Bi Dong focused her gaze on Ye Tian, her tone softening slightly.
"You shouldn't drink the chicken soup today."
"Alright."
Ye Tian nodded. He didn't really want to drink it anyway, but he couldn't very well refuse her good intentions.
Bi Bi Dong gave a slight nod. This was the last meal she had prepared for Qian Xunji; it was inauspicious. If Ye Tian liked it, there would be plenty of opportunities in the future. She would even feed it to him herself.
"Move aside."
Bi Bi Dong spoke as she walked further in.
Qian Renxue obediently stepped to the side, casting a somewhat resentful glance at Ye Tian. Bi Bi Dong's attitude towards him made even Qian Renxue feel a little jealous. It seemed the most enduring confession of love was no match for the advantage of proximity.
While Qian Renxue was grumbling to herself, Bi Bi Dong had already extinguished the fire and finished packing the chicken soup.
"Teacher."
Ye Tian placed the lid on the box and presented it with both hands.
"..."
Bi Bi Dong silently reached out and pinched Ye Tian's cheek before picking up the food box, ready to leave.
As she passed by Qian Renxue, she caught sight of the girl's somewhat dejected and sour-looking beautiful eyes. Bi Bi Dong acted as if she saw nothing. She walked past her on her own, her gaze shifting as she tightened her jade-like hand.
Still, she paused her steps, standing just outside the door.
Her somewhat cold face softened, and her delicate, thin lips parted slightly.
"This might be the only time in this life..."
"I suppose this will leave no regrets."
Bi Bi Dong murmured to herself and turned back to look at the girl who was staring at her back.
Under Ye Tian and Qian Renxue's puzzled gazes, Bi Bi Dong instructed softly, "Come here for a moment."
"Me?"
Qian Renxue pointed at herself uncertainly, unable to resist glancing at Ye Tian. It wasn't until she saw the boy roll his eyes at her that she finally understood.
"Ah, ah..."
Qian Renxue hurriedly strode over to Bi Bi Dong, her face a mixture of confusion and anticipation.
"Sister, what is it?"
"Teacher!"
Ye Tian instantly noticed Bi Bi Dong's hand, which was about to swing towards Qian Renxue's face.
A crisp slap!
It rang out at the same time as his somewhat anxious cry.
Ye Tian froze on the spot. Qian Renxue's delicate body trembled slightly.
Bi Bi Dong's palm was pressed against her face. There was no pain at all. Even though it was cool, she could feel a trace of warmth from it.
Qian Renxue's pink lips parted slightly. The Jade Palm on her face caressed her skin, and the beautiful face before her drew closer.
Closer than ever before!
Mwah!
"!!!"
Ye Tian's eyes widened.
Qian Renxue, as if struck by lightning, went rigid. Her wide eyes trembled nonstop, as if trying to capture the face before her from every possible angle.
The moist sensation on her cheek caused Qian Renxue's brain to lose all capacity for thought.
A warm, fragrant breeze swirled by her ear.
"Are you satisfied now?"
Bi Bi Dong gently stroked Qian Renxue's face, her own head resting against the side of her cheek, her questioning voice softer than it had ever been.
"Mmm... Mmm!"
Tears welled up in Qian Renxue's eyes. As if she had lost the ability to speak, she nodded repeatedly, letting out soft hums that grew heavier and heavier.
But that tenderness came as quickly as it went. Like a flash of lightning across the sky, it was gone in an instant, and the bone-chilling winter returned, leaving Qian Renxue's eyes filled with bewilderment.
There was even a hint of panic!
"If you're satisfied, then get lost."
Tossing out the ice-cold words, Bi Bi Dong pushed Qian Renxue away and walked off into the distance, carrying the prepared medicinal soup.
Her eyes were slightly red, filled with a deep, unyielding resolve.
From this day forward, regardless of whether this child treated her as a stranger or sought revenge, she would bear it all.
Ye Tian watched the scene unfold before him, covering his face in a profound sense of powerlessness. He would have preferred Qian Renxue never got to taste this piece of candy that was about to turn into a bitterness agent.
"Wh-why?"
Qian Renxue's voice was choked with sobs as she clutched the cheek Bi Bi Dong had kissed. She looked back at Ye Tian, tears streaming down her face.
"Ye Tian..."
"Why? I... I clearly wanted to smile."
"..."
Qian Renxue let the tears pour from her eyes, sobbing mournfully. In that fleeting moment, she felt as if she could never grasp hold of the other person again!
"Little Xue."
Ye Tian looked at Qian Renxue, who was crying a river of tears for the third time before him. He couldn't help but walk forward and raise his hands.
He cupped her face, gently wiping away her tears.
In a soft, gentle voice, he said, "Little Xue, have you still not figured out the reason she hates you?"
"What?"
Qian Renxue's eyes were filled with confusion.
Ye Tian pressed his lips together, took a deep breath, and was just about to give her a bold hint when a pair of eyes, brimming with a chilling killing intent, locked onto him