"Teacher~"
Hu Liena held Ye Tian's hand and greeted Bi Bi Dong with a lively tone.
Ye Tian also looked toward Bi Bi Dong.
The white dress she wore wasn't as stunning as the purple gown from this morning, yet it carried its own unique charm.
Ye Tian thought,
if he were to take a hairpin and slightly tie up Bi Bi Dong's beautiful hair into a full nun's bun, it would evoke a sense of Li Mochou's solitary pride.
Then he could recite a poem:
"What is love in this world, that it makes life and death inseparable?"
Just imagining it,
Ye Tian already had the scene in his mind, a flicker of amusement flashing in his eyes.
"Heh."
Bi Bi Dong chuckled softly.
As she nodded slightly to Hu Liena,
the light in her purple eyes focused entirely on Ye Tian.
Bi Bi Dong smiled contentedly, saying, "You returned quite quickly. I thought the two of you would eat outside."
"Since Teacher asked Nana to relay the message for me to return early, I naturally dared not delay."
Ye Tian responded softly.
"You'd better mean that."
Bi Bi Dong waved the dust whisk in her hand, a teasing expression on her face.
She scrutinized Ye Tian up and down, searching for any clues.
"Of course~"
Ye Tian smiled, but feeling guilty, he didn't dare meet her gaze for too long.
He took Hu Liena's hand and was about to leave the stairway area.
But clearly,
Bi Bi Dong wouldn't let him off so easily.
"Wait!"
"You brat, come here for a moment!"
Bi Bi Dong narrowed her beautiful eyes slightly and beckoned Ye Tian with a finger.
"..."
Ye Tian helplessly stopped in his tracks,
his mind sounding an alarm.
Ye Tian glanced down at Hu Liena, who looked curious, then smiled and turned to Bi Bi Dong, saying, "Teacher, if there's something to discuss, why don't we sit down and talk over a meal? It's getting late, and Nana and I have already brought back lunch."
"Right, right, let's talk while we eat! Haha—hic!"
Hu Liena giggled in support of Ye Tian, unable to hold back a hiccup.
She embarrassedly wiped the oil from the corner of her mouth
and tossed the chicken bone in her hand into the trash bin under a distant table.
"I do have something to discuss with you, but before that—right now, I have a rather private question I'd like to ask you."
Bi Bi Dong stared intently at Ye Tian.
From this distance,
she hadn't noticed any signs of Ye Tian having been "played with."
Therefore, a closer inspection was needed!
Especially since Ye Tian now seemed intentionally reluctant to approach her.
Was it because of last night's incident?
Bi Bi Dong thought
that was only a possibility.
It couldn't be ruled out that Ye Tian might have indulged in some mischief at the Saint Soul Winery.
"A private question?"
Ye Tian was taken aback, his heart tightening slightly.
"Indeed. Do you want me to come over, or will you come here yourself?"
Bi Bi Dong looked at Ye Tian with a hint of mockery.
The dust whisk in her hand was now connected end to end, held together in her grip.
Pointing it toward Ye Tian.
Seeing Bi Bi Dong's posture, Ye Tian twitched the corner of his mouth and could only yield:
"Fine."
With that,
Ye Tian released Hu Liena's small hand and stepped forward. He stood calmly about a step away from Bi Bi Dong and asked:
"What private matter does Teacher wish to ask about?"
"..."
Bi Bidong did not speak, only shaking her head with a smile that concealed a knife, murmuring softly:
"Still a bit too far."
As she spoke,
the dust whisk in Bi Bidong's hand was flung directly toward Ye Tian.
Swish—!
"!!!"
Ye Tian's pupils contracted sharply, and he instantly felt suffocated.
With Bi Bidong's flick, the dust whisk made from the mane of a ten-thousand-year soul beast instantly coiled around Ye Tian's neck.
The moment it wrapped around Ye Tian,
Bi Bidong felt a sudden tremor in her heart!
It was as if she were not holding a dust whisk, but a chain connected to a collar.
Her eyes revealing a trace of madness, a wicked smile flashed across Bi Bidong's face, her cold voice tinged with excitement: "Private matters, of course, should be whispered!"
Before her words faded,
Bi Bidong gave a sharp tug!
"Damn you—!"
Ye Tian had no time to react, his curse cut short.
To avoid having his neck snapped, he could only surge forward with the force of the pull.
Watching the beautiful, enchanting face magnifying before his eyes...
If he crashed into her like this,
Ye Tian could guarantee that he would send Bi Bidong's delicate body trembling and weak.
He might even manage to push her down in the process...
Groping all over, taking full advantage!
But unfortunately, even if Bi Bidong secretly wished for Ye Tian to succeed,
he was not that kind of person.
"..."
Bi Bidong's pupils trembled slightly as she watched Ye Tian lunging toward her.
Amidst her excitement,
her arms had already lifted slightly, ready to embrace Ye Tian fully.
Even her throat quivered with anticipation...
"Ah!"
Just as Ye Tian was about to crash into Bi Bidong's voluptuous body, their faces nearly colliding, Hu Liena couldn't help but let out a startled cry.
She covered her face with both hands, somewhat frightened.
But the expected sound of bodies colliding did not reach her ears.
Instead, it was a different, dull thud.
Thump!
Hu Liena's delicate frame trembled slightly, and she hurriedly opened her eyes to look.
Her eyes were filled with astonishment.
"Senior Brother?"
"Huff~"
Ye Tian had swiftly spread his arms,
using the doorframes on either side to halt his forward momentum.
His eyes glared at Bi Bidong, who was now inches away,
noticing the peculiar look in her eyes.
Ye Tian was certain—this woman must be having another episode!
"Senior Brother, are you alright?"
Hu Liena stood not far away, nervously watching, wanting to step forward to help but afraid Bi Bidong might turn on her.
"I'm fine, Nana."
Ye Tian quickly reassured Hu Liena.
At the same time, he reminded Bi Bidong to rein it in—someone else was watching!
Hearing this,
Bi Bidong's expression tightened, and the madness in her eyes finally began to fade.
Gulp~
Slowly swallowing the saliva in her mouth, a faint flush appeared on Bi Bidong's fair cheeks.
Yet she had no choice but to scold:
"Lucky you didn't crash into me, or I wouldn't have let you off easy!"
"..."
Ye Tian's lips twitched, cursing inwardly at this shameless woman!
He clearly saw...
the regret flashing in Bi Bidong's eyes!
And here she was, brazenly playing the victim!
"Can we ask now?"
Ye Tian gritted his teeth and asked, having already cast aside his earlier unease, staring directly into Bi Bidong's eyes.
Instead, it was Bi Bidong who grew uneasy.
Her jade-like hand holding the dust whisk trembled slightly, her gaze evasive. After a moment of hesitation and deliberation,
from an angle hidden from Hu Liena's view,
she leaned sideways, gently pressing against Ye Tian's chest, which was braced within the doorframe.
"Actually... it's nothing major."
Bi Bi Dong couldn't help but furrow her delicate brows, as she detected the lingering scents of at least three different women on Ye Tian!
Of course, her own scent was among them.
But hers was only on Ye Tian's clothes, since she hadn't acted recklessly today.
As for the other three scents,
they weren't the kind like body fragrance or milky scent either—
and they were right on Ye Tian's tender face!
Bi Bi Dong's guilty expression sharpened once more. Frowning, she raised her eyes to stare at Ye Tian, cutting straight to the point: "This time, they didn't do anything to you, did they? There weren't any of those 'accidents' you mentioned yesterday, like getting excited and throwing themselves into your arms for kisses, right?!"
"Uh!"
Ye Tian looked at the icy, piercing eyes so close to him, feeling all his hairs stand on end.
Only he could hear Bi Bi Dong's voice, and it carried an extremely oppressive spiritual force fluctuation, putting immense pressure on him!
"O-of course not!"
Ye Tian's defiant gaze lasted no more than three seconds before becoming evasive again. He shook his head repeatedly, avoiding Bi Bi Dong's intense stare, and explained:
"This trip out was mainly to understand from Xue Er the specific details of how the Grand Elder failed to hunt down Tang Hao and how he managed to escape. Also, to distribute the Pills I refined to Nana, Xie Yue, and the others. Nana can vouch for that!"
"Is that so?"
Bi Bi Dong slightly frowned,
her gaze passing by Ye Tian's ear to look at Hu Liena, who was standing frozen not far away.
Among those three scents,
one unmistakably belonged to the lingering milky scent on Hu Liena!
Logically, Bi Bi Dong wouldn't trust Hu Liena. But in reality, Hu Liena at this time truly didn't have the conditions to be flirtatious.
Even so, she couldn't be fully trusted!
After all,
if even an antique carriage could be pulled by a young colt, what more a preschool carriage?
"Hmm?"
Hu Liena felt somewhat uneasy under that faint, elusive gaze and curiously looked toward Bi Bi Dong, who was blocked by Ye Tian.
This kind of look...
was quite similar to the way Sister Xue looked at her?
Could it be...
that Teacher also regarded Brother Ye Tian as her exclusive property, just like Sister Xue?
As soon as this thought surfaced,
Hu Liena startled herself—how could that be possible?!
Bi Bi Dong slowly withdrew her gaze, looking up to scrutinize Ye Tian, and leisurely asked, "Do you think I can trust you?"
"Of course you can!"
Ye Tian nodded repeatedly, not daring to be negligent.
Bi Bi Dong narrowed her eyes at Ye Tian, thought for a moment, and finally nodded.
"Alright, I'll trust you for now."
As her words fell,
the coldness on Bi Bi Dong's face vanished completely.
She knew that something must have happened when Ye Tian was invited to the gathering.
But whether it was about their affairs at the Saint Soul Winery or the matter of the Lovesick Heartbreak Red, it was all merely her speculation.
It hadn't been verified.
Therefore, Bi Bi Dong didn't want to give Ye Tian too hard a time now.
With others already involved at this point, pushing him further would only drive him away.
Bi Bi Dong still understood this basic principle.
"Thank you for your trust, Teacher!"
Ye Tian inwardly sighed in relief, slowly lowering the two hands that had been gripping the doorframe.
"Gratitude isn't just about empty words. I hope you won't betray my trust, and I hope you truly realize that, for you, cultivation is the most important thing. Understand?"
Bi Bidong held the dust whisk in her hand, giving it a gentle tug.
Seeing Ye Tian's suffocated expression, she found herself growing fond of the dust whisk in her hand.
"Uh! Stop messing around!"
Ye Tian's breath hitched as he grabbed Bi Bidong's mischievous jade-like hand and nodded.
"Of course I understand."
"..."
Looking at her hand held by Ye Tian, a hint of delight appeared on Bi Bidong's face.
Recalling what Ye Tian had said earlier, a teasing glint flashed in her eyes as she remarked meaningfully, "Oh, right, there's one more thing. I should have told you this morning."
"What is it?"
Ye Tian raised an eyebrow and was about to lift his head.
But what responded to him was a plump, crimson lip pressed against the corner of his mouth.
Mwah!
In Hu Liena's blind spot, Bi Bidong quietly planted a kiss on Ye Tian's cheek. Her face flushed with a tipsy red hue, her jade hand tugged the dust whisk again, and her fragrant lips hovered near Ye Tian's mouth as she whispered with a smile, "It's nothing major, just a small return gift for last night... a trivial good morning kiss. I suppose such an insignificant gift won't bother you, right?"
"Uh, heh heh... Of course not."
Ye Tian nodded, feeling like crying but having no tears.
He didn't even dare to breathe in the faint fragrance lingering around his nose, nor did he dare to meet Bi Bidong's soft, charming eyes.
Lest sparks truly fly.
This time, he had really dug his own grave.
One could imagine!
In the future, such "insignificant" gifts would be countless.
And he wouldn't even have a reason to refuse.
"Alright, now we can eat and chat."
With a satisfied smile curling at the corner of her lips, Bi Bidong gave the dust whisk a light flick, releasing it from Ye Tian's neck.
She casually tossed it behind her, and the dust whisk landed on the meditation cushion beneath the pill furnace in the room.
Looking at Ye Tian, who was still standing before her, Bi Bidong blushed, placed her hands on her hips, and called out, "You brat, didn't you pack the food? What are you still standing there for?"
"..."
Ye Tian silently turned around, unable to resist lifting his sleeve to wipe his face.
"You brat!"
Bi Bidong gritted her teeth and raised her foot, wanting to kick Ye Tian's butt.
But after glancing at the somewhat bewildered Hu Liena, she decided against it.
Ye Tian soon arrived at the table, waved his sleeve, and all the dishes stored in the Green Pearl Wristguard were laid out on the table.
"Nana, hurry and set out the bowls and chopsticks."
"Got it, Senior Brother!"
Hu Liena responded sweetly and immediately stepped forward, waving her small hand.
There were plenty of pots, pans, bowls, and utensils in the large Soul Guidance Device. Having used them often, she had habitually stored several sets of tableware inside.
Clap!
Hu Liena looked at the table full of delicious dishes, clasped her hands together, and turned to Bi Bidong.
"Alright, Teacher, let's start eating!"
"Mhm~"
Bi Bidong nodded slightly.
As she walked out of the room, she closed the door behind her and strolled over to the table.
The three of them took their seats, finally able to discuss some serious matters.
Holding her chopsticks, Bi Bidong looked at Ye Tian, who sat across from her with his head lowered, not daring to meet her eyes as he shoveled rice into his mouth. She chuckled mockingly, "Judging by your appetite, you must be in a good mood? I suppose you've already heard the news that you're about to become the Spirit Hall's Saint Child?"
"Huh? Saint Child... Senior Brother?!"
Upon hearing Bi Bidong's words, Hu Liena, who was holding a beef bone, instantly looked up.
"Gulp~"
Ye Tian raised his head, swallowed the food in his mouth, and nodded.
"Yes, Xue Er has already told me that Teacher is about to become the Pope and that I will become the Holy Son. She called me over partly to congratulate me."
"Huh—!"
Hu Liena widened her eyes, looking at Bi Bi Dong and Ye Tian in astonishment.
Why didn't she know anything about this?
Does this mean she's about to become the Pope's disciple?!
A flicker of delight flashed in Hu Liena's eyes.
"Oh?"
Bi Bi Dong paid no attention to Hu Liena; her eyes were almost entirely fixed on Ye Tian.
A playful glint shone in her gaze.
"She actually congratulated you? I thought she'd feel like you stole something from her~ It seems she likes you quite a bit."
"Who knows about such things?"
Ye Tian felt a bit of a headache but still maintained his composure,
neither confirming nor denying it!
"Hmph!"
Bi Bi Dong snorted coldly and stopped probing further.
"In seven days, our Succession Ceremony will be held. The invitations will be sent to the major powers in the next couple of days. Do you have any requests for the ceremony? I never held a disciple acceptance ceremony for you before, so now is the chance to make it up to you. Feel free to make any requests—as long as they don't put me in too difficult a position, everything can be arranged."
"?!"
Hearing this,
Ye Tian's expression froze for a moment.
It wasn't because Bi Bi Dong wanted to organize a Succession Ceremony for him, but because he had his sights set on the task of preparing the invitations.
"Teacher can arrange the succession ceremony as you see fit."
"Whatever is most convenient will do."
As he spoke, Ye Tian slowly set down his bowl and chopsticks.
Returning to his usual calm and detached demeanor.
"However, there is one thing I would like to ask for your permission, Teacher."