"?"
Dai Chengfeng looked at Ning Rongrong, who had suddenly moved closer, and felt a jolt of alarm. "No, stop messing around!"
"What's wrong?"
Ning Rongrong looked at Dai Chengfeng's exaggerated reaction with curiosity.
You're asking me what's wrong?
I should be asking you!
Do you even know what time it is? Why are you causing trouble now?
Dai Chengfeng felt the two pairs of "burning" gazes behind him and inwardly groaned in despair.
"No, I was just… thinking about something earlier, and I got a bit absorbed."
He struggled to maintain his composure, wanting nothing more than to send Ning Rongrong away as quickly as possible. Every extra second she stayed increased his risk exponentially!
After all, who knew what unexpected mischief this little troublemaker from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda Sect might pull?
If there really was something between them, Dai Chengfeng would have accepted it.
But there was absolutely nothing, and if a misunderstanding arose, he'd be utterly helpless, tears streaming down his face.
Meanwhile, inside the cramped, dark wardrobe, another scene was unfolding.
The space was already limited. Earlier, when Hu Liena had hidden alone, she'd needed to curl up; now, with two people squeezed into the tiny area, the level of crowding was unimaginable.
Zhu Zhuqing and Hu Liena were practically pressed body to body, arm to arm, forced into this confined space.
In the darkness, their vision was restricted, heightening their other senses.
Both could clearly feel the outline of each other's bodies, their warmth, and even hear the faint, awkward breathing they were trying to suppress.
For a moment, the air was thick with an incredibly strange, awkward, and almost suffocating atmosphere.
Both women leaned backward as much as possible, trying to create even a millimeter of distance between them, but the wardrobe was just too small—where else could they hide?
Zhu Zhuqing's body stiffened completely. She tightly pursed her lips, her expression icy.
Hu Liena wasn't faring much better.
She huddled on the other side, trying to minimize her presence, but still felt unbearably uncomfortable.
All she could do was silently pray for Ning Rongrong to leave soon…
Outside the wardrobe, Dai Chengfeng was struggling to deal with Ning Rongrong.
"Are you sure nothing's wrong?"
Ning Rongrong still seemed somewhat suspicious. She tilted her head, like a curious kitten. "But earlier in the hallway, I thought I vaguely heard voices… and it sounded like more than one girl?"
As she spoke, her gaze casually swept over the room again, this time lingering slightly longer on the closed wardrobe door.
That brief pause caused the hearts of the two inside to skip a beat simultaneously!
Dai Chengfeng hurriedly interjected, "Rongrong, your hearing is too sharp. You must've heard wrong!"
"It's late at night. How could there be any girls' voices? It probably came from another room."
Ning Rongrong made a noncommittal "oh" sound, but the flames of gossip in her lively eyes hadn't completely died out.
She didn't seem to have any intention of leaving immediately and instead took a few casual steps around the room.
Her movements appeared relaxed, but her eyes were still stealthily observing.
Dai Chengfeng watched Ning Rongrong, who showed no signs of leaving…
This little troublemaker—if she stayed any longer, something disastrous was bound to happen!
Thinking this…
"Ahem, Rongrong, look at the time—it's getting late. It's not really appropriate for a young lady to stay in my room for too long…"
Dai Chengfeng tried to politely hint that it was time for her to leave.
"What's inappropriate?" Ning Rongrong pouted. "Aren't we friends?"
"Besides, Zhu Zhuqing often comes to discuss things with you. I've never seen you think that's inappropriate."
She said this offhandedly…
But inside the wardrobe, Zhu Zhuqing's body stiffened further, and the temperature around her seemed to drop a few degrees.
Hu Liena instinctively shrank back.
Just as Dai Chengfeng was on the verge of "despair," contemplating whether to pretend he suddenly fell ill to scare Ning Rongrong away, she unexpectedly changed the topic herself.
"Never mind, let's not talk about that."
She waved her hand dismissively, seemingly remembering the "real reason" she had come.
"I actually came to ask you about tomorrow's travel plans. What time are we leaving? Will today's adventure affect our schedule?"
As she spoke, a sly fox-like smile spread across her face.
At this moment, Dai Chengfeng had no interest in discussing departure times. He only wanted this little terror to leave as soon as possible.
He quickly nodded, "Thank you so much for your concern, Miss Rongrong. Nothing will affect our plans."
"It's really late now. You should go back and rest. We need to be well-rested for tomorrow's journey."
"Well, alright," Ning Rongrong nodded. "Since you're so eager to get rid of me, I won't disturb your 'rest.'"
She deliberately emphasized the word "rest," her tone teasing and mischievous.
She glanced once more at the wardrobe before turning and walking toward the door with light, cheerful steps.
"I'm leaving now. Goodnight, Dai Chengfeng~ Big Brother!"
Ning Rongrong drew out her words playfully and, before leaving, added one final jab.
"Click."
The soft sound of the lock closing echoed clearly in the silent room.
???
Watching Ning Rongrong, who had managed to throw one last curveball before leaving, Dai Chengfeng finally understood why she was called a little troublemaker.
Previously, he had always underestimated her. This Ning Rongrong…
She truly was an unadulterated little devil!!!
Dai Chengfeng sighed helplessly. He knew the immediate crisis had been temporarily resolved…
But because of Ning Rongrong's parting remark, the real storm was likely just beginning.
Dai Chengfeng thought about this as he reluctantly turned to face the wardrobe, which now seemed infinitely more terrifying than a dragon's den or a tiger's lair.
He took a deep breath and, with trembling hands, slowly, very slowly, opened the wardrobe door.
Light flooded into the wardrobe.
Zhu Zhuqing and Hu Liena stood stiffly, one on each side, squeezed into the narrow space.
Both wore extremely unpleasant expressions.
As the door opened, the long-suppressed, suffocating awkwardness and icy "killing intent" burst forth like a flood, completely engulfing Dai Chengfeng.
Zhu Zhuqing was the first to step out of the wardrobe, her movements still crisp and decisive.
But the oppressive aura she exuded made the room's temperature seem to drop by several degrees.
"Dai Chengfeng, what was that 'Big Brother' business just now?"
Zhu Zhuqing looked at Dai Chengfeng, her expression caught between amusement and irritation.
Hu Liena also nodded. "Yeah, didn't you say you were completely innocent with that little troublemaker from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda Sect?"
"Big Brother~"
"Is this how you stay 'innocent'?"
Dai Chengfeng looked at the two women, who had been at odds moments ago but now seemed united in their accusations, feeling utterly baffled.
But soon, he shook his head with a wry smile. "I swear, Ning Rongrong and I are completely innocent. She's just like that—I think she must've discovered you two!"
"You have to believe me!"
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