"Is it really that simple?"
Zhu Zhuqing's cold voice rang out again as she crossed her arms.
She understood Hu Liena and had long suspected the unusual relationship between her and Dai Chengfeng. Though she was frustrated, she wasn't entirely unprepared for it. Her earlier anger stemmed more from the extreme embarrassment of having her intimate moment with Dai Chengfeng discovered.
But Ning Rongrong was different. This little princess of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was mischievous and seemingly innocent.
However, her natural closeness to Dai Chengfeng instantly raised Zhu Zhuqing's guard.
Dai Chengfeng already had Ye Lingling, whose status was sensitive and relationship ambiguous, as well as the fiery Dugu Yan. Now, Hu Liena was almost confirmed…
It was already complicated enough.
Did he really need to add another troublemaker from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect?
Was there even enough to go around?
In contrast to Zhu Zhuqing's inquiry as his fiancée, Hu Liena's mindset was far more subtle.
She knew her position wasn't entirely justified. After all, compared to Zhu Zhuqing, her relationship with Dai Chengfeng was neither legitimate nor straightforward.
Thus, what right did she have to accuse Dai Chengfeng of other romantic entanglements?
But at this moment, she instinctively chose to stand on the same side as Zhu Zhuqing.
This was a delicate alliance—between them, their conflict was an "internal matter." But if an "outsider" tried to intervene, the nature of the situation would be entirely different.
With that, she curved her lips into a faint, ambiguous smile, her tone lazy yet probing:
"Right, Lord Dai, that little troublemaker called you 'Big Brother' so affectionately."
"This 'crystal-clear innocence' of yours might not be so easy to explain, huh?"
Dai Chengfeng looked at the two women who were now united against him and felt utterly helpless, almost on the verge of tears.
"Ning Rongrong and I are as pure as the finest crystal! She's just causing trouble on purpose, stirring up chaos as usual. She definitely noticed you two in the wardrobe and deliberately said those things to mess with me, watching the show!"
"You have to believe me!"
"If you don't… you can ask her yourselves tomorrow!"
His tone was sincere, and his eyes brimmed with innocence.
After all, not a single word of what he said was a lie—it was exactly how it happened!
Zhu Zhuqing and Hu Liena exchanged a glance, both seeing a flicker of doubt in each other's eyes.
Dai Chengfeng's expression didn't seem like he was lying, and they had heard rumors of Ning Rongrong's mischief and playful nature.
Zhu Zhuqing let out a soft snort, her expression slightly easing, though her tone remained icy: "I hope so."
She glanced at Dai Chengfeng, then swept her gaze over the alluring Hu Liena before turning to leave, leaving only one sentence behind:
"We still have a journey ahead tomorrow. Rest early."
Seeing this, Hu Liena chuckled softly and shook her head, casting a meaningful look at Dai Chengfeng:
"It seems Lord Dai won't be getting a peaceful night's sleep tonight~ I'll take my leave as well."
With that, she gracefully followed Zhu Zhuqing out of the room, thoughtfully closing the door gently behind her.
Click.
The door shut tightly once more, and the room finally fell completely silent.
Dai Chengfeng let out a long, deep sigh, feeling as if he had just fought a mentally and physically exhausting battle. He collapsed backward onto the soft bed, drained of energy.
He gazed at the ornate ceiling, his temples throbbing with pain.
Ah, the hearts of women are truly as unpredictable as needles hidden in the ocean depths. The ancients were right!
Just as he relaxed his mind and body, his consciousness drifting, a strange ripple stirred in the air beside the bed. Brilliant golden specks materialized out of thin air, like fireflies on a summer night, swiftly converging and solidifying.
In the blink of an eye, a petite and delicate figure appeared—it was Qiu'er, transformed into her Three-Eyed Golden Lion form.
She affectionately nuzzled Dai Chengfeng's arm, her gem-like eyes filled with dependence.
Dai Chengfeng picked up the little creature and held her in his arms, feeling her soft and warm touch. Much of his frustration and unease melted away.
He gently stroked her satin-smooth fur, unable to help but murmur:
"My little Qiu'er is the most well-behaved. You never cause me trouble or make sarcastic remarks…"
However, the Qiu'er in his arms suddenly lifted her head, her pink mouth moving slightly. A clear, somewhat disdainful young girl's voice directly echoed in Dai Chengfeng's mind:
"Playboy!"
Dai Chengfeng was stunned. He looked down at the martial soul in his arms that dared to "talk back" and couldn't help but laugh in exasperation:
"Hey?"
"I just praised you, and now you're getting cheeky? Have you grown some backbone?"
"You dare call me a playboy? Seems like I've spoiled you too much!"
He pretended to scold her, pinching Qiu'er's little ear. "Turn back into human form! Let me see how I'll discipline you!"
Instead of being afraid, Qiu'er's gem-like eyes instantly lit up with radiant brilliance, filled with unmistakable anticipation and excitement.
Her body glowed with golden light, brighter and more intense than before.
Within the light, the gentle outline of the Three-Eyed Golden Lion rapidly transformed.
As the golden light faded, a breathtakingly beautiful young woman stood elegantly by the bedside.
She was tall and perfectly proportioned, her long, straight legs particularly eye-catching.
Her large wavy, powder-blue hair cascaded down like a waterfall to her waist, the ends slightly curled, adding a touch of charm.
Her skin was as white as snow, smooth and delicate.
Most captivating were her eyes—still the golden gemstone color from her beast form, but now clearer and brighter in her human form. Their shimmering movement conveyed both the purity of innocence and the wild nobility of her soul beast instincts.
Soon after.
Qiu'er tilted her chin slightly, looking at Dai Chengfeng, who seemed momentarily mesmerized. A hint of pride and unrestrained joy danced across her face as she chirped:
"I'm ready!"
"How will you discipline me?"
Dai Chengfeng gazed at the radiant young woman before him, her slight provocation evident in her demeanor.
Her words, "How will you discipline me?" paired with her pure yet wild gaze, created an indescribable allure.
The unnamed frustration stirred up by Zhu Zhuqing and Hu Liena, along with the unique mix of affection and helplessness he felt toward Qiu'er, now blended together in a strange way.
"So, you're asking how I'll discipline you?"
Dai Chengfeng repeated her words, his voice dropping an octave. Then he pointed to the empty space on the soft bed beside him.
"Get down!"
Qiu'er blinked her brilliant golden eyes, her long lashes fluttering like butterfly wings.
Far from being afraid, the mischievous smirk at the corner of her mouth deepened, as if she had been waiting for this moment.
Obediently, she turned around, gracefully lowering herself onto the bed, presenting her curvaceous backside, especially her round and perky curves, fully exposed to Dai Chengfeng without reservation.
Her powder-blue hair spread across the sheets, accentuating her slender waist and alluring figure.
Dai Chengfeng looked at her "ready for whatever" posture, tinged with anticipation, and couldn't help but feel both amused and exasperated.
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