Creaaak—
Just then, Qian Renxue's window slid open, and a shadow slipped in under the moonlight.
"Hoo, Sister, it sure isn't easy to see you!"
Su Linfeng crept in with the night breeze, cutting off the soul power Qian Renxue had been about to release, turning her alarm into relief.
"Linfeng!"
Qian Renxue let out a breath of relief. Of course—Elder Dugu was guarding outside. If it weren't someone from Spirit Hall, he wouldn't have allowed them through.
Dugu Bo!
For ten years, he had stood watch in the palace, protecting her.
She didn't know exactly how that woman had arranged it, but anyone aware of her identity must have earned that woman's absolute trust.
And as Dugu Bo himself often said, it was repayment for a favor. No matter his role, he was still an honored guest elder of Spirit Hall.
From his eyes, Qian Renxue had seen unshakable loyalty. That was why she relied so heavily on him these years.
Life undercover in the royal family had many restrictions. Though Porcupinefish Douluo and Snake Lance Douluo protected her in secret, only Dugu Bo could openly act for her. Naturally, she trusted him fully.
While Qian Renxue's thoughts spun, Su Linfeng grinned in the moonlight and suddenly wrapped himself around her thigh.
"Sister, we're back in Spirit Hall already. Why didn't you come see me?"
He was teasing, of course.
It wasn't that simple.
Her every move as the crown prince would draw attention. How could she openly seek him out?
Being suddenly hugged in the dark, Qian Renxue's body jolted, her pretty face instantly flushing red.
This wasn't childhood anymore!
Back then, yes—Su Linfeng often clung to her legs. But that was because Bibi Dong wasn't there, and a child had to raise another child.
At age three and six, it hadn't seemed so strange.
But fifteen and eighteen? That was another matter entirely.
And Su Linfeng really had a knack for finding her. Even without light, he went straight for her leg.
Not that darkness was an obstacle to him—his spiritual power was extraordinary. Besides, he had just caught a glimpse he would never forget: the perfection of her figure.
Even though Qian Renxue had since thrown on clothes in the dark, moments ago she hadn't been wearing any at all.
By now, Qian Renxue had adjusted her attire. With a wave of soul power, she lit the lamps.
There was Su Linfeng, a nearly grown boy, hugging her leg. She couldn't help but laugh, reaching down to push him away. After all, they weren't children anymore.
"Linfeng, get up. You're fifteen now—you can't still cling like when you were little. It's not proper for us to—"
But before she finished, her words stuck in her throat.
The hand she had extended was caught by Su Linfeng.
And in that brief pause, he popped her pinky finger straight into his mouth.
Thump!
Qian Renxue's face blazed crimson. She gasped softly.
"Ah! Linfeng, what are you doing? You still haven't broken that bad habit from childhood?!"
…
Their gazes locked.
Su Linfeng's eyes were bright and clear. Qian Renxue's face was red as fire.
What kind of younger brother did such things at this age?
Seeing how genuinely flustered she was, Su Linfeng decided enough was enough. If he teased her further, she might bury herself alive in shame.
"Big Sis, you're looking down on me now, aren't you?"
"No, of course not!"
Qian Renxue let out a soft laugh, cheeks glowing.
These years, not a day has gone by that I haven't thought of you. I never expected you'd still be in Spirit Hall… and that woman didn't harm you."
"That woman?"
Su Linfeng blinked, sitting up straight. His tone steadied.
"Sis, it's been so many years. Are you still holding on to resentment that she left us for the Slaughter City back then?"
He understood.
The "woman" in her mouth was none other than Bibi Dong.
Was there resentment? Of course.
From his earliest memories, after Qian Renxue turned three, she had lost her mother's love completely. Bibi Dong's moods were unpredictable, though Su Linfeng knew there were reasons behind it.
Qian Renxue didn't.
How could she? What child, after turning three, wouldn't feel abandoned if their own mother treated them as a burden, with disdain, even disgust?
At six, Bibi Dong left for the Slaughter City again, leaving one child to raise another. The fact that they hadn't starved to death was a miracle enough.
And when she returned, the Rakshasa's aura had twisted her further, her treatment of them only worsening.
Given all that, how could Qian Renxue not harbor resentment?
Out of eighteen years, only three had been even remotely normal. Anyone in her place would feel the same.
"…Let's not talk about her anymore."
Qian Renxue smiled faintly, brushing the subject aside.
"Tell me about yourself. How have you been all these years? Your sister has missed you dearly."
"I've missed you too, Sis."
Su Linfeng smiled as well. Why dwell on unhappy things? Meeting Qian Renxue again was rare. Better to spend it on something meaningful.
…
The moon hung high.
In the flickering lamplight of the hotel room, Su Linfeng and Qian Renxue truly sat close, reminiscing about all the years apart, pouring out the longing in their hearts.
Autumn nights already carried a chill, and after her long journey, Qian Renxue's fatigue soon overcame her.
"Sis, you're tired?"
Su Linfeng chuckled. "Then go ahead and rest. I'll sneak back tomorrow night to see you again."
Qian Renxue stretched languidly, nodded with satisfaction, pulled up the quilt, and quickly drifted into sleep.
Time ticked on.
But soon, she stirred again, lifting her head to stare blankly at Su Linfeng, who was still sitting at her bedside.
"Linfeng, why are you still here? Didn't you say tomorrow night?"
"Exactly! Tomorrow night!"
He grinned. "But I never said I was leaving tonight. I want to sleep with Big Sis."
"What?!"
Qian Renxue's eyes widened in shock.
That's impossible! They weren't children anymore!
"You're not saying anything—so that means you agree!"
Su Linfeng, shameless as ever, invoked the "silence means consent" excuse.
Before she could protest, he slipped under the covers.
"Mmm, so warm."
Qian Renxue trembled all over, her face scarlet. Instinctively, she rolled to her side, giving him her back.
What else could she say? He was already being a rogue.
Not that her heart entirely rejected it. After all, in their childhood, they had relied completely on each other.
Her memories of those days were filled with Su Linfeng.
He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer.
"Sis, scoot in a bit. I'm about to fall off the bed."
"L-Linfeng!"
Qian Renxue's heart pounded, her face and neck flushed red. She stammered in alarm:
"Y-You'd better not mess around! I'm your sister."
"I know!"
Su Linfeng grinned.
"But it's not like we're blood-related."
You—!
Qian Renxue's breath caught, words failing her.