"Uh—"
Seeing Xiao Wu still rejecting him, Tang San could only shake his head helplessly.
Since returning home for the break, he hadn't seen any trace of Tang Hao.
Despite everything, there was still that bond of blood and familial connection, which left him feeling reluctant and unwilling to let go.
He wanted to find a little sister to fill that void, but he wasn't making much progress.
The first time he brought up this topic at the dinner table, Xiao Wu had firmly rejected him, even throwing a bowl of chili water in his face.
He had stopped practicing the Purple Demon Eyes for days afterward.
Given that Xiao Wu quickly apologized, Tang San, of course, didn't hold a grudge.
He had been too forward.
Subsequent proposals were met with less physical resistance, but Xiao Wu still hadn't agreed.
"Tang Xiao San, did you hear me? I'm only willing to be the elder sister!"
Xiao Wu jumped up and down on the cart.
Looking at Tang San, she felt a little disdain. Dark and skinny—he's both ugly and weak.
"I heard you, Xiao Wu," Tang San said as he staggered, doing his best to steady the cart with both hands.
"Good, just be careful."
Xiao Wu sat back down, yawning slightly, showing a bit of concern at the right moment.
"If you can't keep going, we can call off the bet for now."
"Don't worry, Xiao Wu. I can manage. I'll treat it as exercise," Tang San said, pulling the cart as he slowly made his way uphill.
"Hmph! Fine, but if you collapse, I won't be responsible," Xiao Wu turned away, not bothering to look at him.
After spending a year together, Xiao Wu, who seemed to have gained some newfound wisdom, had pretty much figured out the secrets to playing around with Tang San.
She'd occasionally be sweet and caring, drawing out Tang San's goodwill.
Then, she'd take advantage of that goodwill, knowing he wouldn't make outrageous bets, to lightly torment him after their sparring matches.
Sometimes, she'd suggest stopping, and that would only make him more determined, even thinking he was being treated specially.
This was because Xiao Wu never said such things when playing games with others.
Xiao Wu grinned proudly to herself—thank goodness those books she read in her younger years hadn't gone to waste.
And she had that brat to thank, too, the one who hadn't weaned off milk yet, always making her read books about romance and schemes.
It had all come in handy now.
She'd even put it into practice!
But she wondered if that Holy Son would fall for the sweet-girl act—she was getting pretty good at it now
Had that little brat weaned off milk yet?
Just as Xiao Wu's mind wandered, Tang San wasn't giving up and made another attempt.
"Xiao Wu, if you were my sister, I'd protect you."
"I'd fight with all my might. Anyone who tries to harm you would have to step over my dead body first."
"And there are those cool hidden weapons..."
"Stop, stop!" Xiao Wu waved her hand impatiently, turning around to face Tang San, pouting and holding back her annoyance.
"So, you mean to say that if I'm not your sister, you won't protect me?"
"Of course not! What I meant was—"
Before Tang San could explain, Xiao Wu interrupted him.
"Then that's it!"
"If that's not what you mean, why would I bother going through the trouble of becoming your sister?"
"Tang Xiao San, give up already."
"You might as well just call me 'Big Sis.' You're short on money, right? Big Sis Xiao Wu can lend you some."
Xiao Wu giggled, fully using her cute and charming appearance to playfully tease him.
She knew Tang San had a certain pride that wouldn't allow him to lower himself just to borrow her coins.
As expected, Tang San shook his head.
"I'll pass on borrowing money. I'll figure things out myself."
"Alright, but if you need help, don't hesitate to ask."
Xiao Wu didn't push further.
She had plenty of gold soul coins, and how much she lent was entirely up to her.
"Thank you, Xiao Wu."
Tang San didn't bring up the little sister topic again.
"Spare me the empty words, I'm tired of hearing them."
Xiao Wu cradled her face in her hands and rolled her eyes.
"Haha."
Tang San couldn't help but laugh. After all, Xiao Wu often treated him to large lunchboxes.
Looking at the hill ahead, which they were about to finish climbing, Tang San asked cautiously, "Xiao Wu, are you sure it's alright for you not to go home?"
"Hmph! What could be wrong?"
Xiao Wu's expression fell, her face showing a hint of grievance.
She hugged her knees, genuinely revealing her feelings as she complained, "I want to go home, but he doesn't want me back."
"Xiao Wu..."
Tang San stopped in his tracks, looking back at Xiao Wu's sad, longing face, feeling a bit upset himself.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..."
"What's the use of apologizing? Just keep pulling the cart," Xiao Wu wiped the tears from her eyes and shouted at Tang San.
At this moment, she was truly showing her vulnerability.
It was all Tang San's fault; otherwise, she'd still be lounging in the Holy Son's arms as a little bunny.
"..."
Tang San nodded slightly, knowing he'd hit a sensitive topic and wisely kept quiet.
He was now even more convinced that Xiao Wu wasn't just a commoner.
Despite her apparent wealth and luxurious lifestyle, she had somehow ended up as a working student.
Given that she wasn't going home, Tang San speculated that she might have had a falling-out with her family and had run away from home.
——
"Achoo!"
In the Pope's Palace, Hu Liena, who was helping Qian Renxue with some affairs, suddenly sneezed.
Rubbing her nose, she had a strange expression on her face.
Qian Renjue looked up curiously, pausing in his writing. "What's wrong, Nana? Did you catch a cold?"
"No, Senior Brother, it's probably just someone talking about me," Hu Liena shook her head.
Smiling sweetly, she handed over some documents to Qian Renjue.
"As long as you're okay."
Qian Renjue took the stack of papers.
Hu Liena smiled and said, "Senior Brother, please check to see if I did it right."
"Mm, come closer, so I can guide you," Qian Renjue nodded gently, patting the small stool next to the Pope's throne.
"Yes, Senior Brother."
Hu Liena happily squeezed in beside him, her body brushing against his.
She gazed adoringly at her serious senior.
"Focus here, not on my face. There are no words written on it," Qian Renjue teased, poking her cheek with a pen.
"Ahwoo~"
Hu Liena covered her face, leaning on Qian Renjue's arm, and softly said, "I'm listening, Senior Brother."
"Alright, but remember, when you work, leave personal feelings aside."
Qian Renjue instructed.
"Mm, I will."
Hu Liena nodded enthusiastically, feeling an inexplicable excitement.
So she and Senior Brother had personal feelings?
She wouldn't set those aside—they were the reason she was learning all this in the first place!
Without saying more, Qian Renjue picked up his pen and began correcting the documents Hu Liena had reviewed.
It had been three days since they returned from hunting spirit beasts.
The day after they returned, Bibi Dong had handed over the affairs of the Pope's Palace to Qian Renjue before going back into seclusion for training.
One notable event was that Qian Renjue had approved the system's suggestion to refine the black pearl left by the Dark Devilgod Tiger into a divine soul tool.
For the materials needed, Qian Renjue had directly used the Sea God's Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud.
The materials were more than sufficient, along with his own bowl of fresh blood and a few drops of heart's blood.
Tonight, he would witness a miracle!