Fu Lin froze the moment he heard those words. His back, which had just relaxed, straightened even tighter than March 7th's, and even his breathing paused for half a beat. He hurriedly spoke up, "Wait, wait, Stelle! Let's talk about this, no need to fight, hurting feelings doesn't solve anything, "
Before he could finish, Kiana☆ lowered her gaze to his wrist. The spot where she had grabbed him earlier was still faintly pink.
The madness in her eyes actually faded a little, replaced by something thoughtful.
"Give him a beating, huh? Hmm... not impossible, considering how scummy Fu Lin is~"
"Eh?" You think I want to be scummy?! I'd rather be in a pure love story too!
Fu Lin's pupils shrank. His first instinct was to back away, but a hand landed softly on his shoulder from behind.
He turned to see Elysia tilting her head with a sweet smile, her fingertip gently tapping his back.
"Don't rush, Fu Lin~ It's not like we'll actually hurt you. But Stelle has a point. You've just been standing there watching us fight, it's a little unfair, don't you think~?"
Mei☆ nodded in agreement, her finger brushing lightly across the fabric of his sleeve as she spoke, her tone carrying a subtle chill.
"At the very least, you should know, when we're fighting over you, silence isn't the right answer."
Fu Shi was even more direct. She stepped forward, grabbed Fu Lin by the collar, and pulled him a little closer, raising an eyebrow.
"Exactly! You used to act all cute and afraid I'd be mad. But now? I almost fought Kiana☆ to the death and you just stood there staring into space, honestly, a beating would be mild!"
Fu Lin felt his back tighten under the girls' combined stares and looked to March 7th for help.
But March 7th had already curled herself, both hands covering her eyes, peeking only through her fingers while muttering, "I didn't see anything, I'm just the prize delivery girl... call me when it's over!"
Just as Fu Lin began to accept that there was probably no escaping his "fate" today, Stelle spoke up again, her tone oddly serious, "Dad, should I go to the Alchemy Commission and call for Bailu or Lingsha?"
Elysia immediately waved a hand with a sugary laugh, twirling a strand of her hair.
"No need for that, Stelle~ Fu Lin's immortal, he won't get hurt~ Besides, I'd never be willing to lay a hand on him~"
"Kiana☆ snapped her head around, glaring, jealousy practically dripping from her tone.
"Elysia! What's that supposed to mean? Trying to sound all sweet again?"
Mei☆ followed up coldly, "Didn't you say we'd all teach Fu Lin a lesson? When did that become your chance to earn affection?"
"I was just going with the flow~" Elysia stuck out her tongue playfully, showing no hint of guilt.
"Besides, Fu Lin's so cute, how could I ever really punish him~?"
Stelle blinked blankly.
"???" So I'm the extra here? The clown in the room?
Fu Lin's heart, which had just started to calm down, sank again. He didn't dare relax, after all, this group's attention could swing back to him at any moment.
Quietly, he shifted his foot backward, trying to slip toward the door while they bickered. But before he could take a full step, Fu Shi's sharp eyes caught him, and she pinched the corner of his coat.
"Trying to run?" she raised an eyebrow, tightening her grip. "We're not done talking yet. Where do you think you're going?"
Fu Lin froze on the spot, forcing a dry laugh as he turned his head.
"N-no, I wasn't hiding, I just thought the room was a little stuffy, so I wanted to get some fresh air..."
"Stuffy?" Kiana☆'s attention immediately snapped back to him, irritation still flickering in her eyes. "You just want to escape!"
Her cheeks puffed up in anger, and she was about to say more when a soft cough came from the side.
Everyone turned to see March 7th sitting up a bit, clutching half a cup of cold tea, her gaze darting nervously.
"Um... how about we hand out the prizes first? Fu Shi's championship prize is still downstairs. Once she gets it, Stelle and I will leave and stop bothering you big sisters..."
Stelle nodded quickly, her head bobbing like a rattle drum.
If she stayed any longer, she'd not only be the unnecessary clown but also risk revealing the envy and admiration she was struggling to hide.
"Yes! Prizes! Dad, moms, uh, everyone, the prizes are downstairs, I'll bring them right up!" she said, already heading for the door.
But Fu Shi waved her hand dismissively, sounding almost indifferent.
"I don't want the prize. Send it to that Yanqing later. I'm not done talking with Fu Lin yet."
Fu Lin looked at her, a mix of anxiety and helplessness in his voice.
"Fu Shi, you fought hard for that. How can you just give it up? And Xianzhou weapons aren't as simple as they look, their cores are full of high-tech components. Even if you don't use it, you could hand it to Schicksal for research!"
Inside, though, he was screaming, Can't you just let me have a chance to slip out?!
Fu Shi's face darkened instantly, her tone dropping cold, every word squeezed through clenched teeth,
"Take it, take it! It's just a sword, what, do you want me to see it every time and remember how I was fighting for my life in the arena while you were here... being all 'ah~ ah~' with someone else?!"
The last few words tumbled out fast and shaky, her ears flushing red as embarrassment mixed with fury.
Stelle staggered, glancing back at Fu Lin with pity that practically screamed, Dad, you're on your own now, before dragging March 7th out the door.
Silence fell over the room, only Fu Lin and the four girls remained.
Fu Shi was the first to break it. She released his coat, but then reached out to pinch his cheek, her tone softening.
"Hey, they're gone now. What's with that miserable face? You think we'd actually hit you?"
Fu Lin, ...Not entirely sure about that.
Elysia leaned in, resting lightly against him, her voice soft as cotton.
"Exactly~ Fu Lin, you can say anything you want now. Even if you tell us you still haven't figured out how to deal with our relationships, that's fine too~?"
Fu Lin looked at the warmth in her eyes, the tension in his shoulders finally easing. He lifted a hand to gently ruffle her fluffy pink hair.
When he looked up again, his gaze swept over each of them, and his tone grew solemn.
"My feelings for... Fu Shi don't need to be said. Mei☆ and Kiana☆, of course, I can't let go easily. And you, Elysia... you too. Anyway, I understand how all of you feel. And I don't ever want any of you to be hurt because of me."
Hearing this, Mei☆'s hand at her side clenched slightly, her eyes glimmering faintly.
Kiana☆ pursed her lips, the madness in her eyes fading again, replaced by a reluctant, awkward calm.
Fu Shi, however, couldn't help herself, she threw her arms around Fu Lin's arm and swayed with a bright grin.
"See? I knew it! Fu Lin loves me the most!"
Just as the atmosphere began to ease, a soft click came from the door. March 7th poked her head in.
"Uh... are you guys done talking? We just got a message from Himeko, she and Uncle Yang have completed their mission and will return tomorrow, arriving at the Xianzhou Luofu by morning! That's all! Message delivered! Continue whatever you were doing, I won't interrupt!"
She quickly shut the door with a bang, and outside, Stelle's stifled giggle echoed faintly through the hall.
For a moment, everyone inside froze. Then, all at once, they laughed.
Elysia laughed so hard her shoulders trembled.
"They seem even more nervous than Fu Lin~?"
Fu Lin chuckled as well, reaching out to pull the girls closer.
Maybe... being surrounded by them like this wasn't so bad, just a little hard on the body.
But compared to losing his freedom, this was a small price to pay.