The Pope's figure was pale, slender, yet not frail. Carrying her in his arms felt substantial, her warm body filling his embrace with the rich scent of wine and a faint trace of cold fragrance.
"Mmm…"
Disturbed, Bibi Dong let out a muffled nasal sound. Her long lashes fluttered slightly as she opened her eyes a crack.
Her hazy, moisture-laden purple eyes met Dai Chengfeng's face, close enough to touch.
"…Chengfeng?"
Bibi Dong's voice was light and airy, heavy with sleepiness and trust.
Upon confirming it was him, her tense body instantly relaxed. She obediently, even affectionately, nestled her head into the crook of his shoulder, instinctively rubbing against his chest to find a more comfortable position.
"Mm, it's me."
Dai Chengfeng nodded and spoke softly, his voice deliberately softened with reassurance. "Teacher, I'll take you to rest."
With that, he tightened his arms around her.
"…Mm… okay…"
Bibi Dong responded vaguely, her eyes closing again as she became as docile as a precious cat cradled by its owner. Her breathing once again grew steady and even.
Dai Chengfeng carried Bibi Dong toward the master bedroom of the suite.
Her slim, pale legs dangled in the air, swaying gently with each of his steps.
Soon, Dai Chengfeng entered the room and gently laid her on the enormous round bed covered with velvet sheets. He tucked the blanket securely around her.
But Dai Chengfeng didn't leave immediately. Instead, he gazed for a moment at her breathtakingly beautiful face, now free of all defenses and appearing exceptionally pure in sleep. Only then did he turn and quietly exit the master bedroom, closing the door gently behind him.
Next, Dai Chengfeng returned to the living room.
His gaze fell upon the golden-haired beauty sprawled on the carpet, also lost in a drunken slumber.
Dai Chengfeng approached Qian Renxue and bent down.
"Little Xue, wake up?"
He whispered softly, gently nudging her shoulder.
Qian Renxue's response was slower than Bibi Dong's.
Her furrowed brows seemed to tighten further at the disturbance. Her long golden lashes trembled as if struggling to open her eyes but being pulled back by the weight of sleep.
"Mmm… who…?"
Her voice was lazy and raspy, heavy with exhaustion and irritation at being disturbed.
"It's me, Dai Chengfeng."
Dai Chengfeng leaned closer to her ear. "You're drunk. Let me carry you to your room to rest."
The warmth of his breath brushing against her ear caused Qian Renxue to shiver slightly.
"…Dai… Chengfeng?"
She forced her eyes open, her vision still blurry. She could barely make out a tall, upright silhouette, but those distinct golden-blue heterochromatic eyes, which were etched deeply in her memory and made her heart race, she could never mistake.
Upon confirming it was Dai Chengfeng, Qian Renxue's tense nerves relaxed.
She didn't put up her usual pretense of reserved rejection or push him away. Instead, she simply nodded faintly, overcome by drowsiness, and let out an indistinct "Mmm."
Then, she relaxed her body completely, allowing the dizzying effects of the alcohol to overwhelm her once more. Her eyelashes closed again as she surrendered to Dai Chengfeng's arms, which slipped beneath her knees and back, lifting her steadily.
Dai Chengfeng moved with utmost care, cradling the soft, compliant Qian Renxue as he crossed the spacious, luxurious living room and headed toward one of the secondary bedrooms in the suite.
This secondary bedroom mirrored the layout of the master bedroom, featuring an equally vast and plush circular bed.
Dai Chengfeng carefully placed Qian Renxue on the far side of the bed—the same lavish bed as in the master bedroom, only this time closer to his side.
Dai Chengfeng didn't rush to leave. Instead, he sat on the edge of the bed.
In the dim light, the delicate lines of the young woman's neck and a small expanse of collarbone peeked out from beneath her neckline.
Her smooth skin shimmered like pearls under the moonlight, while a trail of spilled wine meandered down her fair skin, leaving a blurred streak that disappeared beneath her clothing.
"So careless…"
Dai Chengfeng murmured with a smile, retrieving a pristine silk handkerchief from his soul-guide ring. He dipped it into the clean, cool water from a glass on the bedside table and began…
Gently wiping the collar and neckline areas where the wine had soaked through.
The cool sensation and occasional accidental brush of his fingertips caused the sleeping Qian Renxue to emit an unconscious, faint whimper—like the contented purring of a small creature being stroked.
Her lips moved slightly, exhaling warm breaths.
Dai Chengfeng wiped meticulously, slowly…
Only when he had thoroughly cleaned her did he glance at the empty half of the bed beside Qian Renxue.
Then he turned toward the door—the direction of the master bedroom, where Bibi Dong lay asleep in the large bed.
"Two peerless beauties, why must they each endure an empty bed alone? But… what a dilemma!"
Finally, Dai Chengfeng cast a deep look at the closed door of the master bedroom and prepared to rise.
After all, sharing a bed with Bibi Dong wouldn't be a big deal—even if she noticed in the morning, at most she'd feel a bit flustered. Nothing serious.
But if it were Qian Renxue… tsk, tsk~
However, just as Dai Chengfeng was about to get up and leave…
A cool yet soft hand suddenly grasped his sleeve.
"Don't go…"
The voice was faint, heavy with sleep and carrying a subtle undertone of dependence, like a dreamy murmur escaping Qian Renxue's slightly dry lips.
Dai Chengfeng froze, looking down.
Qian Renxue's eyes remained closed, her long golden lashes resting like butterfly wings over her cheeks. But the fingers gripping his sleeve were tight.
Seeing this, Dai Chengfeng sat back down on the edge of the bed without resisting forcefully. Instead, with a hint of curiosity and reassurance, he used his other hand to gently stroke the back of her hand holding his sleeve. His fingertips lightly caressed her delicate skin, his voice softening even further as if soothing an unsettled child:
"What's wrong, Little Xue?"
"Are you having a nightmare?"
Qian Renxue didn't respond immediately. Her eyelashes fluttered a few times, and her hazy golden eyes reflected Dai Chengfeng's face in the dim light.
"…Dai Chengfeng," she murmured, her warm breath brushing against his face.
"…Tomorrow… she's leaving…"
At these words, Dai Chengfeng's pupils contracted sharply!
Leaving tomorrow?
Bibi Dong is leaving?!
Then won't she take me with her? Why so sudden?
But soon, Dai Chengfeng realized. Could it be that their earlier conversation in the room had resolved Bibi Dong's inner turmoil?
Thinking this, Dai Chengfeng spoke, his tone probing.
"…The two of you?"
"Mm…"
Qian Renxue let out a vague nasal sound, as if confirming, or perhaps it was just an unconscious murmur.
"…She said… she's leaving for a while… to resolve the final matters…"
No more words were needed.
Dai Chengfeng understood.
So it was true… the knot in her heart had been untied? At least, the crucial first step had been taken.
Though Dai Chengfeng thought he should feel happy for Bibi Dong, the thought of not seeing Qian Renxue for several months or even half a year filled him with reluctance.
And at that moment.
Qian Renxue's hazy golden eyes seemed to pierce through Dai Chengfeng's thoughts.
"You… don't want to…"
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