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However, once something like this happens once, it tends to happen again…
Dai Chengfeng observed that Bibi Dong wasn't truly angry. Instead, she had already returned her attention to the documents, her cool profile framed by a few strands of purple hair brushing against her smooth forehead. He prepared to carefully test her limits once more.
After all, the context of their interactions outside the Pope's Hall and within its walls was entirely different.
Outside, Bibi Dong was unburdened—she could simply be herself without the overwhelming weight of her identity. This allowed her to grow accustomed to intimate contact with Dai Chengfeng.
But inside the Pope's Hall, she was the exalted Pope of the Spirit Hall, towering above all others.
Here, she fiercely resisted any form of intimacy with Dai Chengfeng…
And what Dai Chengfeng needed to do was to make Bibi Dong, even in this sacred space, grow accustomed to being close to him.
If he couldn't achieve this, how could he ever hope to win her complete loyalty?
However, Dai Chengfeng didn't act immediately. He waited for another opportunity…
His fingers moved steadily and gently, applying just the right amount of pressure to massage the tense junction between Bibi Dong's neck and shoulders. The study fell silent once more, save for the soft scratching of the pen gliding across the paper.
Finally, it seemed Bibi Dong's focus had fully returned to the documents before her, forgetting the "mischievous" presence behind her.
And at this moment…
Dai Chengfeng's gaze fell upon Bibi Dong's graceful yet reserved neckline, then drifted downward to the thick, ornate collar of her papal robes, which concealed everything beneath it.
Holding his breath, he concentrated.
Dai Chengfeng's fingers quietly deviated from their "assigned path."
The hand that had been resting on Bibi Dong's right shoulder began to slide downward extremely slowly, with a barely perceptible hint of exploration.
This movement was even more discreet than the last time…
His eyes were fixed intently on Bibi Dong's reaction.
However, just as the warmth of his fingertips brushed against the tantalizing outer edge of her neckline—
Slap!
This sound was louder and more decisive than the previous one, suddenly exploding in the quiet study!
Once again, Dai Chengfeng was met with a sharp slap from Bibi Dong.
"Dai! Cheng! Feng!"
Bibi Dong whipped her head around, glaring daggers at him, enunciating each word with icy precision.
"What is it, Teacher?"
Dai Chengfeng looked at her innocently, as if he had no idea why she was upset.
Looking at Dai Chengfeng's feigned ignorance, Bibi Dong found herself not feeling anger but instead amusement.
After all, in front of others, Dai Chengfeng was the revered Fourth Prince of the Star Luo Empire—a genius they could only look up to.
Perhaps… only in her presence did he reveal this mischievous side.
Maybe…
This was his unique way of showing affection toward her?
As these thoughts crossed Bibi Dong's mind, she quickly shook her head. "What kind of affection is this? Nonsense!"
Then, she turned back to Dai Chengfeng. "How dare you… ask me what's wrong?"
"Yes?"
Dai Chengfeng still looked utterly clueless.
"What were your hands doing?"
Bibi Dong glared at him, lightly stepping on his foot and giving him a sharp look. "Didn't you say earlier that you were just massaging me? That you wouldn't disturb me?"
Dai Chengfeng instantly adopted an expression of utter innocence. "Teacher, isn't this a massage? In my homeland, there's a country where this is how they do it—I've seen them do it like this, even using oil…"
As Dai Chengfeng's explanation grew increasingly absurd, Bibi Dong felt both annoyed and amused. What kind of massage involved touching so intimately…
And oil?
What oil? Was she food to be oiled?
"I've never heard of such a massage technique in the Star Luo Empire!"
"It's not from the Star Luo Empire—it's from a place called 'Legitimate Thai Massage.'"
Dai Chengfeng said this offhandedly. Before Bibi Dong could ask what "Legitimate Thai Massage" was, he quickly added, "Since Teacher doesn't like this kind of massage, I'll be perfectly proper this time."
Bibi Dong eyed him skeptically. "Really?"
"Truer than gold!"
Dai Chengfeng swore earnestly.
"…Fine…" Bibi Dong's voice softened slightly, though she herself didn't notice it. "I'll believe you one more time."
Her warning glare remained sharp. "Remember your promise."
With that, Bibi Dong didn't drive him away but continued working on her documents.
To be honest, Bibi Dong wasn't truly angry. In the past… when handling official matters, she had always been alone, quietly immersed in her work.
That was good—it allowed her to focus entirely on her tasks.
But now…
Bibi Dong thought that having someone to talk to wasn't so bad either.
Not bad at all?
Meanwhile, Dai Chengfeng, observing Bibi Dong, understood that she was still holding back emotionally.
"The road ahead is long and arduous…"
Dai Chengfeng sighed inwardly, deciding not to cause any more trouble. This time, he truly focused on massaging her shoulders without any further mischief.
The study fell into silence once more.
Bibi Dong leaned slightly back against the wide chair, her body relaxed, allowing the gentle pressure to ease the slight numbness in her shoulders.
Occasionally, out of the corner of her eye, she caught glimpses of Dai Chengfeng's quiet silhouette behind her.
Time passed quietly until the sun had completely sunk below the horizon, and the light filtering through the window turned into a deep indigo.
"Phew!"
Bibi Dong glanced at the darkening sky outside, then at the stack of documents she had finished reviewing. She let out a long sigh.
"Finally done!"
After speaking, Bibi Dong turned to look at Dai Chengfeng behind her. She noticed the lingering fatigue on his face from the long journey and lack of rest, as well as how he had ultimately stayed to genuinely help relieve her exhaustion after his earlier antics.
For a moment, Bibi Dong pressed her lips together, feeling an inexplicable sense of gratitude.
She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but remembering her position and the fact that they were in the Pope's Hall, she suppressed her emotions. "Alright, all the documents are handled. You can leave now, right?"
Upon hearing this, Dai Chengfeng immediately stopped his movements and nodded without hesitation. "Yes, Teacher. Please rest well."
"Your disciple will take his leave now."
He answered crisply and decisively. After speaking, he took a step back, showing no signs of lingering, and turned directly toward the heavy carved wooden door.
"Hmm?"
Bibi Dong watched his actions, a flicker of astonishment crossing her heart.
He… was really leaving just like that?
According to his usual behavior, shouldn't he have come up with some excuse to stay longer?
Something like, "Teacher, I'm so tired I can't walk anymore," or "I'm hungry—let me join you for dinner…"
Thinking of this, Bibi Dong looked at Dai Chengfeng, who was already at the door with his hand on the handle. "Wait!"
Suddenly, she called out to stop him.
"Alright!"
At this moment, Dai Chengfeng, with his back to Bibi Dong, couldn't help but smile. "What is it, Teacher? Is there something else?"
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