I've also recently started a new translation, please check it out and show your support! Douluo: Seven Kill Shock the World
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"Is that so…"
Upon hearing that the Soul-Forming Pill had already been handed to Yu Xiaogang by Liu Erlong, Dai Chengfeng instinctively felt a sense of relief.
Although he believed this matter was practically guaranteed, there was always the fear of unforeseen circumstances…
Now that he had personally heard from Liu Erlong that she had given the Soul-Forming Pill to Yu Xiaogang, his plan could finally be considered complete.
"Yu Xiaogang, Yu Xiaogang… From now on, just live your life peacefully and stop troubling me and my teacher..."
At this thought, a sudden spark of curiosity arose in Dai Chengfeng's mind.
After all, in his previous life, he only knew through ancient texts that these mixed herbs could harm a man's "essence," but he had never personally tested their effects.
In a law-abiding society, poisoning someone could land you in jail.
Thus, Dai Chengfeng was now very curious about the effects of his specially made Soul-Forming Pill on Yu Xiaogang.
Would it simply render a certain part of Yu Xiaogang's body completely useless, reduced to nothing more than an ornament?
Or would it gradually transform him from the inside out, even altering his mindset to become more "feminine"?
"We'll just have to wait and see slowly…"
Dai Chengfeng looked forward to the changes in Yu Xiaogang in the future, but outwardly, he showed no sign of anything unusual.
He maintained an appropriate level of concern for Liu Erlong.
"Ah…"
Dai Chengfeng gazed at Liu Erlong, who sat hugging her knees with tear-streaked cheeks, looking especially broken and tragically beautiful. He sighed softly.
Then, he picked up a clean handkerchief and gently raised his hand to wipe away the tears on her face.
"I… I can do it myself…"
Liu Erlong, who had been lost in sorrow, suddenly snapped back to reality. She instinctively tilted her head slightly, wanting to reject Dai Chengfeng's somewhat intimate gesture.
"Don't move."
Dai Chengfeng's voice was low and gentle, yet carried an undeniable firmness.
Instantly, Liu Erlong's movements paused, and she obediently stopped resisting, allowing Dai Chengfeng's cool fingers to occasionally brush against her skin.
She bit her lip, staring blankly at the gentle Dai Chengfeng in front of her.
Soon, Dai Chengfeng finished wiping her tears. He put the handkerchief away and nodded satisfactorily. "This is the Liu Erlong I know."
With that, a faint smile appeared on Dai Chengfeng's lips as he teased, "Do you know? After crying just now, your face looks like a little kitten."
"A… a little kitten?"
Liu Erlong was momentarily stunned, then muttered weakly under her breath, "Not… not at all…"
But her cheeks flushed slightly, realizing how disheveled she must have looked.
Dai Chengfeng chuckled and stopped teasing Liu Erlong. Instead, he slowly stood up.
Watching Dai Chengfeng's movements, Liu Erlong felt an inexplicable tightness in her heart.
At this moment, she was extremely vulnerable, subconsciously craving support. Even if it wasn't physical support, just having someone around to talk to would be comforting enough.
"You're leaving?"
She looked up at Dai Chengfeng, asking softly.
Her eyes held a hint of nervousness she herself didn't realize, and the mere thought of Dai Chengfeng leaving—leaving her alone in the courtyard—filled her with a growing sense of loss and fear of solitude.
Meanwhile,
Dai Chengfeng, seeing Liu Erlong's pitifully tense expression, smiled warmly and shook his head. "No, I'm not leaving… not for now."
As he spoke, he reached out and naturally ruffled Liu Erlong's hair.
Liu Erlong stiffened, instinctively raising her hand to push away Dai Chengfeng's large hand, but he had already withdrawn it.
"Hungry, aren't you?"
Dai Chengfeng asked casually. "You didn't eat lunch earlier; I'll go make you something."
With that, Dai Chengfeng turned and headed towards the kitchen of the secondary residence.
"Making lunch, huh?"
Liu Erlong stared absently at Dai Chengfeng's tall figure until it disappeared around the corner of the corridor.
For a while, she gazed in the direction where Dai Chengfeng had vanished, muttering softly.
"Thank you, Dai Chengfeng… thank you…"
Liu Erlong sat alone in the pavilion for a while longer, a gentle breeze blowing through her hair, but it couldn't dispel the confusion and uncertainty in her heart.
Instinctively, she thought again of Yu Xiaogang's betrayal, and sadness overwhelmed her once more.
But soon, this sadness was replaced by anger…
Yu Xiaogang, since you have treated me so poorly, from now on, you take your path, and I'll take mine!
I, Liu Erlong, will have nothing to do with you!
"Sigh!"
Liu Erlong forcefully suppressed the swirling thoughts in her mind, took a deep breath, and then also got up, heading towards the kitchen.
---
In the kitchen of the secondary residence.
Dai Chengfeng had removed his outer robe, wearing only a close-fitting dark outfit.
He was preparing lunch with focused and serious eyes.
The afternoon sunlight streamed through the window lattice, casting soft shadows on his profile. His originally handsome and slightly aggressive features now appeared strangely softened, adding a warm, homely charm.
Meanwhile, Liu Erlong had quietly approached the doorway.
She leaned against the doorframe, staring blankly at the busy figure in the kitchen.
Liu Erlong had never seen a man, especially one of such noble status, behave like this in the kitchen.
This was vastly different from the image of those distant, superior genius soul masters or imperial princes she had in mind.
For a moment, watching Dai Chengfeng's serious expression as he cooked, Liu Erlong became somewhat entranced.
And when she thought about how hard he was working because he cared about her and was making lunch for her…
The softest part of Liu Erlong's fragile heart seemed to be gently touched. An indescribable mix of happiness, gratitude, and a strange fluttering emotion quietly blossomed.
A strange sense of security slowly replaced her previous anger and sadness.
By the end, Liu Erlong didn't even know what she was thinking. She only felt that this "scene" before her was unrealistically beautiful.
"What are you thinking about, so lost in thought?"
It wasn't until Dai Chengfeng placed the simple yet fragrant stir-fried vegetables and a carefully prepared clear soup on the table and called her over that Liu Erlong snapped back to reality.
A blush flashed across her face, and she lowered her head slightly, as if caught peeking.
"Dai Chengfeng, I really appreciate it…"
She slowly walked over, looking at Dai Chengfeng and expressing her thanks.
Dai Chengfeng smiled, his tone casual and gentle. "We're friends, aren't we? Helping each other is what friends do. No need to be so polite!"
Hearing this, Liu Erlong didn't respond directly but stared blankly at Dai Chengfeng.
After a while, she nodded firmly at Dai Chengfeng. "Yes! We… are good friends!"
"That's settled then?"
Dai Chengfeng smiled and pointed to the seat beside him, motioning for Liu Erlong to sit down.
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