"You... you ate it?!"
Hearing Ye Qiu's command, Xiao Wu's expression changed slightly, clearly reluctant.
"Yeah, what else? You want to save it for the New Year?" Ye Qiu frowned and gave her an annoyed glance.
"But… but I wanted to…"
Xiao Wu hesitated.
She held the red flower in her hands with a trace of reluctance. In her heart, this flower had a special meaning. It symbolized her unwavering loyalty to Ye Qiu, and also Ye Qiu's trust and affection toward her.
"Silly bunny."
Seeing her still indecisive, Ye Qiu chuckled softly, raised both hands, and cupped her fair, delicate cheeks. He brought her face to meet his gaze and asked gently, "Since I'm by your side, why keep staring at the flower? Do you want the flower to stay with you… or me?"
"Of… of course I want you… mmph!"
Xiao Wu answered in a rush. In her heart, Ye Qiu was obviously the most important.
"Then that settles it."
Before she could finish, Ye Qiu leaned down and pressed his lips to her soft, red ones, kissing her deeply. Around them, only the soft hums and low moans of Xiao Wu could be heard.
"Mm~"
Feeling Ye Qiu's lips move and press against her own, Xiao Wu's heartbeat quickened. Her long eyelashes fluttered, casting water-like glimmers in her eyes. She awkwardly yet shyly responded in kind.
A long while later—
Only when Xiao Wu was short of breath and could barely stand did Ye Qiu finally let her go.
She leaned into his chest, dazed. This was the longest he had ever bullied her like this. Her small face was flushed, her beautiful eyes dazed like she was drunk. Even though Ye Qiu had stopped, her soft pink lips were still parted slightly, glistening with moisture, revealing a cute pink bunny tongue—moist and irresistible.
Ye Qiu pinched her chin gently, making her look at him. He smacked his lips and said softly, "Now can you be good and eat it?"
"Y-Yes… I'll listen to you."
Xiao Wu's face was like a blooming peach blossom, her voice soft and sweet, slightly dazed. She lay against Ye Qiu's chest, her expression dreamy.
"Then hurry up." Ye Qiu chuckled and loosened his embrace.
Xiao Wu stumbled and almost fell, but Ye Qiu caught her again, keeping her close.
"Ye Qiu~ I… I need to rest a bit…" Xiao Wu blushed, her steps light and tipsy. She had never been kissed that long—she felt oxygen-deprived.
"Alright then."
Ye Qiu nodded slightly without teasing her. After all, it had taken him and another newbie, Dugu Yan, quite a few awkward tries before he mastered the technique.
Looking at this cute, silly bunny, he couldn't help but plant two more kisses on her chubby cheeks. Then, he helped straighten her clothes that had been tugged into a mess. It was a habit he'd picked up from getting too touchy with the fully-developed Dugu Yan—he always felt the urge to grab something.
---
Half a quarter-hour passed.
Under Ye Qiu's watchful eyes, Xiao Wu sat cross-legged, held the Lovesick Heartbroken Red in her hands, and after a shy glance at Ye Qiu, she no longer hesitated. She brought the flower to her lips.
The celestial herb suddenly transformed into a red streak of light and flew into her slightly opened mouth.
Xiao Wu was stunned for a moment, then quickly closed her eyes.
Ye Qiu stood nearby and scanned her again with his Eye of Insight, observing carefully.
Lovesick Heartbroken Red, king of flowers.
Consuming this herb grants a long life like that of heaven and earth itself. It could raise one's soul power by at least ten levels, reconstruct the entire body, and even bring back the dead or regenerate lost flesh. Most crucially—it allowed a transformed soul beast to completely conceal their innate aura.
Right now, this ability might not seem useful, as Tang Hao was still alive and aware of her identity. But once he was dead and took the secret with him to hell—then it would truly matter!
Under Ye Qiu's gaze—
Xiao Wu was like a blooming pink flower core. The petals of the Lovesick Heartbroken Red unfurled around her. Blood-red light danced over her skin, and her blood visibly flowed beneath. The herb was reshaping her body, helping her take a firm step toward becoming fully human.
Purple Demon Eye!
A piercing glow flickered in Ye Qiu's eyes. Yet even with his upgraded Purple Demon Eye in his microcosmic world, he couldn't see Xiao Wu's true form.
Time passed.
A soulbound celestial herb was indeed extraordinary. In just over half an hour, Xiao Wu had completely refined the Lovesick Heartbroken Red!
Her soft pink rabbit ears stood up, and a white-tinted-pink tail emerged at her lower back. A new spirit ring had also appeared beneath her—two yellow and two purple—she had now become a Soul Sect! Her soul power had even surpassed Ye Qiu's.
Xiao Wu opened her eyes.
A romantic crimson glow shone in her pupils—therein was a miniature Lovesick Heartbroken Red. The glow faded, the flower petals around her closed, and disappeared into her body.
Still slightly dazed, Xiao Wu blinked.
Ye Qiu, meanwhile, couldn't help but be captivated by her beauty. He crouched down and gently lifted her smooth, fair chin.
"Silly bunny, you back with me now?"
Xiao Wu blinked again, and when she recognized him, her face flushed red. Overcome with emotion, she threw herself at Ye Qiu.
"Ye Qiu!"
"What the—?!"
Caught off guard, Ye Qiu was knocked down by Xiao Wu's sudden hug.
"Ye Qiu~"
Xiao Wu pinned Ye Qiu beneath her, her soft hands pressing on his chest. In her curved, smiling eyes, there was only affection. She softly called his name and stared at him quietly.
"What are you doing? Get up already!"
Ye Qiu's head hurt from hitting the ground. He looked helplessly at the bunny girl who was just lying on him with no further action.
"Oh! I—I'll get up now!" Xiao Wu hurriedly tried to get up, then paused, her face turning red. She quickly gave Ye Qiu a peck on the lips, like a little girl who'd just stolen candy. A sweet smile spread across her face as she gently helped him up.
Ye Qiu rolled his eyes and rubbed the back of his head.
"Ye Qiu, I didn't mean to…" Xiao Wu, noticing him rubbing his head, suddenly remembered hearing a faint crack earlier. She quickly reached out and took over, gently massaging his scalp.
Her expression was filled with care and guilt.
Ye Qiu chuckled and grabbed her small hand.
"All right, I'm fine. Let's head back to Dorm Seven first—whatever it is, we can talk there."
"Okay, I'll listen to you."
Xiao Wu smiled sweetly. She really played the obedient partner role to perfection.
---
Between the quiet teaching buildings.
A boy and girl walked side by side. The boy was handsome and radiant, the girl's eyes curved like crescent moons. Her two delicate hands clung tightly to his, and she flashed him sweet smiles from time to time.
"Silly bunny, still smiling? I just took a shower, and now I'm dirty again," Ye Qiu said, annoyed, remembering how long he'd just been lying on the ground.
"It's okay, Ye Qiu. I'll help you wash all your clothes," Xiao Wu clung to his arm, apologetic but still smiling uncontrollably.
Who told him to say she'd gotten prettier and more beautiful just now?
"Oh really?" Ye Qiu grinned and leaned close to her ear, teasing, "Then… what about my body? Will you help me wash that too?"
"Ah?!" Xiao Wu's face turned bright red. She looked at Ye Qiu, conflicted.
Thinking about how Ye Qiu and Dugu Yan had practically "gone all the way" already, she stiffened her neck, suppressed her shyness, and stammered, "I—I can do it!"