"Let's go, let's go, this is boring."
Dai Yueheng dragged Du Weilun away with a face full of disdain, leaving the space entirely to the two of them.
Du Weilun looked regretful.
What a pity, what a shame.
"I wanted to see blood flowing like a river!"
Ma Xiaotao, sneaking around from afar, cackled with a mischievous grin.
But she, too, was scolded by Dai Yueheng and finally left, though with a thousand reluctant glances over her shoulder.
"Alright, now that they're gone… can you face my question directly?"
Zhang Lexuan's beautiful eyes shimmered with hope.
"Do you really… despise me?"
"Is it because of my age…?"
At this moment, the proud Senior Sister of the Inner Court seemed more fragile than ever. The aura of a genius, the glory of her past—all of it had been cast aside.
Neuvillette sighed softly.
"How could I? Seventeen years of my life—back when Elder Mu wasn't around—you always took care of me. You'd never raised a child before, so you went to Aunt Lin for advice. But she had no children, only theories—and the two of you caused more than a few ridiculous incidents. I still remember them clearly."
"Whenever there was good food, you saved it for me. Whenever there were better resources, you gave them to me…"
Neuvillette gazed at the beautiful woman in his arms and gently wrapped an arm around her back.
He pressed his cheek against hers, feeling her soft warmth.
From the moment he crossed into this world as a child, he had always retained his adult memories from his past life.
Throughout that time, Zhang Lexuan's care remained unwavering and exacting.
Perhaps at first it was only because Elder Mu had ordered it. But over time, without even realizing it, Neuvillette had become a presence she could no longer be without…
Just like this moment—she was like a kitten afraid of being abandoned, quietly yearning.
If Neuvillette truly cast her aside without mercy, she might blacken instantly.
And if she did… she'd blacken thoroughly.
"Is that so?"
Zhang Lexuan raised her flawless face, tears glimmering, but her smile bloomed like a flower.
"Then… can you come shopping with me?"
"The last time you went with me was over a year ago."
"Alright."
Neuvillette gave a faint smile.
But he failed to notice the fleeting expression on Zhang Lexuan's face—the quick flash of triumph, gone instantly.
"Wow, isn't that Senior Sister? She's actually out shopping?"
"Yeah, holy—wait, am I seeing this right? Senior Sister is smiling! She smiled!!!"
"This is the first time I've seen her smile in my entire year in the Inner Court!"
In Shrek City, towers loomed, and the bustling streets were full of Inner Court students out buying cultivation resources.
But when they saw the normally stoic, iceberg-like Senior Sister not only smiling but also affectionately holding onto the shoulder of a young man, their jaws all dropped.
"Ha! That's because you've seen too little," an older student chuckled. Seeing everyone turn toward him, he straightened proudly and explained, "That man grew up with Senior Sister. He's a legend of the Inner Court. Though he left the Inner Court long ago, the name he left behind still—"
"Oh, it's Senior Neuvillette? Then never mind."
"Disperse, disperse, nothing to see."
Before he could finish, everyone had already dispersed.
"Hey—! I wasn't done talking!"
Leaving only the poor upperclassman bewildered in the wind.
"You're telling me… this is a shopping mall?"
Neuvillette stared at the tall building before him, where six giant characters read: Special Couples' Hotel, the corner of his mouth twitching.
"Yes."
Zhang Lexuan's expression didn't change.
"Really?"
Neuvillette's voice rose.
"Yes."
Still utterly calm, Zhang Lexuan nodded firmly.
"This is not a mall!"
Neuvillette felt his patience fray.
"You're saying it's not a mall?"
Zhang Lexuan tapped her lips with one finger, feigning puzzlement.
"It's not."
Neuvillette's face was expressionless.
"I agree! It's not a mall at all! But this morning, when I passed by… it was a mall. Strange, how could it have changed?"
As she spoke, she even looked around with exaggerated confusion.
"I just happened to get a little tired from shopping. Let's go inside and rest for a bit." She tugged at his arm, tone suddenly playful.
"Just a little rest…"
"Haa…"
Neuvillette felt the soft press of her body against his arm, and for a brief moment, his heart wavered.
But quickly, he came back to his senses.
Damn it.
Someone was trying to take advantage of him!
Yet in the end, he couldn't withstand Zhang Lexuan's persistence and was forcibly dragged inside the hotel…
"Welcome, honored guests. This is our Special Couples' Hotel. May I ask if you require any… special—"
"Ahem! No, no! Just a place to rest for a while."
Neuvillette cut off the pretty receptionist's words with a stone-faced tone.
"Any random room will do."
"Ohhh…"
The receptionist's face lit with an "I understand" smile. She quickly handed Zhang Lexuan a key and gestured politely toward the stairs.
Neuvillette's mouth twitched.
Understand what?! What on earth do you think you understand?!
If this got out, his reputation would be ruined.
A hotel? A couple's hotel? A special couples' hotel, at that? Did they think he was some clueless novice from his past life?
But Zhang Lexuan only gave a calm nod, then pulled Neuvillette toward the stairs.
If one looked closely, though, they could see the faintest blush dusting the tips of her fair ears.
"Room 302. Here we are."
Zhang Lexuan led Neuvillette straight in.
"You sit on the bed and rest. I'll take a shower first."
The beauty's long legs carried her gracefully into the bathroom after pushing Neuvillette onto the bed.
While Neuvillette looked around the room…considering an excuse to slip away, Zhang Lexuan suddenly returned, stepping right up to him.
Her flawless face leaned close.
"If you dare to sneak away while I'm in the shower, no matter your excuse… I will find you. And when I do, your death will be very, very miserable."
With that, she turned and entered the bathroom.
Moments later, the sound of running water echoed out.