Xiao Se replied without hesitation, "Because from the very first moment I saw you, I genuinely fell in love with you."
"Oh no… big brother's playboy tendencies are acting up again," Long Kui muttered softly inside the Demon Sword Pattern Space, rubbing her forehead. "Still, this Dongfang Huaizhu is actually worthy of him."
"W-What… l-like me?"
Hearing those words, the icy frost on Dongfang Huaizhu's pretty face melted away in an instant, replaced by a deep blush and a faint, unmistakable shyness.
Xiao Se nodded firmly, placing a hand over his chest. "I don't know how to describe it properly. Maybe it was love at first sight, or maybe it was something that had been quietly building for a long time. But this isn't some impulsive three-minute passion—it's something I thought about carefully."
"I've been to many places and seen all kinds of people and things. I thought my heart had already grown strong enough, unmoved by anything."
"But in this world, you're the one person I don't want to see get hurt. That's why, when we encountered the spider demons, Huandu Luolan, and Huandu Qingtian, I always struck first. I wanted to end everything as quickly as possible—because you're the first woman I've ever truly liked in this world."
As he spoke, Xiao Se extended his right hand. Pink flames appeared out of thin air, slowly gathering and shaping themselves into a delicate flower made entirely of fire.
Yet strangely, there was no heat at all—only a gentle warmth.
"Miss Huaizhu," Xiao Se said softly as he held the flame flower out to her, his eyes fixed on her face, "are you willing to accept my confession?"
Dongfang Huaizhu stared blankly at Xiao Se, who stood before her holding the flame flower. Her entire body went stiff, her mind completely blank.
The jade flute in her hand slipped from her fingers and fell to the ground with a crisp sound—but she didn't even notice.
Standing off to the side, Dongfang Qinlan was practically pacing in circles inside her head, as anxious as a cat on hot bricks.
Judging by looks, strength, character, and the way he thought things through, after these past two days of observation, she was extremely satisfied with Xiao Se. She had also clearly noticed that her sister already harbored feelings for him—otherwise, she wouldn't have casually called him "brother-in-law" over nothing more than a storage ring and a pile of food.
But seeing the two of them frozen like this now, she knew that if things dragged on any longer, their shared pride might very well ruin everything.
Taking a deep breath, Dongfang Qinlan bent down, picked up the jade flute from the ground, and gently nudged Dongfang Huaizhu. She lowered her voice and reminded her, "Sister, he's waiting for your answer."
"I… I…"
Dongfang Huaizhu snapped out of her daze. She clenched the corner of her skirt tightly with her jade-like fingers and lowered her head. Her hair fell straight down, casting shadows that hid her eyes completely.
Seeing her like this, bitterness surfaced on Xiao Se's face.
So it really was too much after all…
He gave a small, apologetic bow. "I'm sorry. I was too rash. Just pretend I never said anything."
As he spoke, the flame flower in his hand dissipated. He turned around and was about to leave.
If he couldn't pursue Dongfang Huaizhu—one of the women he had long cherished even in his past life—then he would simply go and kill Jin Renfeng. No matter what, he couldn't allow the tragedy of the original story to repeat itself.
Just as Xiao Se turned away, his sleeve was suddenly tugged.
Then, by his ear, a shy yet melodious voice sounded.
"This was too sudden… at least give me some time to think about it."
"Miss Huaizhu—then you—"
Xiao Se's eyes lit up with joy. He turned back, his voice trembling slightly.
"You idiot!" Dongfang Qinlan snapped in exasperation. "If my sister didn't like you, do you really think I'd call you brother-in-law?"
Dongfang Huaizhu's face burned red as she nodded lightly. "Mm."
Receiving Dongfang Huaizhu's confirmation, Xiao Se was overwhelmed with excitement. He lifted her up in his arms and spun around several times on the spot.
Watching the two of them, a sly glint flashed through Dongfang Qinlan's eyes. She turned toward the barely noticeable attendant standing nearby. "Xiao Lu, let's go over there."
"Second Miss, why are we going there?" Xiao Lu asked, puzzled.
This trip wasn't just about carrying luggage for Dongfang Huaizhu and Dongfang Qinlan. He had also been ordered by Jin Renfeng to secretly keep an eye on them—to make sure the two sisters didn't get involved with any unfamiliar men.
"Less nonsense. Are you coming or not?" Dongfang Qinlan clenched her fingers into a small fist.
"Uh—I'm coming, I'm coming," Xiao Lu said quickly, wiping cold sweat from his forehead as he followed after her helplessly.
"All right, put me down now," Dongfang Huaizhu said with a soft laugh, her arms looped around Xiao Se's neck. "Qinlan and the others are still nearby."
"Don't worry," Xiao Se replied as he gently set her down. "That girl actually knows when to give people space."
However, the arm wrapped around her waist showed no intention of letting go.
"That girl really sold me out over a bit of food," Dongfang Huaizhu said helplessly, glancing at Dongfang Qinlan's retreating figure.
Xiao Se smiled. "That's because she cares about you. If we didn't like each other, I don't think she'd pay me any attention no matter how much good food I offered her."
"Forget about her. Hand it over," Dongfang Huaizhu said, extending her hand.
"Hand what over?" Xiao Se asked in confusion.
"The flower! What, are you going back on your word?" Dongfang Huaizhu said, pretending to be angry.
"Ah—oh!" Xiao Se reacted instantly. He stretched out his right hand again, and pink flames appeared out of thin air, gathering into a flame bouquet even larger than before.
"How did you do this?" Dongfang Huaizhu asked curiously as she accepted the bouquet. "When you fought the spider demons and Huandu Qingtian earlier, this flame's temperature was terrifying—so strong that even Pure Yang Flame showed fear. But in my hands, it doesn't hurt at all."
"That's because my dou qi attribute isn't just fire," Xiao Se explained. "It also contains a trace of wood attribute. Combined with my refined soul power, I can freely control the flame's temperature."
Dongfang Huaizhu didn't fully understand, but she leaned gently into his embrace. "I don't really get it… but it sounds very impressive."
"Where to next?" Xiao Se smoothly changed the topic.
"This matter here is settled," Dongfang Huaizhu nodded. "Next, I plan to return to Divine Fire Manor."
"Then I'll go back with you," Xiao Se said with a grin. "Might as well meet my future father-in-law."
"Isn't that a little too fast?" Dongfang Huaizhu's cheeks flushed again as she looked away.
"What's wrong with that? Good things don't fear coming early. Besides…" Xiao Se paused briefly. His smile faded, and his expression turned serious. "I'm worried you might be in danger when you return this time."
"Danger? What kind of danger?" Dongfang Huaizhu asked in surprise.
"I sensed an aura on your attendant Xiao Lu's neck that doesn't belong to him," Xiao Se said solemnly. "If I'm not mistaken, it's a tracking talisman commonly used by Dao sects. It seems you and Qinlan are being monitored."
"A tracking talisman?"
Dongfang Huaizhu froze. Her brows immediately furrowed as certain thoughts surfaced in her mind.
(End of Chapter)
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