Chapter 1101: [3] An Inescapable Green Fate?
Though splitting her focus left her feeling somewhat guilty toward Qiao Ni, Ye Wenxin couldn't afford to ignore Liu Churan's scheming.
"Sister Wenxin, why have you gone so quiet all of a sudden?"
"Sister Wenxin... don't tell me you've learned some secret technique and are peeking at my mother right now?"
Qiao Ni's suspicion snapped Ye Wenxin back to the moment, forcing her to respond verbally-though she kept her divine sense active, stretching it further. Fortunately, the room where Liu Churan and Lady Yu were gathered held several potted fortune-attracting trees. Through their leaves, Ye Wenxin glimpsed Liu Churan's back and Lady Yu's face.
The two seemed to be trying on clothing. Lady Yu blushed furiously at the garment in her hands, while Liu Churan laughed, her tone dripping with mock curiosity. "What kind of man could make even a stubborn block of ice like you melt enough to buy *these*?"
Liu Churan's words hinted at bafflement over Lady Yu's recent changes. Her sister had begun dressing more meticulously, even selecting flamboyant undergarments. Were it not for the lack of signs of a body-snatching curse, Liu Churan might have suspected Lady Yu had swapped places with her daughter, Qiao Ni.
"I suppose... I just realized I've never truly lived for myself," Lady Yu replied, her smile tinged with melancholy. Liu Churan's teasing faltered, her gaze drifting to the window as if lost in memory.
After a long pause, the tension between them softened. Liu Churan pulled several robes from her qiankun pouch-a dimensional storage pouch-and tossed them to Lady Yu. "Fine. Let me help. These are from the Hundred Blossoms Dynasty. I bought them during my last visit. Try them on."
The sisters' rare moment of harmony left Ye Wenxin reeling. She withdrew her divine sense, wanting to question Qiao Ni about Lady Yu and Liu Churan... yet the words lodged in her throat.
Qiao Ni still clung to her arm, her expression radiant with contentment, as though clinging to Ye Wenxin's sleeve was all she needed in the world. In the end, Ye Wenxin swallowed her curiosity. However vital Lady Yu's secrets were, Qiao Ni's presence felt irreplaceable.
"Sister Wenxin, look at that street performer! So talented!"
"Sister Wenxin, I want osmanthus cake!"
Qiao Ni's childlike enthusiasm bubbled over, but her innocent gestures grew bolder-leaning closer, brushing against Ye Wenxin's side, her sly grin betraying a possessiveness she didn't bother to hide.
For the first time, Ye Wenxin felt grateful Qiao Ni was still young. If this continued, the girl would grow into a far more dangerous heartbreaker. With her delicate features inherited from Lady Yu, Qiao Ni's deceptive charm could ensnare anyone. Ye Wenxin herself had fallen for that facade. Even after glimpsing the girl's true nature, she found herself unable-or unwilling-to pull away.
"Sister Wenxin, open up-*ahh*." Qiao Ni now waved a skewer of candied fruit, attempting to feed her.
Ye Wenxin shook her head, but Qiao Ni only inched closer, mischief glinting in her eyes as she offered the half-eaten treat. Sharing food was commonplace among girls, but here, it felt charged-a silent declaration of ownership. The terrifying part? Qiao Ni seemed utterly oblivious to the weight of her own desires.
"Come on, Sister Wenxin, don't be shy... *ah*..." Qiao Ni pressed, her small hand "accidentally" grazing Ye Wenxin's.
Ye Wenxin, now acutely aware of the girl's true identity, stiffened as Qiao Ni pressed closer. She rejected the offered treat, leaving Qiao Ni to finish the pastry herself-though not without theatrics. Noticing Ye Wenxin's lingering gaze, Qiao Ni deliberately slowed her movements, tongue flicking over the crumbs with a provocativeness that made Ye Wenxin's scalp tingle.
