Chapter 16: Tang San Arrives—How Could There Be a Man in Xiao Wu's Boudoir?

"Clear Sky Douluo is really that kind of person. Ah, Sister Ah Yin was so pitiful; she even sacrificed her own life foolishly," Xiao Wu said, her eyes tinged with red. As a hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast, and specifically of the rabbit species, she was more familiar with Ah Yin, the hundred-thousand-year-old Blue Silver Emperor, than anyone else could be.

Although they were natural enemies from a racial perspective, they shared a surprisingly warm relationship. During her time in Great Star Dou Forest, Xiao Wu would often visit Ah Yin just to play and interact.

What's ironically naive is that Xiao Wu believed Ah Yin had found her happily ever after.

But in the end, Tang Hao not only took Ah Yin's soul ring but also cruelly claimed her heart. His actions were even more detestable than those humans who simply hunted soul beasts. If Ah Yin ever knew that the man she loved had been plotting to take her soul ring all along—and even manipulated her emotions and sacrifices—she would probably go mad, even with her gentle disposition.

Being manipulated by one's own lover—no woman could easily accept such a harsh reality.

T/N: Kind of ironic, isn't it?

"Master Auspicious Beast, is this how human beings and soul beasts are fated to coexist?" Xiao Wu lifted her beautiful eyes toward Xu Ran, a touch of bitterness gracing her cheeks. When she learned about Ah Yin's tragic love story with a human, her heart had also wandered into beautiful fantasies. She had even imagined that once her great vendetta was avenged, she too could be with her brother, living an idyllic life envied only by lovebirds and not even celestial beings.

However, she was now told that all of this was nothing but a grand deception and scheme—a claim she couldn't even refute. Could all of this really be just a series of coincidences? Could the world be so conveniently orchestrated? She felt somewhat lost and increasingly overwhelmed.

"From now on, just call me Brother Xu Ran. That's my name now," Xu Ran replied.

"The world is a perilous place, filled with both good and bad among humans and soul beasts alike. Alright, it's time for us to leave," Xu Ran continued. Xiao Wu was still too naive, whether by Tang San's side or his own. But perhaps her naivety was a good thing—it provided him an opportunity to swoop in.

Xiao Wu was so beautiful. Once he captured her heart, he, too, could live a life of bliss…

At Nuoding Academy, Inside Xiao Wu's Fragrant Boudoir

Xu Ran lay resting on Xiao Wu's plush, pink bed. His injuries were severe, requiring several days of recuperation before he could fully recover.

Although he wasn't actually injured, who else could make that determination but him? Xiao Wu, so compliant and tender, took it upon herself to attend to him. Even a mere block of wood would know to lie in bed and not move; why wouldn't he, especially when Xiao Wu's aromatic bed was so inviting?

Most importantly, if Tang San saw him lying on Xiao Wu's bed, he could only imagine how furious it would make him. Xu Ran relished the opportunity to flaunt this in front of Tang San. After all, in Xiao Wu's eyes, Tang Hao was already the worst person in the world. And being his son, what would that make Tang San?

Judging by Xiao Wu's previous expressions, she seemed unaware of the relationship between Tang San and Tang Hao. What would happen when she eventually found out that Tang San was Tang Hao's son? Even if she continued to trust Tang San, she'd likely suspect that Tang Hao had sent him to get close to her intentionally.

Ah, the beauty of being a traverser… how wonderful!

Knowing the storyline, familiar with all the tricks, how could Tang San ever be his match? Even if Tang San were extraordinarily clever, facing his multi-layered schemes would likely leave him stunned.

"Brother Xu Ran, how are you feeling?" Xiao Wu asked, holding a pink handkerchief in her hand, moistening it with water before laying it gently on Xu Ran's forehead. She was concerned—Auspicious Beast seemed fine just a while ago; why was he running a fever now?

The innocent Xiao Wu had no idea about Xu Ran's multitude of tricks.

All she knew was that Xu Ran felt hot all over, even breaking into a slight, illusory sweat.

"I never thought that I, as Auspicious Beast, would become so vulnerable. Xiao Wu, it seems like you'll have to take care of me for the next few days," Xu Ran said, his eyes lingering on Xiao Wu's delicate figure, feeling his heart stir.

"It's my duty. Every soul beast must protect Auspicious Beast," Xiao Wu nodded, her heart filled with a profound sense of mission.

"By the way, Xiao Wu, you don't have a boyfriend, do you? If you do, I should leave now. I don't want to be an inconvenience," Xu Ran inquired, curious about Xiao Wu's feelings towards Tang San.

At this point, she probably hadn't fallen for Tang San yet. They hadn't even enrolled in Shrek Academy, let alone experienced life-and-death trials together.

At most, Xiao Wu and Tang San had shared six years of mutual companionship.

"No, I couldn't possibly have feelings for a human," Xiao Wu murmured, her emotions a bit chaotic. She couldn't help but think about the relationship between Tang Hao and Ah Yin.

'Brother, do you feel the same way about me?' She wasn't sure, and suddenly, she felt a twinge of fear. She hoped her brother wasn't the type of person she was dreading he might be.

'Over the past six years, I've come to understand brother well. He could never treat me that way. Besides, my brother is just an ordinary person. He doesn't even know I'm a spirit beast; how could he be as despicable as Tang Hao? It's only someone as shameless as Tang Hao who would engage in such actions.'

'What happened between Tang Hao and Sister Ah Yin will not occur between brother and me.'

'I can't let my suspicions about the despicable Tang Hao influence my trust in brother. After all, there's no relation between brother and Tang Hao.'

"That's good to know," Xu Ran glanced at Xiao Wu and understood. Their six-year academic journey had deepened Xiao Wu and Tang San's emotional bonds.

Though he holds the status of an Auspicious Beast, he has certain expectations for ordinary spirit beasts like Xiao Wu. And they are obliged to meet those expectations. Moreover, he possesses the ability to assist Xiao Wu in seeking revenge, and in doing so, he could ask for something in return from her.

Even now, if he were to assert his authority and make unilateral decisions, Xiao Wu wouldn't dare to protest.

However, would he, Xu Ran, ever lower himself to such a base and dishonorable level? No matter how unscrupulous one might be, certain lines must not be crossed. At the very least, he would win her over first before making any demands.

...

"Ding! Host, Tang San is currently heading towards Xiao Wu's dormitory. He seems a bit worried about her," the system voice notified Xu Ran.

"Brother Xu Ran, what are you thinking about?" Xiao Wu's eyes met Xu Ran's, concerned that it might be dangerous with the Auspicious Beast around. What if Tang Hao comes looking?

"I'm not thinking about anything specific, just feeling some pain," Xu Ran replied, touching his own back with a grimace, as if trying to mislead Xiao Wu.

"Is it painful here?" Sitting on the edge of the bed, Xiao Wu placed her palm on Xu Ran's chest, asking with curiosity.

"Yes, that's right."

"Let me massage it for you," Xiao Wu offered earnestly, her small hands gently kneading his skin.

"Ah, that feels really good. Whoever marries Xiao Wu in the future will be a fortunate man," Xu Ran remarked, a smile gracing his lips.

Just as Xiao Wu was engrossed in massaging Xu Ran, Tang San quietly arrived outside her boudoir.

He felt increasingly anxious. Something seemed off about Xiao Wu's mood today; perhaps she had run into some sort of trouble.

No matter what difficulties Xiao Wu had encountered, he was determined to help her.

Xiao Wu was so beautiful, with a slender and ethereal figure. Even he couldn't help but be captivated by her. Despite spending countless days with her, he had never really noticed all this before. However, today, when he focused his heart and mind on her, he realized just how beautiful she had become.

"Xiao Wu..." Tang San was about to knock on the door when he heard a discordant male voice.

It seemed to be a man's voice.

"How could this be? How could there be a man in Xiao Wu's private room?" Standing at the door, Tang San sensed the movements inside and felt a mix of disbelief, panic, and anger on his face.

He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Xiao Wu was pure and virtuous; she couldn't possibly be the kind of girl to act carelessly.

Since receiving her monthly stipend from the Soul Hall, Xiao Wu had rented her own room. From that moment on, even he, being as close to Xiao Wu as he was, had seldom entered her private space.

But now, everything had changed.

A man he didn't even recognize was sharing such an intimate moment with Xiao Wu in her room.

Tang San's body trembled slightly, struggling to accept what he was hearing.

It had been years since he last set foot in Xiao Wu's private room, a place so intimate that even the air was imbued with her scent.