"Just speak properly, don't go kicking around like that."
Ye Qiu frowned, covering his ear, opened his eyes to glare at Xiaowu, then turned over and closed his eyes again.
"Then hurry up and get your stuff packed." Xiaowu pouted, watching Ye Qiu turn away, reaching out to tug at his clothes.
"I'm asking—are you going home with me or with Tang San?"
Ye Qiu rolled his eyes and looked back at Xiaowu with a bit of annoyance.
Xiaowu's body stiffened, her eyes flickered nervously, and she pulled back her hand. "Does it really matter? Aren't you both from the same village anyway?"
Ye Qiu shrugged. "Of course it matters. If you want to go home with Tang San, I won't be happy."
Xiaowu's face started turning red, she looked flustered and stammered, "Who cares if you're happy or not? I'm happy, that's what matters. Hmph!"
Seeing Xiaowu's panicked expression, Ye Qiu's lips curved into a half-smile.
Looks like the time spent over the past year wasn't wasted.
Ye Qiu slowly sat up, glanced at his things, and shrugged.
"I don't really have much to pack, just a few sets of clothes. Why don't you help me pack?"
"What?! You wish! No way."
"If you're willing, I can pay you with a candy, carrot flavored. How about that?"
Ye Qiu waved a finger teasingly in front of Xiaowu.
Xiaowu's initially resistant face softened immediately.
"Really? Don't lie to me."
She swallowed nervously—ever since candies had to be bought, she only got them at the start of the month. If she bought too many, she'd finish them too fast.
"When have I ever lied to you?" Ye Qiu said sincerely.
"You bully Xiaowu so many times already."
Xiaowu blushed, rubbing her pert bottom. Though her soul power was only slightly lower than Ye Qiu's, his strength was much greater, and she was no match for him in a fight.
"That's because you don't listen! And bullying you and lying to you are two different things, okay?" Ye Qiu said as he reached out to pinch her slightly aggrieved face.
But Xiaowu dodged, her shy eyes staring seriously at him. In a coquettish voice, she said, "No random pinching! That's a different price."
"Ha, alright then."
Ye Qiu shrugged helplessly. He could only say he had a bad influence, and to satisfy the little bunny's sweet tooth, she'd fallen for money.
"Then hurry up and pack, I'll lie down a bit longer." He lazily ordered, stretching and walking a few steps to Xiaowu's bed before lying down.
"Hmph! Always bossing Xiaowu around," Xiaowu snorted, then obediently climbed onto Ye Qiu's bed and started folding his clothes.
Seeing how obedient Xiaowu was, Ye Qiu felt a bit comfortable.
In one year's time, originally at level twelve, he had broken through quickly to level seventeen. Even though Tang San had reached level thirteen with his soul rings and Xuantian Skill, Ye Qiu was gradually falling behind.
Waiting was always slow. Ye Qiu was waiting for Xiaowu to break through to Soul Venerable level, or for his soul technique to improve enough for him to safely explore the Sunset Forest near Tiandou City.
Though teleportation had distance limits, it was a life-saving tool Ye Qiu was grateful for.
At this rate, before graduating from Notting Academy, Ye Qiu was confident he would surpass level thirty and could find time to go out safely.
While Ye Qiu pondered this, Xiaowu had neatly folded his clothes. Clearly not her first time doing this, she was skillful and efficient. After bouncing a couple of times, she jumped to Ye Qiu's bedside and nudged him.
"Ye Qiu, I finished packing for you, hurry and give me my reward~"
"Really? Then thanks for your hard work."
Ye Qiu sat up and glanced at his neatly folded bedspread and blankets — everything was orderly and pleasant to look at.
"Enough with the nonsense, get up and give Xiaowu her payment." Xiaowu smiled, holding out her hand, beckoning.
"How about this: You owe me six silver soul coins. Helping you pack saves you two. Deal? I'm being generous, right?" Ye Qiu took the candy from his mouth, smiling at the adorable little face slowly distorting with a mix of frustration and cuteness.
"No way!" Xiaowu pouted, tugging at Ye Qiu's arm and started acting coquettishly. "Ye Qiu~ I'll pay you back once my stipend arrives."
Seeing Ye Qiu still indifferent and trying to dodge payment, Xiaowu's expression turned fierce. Gritting her teeth, she threatened, "Ye Qiu, you must give Xiaowu a bite today. Or else, we're not done yet! Ah! Ugh~"
Watching the tiny fury, Ye Qiu smiled and gave in, stuffing the candy into her mouth before turning away.
"Ahh! Ptooey, ptooey!"
Xiaowu whimpered and quickly spit it out, turning her face aside, blushing furiously.
Turning back to his bed, Ye Qiu gave her an annoyed glare.
"Take it or leave it. I already cut you two silver coins. What more do you want, greedy bunny?" Ye Qiu smirked confidently and lay back down.
"Ah—!"
Hearing the word "bunny," Xiaowu got excited and immediately threw the candy at Ye Qiu.
"Ye Qiu, Xiaowu challenges you to a duel!"
Before the words were out, Xiaowu lunged at Ye Qiu with clawed hands.
Quick as lightning, Ye Qiu caught the thrown 'hidden weapon' in his mouth, freeing his hands to meet the furious Xiaowu.
The other students in Dorm Seven were used to these scenes. Xiaowu and Ye Qiu had these little fights every so often, and if one day they didn't quarrel, others would feel uneasy.
Bang! Pfft!
Smack! Smack! Smack!
"Ah!"
"Ah—stop! Stop fighting! Xiaowu admits she's wrong! I give up!"
The muffled sounds of fists and kicks clashing, then a series of sharp snaps, followed by the familiar screams and pleas from Xiaowu.
After a moment.
Ye Qiu released his soul spirit and stood by the wall, slightly out of breath, clothes neat.
Xiaowu was stuck to the wall by spiderwebs, clothes disheveled, hands raised and bound, twisting her burning hot bottom slightly. Tears shimmered in her eyes; her face was a mix of shyness, anger, and fear.
"Seriously, don't go three days without a fight or things get crazy."
Ye Qiu wiped imaginary sweat from his forehead, looking at the challenging pink bunny in front of him, amused.
"Who told you to keep calling me a bunny!" Xiaowu's voice sounded a bit wronged.
Seeing her pout, Ye Qiu, candy in mouth, reached out to release her.
"Stop! Xiaowu already gave up." She struggled and begged, afraid of another beating.
"You think you can stop me if I want to continue?" Ye Qiu sneered, putting the candy back in front of her. "Well? Do you want it or not?"
"Y-yes, I want it."
Xiaowu blushed and nodded repeatedly, shyly sticking out her little tongue to lick the candy.
Ye Qiu rolled his eyes. Could've just done this earlier, and slid the candy toward her.
"Ahh!"
Xiaowu choked a bit; Ye Qiu caught her off guard.
The black spider silk dissolved; Xiaowu dropped to the floor, habitually leaning on Ye Qiu, head down, obediently licking the candy, mumbling, "Quick, ah~ fix Xiaowu."
"Alright!"