"Qian Renxue is no ordinary person. Why would she lie to me?"
Ye Tian spoke with sincerity, causing Bibi Dong to chuckle lightly. "Xiao Tian, you shouldn't assume that just because someone has a noble status, they won't lie."
After saying this, Bibi Dong's lips curled slightly. It seemed she was including herself in her statement.
Ye Tian waved his hand. "If I didn't evaluate her words, how could I agree so easily to Qian Renxue's proposal? The 'sister' she mentioned is actually her mother—Spirit Hall's Pope, Bibi Dong. So she wasn't lying."
Ye Tian chuckled. "Sister, you wouldn't have guessed, but I actually managed to marry the Pope! This has been my dream, so when Qian Renxue made the offer, I immediately agreed."
He glanced at his sister's reaction but found her expression calm, putting his mind somewhat at ease.
However, beneath her composed exterior, Bibi Dong's heart churned with intense emotions—part anger, part disbelief. Qian Renxue had gone too far by using her as a bargaining chip.
Bibi Dong didn't doubt Ye Tian's words. After all, only a handful of top Spirit Hall members knew that Qian Renxue called her "sister." Ye Tian had no way of knowing this unless Qian Renxue told him directly.
From the moment she heard Qian Renxue's scheme, Bibi Dong had rejected it in her heart. She knew Ye Tian's idea of "Bibi Dong" was a romanticized fantasy, far removed from reality.
Moreover, she had long since become indifferent to love. Her sole focus was dismantling the Angel Clan's control over Spirit Hall.
Narrowing her eyes slightly, Bibi Dong decided she needed to have a serious conversation with her daughter. Recruiting Ye Tian was fine, but she could not allow herself to be treated as a pawn in this manner.
As Bibi Dong fell into thought, Ye Tian casually mentioned, "Qian Renxue won't be able to leave East Sea City for half a month due to her injuries. Nana suggested inviting her to our wedding since she's a distinguished guest."
Testing her again, Ye Tian observed closely, but Bibi Dong appeared unfazed. "It's your wedding," she replied. "Small matters like this don't need my approval."
Ye Tian, tapping his fingers on the table, smiled. "Not just Qian Renxue—Ning Fengzhi, the master of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, is coming too. We can't offend someone like him, so I agreed."
This statement finally elicited a flicker of surprise in Bibi Dong's eyes. Ning Fengzhi knew her identity as the Pope. If he attended Ye Tian's wedding, her cover would surely be blown. Yet, rejecting the idea without reason was difficult.
Forced to respond, she said, "If they're willing to honor us with their presence, we should welcome them graciously." Internally, Bibi Dong resolved to adapt as events unfolded.
Seeing no major hesitation, Ye Tian felt relieved. He feared that his sister might actually be Bibi Dong, which would render his months of emotional investment misplaced.
Yet, his tests brought only partial comfort. As darkness fell outside the study window, Ye Tian stood to leave. Gazing at his sister's profile, he hesitated before saying, "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave… Pope Bibi Dong."
"Hmm..." Bibi Dong nodded indifferently.
Suddenly, she froze as though struck by lightning. Ye Tian also stood stunned. His words had been a final probe, and the outcome was unexpected—his worst fear had come true.
Silence filled the study as their gazes locked. After a long pause, Ye Tian's voice, heavy with emotion, broke the tension: "Sister, or should I say… Pope Bibi Dong."
Bibi Dong's beautiful eyes stared at him for a moment before she responded, "When did you figure it out?"
Although she had planned to reveal her identity after Nana's wedding, being exposed this way caught her off guard. Ye Tian's intelligence had once again surprised her.
Seeing her admit it so calmly, Ye Tian sighed in relief, his anxiety fading. He couldn't believe Bibi Dong had spent three months pretending to be his sister.
"When I figured it out doesn't matter." Sitting across from her again, Ye Tian smiled brightly.
"You were testing me earlier, weren't you?" Bibi Dong asked, recalling his recent remarks.
"Yes," Ye Tian admitted. "Now, tell me—where's my real sister, Ye Xinglan?"
"She's in Spirit City," Bibi Dong replied, quickly adding, "Three months ago, your sister planned to visit you, but her talent and hard work led her to be selected for the Spirit Hall Special Training Program. You can see her anytime—no strings attached."
Although she could have used Ye Xinglan as leverage, doing so would destroy the goodwill she'd built over three months and alienate Ye Tian.
Softly, Bibi Dong continued, "At first, I only played along when you mistook me for your sister because I found it amusing. But you surprised me again and again, making me immerse myself in this role."
Ye Tian turned his head away, embarrassed. His bold proclamations about marrying her now felt unbearably awkward.
Bibi Dong clarified, "Setting my identity aside, my feelings for you are genuine. But I mean familial love. These three months, I've seen you as my younger brother."
Ye Tian, recovering from his embarrassment, looked at her and said, "I believe you."
(End of Chapter)
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