Chapter 13 I won't let you eat

Ye Qiu looked at Xiao Wu's dark circles and couldn't help but laugh.

Then, with a hint of inexplicable apology in his eyes, he said something that left Xiao Wu confused.

"Sorry about earlier..."

"?"

Xiao Wu was momentarily stunned, then quickly scanned Ye Qiu up and down. Realization dawned on her, and she immediately gritted her teeth, eyes filled with resentment.

"Don't think an apology will save you! Once I'm better, I'll beat you so bad you'll be searching for your teeth on the ground! Hmph… Xiao Wu-jie is going to spank you till you cry!"

She glared at Ye Qiu viciously, as if she were already imagining herself riding on his back, smacking him mercilessly.

Ye Qiu seemed to read her thoughts and leaned in closer, teasing her in a soft voice.

"You don't actually think you can beat me, do you?"

"Why wouldn't I?!"

Xiao Wu straightened up, her defiant energy completely contradicting the fact that she had just been beaten to tears.

Her delicate and charming face, though still streaked with tears, remained fair and radiant, with a slight blush on her cheeks. She puffed them up angrily as she glared at Ye Qiu, the contrast with her comically dark eye circles making her look unexpectedly adorable.

"In that case, I might as well keep spanking you every day until you can't even get out of bed!"

Ye Qiu savored the lollipop in his hand, a warm smile on his face, his tone gentle.

But his words made Xiao Wu visibly nervous.

She glared at him and shouted, "You wouldn't dare!"

Her body trembled slightly as she spoke, the lingering effects of crying earlier. Seeing the serious look in Ye Qiu's eyes, her gaze wavered, her confidence shaken.

But when she noticed his smug, teasing expression, she clenched her teeth again and forced herself to act tough.

"F-fine, then Xiao Wu-jie won't kick your butt! But I still challenge you... I refuse to call you boss!"

"Alright! Looking forward to it," Ye Qiu said with a light chuckle.

Against Tang San, he wasn't entirely sure of victory yet, but against Xiao Wu? He wasn't worried at all.

His Venom Martial Soul's full potential hadn't even been displayed yet.

Without provoking her further, he decided to play nice for now—partly because he planned to use her to test his venomous attachment ability later. He had yet to try wrapping his martial soul around another person.

Sure, the other dorm mates could be test subjects, but they were all too prickly.

Just imagining himself transforming into venom and clinging to someone, only to get stabbed by some ugly Ice Soul Silver Needle, sent shivers down his spine.

And besides, "stinky men, stinky men" wasn't just an insult—it was a fact.

If given a choice, Ye Qiu would much rather stick to a fragrant, soft girl instead.

Slurp... slurp...

He absentmindedly sucked on his lollipop, contemplating how best to get Xiao Wu to cooperate.

The pink lollipop moved in and out of his mouth, filling the air with sweetness mixed with a faint hint of carrots.

Xiao Wu twitched her nose slightly.

After two back-to-back fights and a long crying session, she was starting to feel hungry.

Noticing the scent of carrots coming from Ye Qiu's lollipop, she instinctively swallowed.

Just as he was considering whether to threaten her using her spirit beast identity, Ye Qiu caught her staring longingly at his candy.

His eyes lit up.

Maybe he didn't need to play his trump card so soon.

Sure, threatening her would be simple and effective, but he was just a stranger she had barely met. If he suddenly told her there was a Titled Douluo nearby, this silly rabbit might not even believe him.

Worse, if she recklessly tried to escape and got caught by Tang Hao, she might rat him out, and then he'd have to reincarnate all over again.

For the sake of his precious little life…

It was best to take things slow.

Ye Qiu had no idea that his martial soul would soon give him a massive shock—or maybe a pleasant surprise.

Noticing his gaze, Xiao Wu quickly looked away, but she still couldn't stop herself from swallowing again.

Ye Qiu smiled faintly, holding the stick of his lollipop between his fingers as he waved it in front of her.

"You want it?"

"Pfft, Xiao Wu-jie doesn't want your stupid candy..."

She huffed, but her eyes betrayed her, following the lollipop's every movement.

Ye Qiu chuckled. "If you want it, just say so. I don't mind giving it to you."

"Really?!"

Her face instantly brightened.

"Of course..." Ye Qiu nodded seriously, but then smoothly added,

"As long as you help me with a little something."

Xiao Wu tilted her head. "What do you need help with?"

"It's nothing big! My martial soul can actually wrap around people like clothing. I just want to test it on you..."

Ye Qiu stated it plainly.

"You mean that little black, slimy tadpole thing?"

Xiao Wu's eyes flickered with curiosity.

She was actually quite interested in his martial soul. Without much hesitation, she nodded lightly.

"Alright, no problem."

"Great! Then I'll give you the candy... Open your mouth!"

Ye Qiu grinned, surprised at how easy it was to convince her.

Xiao Wu's face turned a little red as she watched him bring the lollipop close, waiting for him to hand it over.

Ye Qiu was about to grab another one from his pouch, but then he stopped.

His supply was limited—he had to be resourceful.

Smirking playfully, he lifted the lollipop he had been eating and moved it toward her mouth.

Xiao Wu's pupils trembled slightly. She tried to close her mouth, but it was too late.

Ye Qiu was quick, slipping the lollipop between her lips. It nearly hit the back of her throat, so he wiggled it slightly to help it dissolve faster.

"Ah…! Cough, cough—"

Xiao Wu yelped, then started coughing.

Her throat was now coated in sweetness, the lingering taste of carrots filling her mouth.

But… this was the one Ye Qiu had already eaten!

Her outburst caught the attention of Tang San and the others, who turned to look.

Ye Qiu sat beside her, looking completely unfazed.

Meanwhile, Xiao Wu, having finished coughing, yanked the lollipop out of her mouth and glared at him, her face burning with embarrassment.

"Y-you gave me one you already licked?!"

Tang San, overhearing her, furrowed his brows.

He hesitated for a moment…

But then, remembering how Xiao Wu had been ignoring him earlier, he swallowed whatever words he wanted to say, though he couldn't shake the strange discomfort in his chest.

"This was my last carrot-flavored one. If you don't want it, just give it back—I'll eat it myself," Ye Qiu said nonchalantly and reached for the candy.

"Ah! But… but I already ate it!"

Xiao Wu panicked, immediately jumping up and covering his mouth with one hand while clutching the lollipop with the other.

"Mmph—!"

Ye Qiu struggled, prying her hand away.

"Pah, pah!"

He wiped at his lips in disgust and glared at her.

"Why the hell would you use the same hand you touch the ground with?! It's filthy—covered in dirt!"

"And you shoved something you already ate into my mouth! Hmph, now we're even!"

Xiao Wu huffed, still clutching the lollipop. She hesitated, face flushed, then slowly leaned in…

And took a careful, tentative lick.