Chapter 20: Don’t Get Too Close to Tang San

After purchasing everything he needed, Ye Qiu didn't bother picking up the bedding again.

Instead, he waved at Xiao Wu and began walking leisurely toward Nuoding Academy.

"Let's go. I need to eat something to regain my energy."

"Alright!"

Xiao Wu beamed, not minding that Ye Qiu was carrying nothing. Instead, her steps became lighter as she followed closely behind him.

The sun had already set behind the mountains, leaving only the fiery hues of dusk in the sky.

By the time they reached the academy gates, Ye Qiu opened the bag hanging around his neck, releasing a tantalizing aroma of roasted meat.

Xiao Wu immediately tensed up. She rushed over, her voice filled with urgency.

"Ye Qiu, what are you doing?"

"Eating, of course."

Ye Qiu waved a piece of roasted meat in front of her.

Now that she was closer, Xiao Wu could finally see what he was holding.

With a sharp cry, she dashed forward and shouted, "Ye Qiu, you're not allowed to eat that!"

"But I'm hungry. Besides, I spent a lot of money on this. Should I just waste it?"

Ye Qiu glanced at Xiao Wu, finally remembering why she had flipped over a vendor's stall before—it was because someone had tried to feed her roasted meat.

Suddenly, he lost his appetite.

Still, he felt that his earlier reassurance had worked too well. Xiao Wu had already forgotten her lesson and was now scolding him again.

"But… that's rabbit meat! You can't eat it!"

Xiao Wu stomped her foot anxiously, her eyes flashing with anger.

"Didn't you say you'd listen to me?"

Ye Qiu frowned slightly, his voice turning a little colder.

"But…!"

Xiao Wu was stunned, wanting to protest further.

"Enough. Don't say anything else."

Ye Qiu waved his hand dismissively, cutting her off. He turned and walked into the academy, putting the roasted meat back into the bag.

Instead, he pulled out a lollipop and popped it into his mouth.

Watching Ye Qiu enjoy his candy so effortlessly, Xiao Wu bit her lip, her eyes showing a hint of grievance.

"What are you standing there for? Hurry up!"

Ye Qiu spoke around the candy in his mouth, not even turning back as he urged her forward.

Xiao Wu lowered her gaze, then followed behind him, looking somewhat uneasy.

"What a silly rabbit," Ye Qiu muttered, glancing back at her before swallowing the candy in his mouth with a small smirk.

At least she was obedient.

Still, there were some things he needed to make clear to this little rabbit.

As they walked deeper into the academy, Ye Qiu casually tossed away the wooden stick from his candy and pulled out a small bone from his bag.

Xiao Wu, carrying her things, remained silent the whole way, trailing behind him.

Ye Qiu stopped, turning to face her with a grin. He held the bone in one hand, while his other hand—hidden behind his back—clutched a lollipop flavored with Xiao Wu's favorite carrot taste.

"Ye Qiu, what are you planning now?"

Xiao Wu stopped as well, furrowing her delicate brows and looking at him with suspicion.

Ye Qiu said nothing. Instead, he waved the bone in front of her and commanded with a smirk, "Open your mouth."

Seeing the bone moving closer, Xiao Wu seemed to realize something, her expression darkening. Her red eyes filled with mist as she bit her lip.

All the goodwill she had felt earlier disappeared in an instant.

Looking at Ye Qiu with a pitiful expression, she saw no hesitation in his eyes. Unable to resist, she could only nod slightly.

"Mm…"

With a soft, tearful hum, Xiao Wu reluctantly parted her lips.

"Open wider."

Ye Qiu's voice was cold and firm.

Trembling slightly, Xiao Wu shut her eyes. Tears welled up at the corners of her eyes as she reluctantly obeyed.

Watching her delicate and pitiful expression, Ye Qiu rolled his eyes. Seeing that she barely opened her mouth any further, he sighed and finally stuffed the lollipop inside.

"Ah…" Xiao Wu let out a muffled whimper, almost bursting into tears.

Ye Qiu pinched her cheeks, tugging them lightly, then leaned closer and teased, "See? You really are obedient, huh?"

As he spoke, the sweet scent of the candy drifted onto Xiao Wu's face.

"Come on, follow me. I have something to tell you."

Before Xiao Wu could process what had happened, Ye Qiu had already taken her belongings from her arms and started walking toward Dorm Seven.

Xiao Wu blinked in confusion.

Her tongue instinctively swirled around the candy in her mouth, the sweetness intensifying.

When she finally took it out and looked at it, she realized it was a pink lollipop.

Touching her flushed cheeks, she suddenly understood.

No wonder Ye Qiu's mouth didn't smell like meat just now…

Quickly wiping away the moisture in her eyes with her sleeve, Xiao Wu sped up and ran after him.

"Ye Qiu, wait for me!"

Catching up to his side, she walked beside him, slowly savoring the candy while sneaking glances at him.

When Ye Qiu turned to look at her, she immediately hid her smile, blushing as she lowered her head, fiddling with the lollipop in her hands.

Ye Qiu rolled his eyes in exasperation.

"Why are you just standing there? If you don't want this rabbit meat, should I give it to Wang Sheng and the others?"

"Ah?"

Xiao Wu was startled, staring at him blankly.

"Then what should I do with it?"

"I was thinking of eating it all. Is that okay?"

At his words, Xiao Wu immediately frowned.

"Of course not!"

"Then just find a place and bury it."

Ye Qiu sighed, rolling his eyes at her cluelessness.

"…Oh."

Blushing slightly, Xiao Wu nodded. She took the bag from around Ye Qiu's neck and carefully carried it to the roadside.

"Thank you, Ye Qiu~"

"It's fine. Just make sure you pay me back for it."

"Of course! I promise I will!"

Xiao Wu beamed, showing no sign of backing out of the promise.

Not long after, she finished burying the rabbit meat and returned to Ye Qiu's side, stretching out her clean hands.

"Alright, Ye Qiu, I'll carry it now."

"Mm."

Ye Qiu handed the belongings back to her without hesitation.

Then, he leaned in close to her ear and whispered, "Do you remember what you promised me?"

"Mm-hmm…" Xiao Wu nodded quickly, her cheeks reddening. "I'll be obedient!"

Ye Qiu glanced at her and didn't bother correcting her way of addressing herself. Instead, he continued, "Then remember this—don't get too close to Tang San, got it? Otherwise, I won't look after you anymore."

"…?"

Xiao Wu blinked in confusion. She didn't understand why, but she still nodded seriously.

"Okay, I understand."

"You better." Ye Qiu smirked. "Otherwise… I'll start eating rabbit meat every day."

He playfully pinched her cheek.

"Don't! I'll listen, so don't eat rabbit meat!"

Before she could finish, Ye Qiu snatched the lollipop from her mouth with a grin.

Then, without waiting for her reaction, he turned and headed toward Dorm Seven.

"Ye Qiu! Give it back! That's mine! I'm gonna beat you up!"

Watching his retreating figure, Xiao Wu's face turned bright red.

But despite her protest, a small, shy smile crept onto her lips.

.................

Guy's if you are liking this so far, don't forget to give some 5-star reviews it will motivate me to upload more chapter's 

Per 100 stones= 5 Bonus chapter's