CHAPTER 233: 212: SHI WEI, I LIKE YOU.

Before they could even take a single glance into that pitch-black bag, the young girl pinched its bottom and emptied it all in one go.

In the blink of an eye, centipedes, cobras, scorpions, and spiders of various colors and species began crawling around their feet.

Everywhere they looked, the creatures were flicking their tongues, twitching their antennae, swaying their tails, and emitting eerie sounds from their throats.

"Ah!! Stay away, stay away..."

Jin Yunzhi, utterly terrified by the scene, tapped the tip of her toe on the ground and leaped into Xu Fan’s arms, clutching his neck tightly.

Standing nearby, Shi Yin reacted quickly and scooped up the woman, cradling her in his arms to prevent the creatures from crawling up her feet.

Only Yu Zhi and Shi Wei, still crouching on the ground, watched the scampering little critters with utter composure, their expressions remaining unchanged.

"Little Zhi, I feel like I’m going to throw up."

Ruan Yuan wasn’t as wildly panicked as Jin Yunzhi, but goosebumps covered her skin nonetheless.

She had suspected beforehand that the bag wouldn’t contain anything pleasant, but the sheer number of creatures inside surpassed her imagination.

The densely packed cluster was enough to trigger her fear of overwhelming patterns.

Yu Zhi: "..."

You’re the ones who wanted to see them, and now you’re the ones afraid.

Yu Zhi shook her head helplessly, her clear almond-shaped eyes shimmering with warmth as she explained gently, "They’ll crawl into the circle soon. They won’t hurt anyone."

Her fresh, melodious voice resembled the murmuring of a flowing stream, instantly soothing everyone’s rattled hearts.

Xu Fan glanced at the girl in his arms, whose curiosity mingled with trepidation, and couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

He adjusted his grip on her and directed his gaze toward the circle drawn with unidentified powder. "Little Zhi, can this powder subdue them?"

"Yes, they’re highly sensitive to its scent." With this alone, they wouldn’t act aggressively.

Sure enough, in the next moment, the horrifying little creatures crawled orderly into the circle.

They each found a suitable spot and curled up quietly without interfering with one another.

"It’s amazing..." Unable to resist peeking, Jin Yunzhi exclaimed in wonder, her lingering fear entirely dissipated.

After all, only in a sufficiently safe environment could one’s senses explore and experience new things.

At this moment, Jin Yunzhi found herself gradually drawn to the scene, as though watching a television drama unfold.

When everyone had seen enough, Yu Zhi poured some powder into the snakeskin bag and sprinkled it in front of the creatures, guiding them back inside.

The floor returned to its original appearance, and if not for the bag standing in the corner, they might have all convinced themselves that the moments before were nothing but a fleeting illusion.

Having enjoyed the spectacle, Secretary Li stood up leisurely. "Little Zhi, I still have some matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave first."

"Do keep me posted on the gentleman’s situation and give me a call once it’s handled."

"..."

Once Secretary Li’s silhouette vanished, Xu Fan, seated in his spot, finally spoke up. "Little Zhi, is the gentleman he mentioned Xue Xiongsen?"

Yu Zhi leaned against the man’s shoulder, fiddling absentmindedly with his slender fingers. She uttered a casual affirmation but refrained from elaborating.

Not that she didn’t trust the man; it was merely that her relationship with the old gentleman was complicated, impossible to explain in just a few words.

"Who’s Xue Xiongsen?"

Ruan Yuan raised her wine glass, swirled the crimson liquid inside, and took a delicate sip.

"The Imperial City’s administrative leader."

"Oh, I see."

No hint of curiosity appeared on the woman’s face, as if knowing someone like him was the most ordinary thing.

Her indifference left Xu Fan slightly baffled. Despite lingering doubts, he chose not to press further.

No matter the secrets she hid, or the mistakes she made, she was still his sister. And he would stand by her, no matter what.

**

"Zhizhi, don’t expose things like that to others in the future, alright?" Shi Wei effortlessly scooped the young girl into his arms.

He tossed the snakeskin bag casually by the door, carried her to the sofa, and gently combed his fingers through her jet-black, silky hair.

A faint scent of alcohol lingered on his body, and a rosy haze graced the corners of his upward-tilting peach blossom eyes.

If not for the clarity in his deep black gaze, one might mistakenly think he had drunk too much.

"They are not ’others’."

Yu Zhi raised her head to meet his gaze, her porcelain-white fingertips clutching tightly at his sleeve.

She, too, had indulged in ample wine tonight. Every breath escaping her crimson lips carried a faint sweetness.

"I know."

Shi Wei pressed his brow lightly against hers, his nose brushing against the soft down of her cheek. "But explaining is troublesome."

The girl wasn’t skilled at lying—her hesitation would inevitably betray her every time.

Back in Lanting Square, he had already sensed Xu Fan’s suspicions. Xu Fan might trust her unconditionally, but what about others?

The once fearless Shi Wei often found himself overestimating risks when it came to his girl.

He feared outsiders uncovering her secrets, leading them to doubt her identity and perhaps even summoning a Taoist to capture her...

Should that day come, not even his power and influence could retrieve her from Yama Hall or confront King Yan himself.

Noticing his unease, Yu Zhi quickly clung to his neck, completely unaware that she had already been labeled a "wandering soul" in his mind.

"Shi Wei, I won’t do it again," she whispered, placing a tender kiss on his faintly pink lips to calm him down. "Don’t be angry."

"I’m not angry."

Shi Wei chuckled softly, his hands encircling her waist drawing her closer still.

His precious girl was so obedient, so endearing, she simply melted his heart.

"..."

Yu Zhi pursed her lips, uncertain if the man’s words were truthful this time, especially since in the past he had claimed the same, only to later reveal his anger.

"Shi Wei, let me kiss you."

The girl closed her eyes, offering the gesture he always loved, hoping to smooth things over.

It was rare for her to be so proactive, tilting her chin to just the right angle—an opportunity Shi Wei wouldn’t squander.

Threading his fingers through her delicate strands, he held the back of her head gently but firmly, tilting his own, and greedily drinking in her sweetness.

Their shared breath mingled with the heady scent of wine, and the air seemed drenched in intoxication.

Moonlight danced behind them, its silvery glow interwoven with starlight, wrapping around them like an ethereal veil.

The girl licked her slightly swollen lips, lifting her gaze toward the man adorned with the celestial light of the mortal night.

A faint smile lingered in his starry eyes, sparkling with endless warmth.

"Shi Wei, I like you."

Perhaps the timing felt right. Perhaps she was lost in the emotions brimming within his gaze...

Without hesitation, she voiced her heartfelt confession.