The King’s Resentment and a Gentle Revelation

“······”

Bai Chen stared intensely at Black Sha, a unique, kingly pressure emanating from him.

While listening to Heiyao, Bai Chen had indeed felt a sense of empathy, even admiration, for such brotherly affection. For someone like Bai Chen, who had always been alone, such a bond was not just unattainable but enviable.

Yet, all those emotions had now transformed into bitter resentment. Why was Bai Qiao leaning into *this man’s* embrace?

Bai Chen’s right hand twitched slightly. A silver-white blade materialized in his grasp.

The weapon’s sharp, silvery gleam merged seamlessly with the dim, yellow glow of the streetlamp, creating an eerie harmony.

Black Sha’s lips curled into a subtle smirk. His hands clenched into fists, and two small yet razor-sharp red and blue daggers appeared between them.

“Hey! You two!” Seeing the escalating tension, Bai Qiao finally snapped out of her daze.

She shouted at the two figures poised to strike.

“Tch!”

As if sworn enemies, they charged at each other without the slightest hesitation. With such spiritual power, the outcome would surely be mutual destruction!

Bai Qiao instinctively squinted her eyes.

“!”

There was no powerful clash as she had anticipated. Curious, Bai Qiao sharpened her vision, scrutinizing the situation before her. However, the tall figure wasn’t Bai Chen or Black Sha.

That was…

“Brother?” Black Sha raised an eyebrow, then immediately composed himself. “Brother, let go of me!”

“A’Yao…” Bai Chen’s brow furrowed. “Release him.”

“Oh, my, my, why go to such lengths?” Heiyao said with a smile in his eyes. “However, that girl, her name is Bai Qiao, isn’t it?” With that, Heiyao glanced in Bai Qiao’s direction.

Bai Qiao suddenly felt a shiver of dread run through her. It was a sensation of being completely seen through, deeply unsettling. Though her face remained expressionless, Bai Qiao met his gaze.

‘Interesting…’ Heiyao chuckled inwardly, then turned to Black Sha. “Sha, Bai Qiao still needs to return home. After all, that is Bai Qiao’s true home, the place that truly belongs to her.”

Heiyao deliberately emphasized the words ‘Bai Qiao’s home,’ seemingly to make Bai Chen understand that the place belonged to Bai Qiao, not to him. Bai Chen had no right to keep Bai Qiao outside.

“Brother…” Black Sha’s voice dropped. “Are you going to help him?”

“No, whatever you desire, by whatever means, I will help you obtain it.” Heiyao didn’t consciously lower his voice, yet only the three of them heard him. He then turned to Bai Chen, offering a complex smile. “Today, I’ll concede to you…”

With that, he pulled Black Sha into the darkness, where they vanished.

Bai Chen’s brows were tightly furrowed as he walked towards Bai Qiao. ‘Judging by his expression… it’s probably another barrage of inexplicable questions and arrogant declarations,’ Bai Qiao thought to herself.

“Eh?” Bai Qiao looked in surprise at the jacket draped over her shoulders.

“It’s quite cold outside. Let’s go back…” The unexpectedly gentle tone caused Bai Qiao to momentarily lose herself. When did this guy learn to speak so softly? Yet… it was incredibly amusing!

Watching Bai Chen’s awkward, slightly reddened face, Bai Qiao smiled for the first time since her return.

****

It was the same street, the same streetlamp. Bai Chen and Bai Qiao walked side by side, a sense of harmony between them.

Perhaps it was Bai Chen’s unbelievably gentle demeanor that significantly improved the atmosphere. They even discussed Bai Qiao’s previous life here, her old friends, their bonds, and even the bizarre transmigration.

This was probably the most extensive and pleasant conversation Bai Qiao had ever had with Bai Chen, especially when she saw a tender smile grace his usually icy face.

Bai Qiao also noticed a difference in Bai Chen’s appearance compared to her own. He actually had a prominent canine tooth, which showed when he smiled, giving him an indescribably playful yet gentle air.

Bai Qiao even froze for a few seconds, only to shake her head frantically upon realizing her thoughts, trying to erase Bai Chen’s recent expression and… her own terrifying idea. ‘I… I would never like a man! Moreover, that face… it’s the face I’ve had for over a decade!’

The thought of kissing Bai Chen… ‘Waaah! How is that different from kissing a mirror? No, it *is* different; at least a mirror doesn’t stick its tongue in! No, no… What… what am I even thinking?!

“Qiao?” Bai Chen stopped, looking back at Bai Qiao, who was still standing behind him. “Are you feeling unwell?”

“N-no, I’m fine. Eh, eh, eh?! You, you, you, put me down!” The sudden princess carry was… utterly unexpected!!!