The chamber housing the bath was spacious and luxurious, with floors made of warm jade. The air was filled with a faint mist and a calming, sleep-inducing fragrance.
The pool water, sourced from an underground hot spring, was shrouded in vapor, its temperature perennially maintained at the most comfortable level for the human body.
Dai Chengfeng carried Bibi Dong, stepping into the pool one step at a time. The warm spring water instantly enveloped them both.
"Mmm..."
Surrounded by the warmth of the spring water, the slight chill and stickiness on her skin were driven away, prompting Bibi Dong to let out a comfortable sigh. Her body, curled up in Dai Chengfeng's arms, relaxed even more.
Dai Chengfeng let her lean back against him, sitting on the jade steps by the edge of the pool, allowing the warm spring water to lap over her rounded shoulders.
He picked up a soft towel prepared on the jade platform beside the pool, soaked it in water, and gently wiped her smooth back, removing the residual flower oil and sweat.
Meanwhile, Bibi Dong leaned lazily against Dai Chengfeng's strong and broad chest, eyes closed, savoring this rare tranquility and service.
Dai Chengfeng's hands moved lightly over her arms and waist, helping her clean.
At first, this cleaning carried a purely caring intention, but gradually, amidst the steamy mist and the increasingly slippery alluring touch under his fingertips, that care subtly took on a tinge of lingering affection.
Bibi Dong's body tensed slightly, emitting a nasal sound that seemed like both a protest and an invitation:
"Don't fool around... I'm tired."
Dai Chengfeng chuckled softly, his breath moist with steam, brushing past her ear:
"This disciple is merely helping the teacher get clean, how can you say I'm fooling around?"
Though he said so, his mischievous hand retracted somewhat, but still encircled her waist, pulling her closer into his embrace, pressing their backs and chests tightly together.
After finishing the cleaning, Dai Chengfeng didn't immediately lift her out of the pool.
He leaned against the edge of the pool, letting Bibi Dong comfortably recline in his arms. They remained immersed in the hot spring, enjoying the serenity and intimacy.
The water rippled gently, reflecting the soft glow of the luminous pearls embedded in the ceiling of the hall; the atmosphere was tranquil and beautiful.
Occasionally, Dai Chengfeng would lower his head, lightly kissing her hair, ear, or nuzzling her smooth shoulder with his chin.
Bibi Dong seemed to enjoy this intimate snuggling as well, like a content cat, lazily resting in her territory.
After a long while, feeling that Bibi Dong had regained some strength, Dai Chengfeng wrapped her in a large, already prepared soft and dry towel, lifted her horizontally, and walked out of the pool.
He carefully dried the water droplets on her body and then fetched another silky nightgown to dress her, tying the sash.
Throughout the entire process, Bibi Dong was unusually docile, allowing him to do as he pleased, but those violet eyes, now clear again...
After the steam dissipated, a barely perceptible complex emotion seemed to flicker deep within her eyes.
Dai Chengfeng casually draped on a robe and then lifted her again, this time heading towards the inner chamber of the bedchamber.
The massive bed was soft and comfortable. He gently placed her in the center of the bed and lay down beside her, naturally extending his arm to pull her fragrant, soft body close from behind.
His chest pressed against her back, his chin lightly resting on her head.
Only a dim wall lamp remained lit in the bedchamber, its soft light not affecting sleep but enough to outline the graceful contours of the person in his arms.
Neither of them spoke.
Dai Chengfeng's palm gently rested on Bibi Dong's flat abdomen, lightly stroking it intermittently, feeling the smoothness and warmth of the skin beneath his palm.
However, gradually, Dai Chengfeng keenly noticed that the delicate body in his arms wasn't as completely relaxed as he had imagined.
Though Bibi Dong's breathing was steady, upon closer inspection, it carried a barely noticeable stagnation.
She hadn't fallen asleep as quickly as she usually did when extremely tired, instead maintaining a subtle tension in her body.
"Teacher?"
Dai Chengfeng called softly, tightening his arm slightly, "Are you still thinking about what happened earlier?"
Bibi Dong gently shook her head, her hair brushing against Dai Chengfeng's chin, causing a slight itch.
She remained silent for a moment, and just as Dai Chengfeng thought she wouldn't answer, he heard her voice tinged with confusion and worry softly rise, exceptionally clear in the quiet night:
"Chengfeng… do you think… Xue… Qian Renxue… why did she suddenly come back?"
Dai Chengfeng was slightly taken aback, not expecting her current concern to be about Qian Renxue.
Bibi Dong continued to mutter, as if asking Dai Chengfeng, but also as if talking to herself:
"She has been undercover in the Tian Dou Empire for many years, and her plan is at the most critical stage. Unless something major happens, she wouldn't easily return to Spirit City."
"Could it be… that something unexpected happened in Tian Dou City? Is she… in danger?"
Her voice carried a hint of anxiety, perhaps even unnoticed by herself.
Despite their long-frozen, fraught relationship full of estrangement and resentment, at this moment, the deep-seated concern buried in their bloodline involuntarily surfaced.
Upon hearing this, Dai Chengfeng recalled the original plot regarding Qian Renxue's return to the Spirit Hall.
In his memory, Qian Renxue's disguise in the Tian Dou Empire was impeccable, and her position as "Xue Qinghe" was rock-solid.
Thinking of this, Dai Chengfeng tightened his arm around Bibi Dong, pulling her back closer to his chest.
He lowered his head, bringing his lips close to her ear, and gently consoled her in a deep, convincing voice:
"Teacher, you're worrying too much."
He felt the body in his arms shift slightly, as if attentively listening to him continue.
"From what this disciple knows, Qian Renxue's plan in the Tian Dou Empire is proceeding very smoothly. The crown prince 'Xue Qinghe's' position is secure, deeply trusted by the Tian Dou Emperor. There hasn't been any unfavorable news from Tian Dou City concerning her."
"Moreover, with the presence of Porcupinefish Douluo and Serpent Lance Douluo, if she encountered any unsolvable danger, she wouldn't have returned to Spirit City so calmly."
"Since she could return safely and doesn't seem to be in a hurry, it's likely that everything in Tian Dou City is still under control."
He paused, sensing that Bibi Dong's breathing seemed to ease a bit, and continued in a tone of understanding and ease:
"In this disciple's view, Qian Renxue's sudden return might not indicate any problems."
"Perhaps, after being undercover for so long, she simply got tired, or… she missed Grand Elder."
"After all, she was raised by Grand Elder since childhood. Occasionally missing her grandfather and coming back to visit is only natural."
Hearing Dai Chengfeng's analysis, especially his conjecture that Qian Renxue returned because she missed Thousand Flow, Bibi Dong's tense body visibly relaxed.
She let out a gentle sigh, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
"Is that so... she just missed her grandfather..."
Bibi Dong muttered softly.
"Mm, so Teacher, please rest assured."
Dai Chengfeng patted her abdomen reassuringly, "Qian Renxue is blessed and highly capable; she will be fine."
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