Night.
Blossom Pavilion Restaurant.
Abby rubbed her belly.
She was craving food.
"I want steamed lamb, steamed bear paw, steamed deer tail, roasted duck, roasted young chicken, roasted goose..."
Lucian shook his head.
"Even satiation pills and compressed biscuits can't keep Abby's mouth in check."
Abby said indignantly, "Even though these two things can fill me up, they don't taste good at all!"
"...Okay, fine, they're a little tasty."
"But my digestive system is incredibly strong, so it won't be long before I'm hungry again!"
Lucian affirmed, "Calling you a glutton really isn't wrong at all."
Meanwhile, Verina, stroking Abby in her arms, narrowed her eyes contentedly.
"What kind of creature is Abby anyway? So soft to the touch, even more comfortable than a kitten..."
Rover snorted coldly.
"Abby's just a traitor who forgets loyalty at the sight of food."
Abby retorted unhappily, "Hey! If I'm a traitor who forgets loyalty at the sight of food, then Lucian is the bad guy who bribes innocent Echoes!"
Lucian: "?"
Rover's expression turned icy. "Neither of you are good people!"
Lucian corrected, "Abby isn't a person, he's an Echo."
Rover: "..."
Yangyang, witnessing this, was too exhausted to comment. After returning from her patrol in the wild, she had already learned about this matter.
After all, it wasn't like she had a choice not to know.
The rumor that "Lucian is the Sentinel" was already spreading like wildfire on the forums.
Just look at what the forums were saying:
[Title: The Sentinel Was Right Beside Me All Along!]
[Content: Today, while having tea at Six Admiration Teahouse next to Yuanwu's boxing gym, I actually saw Mr. Lucian transform into the Sentinel and soar into the sky, even taking away Yuanwu's beloved Xiao Mi!]
[Could it be that the Sentinel has always been traveling incognito, switching between different identities, observing the people of Jinzhou City every day?!]
...
[Master Jinhsi's Dog: Regarding the rumor that I'm the Sentinel, I'd like to clarify—this isn't a rumor.]
[—Jinhsi replied: Let me clarify instead—Lucian is not the Sentinel. The Sentinel has always been silently protecting everyone within their domain.]
[—Master Jinhsi's Dog replied: Master Jinhsi, if the Sentinel finds out that I've become the Sentinel, will they get angry?]
[—Jinhsi replied: The Sentinel is magnanimous and won't be upset over such a trivial matter.]
...
[Traffic Light Light Light: While delivering packages to Huaxu Academy, I saw the Sentinel rise into the sky from Jinzhou City. This was my first time meeting a living Sentinel!]
[—Master Jinhsi's Dog replied: So you've met a dead Sentinel before?]
[—Traffic Light Light Light replied: No, no! That's not what I meant!]
[—Master Jinhsi's Dog replied: Then what did you mean?]
[—Traffic Light Light Light replied: I didn't mean anything else, just making conversation.]
[—Master Jinhsi's Dog replied: You're quite the interesting one, aren't you?]
[—Patrol Officer Chixia replied: What's the meaning of your conversation? Why can't I understand what you're implying?]
...
[Autumn Water Without Ripples: If Lucian is the Sentinel, I'll eat my words.]
[—Master Jinhsi's Dog replied: Here to scam free food again?]
...
[Vermilion Blossom: Oh my, the Sentinel must be incredibly powerful, right? I'd love to see for myself if they're qualified to join us…]
[—Master Jinhsi's Dog replied: The world's turned upside down.]
[—Rover replied: Are you Camellya?]
...
[Jade Coral Appraiser: Lucian can transform into the Sentinel? Is there some kind of treasure involved?]
[—Master Jinhsi's Dog replied: I've got a big treasure—want to see it?]
[—Patrol Officer Chixia replied: Open up! Patrol Officer!]
[—Master Jinhsi's Dog replied: I meant Rover's Speaker—what were you thinking?]
...
After the feast, everyone went their separate ways.
Lucian escorted Chixia back to her residence and kissed her goodbye.
Rover stood with her arms crossed, watching coldly from the side.
As for why Lucian was suddenly acting so brazenly—it was because he had come to a realization.
Since the storm was already here, why not let it rage even fiercer?
Lucian smirked mischievously. "Not inviting me up for a visit?"
Chixia glanced shyly at Rover, fidgeting slightly.
"Maybe next time... If I invite you up now, I'm afraid the place might get demolished..."
Lucian immediately understood, leaning in to whisper in her ear: "Alright, then I'll sneak over next time!"
Chixia bit her lip, her face glowing with happiness, then said with concern, "I'm heading in now. You must stay safe, okay?"
Lucian ruffled her hair, signaling that she needn't worry.
Not far away, Abby gasped in shock before expressing her concern:
"Rover, do you think Lucian will live to see tomorrow's sun?"
Rover snorted coldly. "He won't even live to see tonight's moon."
Abby: "...I'll burn some paper money for him."
As Chixia entered her home, Lucian walked back toward them:
"Abby, besides paper money, remember to burn some paper cutouts of pretty girls too, or I'll get lonely."
Abby: "..."
Rover said coldly, "After I send you down, I'll send Chixia down to keep you company."
Lucian: "...Rover, this isn't like you."
Rover sneered. "Oh? Then what am I supposed to be like?"
Lucian immediately began showering her with praise: "In my heart, Rover has always been gentle, considerate, understanding, cultured, kind-hearted, sincere, clever, graceful, stunningly beautiful, elegant, and peerless."
The corner of Rover's lips curled slightly as she climbed onto Lucian's shoulders and tugged his hair.
"Even if you use so many adjectives to describe me, I still won't forgive you!"
Lucian tilted his head to kiss Rover's thigh. "If Rover forgives me, I'll do anything!"
Rover's lips quirked up. "Then I want you to love only me from now on."
Lucian: "..."
Rover's expression darkened. "Can't do it?"
Abby flew to Lucian's ear to offer advice, whispering, "You can just agree for now, and later..."
Though Abby had tried her best to lower her voice, Rover was a powerful Resonator—such a small noise couldn't escape her ears.
Rover kicked Abby away.
"Abby, in this household, your status is now lower than Rover's Speaker."
Abby: "???"
...
Late at night.
Half-asleep, Lucian suddenly heard a faint noise.
His door quietly creaked open, and a shadowy figure crept inside.
Then, the corner of his blanket was lifted.
The figure slipped right in, snuggling into Lucian's embrace.
Lucian looked down to see Rover, her face slightly flushed, her tightly shut eyes trembling faintly.
Feeling the warmth of her body against his, Lucian swallowed hard.
"...Rover?"
Rover's voice trembled slightly as she wrapped her arms tightly around his waist.
"To stop you from sneaking away while I'm asleep, we have to sleep together from now on."
Lucian: "..."
He lowered his head to touch Rover's forehead gently before pulling her close and drifting back to sleep...