thefictionvixens Page 118
Page 118
How can I successfully form a contract with Yukikaze at night, surrounded by so many people?
"What do you mean 'one of us'... Qiu Bai, you're being too casual!"
With her hands on her hips and her almond-shaped eyes wide open, Meigan glared at Qiu Bai with a huff, her gaze full of reproach and dissatisfaction.
"Alright, alright," Qiu Bai waved her hand, her tone coaxing, "Hurry up and make the bed, and... what are we having for dinner tonight? I exercised for a while, and my stomach is starting to rumble."
Qiu Bai rubbed his stomach, a gluttonous look on his face.
Looking at Qiu Bai's appearance, Mikan couldn't help but smile helplessly, then sighed softly and said:
"Let's make some hot pot or something tonight."
After saying that, she seemed to remember something and said loudly to Qiu Bai, "Qiu Bai, don't be lazy, come and make the bed with me!"
As Mikan spoke, she turned to look to the side, and what she saw made her freeze in place.
Meiyou was seen changing her clothes in a very casual manner, without any attempt to conceal her actions.
Mikan suddenly felt a headache coming on. She raised her hand to cover her forehead and muttered under her breath, "I said, what's wrong with all of you...?"
Despite being the youngest, I feel like I'm bearing worries and pressures that shouldn't be my age.
……
After a flurry of activity, everyone finally managed to lay out the beds on the floor, with a total of nine sets of floor bedding laid out in a row.
Sitting around a steaming hot pot, everyone's laughter echoed in the room, enjoying the warmth and comfort of the moment.
Qiu Bai's gaze inadvertently fell on Ayano, and a thought suddenly flashed through his mind. He then quietly used his detection skill on her.
Name: Kimishima Ayano
【Gender: Female】
【Physique: 11】
Soul: 12
【Favorites: 97】
[Data: A loyal follower of the host, possessing a hidden masochistic streak, who has felt inexplicably excited by the host's teasing since childhood. Deep down, she desires the host to do whatever she wants to her, without any regard for her feelings, and even to use her as a tool.]
Upon seeing this information, Qiu Bai couldn't help but doubt his eyes. He rubbed them hard and looked again, but the same content remained.
Damn, is this a debt?
"Good heavens, Ayano... she brought this on herself!"
Qiu Bai was secretly amazed.
Reckless and arbitrary? Doing whatever one pleases?
This was the first time he had ever seen such bold and straightforward information.
Recalling the pranks she played on Ayano when they were children, Ayano not only didn't get angry, but instead became kinder to her. It turns out that this stemmed from such a special psychology.
A complex and indescribable emotion welled up in Qiu Bai's heart.
"Onii-chan, what are you thinking about, staring at Ayano like that?"
Yuki's soft, sweet voice suddenly rang out.
Immediately afterwards, she reached out and gently cupped Qiu Bai's cheeks, turning his head towards her.
Qiu Bai instantly met Yuki's watery, inquisitive eyes. "You don't actually have any special feelings for Ayano, do you?"
These words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples all around.
Instantly, intense resentment emanated from Qiong and Xuefeng, like a materialized mist, and their gazes, like sharp needles, pierced straight at Qiubai.
"Lord Qiubai may have any ideas, I will be the most handy tool in your hands."
Ayano's face was expressionless, her tone as calm as still water, but what she said shocked everyone so much that their jaws nearly dropped.
The stark contrast between that extreme indifference and the explosive statement left everyone present momentarily stunned.
At this moment, Qiong and Xuefeng's resentment surged even more fiercely, almost engulfing the entire house.
"Hey, hey..." Yuki covered her forehead helplessly, turned to look at Ayano, and asked with a mixture of curiosity and doubt, "You don't actually like my brother, do you?"
Ayano remained silent for a moment, and the air seemed to freeze.
Just as everyone was eagerly awaiting her answer, she calmly said, "No, I only want to be Lord Qiu Bai's most outstanding tool."
The voice was clear and firm, without the slightest hesitation.
"Hehe~" Qiu Bai laughed awkwardly, spreading his hands as if to make it easy, "I didn't expect that after so long, Ayano, you are still so... obedient. It really makes me sigh."
He was trying to use these seemingly casual words to cover up his inner panic.
Mikan rubbed her forehead, her face full of helplessness, and pouted as she complained:
"Pets and tools... Qiu Bai, you're really going overboard with this."
"Mikan, don't talk nonsense. I'm really not like what you think." Qiu Bai quickly waved his hand to deny it, his eyes unconsciously glancing at Qiong and Xuefeng, only to see the two of them looking extremely jealous.
He dared not take the blame for this inexplicable incident again, for fear of triggering an even bigger "jealousy storm".
"Hmm?" Lala tilted her head playfully, like a lively little deer in spring, and deftly picked up a piece of freshly cooked fish from the hot pot with her chopsticks.
The fish was still steaming, so tender it looked like it could be broken with a touch.
Her eyes crinkled into a gentle smile as she carefully placed the fish meat towards Qiu Bai's lips, whispering:
"Qiu Bai, Qiu Bai, try this and see if it's delicious?"
Qiu Bai looked at the fish meat so close to him, and Lala's expectant gaze made it impossible for him to refuse.
He leaned closer and took a bite with a "whoosh".
A warm sensation came from the tip of my tongue.
The fish melts in your mouth, and the delicious flavor instantly fills your palate, with the rich oil and tender flesh blending perfectly.
Every texture is infused with a rich, savory aroma, completely captivating the taste buds.
"Phew...it tastes good, but it would be even better with some sauce."
Qiu Bai tasted it, but it only had a fishy flavor; it was too bland.
Yukikaze sighed, then picked up the seasoning packet next to him and continued to grumble:
"Of course, the hot pot base hasn't been added yet... I'll settle the score with you later, for now, let's eat properly."
Chapter 141 Difficulty
In the center of the round table where everyone sat, a copper pot bubbled and churned, releasing a symphony of red oil and bone broth.
Tender lamb rolls unfurl like pink and white butterflies in boiling water, while mushrooms and vegetables soak up the broth, gleaming in the steam.
Laughter mingled with the aroma of chili oil filled the room. As bamboo chopsticks clattered, someone's sleeve accidentally got a little sesame paste on it, eliciting a soft laugh—this lively atmosphere made even the deepening twilight outside the window seem warm and cozy.
……
Time flew by silently, and the hot and spicy hot pot was quickly finished. Before we knew it, night had quietly fallen.
Looking up, the night sky seemed like a tidal bore, with countless stars twinkling and shining brightly.
After everyone finished washing up, they all lay down on the soft floor mats.
"Finally, I can lie down!"
Qiu Bai lay in the center of the floor mat, her arm as a pillow, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the texture of the mat's edge.
There were no computers in the bathhouse, so Qiu Bai couldn't play games as much as he usually did, and for a moment he felt rather bored.
However, he knew in his heart that he had a special mission tonight.
All the women were lying on their own beds.
pat.
Ayano turned off the bedroom light.
The moment the lights went out, the world was enveloped in a warm, serene blue.
Only the gentle moonlight, like water, filtered softly through the thin paper film on the shoji doors, casting a hazy glow into the bedroom, adding a touch of ethereal light to the dim space.
Qiu Bai lay on the floor, with Qiong on his left and Lala on his right. Being sandwiched in the middle, he found it very inconvenient to move around in the dead of night.
Fortunately, due to the crowd, they did not hug Qiu Bai tightly as they usually did, but simply slept quietly beside him.
This was undoubtedly good news for Qiu Bai; otherwise, if they had clung to him like octopuses, he would have been completely unable to move.
"call……"
Qiu Bai breathed a sigh of relief. Just as he turned his head, he suddenly realized that Qiong was staring at him with wide eyes, not blinking.
This sudden eye contact made his heart skip a beat, and he felt inexplicably flustered.
"Qiong, what's wrong?"
Qiu Bai quickly lowered his voice and asked Qiong as gently as possible.
In response, Qiong's toes quietly emerged from her own bedding, slowly approached Qiu Bai's thigh, and then forcefully nudged it, the action seemingly expressing her deep displeasure.
Qiu Bai instantly understood her thoughts. After all, there were many girls who came to soak in the hot springs this time, so it was only natural for her to feel jealous and uncomfortable.
"Humph."
Qiong gave a soft hum, her charming tone filled with an undisguised arrogance.
Qiu Bai helplessly raised his hand and slightly covered his forehead, thinking to himself that this little girl really knew how to do something funny at times like this.
He quickly glanced to the other side and saw that Lala was already asleep and breathing evenly, which put his mind at ease.
It seems that if I make a few small moves, I shouldn't be discovered.
After all, the other girls were separated from him by Lala and Sora, and there was still some distance between them.
Don't be angry~
Qiu Bai softened her voice and murmured softly.
At the same time, he slowly raised his hand and gently stroked Qiong's silky hair, his large, warm hand gently and slowly stroking Qiong's head.
Under the soft, watery moonlight, one could vaguely see a faint blush rising on Qiong's fair cheeks, just like a peach blossom just beginning to bloom on a spring branch, delicate and charming.
"Um……"
Qiong responded with a barely audible sound.
The sound was as soft as a spring breeze; if Qiu Bai hadn't had exceptional hearing, he probably wouldn't have been able to detect it at all.
"Go to sleep now~"
Qiu Bai coaxed softly, reaching under the covers to gently hold Qiong's outstretched little feet. "Also, pull your feet back in. What if they catch a cold if they're left out?"
If Sora doesn't sleep...
How am I supposed to complete the task?
Moreover, if he doesn't retract his foot, any slight movement he makes could be noticed, which would be a huge problem.
Fortunately, Qiong was well-behaved this time and didn't cause any more trouble, obediently pulling her leg back.
She must have known that with so many people around, it would be inconvenient to do anything. Her sensible and obedient nature warmed Qiu Bai's heart.
Qiu Bai's lips curled up slightly, revealing a faint smile. He moved his hand away from Qiong's feet and placed it on her warm cheek, gently stroking it with affection.
Feeling the large, reassuring hand, Qiong's lips unconsciously curved upwards, revealing a sweet smile.
Then, she stretched out her two small hands and gently grasped Qiu Bai's large hand, as if she were holding the most precious treasure in the world.
Goodnight... Qiubai.
Qiong suddenly spoke softly, her voice tinged with drowsiness, and then slowly closed her eyes.
Qiong lay on her side, her small face facing Qiu Bai, her breathing soft and steady, as if she had truly entered a sweet dream.
However, Qiu Bai could clearly feel that Qiong's small hand was still tightly holding his hand.
He knew in his heart that if he rashly withdrew his hand, Qiong would most likely wake up immediately.
Moreover, it's still too early now, around 9 or 10 pm. Taking action at this time is really not a good opportunity.
Therefore, all he can do now is wait.