As a dignified Saintess and Grand General of the Eastern Town, Jiang Ke’er imagined Qiao Xiaoxian’s home would be rather grand.
But when she arrived, she realized that was complete nonsense.
It was a small courtyard filled with old training equipment.
It didn’t even look like a place where a young girl lived.
“I told you not to expect much,” Qiao Xiaoxian said helplessly. “Sit down here for now. I’ll clean up this training equipment…”
Qiao Xiaoxian finished speaking and wanted to find a chair for Jiang Ke’er, but after searching all over, she realized there wasn’t a single chair in the room.
She fumbled around in a panic, but still couldn’t find a proper place to sit. Somewhat embarrassed, she said, “Sorry, I don’t usually have clan members visit. I spend most of my time training, and when I get tired, I just sit on the ground… Either that, or you can go inside and sit on the bed.”
“It’s fine, I’ll just stand.”
It was rare to see Qiao Xiaoxian at a loss for something, and Jiang Ke’er felt no schadenfreude—instead, her heart ached for no reason.
‘Damn, she’s such a good girl… Why did she have to run into me?’
Watching Qiao Xiaoxian clean the courtyard, Jiang Ke’er wanted to help but forcibly suppressed the thought.
She walked into Qiao Xiaoxian’s room.
There was only a bed in the room, as simple as could be.
Jiang Ke’er suddenly remembered that she had once asked—this girl had no entertainment at all.
Not like the comfortable city life on Earth, where if you suffer a little hardship, you go to a therapist for comfort; if you’re stressed, you yell about taking time off to vent, or quit to find poetry and distant places.
Maybe Qiao Xiaoxian wanted that too, but she had no time to think about it.
Until she met Jiang Ke’er, every second of her life had been planned out—from training to dying, she had to perfectly execute every step.
‘Damn, got something in my eye.’
Jiang Ke’er quickly kicked out the sentimentality from her mind and stopped those self-indulgent fantasies.
“Almost done.”
Qiao Xiaoxian moved quickly and in no time had collected the equipment.
The equipment was covered in snow, so the main thing that took time was sweeping it off; otherwise, she could have just tossed it into the Storage Bag.
After dealing with these trivial matters, the two women stood together, suddenly not knowing what to do.
The atmosphere grew awkward for a moment.
“Stay here tonight,” Qiao Xiaoxian said.
“No,” Jiang Ke’er turned around and looked at her very seriously. “Let’s end this romance game here.”
“…What’s wrong?”
“You’re with me just to get stronger quickly, protect your clan, and lead them away from Beiju Luzhou,” Jiang Ke’er smiled. “Now your wish is about to come true. For what comes after, you don’t need me—you can do it just as well on your own.”
“…”
Qiao Xiaoxian closed her eyes and let out a powerless sigh.
“It’s not for the clan,” Qiao Xiaoxian suddenly felt very tired, but she didn’t know how to explain it so Jiang Ke’er would believe her.
It was a paradox. There was no way she could prove it to Jiang Ke’er unless she dissolved the contract. But she didn’t know how to dissolve it. If she did, she would do it immediately.
“From today on, we’d better not get too close,” Jiang Ke’er said coldly. “I really, really, really don’t want to be entangled with you anymore. Please don’t bother me.”
“…” Qiao Xiaoxian was silent.
“General Qiao, instead of wasting effort on shoving your face against a cold ass, why not enjoy some leisure time with your family?”
Jiang Ke’er stepped out of the courtyard where Qiao Xiaoxian had grown up, and drew a line in the snow at the entrance with her toe.
“This was all just playing a part. It’s time to end it.”
Qiao Xiaoxian was still silent, but she didn’t stay still.
Jiang Ke’er felt her wrist tighten.
“General Qiao, please have some self-respect,” Jiang Ke’er said coldly.
“No,” Qiao Xiaoxian unceremoniously dragged Jiang Ke’er back into the courtyard and closed the gate. “If you run away, what use is self-respect?”
Jiang Ke’er’s heart skipped a beat. She tried to shake off Qiao Xiaoxian’s hand but failed.
Then she could only look at Qiao Xiaoxian expressionlessly and threatened, “You’re ruining the last bit of good impression I have of you.”
“It’s already ruined, so I don’t care,” Qiao Xiaoxian dragged Jiang Ke’er toward the house. “From now on, you can’t leave my sight even half a step.”
Jiang Ke’er laughed in anger. “Who says I can’t? I’m leaving!”
“I won’t let go.”
“Then I’ll chop off your paws!”
“Would you really?”
“Why wouldn’t I?” Jiang Ke’er drew her sword without hesitation.
With a soft click, Qiao Xiaoxian flicked Jiang Ke’er’s wrist, and the pain made the sword fall to the ground.
“You really tried to cut me,” Qiao Xiaoxian said, feeling a pain in her chest.
“What? Scared?”
“No. A broken hand is a small matter. Letting you escape is a big deal. I can’t take that risk,” Qiao Xiaoxian shook her head.
“All you’re doing is lowering my affection points!” Jiang Ke’er said angrily.
“It’s already zero anyway,” Qiao Xiaoxian pulled Jiang Ke’er into her arms and held her tightly. “From now on, you’ll train like this.”
“?! You wish!” Jiang Ke’er was furious.
“I’m not ugly either,” Qiao Xiaoxian said coldly.
No matter how Jiang Ke’er twisted and struggled, Qiao Xiaoxian refused to let go.
Knowing that tactic wouldn’t work, Jiang Ke’er’s eyes darted around and her tone softened. “I really have something I need to handle. I have to go alone.”
“What is it?”
“I…” Jiang Ke’er had a sudden idea. “A blind date!”
“Fine, I’ll go with you.”
“How can you go to a blind date together?” Jiang Ke’er went crazy. “I’m telling you, I already have someone I like! Don’t flatter yourself!”
“Who? Who do you like?”
“I can’t tell you, you don’t know him…”
“I will. Tell me, and I’ll kill him.”
Jiang Ke’er shivered.
Today’s Qiao Xiaoxian seemed a bit hard to deal with… Why was she immune to both soft and hard tactics? And she seemed to be developing yandere tendencies…
“This won’t work,” Jiang Ke’er sighed. “Even if you cling to me for a lifetime, if I don’t like you, then I don’t. I won’t develop any feelings for you.”
“Then let’s try.”
“That’s too selfish!” Seeing the situation unfavorable, Jiang Ke’er started using moral attack.
“Yeah, I’m selfish.” Qiao Xiaoxian didn’t bother to argue.
“Have you considered my feelings?”
“I have. You, stubborn tsundere.”
“Pfft! You’re wrong!”
“Then let it be wrong. I’m selfish anyway.”
“…”
‘This stinky dragon really is impervious to reason.’
“Sigh…” Jiang Ke’er resigned herself for now.
‘Maybe only time can wear down her stubbornness. It’ll be fine in a few days, probably.’
“Is this fun?” Jiang Ke’er’s voice was tired.
“It’s not fun.”
“Then let me go!”
“Then marry me.”
‘Damn!’
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