Inside Lingyuan Gate, the setting sun, like blood, slowly sank westward.

Soon, the east turned a pale white, the dawn broke, and the first rays of sunlight shone through the sky. A new day quietly arrived in this world, and the cycle began again.

The tranquil and elegant room was filled with the rich fragrance of winter plum blossoms. The delicate aroma lingered in the air, stirring the heartstrings.

On the window frame, there are still frost flowers that condensed last night, shimmering with a crystal-clear light under the morning sun, as if telling a story of an unknown past.

Qin Luo glanced sideways at Dan Bingli, who was still asleep. Her cold face now revealed a tranquility and peace that he had never shown before, which made him stare at her for a while.

He carefully reached out and tucked the blanket around her, afraid of disturbing her peaceful sleep.

In her sleep, Dan Bingli seemed to sense something, stirred slightly, mumbled a few incoherent words, and then fell into an even deeper dream.

Seeing this, Qin Luo smiled slightly, got up gently, and walked to the window.

Pushing open the window, a fresh morning breeze blew in, carrying a slight chill and diluting the fragrance of winter plum blossoms in the room, yet still making one feel refreshed.

But it was this slight chill that woke Dan Bingli from her sleep. She subconsciously reached out to grope around, but when she found that she had touched nothing, the last trace of sleepiness vanished instantly.

His eyes snapped open, filled with extreme panic, and his breathing became erratic in an instant.

She jumped up in a panic, momentarily unable to distinguish between reality and dream; only one thought echoed wildly in her mind:

What about Qin Luo?

This boundless panic completely robbed her of her usual composure.

"What's wrong? Did you have a nightmare?"

Hearing the noise behind him, Qin Luo quickly turned around and returned to the bedside. Seeing Dan Bingli's terrified and flustered appearance, he felt a pang of heartache.

Seeing that Qin Luo was right in front of her and hadn't left, Dan Bingli's wildly beating heart calmed down a little, but there was still lingering fear in her eyes.

She suddenly threw herself into Qin Luo's arms, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. She didn't say much, but the strength of her embrace grew even stronger.

Sensing her barely suppressed trembling due to unease, Qin Luo immediately understood that, having gone through something, she was now in the most vulnerable and sensitive state a woman could be in.

Qin Luo didn't say anything, but simply pulled her into his arms, lowered his head, and gently rested his chin on the top of her head, then slowly stroked it.

"I'm here, I haven't left. I just got up early to look at the scenery outside the window, I didn't mean to disturb you."

Hearing this, Dan Bingli felt much more at ease. She nodded slightly in his arms, but still refused to let go of his hands.

She craved this warmth, this sense of security that belonged only to her.

Qin Luo stopped urging her and simply stayed quietly by her side.

But when he saw Dan Bingli's still slightly furrowed brows, his heart ached even more. He gently raised his hand and softly stroked her brow with his fingertips, smoothing away that trace of worry.

"Take a short rest, you must be exhausted. Don't worry, I'll stay here with you today and won't go anywhere else."

Upon hearing this, Dan Bingli shifted her body and snuggled closer to Qin Luo, searching for the most suitable corner to sleep in.

The hands that had been gripping Qin Luo's clothes with some tension gradually relaxed, their slender fingers curling up and resting on his waist. Her head moved from side to side against his chest, feeling his heartbeat.

When I heard that steady and rhythmic beating, my panicked heart gradually calmed down.

Then, she adjusted herself into a comfortable sleeping position, and slowly uttered the somewhat hoarse words from her throat:

"Hmm~"

This simple word took all her strength, carrying a hint of weariness, but more so a sense of peace and reliance.

The final note rose and then fell softly, like the contented murmur of a weary bird returning to its nest, before gradually fading into silence, leaving only the even, gentle sound of breathing echoing in the quiet room.

Looking at her slowly falling asleep face, Qin Luo couldn't help but think to himself:

"It seems that the previous tug-of-war went a bit too far, to the point that her emotional outburst was somewhat beyond my expectations."

Then, seemingly recalling some fragments of the past, the tenderness in her heart grew even stronger, and she murmured in an almost inaudible voice:

"However, she really is a stubborn yet charming girl..."

After saying that, Qin Luo leaned down and placed a very gentle kiss on her forehead, as if afraid of disturbing her sweet dream. His eyes were full of doting affection and did not look away for a long time.

Once he came to his senses, Qin Luo maintained his posture so that the beauty in his arms could sleep peacefully. Then, his thoughts gradually became focused on planning for the next steps.

"There are still three years until the academy's grand competition, and the time of the upheaval in the Ice Glass Clan is also approaching. If not handled properly, it may cause discord."

"Based on previous simulations, Bingli always returns to her clan a year in advance. As a result, there are many unpredictable variables and unstable factors. If we are not careful, the situation could get out of control."

"Therefore, the matter of the Supreme Remnant Soul needs to be advanced urgently, lest delays lead to unforeseen changes and complications. However, before that, one must first break through one's own cultivation to the Divine Travel Realm, and this physical body also needs to be tempered and refined again. In addition, the contract must be signed. There are many complicated matters, and none of them can be neglected."

"But the most troublesome thing is how to properly settle them before they leave. This is of utmost importance, and it's giving me quite a headache."

Thinking of this, Qin Luo didn't forget that Murong Liyue still had signs of being a yandere. If he wasn't prepared, what would happen if she came back and found that he had an extra sister? Wouldn't that cause chaos?

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