Chapter Sixteen: Eavesdropping

"Zhou Yu, let go, I can get up now," Nian Yu said, looking at Zhou Yu.

Hearing her words, Zhou Yu cautiously released his hold. Nian Yu stood up, brushed the dust from her clothes, and told Zhou Yu to go fetch some water. She then pulled Xiao Jie aside.

Seeing that Nian Yu was all right, Zhou Yu left to get the water.

"Darling, care to explain? How was your first kiss—was it sweet?" Nian Yu asked Xiao Jie with a mischievous grin.

Xiao Jie blushed, standing there at a loss, just like a child caught snacking by her parents.

"My, what happened? Weren’t you just saying you’d persuade me for Zhou Yu’s sake? Why so shy now?" Nian Yu teased.

At that, Xiao Jie raised her head and looked at Nian Yu, whose face was still lit with that knowing, playful smile.

Mustering her courage, Xiao Jie replied, "That’s right. Either we both stay with Zhou Yu, or I leave and you stay."

"Well, well! Our gentle and lovely Miss Xiao is saying such bold words? I’m impressed," Nian Yu continued to tease.

"You little rascal, I haven’t even settled things with you yet. Now tell me, are you in or not?" Xiao Jie complained, a little annoyed at her friend’s persistent teasing.

"All right, since our beautiful Miss Xiao has spoken, how could I possibly disagree?" Nian Yu replied, looking at Xiao Jie.

Just then, Zhou Yu returned with the water. "Agree to what?" he asked.

"Don’t act innocent, you rascal. I saw you eavesdropping at the door," Nian Yu said, rolling her eyes at him.

Zhou Yu simply grinned sheepishly, saying nothing.

"What? He was at the door? You did that on purpose, didn’t you?" Xiao Jie’s face flushed as she turned to Nian Yu.

Nian Yu, who had only been teasing her, admitted openly, "Yes, though it was to his advantage. Still, I had to see how brave our lovely Miss Xiao really is. What if you get scared tonight? Ha!"

With that, Nian Yu burst out laughing. Her carefree nature was always on display, and she didn’t mind in the least.

Xiao Jie was mortified and wanted to rush over and give Nian Yu a piece of her mind, but Nian Yu’s next words stopped her cold.

"Darling, I know you want to teach me a lesson, but you’re no match for me now," Nian Yu said with a smile.

Zhou Yu was startled. Could that thing really have boosted her strength?

"To put it simply, I’m like a character in a game with enhanced perception, though the range is limited. That’s how I noticed Zhou Yu at the door," Nian Yu explained to them.

Zhou Yu asked curiously, "Is there nothing else?"

Nian Yu looked at him as if he were an idiot. "Are you stupid? I just got up. I haven’t even tried it out yet—how would I know?"

Zhou Yu was taken aback, realizing he’d gotten a bit overexcited. He apologized at once, "Sorry, darling, my fault. I apologize."

"Ugh, I’m done talking to you, idiot. Just bring the water here so I can wash my face," Nian Yu sighed.

Zhou Yu had no choice but to comply, handing over the water. Nian Yu took it and immediately shooed him away.

As night fell, Zhou Yu tried to strike up a conversation, but the two women chased him off with looks of utter disdain.

"Said both of them would stay with me, but honestly, it’s no different from having no one at all. Why is my life so hard?" Zhou Yu muttered to himself as he made his way to the driver’s seat, preparing to spend the night there and set out at dawn.