Chapter 33: Leave at Once!

A dark shadow flashed past the window. Just as Wang Dong moved to investigate, his body was suddenly lifted into the air.

Qingluan was fast, but just as he prepared to give chase, he was blocked by Xue Qinghe.

"Wait! Keep watch over Xiao Dong." Xue Qinghe then turned to the figure behind him. "Puffer, you go."

A hesitant voice came from behind. "Young Master, my orders are to guard your safety."

Xue Qinghe said nothing, merely turning his head slightly. The Puffer's presence vanished instantly.

Wang Dong pondered for a moment before saying, "Actually, you don't need to assign anyone to specifically protect me. I have my own means of self-defense."

The child was actually ungrateful?

Qingluan chimed in, "Young Master, your safety is paramount."

A sharp glance from Xue Qinghe made Qingluan take a step back.

Xue Qinghe reopened the documents left behind by Tian Lingchuan and began to carefully extract the information within. Wang Dong walked up and casually pointed to a specific spot with his finger.

Xue Qinghe’s pupils dilated for a fleeting moment; he finally understood where the subtle sense of wrongness he had felt earlier originated.

"Hey, hey, hey, no need for thanks." Sensing that the other was about to express gratitude, Wang Dong quickly stopped him. But seeing the corner of Xue Qinghe’s mouth curl up, he knew nothing good was coming.

"Tsk, who wants to thank you? I was going to say, go to sleep early; you don't need to stay here with me. Besides... children who stay up late won't grow tall!"

As expected!

Wang Dong couldn't help but pout. He! Just! Knew! It!

"Who's staying with you? I was only kind enough to remind you because you prepared that brooch for me! Don't be so full of yourself!"

With that, he turned to leave, then suddenly looked back. "I'm going to sleep now!"

This time, he really left.

Xue Qinghe watched that small back fade away. What a prickly little brat!

Wang Dong left the temporary study in the suite and found a random room to rest. Not long after, a knock sounded at the door. Wang Dong was puzzled; the night was deep, could Xue Qinghe still have something to ask him?

He opened the door and asked casually, "What is it?"

His gaze moved upward. Hm? No one?

Sensing a fluctuation of soul power in the air, Wang Dong turned around helplessly to look at the person sitting on the sofa. "What do you want now?" His tone was dripping with disdain.

Xue Qinghe, as if oblivious, began unbuttoning his coat. "There aren't enough rooms. I'll squeeze in with you tonight." As he spoke, he walked toward the bathroom.

How could a hotel suite only have one room?

*Thud.*

The door was slammed shut. Wang Dong took a deep breath to steady himself; he had a premonition that one day he would be angered to death by Xue Qinghe.

Forget it, the bed was big enough.

Perhaps this small body was indeed still growing; he had intended to wait for Xue Qinghe to come out of the bathroom and kick him onto the sofa, but he drifted off into a hazy sleep before he knew it.

Xue Qinghe changed into simple loungewear. Just as he stepped out of the bathroom, he saw Wang Dong’s puffed-up cheeks and peaceful sleeping face.

He muttered softly, "You're much better-behaved when you're asleep."

With that, he lay down on the other side of the bed.

It was a restful night.

The next morning, Wang Dong was woken by a commotion. He tried to get up, only to find his body pinned down and unable to move. Looking closely, he realized he was pillowed on a long, fair arm. Memories of the previous night flooded his mind, and just as Wang Dong was about to erupt, a roar came from outside.

"This commoner begs His Highness the Crown Prince to uphold justice!"

"Your Highness—"

Wang Dong moved to check the window, but the person beside him was awakened by the shrill cries. The temperature in the room dropped by several degrees instantly.

As the clamor continued, Wang Dong kicked him directly. "They're looking for you."

Xue Qinghe sat up abruptly, stunned by the kick, remaining motionless for a long time as he tried to process what had happened. Once he realized, he reached out and pinched Wang Dong's face. "Little..."

Before he could finish, a guard's voice came from outside: "Your Highness, a large crowd of commoners has gathered at the hotel entrance. They claim to be the families of the victimized students from Tianshui Academy, all here seeking your intervention."

Xue Qinghe’s hand shifted course midway, pinching his own brow instead. "My uncle really knows how to find trouble for me. I thought I might actually get a vacation."

"Organize a meeting with their representatives," Xue Qinghe ordered toward the door.

Wang Dong sat up as well, looking at the swarming crowd outside, and said sternly, "I fear this matter has further consequences."

After careful deliberation, Xue Qinghe said, "I'm afraid I cannot see you off to the Far North Town."

Wang Dong paused in his movements. "I didn't need you to see me off anyway." He paused, then added, "Take care of yourself."

Xue Qinghe felt a warmth in his heart—it wasn't in vain that he had spoiled this brat.

However...

"You..."

Just as Wang Dong started to speak, a strange fragrance drifted by, and he instantly lost consciousness.

Xue Qinghe personally tucked Wang Dong in and gave an order to the outside. Qingluan appeared immediately.

"Take him and depart for the Far North Town immediately. Do not delay on the road."

"Young Master, then you..." Qingluan hesitated upon hearing this.

"Do not worry about me." Just as he was about to dismiss him, he remembered something and added, "From now on, you must guard him every step of the way. Aside from Grandfather and myself, ignore all orders from the Spirit Hall."

Qingluan looked up in disbelief. "You mean..."

"Go."

Qingluan said no more, picked up Wang Dong, and flew away.

Once he was sure Qingluan's aura had vanished, Xue Qinghe walked to the window, looking down at everything below with a blank expression.

In the back courtyard of Prince Xue Xing’s residence:

"Your Highness! Your Highness! It’s bad, that matter has been exposed by Tianshui Academy."

The personal guard rushed in. Xue Xing’s heart sank, his hand clenching involuntarily.

"Hiss—Your Highness, it hurts!"

The delicate voice from his arms brought Xue Xing back to his senses. He roared at her, "Get out!"

The beauty let out a soft cry and hurried away.

Xue Xing looked at the guard kneeling on the floor, stood up, and kicked him. "Tell me the truth!"

The guard, kicked to the ground, scrambled back to Xue Xing’s feet. "Spare me, Your Highness! I don't know why, but the Crown Prince suddenly went to Lanjiang City yesterday. Tian Lingchuan blocked the Crown Prince at the hotel entrance and confessed everything!"

"Idiot!"

The foot landed on the guard again. Xue Xing’s eyes shifted, his expression darkening. "I didn't even know the Crown Prince had gone to Lanjiang City. How did they know?"

The guard tentatively looked up. "Perhaps he was just lucky and happened to run into him?"

Another kick!

Xue Xing could bear it no longer and roared, "Go to the foot of the bridge and tell fortunes to see if you can squat and wait for the Crown Prince! Get out!"

"Yes, sir, I'm going!" With that, the guard scrambled away.

"..."

Xue Xing took a deep breath, struggling to regulate his emotions.

Is there any place that recycles such stupid subordinates?

However, a servant cannot serve two masters. Tian Lingchuan could not be left alive.

...

End of chapter.