Although Pharmacist’s Wish had apologized to Shang Xinlei before, she actually didn’t think she was completely wrong.

After all, just a man and a woman meeting secretly in a concealed chamber, even if it’s just having a meal, can easily lead to an awkward situation, right?

Pharmacist’s Wish herself is not interested in such affairs between men and women. However, with a companion like Shidong, who constantly thinks about love and romance, Pharmacist’s Wish has picked up quite a bit of knowledge, like eating lipstick, feeding each other, or even sitting in each other’s laps while eating... It’s unlikely they are just eating, isn’t it?

Turns out they really were just eating.

Because the stone table was quite high, and placing the copper stove on top made it even taller, they couldn’t see the pot while sitting down, so Yan Qing and Shang Xinlei simply stood to eat.

They haven’t stopped using their chopsticks since the battle began, plate after plate of lamb was finished, and the clear soup in the pot quickly turned murky. Forget about exchanging words; they hadn’t even made eye contact yet. After the lamb, there came oily gluten, then vegetables, and then it was time to add more broth before it boiled dry. Despite not caring much for food, Witnessing their eating made Pharmacist’s Wish crave the food, so she stood up to cook some meat too.

"Here, this part cooks super tender, it melts in your mouth." Yan Qing placed a plate of meat in front of her and remarked with a smile, "I thought a noble Duke from the Jin Kingdom would need someone to serve them at the dining table."

"I’ve been on the run; I don’t have that many rules." Pharmacist’s Wish replied, "Has the Rabbit Heroine settled in?"

"She’s settled in, but she didn’t hide or change her name. Instead, she appeared openly in public and will also go to the Secret Realm for training." Yan Qing said, "If you hoped she would grow up safe and sound under the care of grown-ups, you might be disappointed."

Pharmacist’s Wish was silent for a moment, then sighed: "That’s certainly her style; she wouldn’t just sit idle."

"That’s also my order." Yan Qing looked at her intently and said, "I won’t let her sit idle; she must grow through combat."

"Will you protect her?"

"I won’t let her demonstrate Third-Turn Combat Power unless absolutely necessary. The strongest where she is only has Third-Turn Combat Power, unless the Foundation Establishment personally arrives, otherwise she alone could fight through any encirclement."

"That’s enough." Pharmacist’s Wish lowered her head to cook the lamb: "Since I can’t protect her now, I won’t criticize your actions. I’ve said it, I trust you."

Yan Qing chuckled: "I thought this trust would only last for one mission."

"This trust will last until you let me down next time. I hope that doesn’t come too soon, Leader."

"Speaking of which, inviting you to join the team yesterday was just temporary; my team doesn’t have room to keep you." Yan Qing lowered his voice, his tone serious, "You should first—"

"Isn’t this a bit too hasty?" Pharmacist’s Wish gave him a sidelong glance, "Right now, I am both your companion and your martial arts instructor. I’ve done nothing wrong, so you have no reason to drive me away. If you disappoint me like this, I’ll throw a fit on my next mission, and you know my character, once I lose my temper, I don’t care about anything, and if that delays the mission, it won’t be good."

Yan Qing’s eyebrow twitched; Pharmacist’s Wish wasn’t even pretending anymore. This was obvious revenge!

Before, he had pressured Pharmacist’s Wish to either give up or come up with a feasible plan for the sake of the mission’s big picture. Now, Pharmacist’s Wish was threatening him back—either let me stay in the organization, or I’ll make trouble on your next mission!

Given Pharmacist’s Wish’s personality, someone who would draw their sword in rage for a sister, Yan Qing didn’t dare gamble that she would consider the big picture—she’s a madwoman who dared muzzle the True Man of Locking Dragon in a fit of anger!

Moreover, Pharmacist’s Wish lacks nothing now; with Dragon and Snake Seven Kills and Bright King Armor, Celestial Spirits and Earthly Fiends converging, even without a Foundation Establishment Pill, she could attempt Foundation Establishment by slowly leveling up. She really doesn’t have much use for the Thief’s House!

Even her temper tantrums are reasonable; given their relationship, one spot in the team is not an excessive demand. Bringing her in only to kick her out, clearly looks down on her; even someone as prideful and self-respecting as Shang Xinlei would throw a fit.

Yan Qing thought it through and could only accept this outcome: "But you must not use skills recklessly, unless it’s an emergency; otherwise, you need my explicit permission."

"Fine." Pharmacist’s Wish thought of something and added quietly: "Just think, as long as I’m in, facing danger gives me a better chance of escaping, and wouldn’t the Rabbit Heroine want me to have more security too?"

It was like being hit by a big stick and then given a sweet date; Yan Qing’s expression improved slightly, but it was clear he still wasn’t very willing. Seeing his face turn from overcast to partly sunny, Pharmacist’s Wish raised her eyebrows, a little surprised.

She actually just said it offhandedly; if Yan Qing was determined to force her out of the organization, no matter how angry she got, Pharmacist’s Wish wouldn’t sabotage the mission—her dignity wouldn’t allow such unreasonable behavior... So she really didn’t expect Yan Qing to accept it so readily, without any resistance.

Are you really that afraid of me losing my temper? Or... are you afraid I’ll fall into another perilous situation?

Pharmacist’s Wish bit her chopsticks, sneaking glances at him, suddenly finding it somewhat amusing. Ever since Yan Qing required her to hide her identity with the Seven-Star Sword during the mission two days ago, she had a hunch that this guy, his toughest part seemed to be his mouth.

"Feeling pretty smug now, aren’t you?" Yan Qing, sensing her amusement, glared at her with some annoyance.

"Not at all." Pharmacist’s Wish immediately looked down and continued cooking.

Suddenly, Pharmacist’s Wish noticed that Shang Xinlei was also staring at her. Although she hadn’t done anything, she couldn’t help feeling a bit guilty and pushed a bottle of wine over: "This is Drunken Clear Wind, a famous wine from Chang’an, care to try?"

Shang Xinlei took a sip, her eyes lit up, and she downed it all at once, "Good wine."

She fixed her gaze on Pharmacist’s Wish’s bowl: "Does this hotpot suit your taste?"

"Absolutely." Pharmacist’s Wish gave a very high compliment: "I’ve never had lamb this delicious before."

"That’s good to hear." Shang Xinlei let out a sigh of relief, grinned brightly: "Since the tastes of Zhou Kingdom and Liang Kingdom are different, I was worried you might not like it."

Pharmacist’s Wish suddenly understood why Yan Qing always had lunch with Red Snake. Dining with a girl who genuinely enjoys food and cares if you like it is a feast for the senses; she has the charm to turn an ordinary lunch into something vividly delightful, making eating alone seem like just ingesting bland feed.

But in the next second, Shang Xinlei walked behind Yan Qing’s chair, rested her hands on the back of it, and her previously friendly gaze turned cautious, fixed intently on Pharmacist’s Wish, like a snake coiled on a branch, flicking its tongue in warning that this is her territory, signaling it’s time for her to leave once satisfied.

Pharmacist’s Wish felt like laughing; it seemed so childish.

Liking someone means sticking with him, liking someone means not wanting him to be close with others.

"I think the sauce could use some improvement, the taste isn’t strong enough," Once Yan Qing was full he began critiquing sharply: "If there was peanut sauce it’d be better, Red Snake note this down, the ratio of sesame sauce to peanut sauce should be seven to three—"

"Note my foot!" Shang Xinlei knocked on Yan Qing’s head, "You can buy peanut sauce more easily than me, go get it yourself!"

Pharmacist’s Wish stood up to leave: "Thank you for the hospitality, I’ll be heading back now."

"Wait, Black Wolf, I have something to discuss with you." Yan Qing said, "It’s important."

Pharmacist’s Wish glanced at Yan Qing: "Will it take long to discuss?"

"We need to talk for quite a while."

"Alright, then I’ll come over and listen slowly."

Pharmacist’s Wish walked over to Yan Qing, her hip against the edge of the stone table, looming above Yan Qing, just next to Shang Xinlei who was standing behind his chair. The two of them made eye contact, as if sparks were flying in the air between their gazes.

She was actually quite childish too.

Yan Qing alone felt completely trapped, with people in front and back, if he leaned his head back it would rest on Shang Xinlei’s ample chest, arms lifted high enough to brush against Pharmacist’s Wish, feeling like he was living under their shadows without daring to move recklessly.