The voice, delicate yet full of charm, like the patter of raindrops, drifted into the magic warship and reached Xu Qing's ears, also catching Ling'er's attention.
Ling'er's eyes widened as she looked outside suspiciously.
Xu Qing remained unfazed, and with a casual gesture, he dispelled the protective barrier of the warship. At the moment when the barrier dissipated, Ding Xue's figure emerged, stepping gracefully through the moonlit hues.
The person who appeared before Xu Qing's eyes had shoulder-length hair, dressed in a purple robe that draped down. Her hair was tied up with a golden ribbon, which shimmered under the moonlight. The ancient bronze sword she carried on her back added an aura of heroism.
Yet, she wasn't lacking in charm. Her eyes were both playful and seductive, with a smile that carried emotions. The corners of her petite mouth lifted slightly, her red lips slightly parted, exuding an inviting allure that seemed to beckon for a tender kiss.
Coupled with her youth, Ding Xue, who had arrived, actually transformed into a woman exuding subtle seductiveness after not seeing her for two years.
As the moonlight played upon this delicate figure that perpetually enticed and stirred the senses of the opposite sex, it seemed to blush in its own right, its radiance carrying a shy grace as it flowed.
Xu Qing was also a little surprised. He instinctively looked at the shore further away.
"Why are you looking at me like that, Brother Xu Qing?" Ding Xue's cheeks turned slightly red as she stepped into the cabin.
"I'm not looking at you. I'm looking for Zhao Zhongheng," Xu Qing said honestly.
Ding Xue's ample bosom heaved slightly, indicating that Xu Qing's somewhat clueless remark carried a considerable impact. However, for Ding Xue, such words held little significance.
Difficulties, weren't they just meant to be overcome?
As her beautiful eyes flickered, she walked in front of Xu Qing. Looking at the face in front of her that made one yearn for it, Ding Xue's heart skipped a beat and she couldn't help but gulp.
While she made a conscious effort to restrain herself, deep down, she still felt regret about her failure to win Xu Qing over during their encounter on the Merfolk Island back then.
'It's all Zhao Zhongheng's fault. Hmph, but it doesn't matter. Where there's a will, there's a way!'
Ding Xue cheered herself on. She then took out a stack of spirit tickets and placed them in front of Xu Qing. In the process, she intentionally revealed her snow-white jade arm.
"Brother Xu Qing, this is the profit of the Seven Blood Eyes' Port 176 in the past two years. No matter how shrewd Zhang San is, he can't compare to my meticulousness. Not a single spirit coin less."
Xu Qing nodded. Previously, when he was with Senior Brother Zhang San, he already knew that Ding Xue had been helping him collect benefits for the past two years. Xu Qing was very grateful for Ding Xue's kindness.
Especially when he recalled those times when he was at his poorest, the respect Ding Xue had shown for knowledge by offering those spirit stones. This made Xu Qing harbor a favorable impression of Ding Xue.
Hence, he smiled and took the spirit tickets. He took out a small portion and handed them to Ding Xue.
"These are for you."
Ding Xue blinked, not immediately reaching for the spirit tickets. Instead, she played with the edge of her clothing, a look of hesitation on her face. After a few breaths, she felt the timing was about right in her heart. From her storage bag, she took out an immaculate white bottle and placed it aside.
"Brother Xu Qing, this is the osmanthus lotus seed soup I personally brewed. I plan to send it to Aunt and Uncle. You can help me taste it first."
Xu Qing hesitated but there was no reason to refuse. Hence, he took it and frowned slightly after taking a sip.
"A little sweet."
Ding Xue's small face flushed red as she said shyly.
"Brother Xu Qing, you… I know."
Xu Qing felt that this sentence was a little strange. Just as he was about to speak, Ding Xue had already stood up with a red face.
"Brother Xu Qing, I'll leave first. You just returned and have to rest well. I'll look for you tomorrow."
"Also, thank you for the allowance."
Ding Xue picked up the spirit tickets at the side and her face turned even redder. She quickly ran out. After leaving the magic warship, she revealed a smug expression on the shore.
"As expected, the methods Aunt taught me are effective. Positioning myself as a butler indeed works. But to win over Brother Xu Qing, I can't rush it. I need to be patient and work quietly, gently smoothing things over. Only this way can I lower his guard, and then, unknowingly, he'll be melted by me."
"Moreover, I shouldn't be too proactive. I need to present myself as the prey, just like Aunt said. She used this approach to win over Uncle back in the day."
When Ding Xue thought of this, she began to list out her plan. It was very meticulous…
In the cabin, Xu Qing frowned. Ding Xue's words earlier were a little ambiguous.
"Brother Xu Qing." Ling'er crawled out of Xu Qing's collar and her tone was serious.
"You have to be careful of her. Earlier, I sensed that the way she looked at you was filled with aggression. She seems to have a very strong motive. I heard from my father that there are many people who are good at possession. Her gaze has this meaning. Brother Xu Qing, she's a bad person."
Upon hearing this, Xu Qing's first instinct was caution, but he then found it somewhat unlikely. Nevertheless, he couldn't help but become a bit more guarded in his heart.
Seeing that Xu Qing still agreed with her, Ling'er was very happy.
"Brother Xu Qing, I'm amazing. I can especially observe the details of other people's expressions. With me around, I'll definitely help you distinguish who the bad guys are."
Xu Qing smiled and was about to meditate. However, he quickly lifted his head and looked outside.
Not long later, the voice of an excited woman with a trembling voice rang out from outside the boat.
"Brother Xu Qing, you're finally back…"
Outside the warship, a girl dressed in black stood there, holding a large clay jar in her hands, which was slung over her shoulder.
That jar was much larger than her skinny body and looked very incongruous.
But it was precisely because of this that it highlighted her uniqueness even more – her fair complexion, delicate willow-leaf eyebrows, and eyes that, while not large, seemed to reveal her inner world entirely.
