Song Yingyue withdrew her gaze and turned to look at Yu Qingci instead.
The corners of her lips lifted slightly into a faint smile as she said softly, “A-Ci, don’t waste your entire life over your elder sister’s family’s cold illness.”
Yu Qingci’s eyes flickered for a moment, his expression turning extremely complicated. “The lifespan of a demon is long. If I hadn’t met Elder Sister and Foster Father, then I probably would’ve already…”
Before he could finish speaking, Song Yingyue’s expression suddenly changed. She hurriedly interrupted him.
Her brows knitted tightly, her eyes filled with worry and tension as she sternly scolded, “A-Ci! Before we left, didn’t your elder sister already tell you? Never mention outside that you’re a demon!”
“You carry Father’s special artifact that suppresses your demonic aura. As long as you don’t say anything, no one will ever know you’re a demon. Understand?”
Yu Qingci’s breathing faltered.
Though he knew Song Yingyue meant well, seeing her so severe still filled his heart with inexplicable sorrow.
Yet outwardly, he maintained his composure and nodded with a smile. “I understand, Elder Sister. I won’t say it again in the future.”
Song Yingyue sighed softly and reached out to stroke Yu Qingci’s head. Her tone softened considerably.
“A-Ci, your elder sister only says this for your own good. The prejudice people hold toward demons in this world runs too deep…”
Yu Qingci responded with a quiet “Mm,” a trace of self-mockery flashing through his eyes.
Just as the two were speaking, another pair approached while chatting and laughing together.
“What a coincidence, meeting Senior Brother here of all places.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Yu Qingci spotted them immediately, his gaze darkening unreadably.
The moment Song Yingyue heard the voice, she instinctively turned around. Joy nearly overflowed from her eyes.
However, when her gaze landed upon Tong Huanyou beside Xie Zhili, the brightness in her eyes dimmed instantly.
Tong Huanyou also happened to spot Song Yingyue and Yu Qingci. She was just about to greet them when she noticed Song Yingyue’s expression suddenly turn unpleasant.
Only Xie Zhili, upon seeing Song Yingyue, unconsciously quickened his pace. From several meters away, he was already calling out:
“Yingyue!”
“I’m a little tired. I’ll head back first.”
Song Yingyue turned and walked toward the other end of the street. Her voice no longer carried the same gentle warmth as before, instead tinged with indifference.
Her footsteps never paused, as though she hadn’t heard Xie Zhili calling her at all.
“I’ll accompany Elder Sister.”
Just as Yu Qingci stepped forward, Song Yingyue raised a hand to stop him.
“No need. I want to walk alone for a while.”
Yu Qingci froze slightly before obediently stopping in place, his gaze fixed tightly upon Song Yingyue’s departing figure.
Watching her leave so quickly, Xie Zhili scratched his head in confusion. “Did she not hear me?”
Tong Huanyou’s eyes widened instantly.
Amazing! Truly amazing! No! I can’t let this blockhead ruin the female lead’s impression of me too!
She cleared her throat twice and said, “Brother Xie, you should hurry and catch up to Sister Song. Explain to her about my request for an escort earlier.”
“Oh! Right, yes! Then I’ll go first. Walk carefully!”
As if suddenly enlightened, Xie Zhili hurriedly sped after Song Yingyue while shouting:
“Yingyue, wait for me! Yingyue!”
Hearing this, Yu Qingci turned around and was just about to move and stop Xie Zhili from chasing after Song Yingyue—
When suddenly, Tong Huanyou rushed forward and tightly wrapped both arms around his arm.
Yu Qingci froze in astonishment and instinctively tried to shake her off, but Tong Huanyou clung stubbornly to him.
Then she stuffed the chestnuts she was carrying into his arms all at once. Her brows curved brightly as she smiled ingratiatingly.
“Freshly bought chestnuts. Want to try some?”
Yu Qingci frowned deeply, narrowing his eyes as his cold, sinister gaze swept over her. He sneered:
“Miss Tong truly has quite the clever heart. How is it that you want both at once?”
Tong Huanyou choked on those words and blanked for a second.
What does that mean? Want both?
He can’t possibly think I’m still flirting with Xie Zhili too… right?
Well… in a certain sense, that is technically true…
“Hey, hey, hey, you can’t just eat words carelessly—ptui! No, wait, you can’t just say things carelessly.”
Tong Huanyou raised one finger and waved it in front of him.
With a sly grin on her face, she continued speaking without shame:
“The only one I like is you.”
I swear this is just a harmless lie. Heaven, please don’t strike me down.
Hearing this, Yu Qingci pressed his lips together. Hidden within his sleeves, his fingers clenched tightly as a sinister smile slowly curled upon his lips.
“You? Like me?”
Tong Huanyou blinked innocently, pretending to be utterly sincere. “Yes, yes! I like you so much I couldn’t possibly like you more!”
Yet the moment those words left her mouth, the faint smile lingering at Yu Qingci’s lips vanished abruptly.
In its place appeared a terrifying anger that sent chills down the spine.
His strong hand suddenly seized Tong Huanyou’s slender wrist without warning and dragged her forcefully into the dark, narrow alley beside them.
The chestnuts scattered all across the ground.
“Hey—hey, hey!” Tong Huanyou stumbled from the sudden pull.
Before she could react, Yu Qingci shoved her hard against the icy wall behind her.
“What are you doing—”
Panicked, Tong Huanyou tried to struggle free.
But Yu Qingci’s tall body pressed forward, trapping her firmly between himself and the wall.
One arm braced against the wall beside her, his chest rising and falling violently. His heavy breathing sounded especially clear within the cramped alley.
Loose strands of hair shadowed the fury burning within his eyes.
Staring at the suddenly transformed Yu Qingci, Tong Huanyou couldn’t understand what she’d said that provoked such a massive reaction.
“What I hate most is being deceived.”
Yu Qingci’s voice was low and chilling. His eyes resembled those of a vicious wolf lurking deep within the mountains, locked onto Tong Huanyou as though he could tear her apart at any second.
Tong Huanyou’s eyes widened as she swallowed nervously. Her voice trembled noticeably.
“How could I lie to you? Everything I said was sincere.”
Yu Qingci lowered his gaze indifferently, noticing the gauze wrapped around her neck.
His long fingers suddenly gripped her chin harshly.
His icy voice sounded as though it emerged from the depths of hell itself.
“Sincere? Then prove it to me.”
“H-how am I supposed to prove that?” Tong Huanyou asked, utterly bewildered.
Suddenly, a white glow appeared around Yu Qingci’s head, his features beginning to distort.
The next instant, the light faded.
And the face before her had transformed into that of a cold white wolf.
Sharp ears stood upright. His fur was pure as snow, while those eyes resembled deep blue sapphires—beautifully mesmerizing yet filled with terrifying savagery.
Tong Huanyou was completely stunned by the sight before her.
Her lips parted slightly as her entire body froze stiff.
An unstoppable wave of shock surged through her mind.
So this… is a real demon?
Yu Qingci lifted his head proudly, narrowing his eyes slightly.
The wolf’s mouth opened faintly, revealing sharp white fangs as his cold voice echoed through the alley:
“Cut out your heart.”
“Give it to me.”
Tong Huanyou’s eyes widened in horror. “Y-you… what did you say?”
Yet Yu Qingci’s expression remained utterly unmoved as he stared fixedly at her and repeated:
“If your feelings are truly sincere, then cut out your heart and show it to me.”
Tong Huanyou’s pupils trembled violently.
In that instant, it felt as though she once again saw the scene from the very beginning—Yu Qingci mercilessly stabbing her to death with a single sword strike.