Noah entered the cabin and walked to the door. He stopped. With his hand on the wooden surface, he hesitated. He gave a silent smile, for the sound of laughter coming from outside was enough to ease him.

  Apparently, that wolf cub hadn't done anything wrong.

  Sighing, he turned to the bed. He sat down to wait. With a comb in hand, he lay down. However, contrary to what he expected, it did not take long for the door to open.

  Ting came in, hugging the little wolf, and said, — I thought you'd go out there too, what made you change your mind?

  Trembling, the animal jumped from her hands when it saw Noah stand up. It hid behind her feet and cowered.

  — What did you do to Xiao Ying? — Ting picked up the cub, bringing it close to her chest. With her body turned, she kept it away from Noah even as she walked towards him.

  — Huh? So it's a female?

  She sat on his lap as she said, — You didn't even bother to check when you brought her to me, did you? Of course you didn't. Otherwise, you wouldn't have sent a creature equivalent to Foundation Establishment here without being here to watch her.

  — Foundation Establishment? — Noah stopped combing her hair for an instant, and, looking over Ting's shoulder, he stared at the frightened cub on her lap whose long ears covered her eyes. — It's really that strong?

  — She's not 'it,' she's Xiao Ying. And by the way, — she turned to him, frowning, which allowed the cub to run and hide under the bed. — Where were you? Why did you take so long to come back? And where did you find Xiao Ying to bring her here? Being so strong, she definitely didn't live near this city.

  After a brief laugh, Noah kissed her neck. — First, she found me, not the other way around. I think after drinking semi-dragon blood once, she ended up following us, looking for more, — he explained between kisses and touches. — And as for your other questions, I thought you wanted me to take my time coming back, didn't you?

  — Take your time, sure. At most, half a day, idiot! — Ting pushed him away, standing with crossed arms. — If I wanted to stay away from you the entire day, I would have locked the door and isolated myself in here.

  — But I thought...

  — Well, you thought wrong. — Turning around, she looked at the door. — Come in, He Rui, he won't bite you... I think.

  Noah looked at the door. With his heart suddenly agitated, he felt strangely uncomfortable. The source of his nervousness wasn't very clear to him. His hands were sweating and his eyes seemed to want to flee, sinking to the floor. Then, with his hands gripping his clothes, He Rui slowly entered and stopped right beside Ting.

  Observing her state, Noah quickly analyzed her reactions. He looked at his own sweaty palm.

  — I suppose this connection also extends to feelings and emotions, right? Is that why my hands are sweating so much?

  — Sorry, — she said, straightening up to reveal herself fully. — I'll be counting on you from now on, sir.

  Clenching her fists a few times, as if collecting her thoughts, He Rui hid at first, listening to Ting comment about the unnecessary use of "sir." However, she didn't pay attention to the warning, because her heart was pounding, and it wasn't out of excitement. Her fear exploded along with the tangle of emotions that grew inside her, where anger prevailed. However, above all, Noah's ability to keep a neutral expression even with all that going on was what scared her most.

  A heavy sigh reached her, making her body stop trembling. Anger? It faded until only a spark remained in the confused mixture that kept her silent and resolute.

  — Looks like you've truly made up your mind and even managed to convince her. Does this mean you also haven't changed your mind about doing the same? — The pills appeared in front, falling into his palm.

  With raised eyebrows, He Rui watched in amazement. Although she had used the sword technique with great ease, she couldn't feel any real interest in it because she didn't understand her situation. But now, she wanted to know more about cultivation, as much as possible.

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  — How did he do that? — she asked.

  — Ah, right. There's an invisible interface, — Ting pointed to the place, — It can store things and has other functionalities too, like buying information... When you can see it, you'll understand.

  — See... I'm going to see something invisible...?

  — No, it's invisible to others, for us— Hey, instead of pulling on my clothes, why don't you help explain?

  — Forget it for now. You still haven't answered my question.

  — Maybe because she's stupid? — Ting took the pills. — If I wasn't going to do this, I wouldn't be here anymore. So, how did she get your essence?

  — No, not yet. We'll do it tomorrow. — Pulling her close, Noah hugged her, — Now I'm the one who needs a little time.

  — Hey... — Even as she averted her eyes, Ting stroked his head. — Don't you feel embarrassed doing this in front of her?

  — If she's really going to live with both of us from now on, she'll have to get used to it. And also... — Turning his head, Noah looked at He Rui, only to see her look away. — I don't think she's bothered. What I'm feeling now seems closer to envy, I think. Maybe because she wishes to be in my place?

  — What? — Ting turned to see her, but He Rui was faster in turning her face away. — Really...?

  Immersed in so many emotions, He Rui couldn't be sure either. The desire had already been strong before, but now, it seemed to be all that was left. From her own fears or worries, nothing else could reach her. The overlap was so intense that she wondered if it was the reason why Noah's emotions were overtaking hers.

  After a lot of playing with Xiao Ying while Noah refused to let go of Ting, He Rui was the first and only person to fall asleep, embracing Ting as she slept.

  — Could you help me? She's way too strong for someone who is supposedly at the same stage as I am.

  Smiling, Noah gently freed He Rui's arms so she wouldn't wake. He pulled Ting toward himself, joking, — Are you sure you won't regret this? Besides putting up with me, it looks like you'll have to do the same with her from now on.

  As if missing something, He Rui clung to the pillow beside her while Noah took Ting to the balcony. After descending the stairs and walking down a small path, he sat with her in his lap at the edge of the bathtub.

  — What are you doing? I just took a bath, — she said, holding her clothes to keep them from being pulled open.

  — Yeah, but not with me.

  — ...Are you jealous of her? — She smiled. — Of a girl, seriously?

  Throwing aside her sash, Noah immediately retorted, — So those kinds of relationships don't exist here?

  — Between girls? N- — her smile faded as she remembered Meiyang Mountain. Sighing, she stood to take off her clothes. — Maybe... — she murmured.

  Being the first to enter the water, Noah gradually increased its temperature. He stood up to pick Ting up by the waist, bringing her to eye level.

  Holding him with her arms, she commented, — You seem too calm for someone in a situation like ours. Are you sure you don't want to say anything? Maybe complain a little? Are you really just going to let me decide everything while you quietly go along without a word?

  — I don't know if I should say anything about that, Ting. I think I know why you decided so quickly just to make her one of us instead of looking for another option... You were afraid of how I'd react. Because, if death is the only way to break the bond, you knew which solution I'd choose... and you were right.

  — Wow... Even though I already knew, it's not good to hear it like that. — She bit him as hard as she could, unable to cause any harm. — When I also transform thanks to the essence of divine creatures, I should be able to do that, right?

  — Well, unfortunately for you, I can do it right now.

  Preventing her from biting his shoulder, Ting quickly pointed to her pronounced sharp fangs.

  Noah kissed her instead of biting her, getting rid of any and all barriers.

  They sat, and, in his lap, Ting leaned against his chest. She looked up at the stars while feeling the touches getting closer and closer to places they shouldn't go, moving from her legs up near her breasts. She said nothing, for after so many warnings, she was sure that Noah knew it still wasn't the time. She sighed, placing her hand on his head and guiding it over her shoulder.

  — Do you think it's possible this will work? — she asked, — An equal relationship between three people, where one of them is only capable of loving one.

  — I can't promise anything like that, Ting. The most I can do is try.

  She turned her head to look him in the eyes as she asked, — No more thinking of killing her to quickly solve the problem?

  — Yes, I won't do anything like that again.

  — And treating her the same way you treat me?

  Noah kissed her neck. — I can try, but it will be difficult.

  Turning, Ting said, — And I hope it really is difficult. Very. I want it to take many days, if not years, before you can look at her the way you look at me.

  She stood up, giving Noah time to kiss her belly before she left the tub. While drying off, she warned him again, — Don't you dare fall for her quickly just because He Rui is pretty too. If you do, then I really will get mad at you. Now hurry up and get out of there. — After getting dressed, she tossed him a towel. — Or do you want to spend all your time with me in this place?