At that moment, the air seemed to be filled with a faint, invisible tension, as if an intense showdown was about to erupt.
Meanwhile, Kiana☆, as the beneficiary, had a gleam in her eye and a sweet smile on her face.
In her heart, she silently gave Theresa a thumbs-up, then turned her hopeful gaze to Fu Lin and softly murmured,
"Fu Lin..."
Though her voice was soft, the deep emotion within it sent a shiver through Fu Lin.
At this moment, everyone held their breath, waiting quietly to see how Fu Lin would respond to such a sudden and unexpected question.
----------------------------------
"....." Teresa, damn it, if you want me dead, just say it—why bring that up? The atmosphere had just eased a little and now it's ruined again. You're definitely not going to have it easy in the future!
Feeling the gazes of Kiana☆, Mei☆, and Fu Shi, Fu Lin felt like her head exploded. He stared resentfully at Teresa, muttering inwardly while biting an imaginary handkerchief.
But facing everyone's eyes, Fu Lin slightly raised his head and met Kiana☆'s gaze. Feeling the anticipation in Kiana☆'s eyes, he forced himself to shake his head.
"...No."
Upon hearing this, Teresa nodded thoughtfully, and then without hesitation declared her willingness to take responsibility, swearing earnestly,
"No refusal means consent. Then I'll handle this matter!"
Just then, Fu Shi suddenly became emotional. She raised her fist and punched Fu Lin in the head.
"Ouch... Fu Shi, what are you doing?"
Fu Lin clutched his head in pain and turned around, looking at Fu Shi in confusion, clearly not expecting her action.
Everyone present was stunned by Fu Shi's sudden reaction and turned their eyes toward her, faces full of shock.
Fu Shi crossed her arms in front of her chest, her red eyes staring firmly at Fu Lin, lips slightly pouting, and she shouted angrily, "I do not agree!"
Seeing Fu Lin in pain, Kiana☆'s gaze suddenly turned icy cold, looking at Fu Shi like she was already dead.
However, just as she was about to act, Fu Lin quickly clasped Kiana☆'s hands with her own, preventing any further action.
Then Fu Lin looked into Kiana☆'s eyes and said softly,
"Fu Shi couldn't have really hit me—it didn't hurt at all, Kiana☆."
Then Fu Lin let go of Kiana☆, stepped toward Fu Shi, and gently patted her head with one hand, while pointing at her own chest with the other, thinking,
'Fu Shi, your Herrscher Core is still inside me. No one can be closer than us, right?'
Fu Shi's expression gradually softened at Fu Lin's words. Her tense muscles began to relax, and the resentment in her eyes slowly faded.
She then took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, as if trying to vent all her frustration with that breath.
Meanwhile, Mei☆ stood silently nearby, watching everything about Fu Lin. Her beautiful face showed no change in expression, as if indifferent to what was happening.
But only she knew what thoughts stirred deep in her heart,
'From the look in Fu Lin's eyes, he seems to favor the Herrscher of Sentience more. Kiana☆ is slightly inferior, but she's pregnant, which clearly gives her an edge. As for me...'
Mei☆ thought to herself, a trace of helplessness and bitterness rising in her heart. But she quickly calmed down and continued her analysis,
'But that's fine. As the saying goes, 'When the snake and the clam fight, the fisherman profits.' Let Kiana☆ and the Herrscher of Sentience keep fighting—so long as Fu Lin can keep a place for me in his heart, that's enough.'
With this thought, the corners of Mei☆'s mouth lifted slightly in a subtle smile.
This smile contained a hint of self-mockery, but also conveyed a sense of relief and determination.
Perhaps, in this emotional whirlwind, she had already found her own peace and contentment.
At that moment, Fu Lin suddenly sensed something and slowly turned his gaze toward Mei☆.
When he saw the faintly self-mocking smile at the corner of her lips, he couldn't help but recall all his memories with her. Knowing he had watched Mei☆ grow up, his heart softened.
Then, Fu Shi shot a provocative glare at Kiana☆, as if trying to convey all her dissatisfaction through that one look.
Suddenly, as if recalling something, Fu Shi smirked and said,
"Don't think being pregnant means you can get between me and Fu Lin's relationship. Our hearts have long been one. And speaking of kids..."
"I think Fu Lin and I had a daughter in another universe. Fu Lin, I suddenly miss her a bit."
(Stelle, "Achoo, is someone thinking about me?")
Upon hearing this, the entire scene fell into silence...
Everyone gasped,
"This intense?!"
"How come I don't remember having a daughter?"
Fu Lin was also stunned by these words, showing a look of confusion, trying to recall when he had a daughter in another universe.
Fu Shi clenched her fists, yelling at Fu Lin in frustration, "You idiot, it's Stelle!"
Fu Lin had a sudden realization,
"Stelle? Hm~ Oh, I remember now. Stelle~ Yeah, we do have such a daughter. Wonder how she's doing now."
Just then, Fu Lin's expression stiffened as a crisp yet slightly chilling yandere voice echoed in the air,
"Oh? Fu Lin~ Don't you have something to explain to me? Or should I just lock you up to make you behave~?"
At that moment, Fu Lin didn't even need to look back to know that the voice came from Kiana☆.
Just from the overwhelming possessive aura she exuded, it was enough to pressure him greatly.
"Uh, Kiana☆, I can explain..."
Behind Fu Lin, Fu Shi curled her lips into a mischievous grin, her eyes filled with provocation as she looked at Kiana☆. Then she handed Fu Lin a brick, her gaze filled with encouragement and instigation,
"Fu Lin, what's there to explain? It's not like she can eat you in front of everyone. Worst case, just fight it out!"
Fu Lin tossed the brick into the air, clasped his hands behind his back, and gave an awkward smile.
"....." Before she got pregnant, he actually did. He had use time-stop, and then guess what happened... cough cough.
"Hm... the situation doesn't look too good right now."
At that moment, Teresa, who had been silent, finally snapped out of it. She gently pinched her round little chin, observed the tense atmosphere, and then her expression changed sharply as if realizing something.
She then hoisted up Judah and quickly hopped away, leaving behind a casual sentence,
"Fu Lin, you'd better handle this yourself. But if you wrong my precious niece, Judah in my hands isn't just for show!"
"As a dean, I have other important matters to attend to, so I'll be off first~"
Kiana came to her senses, hesitated for a moment, and gently patted Fu Lin's shoulder. But the moment her hand touched him, she felt a sharp gaze directed her way.
Startled, Kiana☆ immediately withdrew her hand.
Without saying another word, she grabbed Mei and dashed off in the direction Teresa had gone.
While running, she shouted,
"Fu Lin, you... good luck! Mei and I are leaving now!" That other me is terrifying!
Bronya watched their retreating backs, paused for a moment, and then said,
"Take care. Hope you survive till tomorrow. If you do, Bronya will throw you a party to celebrate!"
Fu Lin asked reflexively, "What if I don't survive?"
Bronya shot him a deadpan look. "Then we'll have a funeral feast instead."
"...Damn, that's cold!"
Fu Lin's mouth twitched, never expecting Bronya to say something so icy with her mouth.
As Bronya left, Fu Lin turned his gaze to Himeko. His only hope now lay with her.
Fu Lin rushed to Himeko, hugged her leg tightly, and looked up at her with pleading eyes, urgently saying,
"Himeko-sis~ The only one who can calm Kiana☆ down now is probably you. You said I could come to you if I needed help—please, I'm begging you!"
Fu Lin's eyes were full of helplessness and hope, as if her agreeing would solve everything.
Hearing this, Himeko was momentarily speechless. She glanced at Kiana☆, scratched her head, seeming troubled, but still chose to help,
"Ah... sigh. Kiana☆, how about listening to Fu Lin's explanation? I really don't like the way you're acting right now."