Nora rubbed her temples in frustration. "You dumb bear, if you've got the guts to run off, don't bother coming back."
She massaged her head briefly before returning to her meal. She knew that bear would return—her intuition never failed her.
And she was right. Qin Jun had thrown a childish tantrum, but he wasn't actually a child. He'd run out mostly to tease her—to make her care. *If you ignore me, I'll vanish and see how you handle it.*
Still, Qin Jun didn't plan to head back immediately. He genuinely wanted to check what that young master was up to. After all, his anger was justified.
With a casual sweep of his senses, Qin Jun located the young master. The place, however, was rather disreputable—the same brothel he'd visited yesterday.
*Another hypocrite,* Qin Jun thought. *Always acting so righteous, yet sneaking off to brothels.*
But a closer look revealed something unexpected. The young master was painting a woman's portrait. She wore light, revealing robes, showcasing her beauty as she posed for him. His eyes held pure sincerity, not a trace of lust—as if she were his cherished artwork.
*I misjudged him,* Qin Jun realized with a soft chuckle. *Turns out good people still exist.* He turned to leave.
*Going back this soon means another scolding from Nora,* he mused. *But scolding is love. She's my girl—her treatment doesn't matter.*
Yet when Qin Jun reached the inn, Nora was gone.
He instantly shifted into human form, startling the landlady. "Y-you're a bear?" she gasped.
Ignoring her shock, Qin Jun demanded, "Where's the girl?"
The landlady stammered, "A message pigeon arrived. She left for a mission but said she'd return soon."
"*That's* why a bear understands human speech," she muttered.
Qin Jun cut her off, pressing an Amethyst Coin into her palm. "Keep your mouth shut," he warned coldly, "or you'll regret it."
Eyes gleaming at the coin, she chirped, "Don't worry, sir! Even with a knife to my throat, I won't breathe a word!"
"Remember that," Qin Jun said flatly.
He felt no urge to kill today. Following Nora these past days had softened his bloodthirst.
Sensing her location beyond Snowstorm City's walls, he concealed himself and flew off.
Outside Snowstorm City, Nora rubbed her chilled hands as the team leader barked orders. "We depart now or miss the deadline. Everyone ready?"
The others shouted "Ready!" in unison. Nora froze. *Leave now? But the dumb bear hasn't come!* Anxiously, she called out, "Leader, can I fetch my bear from the city? Just a moment?"
The burly leader scowled. "Fine—quit the team. Losing a level 50 warrior won't cripple us."
Nora watched him signal the others to move. She glanced back at Snowstorm City, steeled herself, and thought, *I'll take the simpler mission next time.*
*Once I'm inside, dumb bear, you're in trouble.*
The leader noted her direction. "Your choice," he said gruffly.
Nora ignored him and trudged forward. Then—a thunderous bear roar ripped through the air. Qin Jun charged toward her.
Overjoyed, she yelled, "I don't need you here, you dumb bear!"
*Classic tsundere,* Qin Jun thought, having overheard everything. *She gave up money for me. That warms my heart.*
When he reached her, Nora firmly smacked his head. "All your fault for wandering off!"
Qin Jun didn't resist. She looked so cute—his future wife, after all.
Nora sprinted after the departing team, found the leader, and announced she was staying.
He agreed without complaint. A fair leader—truly Nora's blessing.
*Since you protect my wife,* Qin Jun silently vowed, *I'll save your life if danger strikes. The others? I'll decide on a whim. But touch Nora, and none of you live.*
Unaware of his lethal plans, Nora rode on Qin Jun's back, wrapped tight against the howling blizzard.
Hours passed. They left Snowstorm City's bounds. The snow thinned, then vanished. The land revealed its true colors beneath a clearing sky.
Qin Jun watched Nora idly twirl a leaf. He pictured their future children: a son named Qin Ye, a daughter Qin Chuxue.
*Jumping the gun,* he admitted. *Nothing's settled yet. But she'll be mine someday.*
