To keep Cang Xiaoxi from being entangled in worldly affairs or drawing too much attention, Jikuhir deliberately held her power just one tier above his.
Simple as it was, the gesture clearly revealed the girl’s quiet care for the boy.
Cang Xiaoxi understood all of it.
That was why he thanked her—expressing gratitude in the most restrained way he could manage…
“Xiaoxi, this one tastes good. Try some.”
During the post-check-in meal, sensing he grasped her intent, Jikuhir turned on the charm full force, launching her campaign to win him over.
One moment offering food from her plate, the next “accidentally” brushing his hand.
Her boldness was the very epitome of a female domineering protagonist.
“I know. I can feed myself. Just sit still.”
Cang Xiaoxi furrowed his brows, a hint of impatience flickering in his eyes.
He wanted to scold her for the deliberately showy acts—gestures that screamed *we’re together*.
But recalling everything… and the slow shift in his own heart over three years… he swallowed hard, forcing the words back down.
Eating in silence, exchanging only polite murmurs under an oddly stiff atmosphere, they *seemingly* finished the meal smoothly.
Except for their hearts…
“Huh?! Why aren’t we in the same room? Aren’t we married? Shouldn’t married couples share a room?!”
“Don’t make me repeat what I’ve said for nearly three years—we are *NOT*!”
*Thud!*
Without hesitation, the boy shut the door on her.
“Mmmph… What’s your problem?! Xiaoxi, you dummy!”
Pouting with grievance, the little girl puffed her cheeks.
Muttering, “We’ve lived together for three years…” Jikuhir pursed her cherry lips and called to Fenrir—Xiao Fen—shaking his head speechlessly at her feet.
“Xiao Fen, let’s go. We’re ignoring ‘Dad’.”
“Woof!”
She scooped up Fenrir, his tiny tail swishing in protest, and retreated to her room.
At that same moment, Cang Xiaoxi leaned against the heavy door, seated on the cold floor, head bowed, face shadowed in silence.
“She’s gone back…”
Hearing the neighboring door click shut, he murmured.
His fingers brushed dry lips, then pressed against the aching knot in his chest. Again—*again*—he sank into the confusion that had haunted him countless times over three years.
He didn’t know what to do.
Every touch from her. Every sweet confession.
His mind drifted… to *her*. That childhood sweetheart who’d once doted on him just like Jikuhir.
*I like you… I like you… I like you…*
They’d vowed to stay together forever.
And the result? Nothing. Not even a single memory left untouched by her coldness.
Too moved to speak. Too afraid to hope.
Just the thought of accepting Jikuhir—and ending up shattered again—froze him. He dared not go further.
“…Better get some rest.”
He shook his head firmly, dragged his heavy body onto the bed fully clothed, and collapsed onto his back.
Staring at the hollow, lightless ceiling—so much like his own heart—a bitter smile tugged at his lips.
“Three years… and I’m still hung up on that. Guess my heart shrank with my body… Or maybe… I never really grew up.”
Forcing his eyes shut. Forcing sleep.
After years without a proper bed, rest brought little comfort.
“Xiaoxi, are you unwell? Maybe skip quests today.”
Seeing his pale, weary face the next morning, Jikuhir’s planned complaint died on her lips.
Worried, she reached for the dark circles under his eyes—but he dodged.
“Let’s go. Quests vanish if we’re late.”
“…”
His voice remained cold, hollow.
Yet now carried a new, unshakable distance.
Three years together taught her this: when burdened, he shut her out. Always.
Watching his retreating back, her nose stung.
—*After all this time… have I still not reached your heart?*
Biting her lip, heart heavy, they arrived at the Adventurers Guild.
“Yo! If it isn’t the ‘Rising Stars’? Here bright and early for quests?”
Before the quest board, a burly, seasoned-looking adventurer greeted them with a warm grin.
“‘Rising Stars’? Us?” Cang Xiaoxi donned his polite-outsider mask.
“Yep! You broke through to the lower tier at ten—right after the Delkas Empire’s Thirteenth Princess. Fits perfectly! I’m Woods, Rank C adventurer, captain of a mid-tier squad.” He extended a hand.
“Cang Xiaoxi. Pleasure, Mr. Woods.”
“Oh—Cang Xiaoxi? Slightly unusual… No offense!”
“None taken. Everyone says that.”
Woods chuckled, then turned to Jikuhir behind him—holding Fenrir, face stern. “And this lovely lady’s name?”
He offered the same neighborly smile.
Jikuhir didn’t look up. Didn’t move. Voice flat:
“Cang Kuku.”
“Oh! Little Kuku—”
The word *little* triggered it.
A glare—icy, ancient, *dragon*-level murderous intent.
Woods’ knees buckled. He barely steadied himself, realizing his misstep, and pivoted back to Cang Xiaoxi.
“You here for your first quest? Join us! Safer with veterans.” He gestured to his waiting team.
“A temporary team?”
“Exactly! Rank E quests pay little alone. With us? Smaller cut, but more gold *and* experience. This line’s risky—you know.”
“Makes sense…”
“Right?!”
Cang Xiaoxi knew guidance beat fumbling solo. Strength couldn’t replace experience. He *could* learn from them.
But…
“Thank you, but… we’ll take our first quest at our own pace.” He glanced at Jikuhir’s undisguised disdain.
Woods sighed. “Alright. If you hit trouble, find us. We’ll help.”
“I appreciate that, Mr. Woods.”
Cang Xiaoxi shook his hand—genuinely thanking a senior who only wished newcomers well.
Woods then outlined typical newbie quests: herb gathering, cargo handling, low-level goblin hunts.
“Strength alone won’t carry every quest.”
“I agree.”
Like his first days here: power without skill—a beautiful vase, shattering at a touch.
“Start with herbs. Try goblins only if you’ve hunted monsters before.”
“Noted. Thanks.”
Scanning the board, Cang Xiaoxi tensed.
Their funds were nearly gone—the prince’s stolen gold long spent.
No high-reward quest? Homelessness loomed.
*He* could endure. But the willful Dragon Sovereign? Not so much.
Maybe grind low-tier quests… *quantity over quality*…
Then his eyes locked on one notice: no rank listed. Reward absurdly high.
“Mr. Woods—what about this one?”
“Huh? Ah… *that* one.” Woods scratched his head, uneasy but honest.
“A royal missing-person notice. A week ago… the Delkas Empire’s only princess vanished while traveling.”
