Douluo Continent: Bibi Dong's Start with the Secret Chamber and Qian Xunji

Bibi Dong raised her hand, scooped up a handful of water, and poured it over her collarbone.

The water flowed down the curve of her chest, past her lower abdomen, and back into the pool.

The scenes from last night flashed through Bibi Dong's mind.

In the darkness, she indulged herself in the most primal release.

Bibi Dong knew clearly that it was not desire.

It was fear.

It was the fear brought by Qian Daoliu's all-seeing eyes.

It's the kind of fear that you could lose everything at any moment and be reduced to your original state.

Therefore, she needs a child.

It is urgently needed.

Bibi Dong opened her eyes, her purple pupils reflecting the misty water.

She picked up a soapberry from the pool and began to wash her body.

The movements were very meticulous, repeatedly rubbing every inch of skin from the neck to the shoulder sockets, from the arms to the fingertips.

There was a faint red mark below her collarbone, left by Qianxunji when she was passionate last night.

Bibi Dong's brow furrowed slightly as her fingertips touched the mark.

She scrubbed the skin vigorously until the red marks were replaced by a deeper red before she stopped.

It's not clean enough.

She washed it again.

From head to toe, not a single inch was overlooked. The soapberries were replaced three times, and the pond water was changed twice.

She only stopped when all that remained on her body was the fresh scent of soap, and when her skin was slightly red from being soaked in hot water.

Bibi Dong stood up from the pool, water droplets sliding down her smooth skin, outlining graceful lines in the misty steam.

She reached for the towel draped over the edge of the pool and calmly wiped her body.

From the ends of her hair to her shoulders and neck, from her collarbone to her waist and abdomen, every inch of her skin was carefully dried.

After changing into a clean robe, she stood in front of the full-length bronze mirror, examining herself in the mirror.

A light purple dress accentuated her slender figure, and her long hair was carefully combed and secured at the back of her head.

The person in the mirror had a refined face, cool and aloof features, and deep purple eyes that revealed no emotion whatsoever.

The woman who indulged in unrestrained venting in the darkness last night seemed to have never existed.

She is Bibi Dong.

The Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall.

The person in charge who acts as pope during the pope's retreat.

Bibi Dong looked at herself in the bronze mirror, the corners of her mouth slightly upturned, practicing to create a just-right curve.

Dignified. Composed. Aloof.

She nodded at herself in the mirror.

Then he turned around and walked out of the washroom.

……

After leaving the washroom, Bibi Dong went to the small kitchen to get a food box.

The food box contained congee, a few side dishes, and a plate of osmanthus cake, which Yu Xiaogang used to love.

She carried the food box to the door of Yu Xiaogang's secret room and tidied her sideburns.

Then push the door open and go inside.

Inside the secret room, Yu Xiaogang had already finished washing up.

He sat at the table, holding a book in his hands. It was an ancient book about the theory of martial spirits, which Bibi Dong had sent a few days ago.

When Bibi Dong pushed the door open and entered, Yu Xiaogang turned a page without looking up.

She placed the food box on the table and opened the lid. Inside were congee, side dishes, and a plate of osmanthus cake.

"Xiaogang, dinner's ready."

Yu Xiaogang put down his book, picked up his chopsticks and started eating, but he didn't look at Bibi Dong once from beginning to end.

Bibi Dong sat down on the chair next to her.

Did you sleep well last night?

no respond.

"Is the blanket thick enough? It gets chilly at night."

Yu Xiaogang picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks, chewed it a few times, and swallowed it. Then he scooped up a spoonful of porridge.

Bibi Dong looked at his profile.

"I'll change your mattress in a bit; it'll be softer than the old one. Your back isn't good, so you can't sleep on a hard mattress."

Yu Xiaogang picked up the bowl and finished the last mouthful of porridge. He put the bowl down and picked up the plate of osmanthus cake.

"Xiao Gang," Bibi Dong's voice was still gentle, "Do you remember back in the library? You would always forget to eat once you started reading. I would always bring you a food box, and you would eat while you were reading, without even looking up."

Yu Xiaogang took a bite of the osmanthus cake.

"This was your favorite food back then. I told you the osmanthus cake the kitchen made was too sweet, and you said it wasn't sweet at all, it was just right."

Bibi Dong's lips curved slightly.

"Later, the kitchen changed chefs, and the osmanthus cake tasted different. You took two bites and put it down, saying it wasn't the same taste. I had someone find a new chef who knows how to make traditional osmanthus cake. Try it, is it the same taste?"

Yu Xiaogang stuffed the last piece of osmanthus cake into his mouth and patted the crumbs off his hands.

She stood up, walked back to the bedside, and picked up the book again.

He didn't say a single word to Bibi Dong from beginning to end.

Bibi Dong's smile froze on her lips.

The room fell silent, save for the sound of pages turning.

Bibi Dong sat in the chair, looking at Yu Xiaogang's profile as he looked down.

He must have been engrossed in reading that ancient book, because his brows were slightly furrowed, an expression that only appears when he is focused.

It was exactly the same as the one she had seen in the library before.

Before, when she sat next to him, he would occasionally look up at her. He wouldn't say anything, just glance at her, and then continue reading.

At that time, Bibi Dong felt that it was the warmest silence in the world.

He is silent now.

But things are different now.

For the past month, she has been showing up on time for three meals a day. She cooks a variety of dishes, all of which are his favorite foods.

He reads a book, and she sits beside him. He's lost in thought, and she keeps him company. She responds to everything he says. When he's silent, she tries to start a conversation.

She recounted those past events over and over again.

The library. Osmanthus cake. He stayed up all night writing theoretical notes, and she fell asleep beside him. He said he would take her to see the sea, and that there was a beautiful bamboo forest behind the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Clan.

She brought out all the warm memories, like a child laying out his favorite toys one by one in front of him.

Look, we've had so many good times.

Have you forgotten?

But he remained the same.

He didn't speak. He didn't look at her. He didn't respond.

Like a wall.

A surge of resentment welled up in Bibi Dong's chest.

What has she been doing this past month?

She shuttled back and forth between the Spirit Hall and the secret chamber.

He cultivates for four hours every day, handles palace affairs, deals with tests from all sides, and goes to Qian Xunji to complete the divine test.

She devoted all her free time to him, carefully trying to please him and coaxing him in a humble voice.

For what?

For her and his love.

For Yu Xiaogang, who smiled at her in the library.

But what about him?

All he could see was that he was locked up.

All I remember are the hurtful things she said. All I know is to punish her with silence.

Did he know that the things she said were forced upon her by Qian Xunji?

Does he know what she endures every night in bed with the man she hates most, just to keep this relationship?

he does not know.

He didn't even ask.

From the moment she was forced to break up with him by Qian Xunji to the moment she imprisoned her here, he never once asked "why".

All he would say was, "You've changed."

Bibi Dong's breathing became heavier.

"Xiao Gang."

Her voice changed.

The tone was no longer gentle and ingratiating. It had become somewhat cold and hard.