“Ahhh! Is the lord looking at me?”
“Nonsense! He clearly saw me first; he even glanced at me!”
“Waaah, I am so weak in the knees! Attending this banquet was the best decision I ever made. I can’t believe I get to breathe the same air as the lord; what luck!”
The usually reserved noble ladies twisted and turned, trying to discreetly get the lord’s attention.
But Tong Sui was completely oblivious to what they were doing; his eyes were fixed in the distance.
Fortunately, there were many exquisite and delicious interstellar pastries at the banquet.
Tong Sui walked to a long table where few people were present and pulled out a porcelain white tray.
He pinched the small tongs and picked up one pastry, intending to share it with Bai Xingluo.
Bai Xingluo stood a short distance away, his beautiful eyes slightly lowered, hiding most of the emotions beneath.
He often wore a blank expression, and his glistening white hair made him seem even more unapproachable, with a sharp aura that made him stand out even in a crowd.
However, when his gaze fell on Tong Sui, it was warm.
Because of his frosty demeanor, no one around dared to come close.
So when he heard footsteps approaching, he raised his head cautiously, and his pale eyes grew cold upon seeing the intruder.
“It seems you don’t want to see me.”
Lu Ting chuckled lightly, stepping closer and entering Bai Xingluo’s personal space.
“I’m glad to hear you’re alright after knowing each other for so long.”
Bai Xingluo frowned slightly and said coldly, “If you come any closer, I won’t be polite. Last time I broke your hand; this time I might accurately break your neck.”
Lu Ting paused, his foot hovering in mid-air, before taking a step back and standing still.
“I thought after finding a male partner, you would tone down your temper a little, but it seems you’re still as dull as ever.”
“With your personality, you probably aren’t very likable.”
“You don’t need to worry about that.”
Bai Xingluo dismissed him with that remark, ignoring him as he stepped around.
Lu Ting lifted his chin slightly and lazily remarked, “If you don’t have the patience to talk to me, I might have to go find that male insect with only D-level mental power.”
Bai Xingluo indeed halted, his aura turning dangerously intense.
“What do you want?”
“I didn’t expect you to care about him this much.”
Lu Ting smirked, “Don’t be so nervous; I just want to chat with you outside.”
“Just wait.”
Bai Xingluo suppressed his emotions and walked over to Tong Sui, whispering, “My lord…”
Just as he was about to speak, a piece of pastry was unexpectedly shoved into his mouth. Tong Sui turned to him, looking eagerly.
“How is it? Is it sweet?”
Bai Xingluo’s gaze fell on the bits of pastry crumbs lingering on Tong Sui’s fair fingers, and he froze for two seconds.
Around them, a wave of envious murmurs erupted.
“Oh my gosh! Is this a free show for me to watch?”
“I’m dying just thinking about it! Can Lord Tong Sui feed me too? I’m not picky at all!”
“Forget the pastries! Lord Tong Sui, eat me instead; I’m sweet!!”
The dense texture melted in his mouth, and a wave of sweetness quickly flooded his tongue.
The male lord fed him?
Bai Xingluo’s eyelashes trembled for two seconds, and only then did he realize, feeling his throat slightly dry and his voice hoarse.
“It’s sweet.”
He even considered lowering his head, following that jade-like finger to clean off all the crumbs.
But now wasn’t the right time; he needed to resolve the annoying presence first.
Bai Xingluo whispered, “My lord, there are a few things I need to handle; I’ll be back soon.”
“Sure!”
Tong Sui held the tray, looking even more exquisite than the pastries on it. “Go ahead; I’ll be waiting here for you.”
After Bai Xingluo turned away, he silently clenched his fist, leaving with a strange sense of coldness.
Tong Sui furrowed his brows slightly, watching Bai Xingluo and that person in the distance as he slowly narrowed his eyes.
Was he overthinking? It all felt off somehow.
Just then, the long-absent system chimed in again.
[Host, the person standing there is Lu Ting.]
What?!
Tong Sui was startled and carefully recalled the figure, realizing that from physique to looks, that person was top-tier; this was probably the author’s favoritism towards the protagonist.
Considering Bai Xingluo’s cold demeanor upon leaving, it became apparent that he had stumbled upon Lu Ting.
From the readers’ perspective, the protagonist Lu Ting, once an empty title of duke, gradually orchestrated his rise to the throne—this was a very conventional and satisfying plot.
However, from Tong Sui’s perspective, he was just a villain who harmed innocent royal family members and military females for personal gain.
And Bai Xingluo was only caught in the crossfire because of him.
Now that he had called Bai Xingluo away alone, anyone could see it was definitely nefarious.
Thus, without a moment’s hesitation, Tong Sui decisively chased after where the two had left.
On a secluded terrace.
“Bai Xingluo, your taste is truly terrible.”
Lu Ting stopped, leaning lightly against the railing, casually saying, “A mediocre male insect, poor, narrow-minded, with only D-level mental power; what future could such a male insect have?”
Bai Xingluo’s hand beside him clenched tightly, making cracking sounds.
The low-pressure atmosphere surrounding them made even the A-level mental power Lu Ting feel slightly winded, yet he maintained a facade, sneering, “Bai Xingluo, you are too naïve.”
“Do you really think he will love you forever?”
Lu Ting coldly retorted, “Right now, he’s just a bit intrigued by you; given time, he’ll lose interest and move on to several younger and more obedient females, quickly discarding you.”