Chapter 108: The Demon Lord Princess's Slacking Daily Life Chapter 108: Who Is Bailu

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

Hearing this, Qianqian rushed toward the bookshelf impatiently. However, there were far too many people buying books; little as she was, she simply could not squeeze into the crowd. Worse still, that book was placed quite high up, and with Qianqian's height she could not reach it at all. Watching her beloved new book so close yet impossible to touch, Qianqian stamped her feet in anxiety.

Just then, Yan Shuang'er was about to step forward to help, but Shangguan Xingyan had already beaten her to it. He hugged the adorable Qianqian tightly and squeezed with difficulty into the packed crowd. He shoved left and right, expending great effort before finally reaching the very front of the throng.

Upon reaching the destination, Shangguan Xingyan carefully lifted Qianqian high. Qianqian stretched out her little hand, straining to grasp the book she had been longing for. At last, she succeeded in grabbing the volume, and her face instantly blossomed into a radiant smile like spring flowers; her beautiful eyes curved into crescents as she exclaimed joyfully, "Shangguan Gege, thank you! You really are a wonderful person!"

Hearing Qianqian's innocent praise, Shangguan Xingyan could not help feeling a bit embarrassed; a faint blush rose on his cheeks as he replied softly, "You're welcome." He then hugged Qianqian tight once more and slowly backed out of the crowd.

Once clear of the crowd, Shangguan Xingyan gently set Qianqian down on the ground. Free again, Qianqian bounced and hopped like a cheerful little rabbit, running excitedly to Yan Shuang'er not far away while calling out nonstop, "San Jie, look quick! I got the book!"

Yan Shuang'er watched Qianqian dancing with delight and smiled gently at her, "How impressive, Qianqian. But you must also thank Young Master Shangguan for helping you so much."

Before Shangguan Xingyan could speak, Shangguan Xingyu, standing to one side, cut in first: "Oh, what thanks! We're all good friends; such a trifle isn't worth mentioning." Finished, she playfully winked at everyone.

At this moment, Shangguan Xingyan and Qianqian each held a precious book they had just snatched up, and the two walked side by side toward the checkout. As they walked, Shangguan Xingyan suddenly halted, reached out with his right hand and took the book from Qianqian's hand as well, then turned his head and smiled at Qianqian, "Come, let me take it and pay together."

Arriving at the counter, Shangguan Xingyan politely said to the boss, "Boss, please settle the bill, two copies in total." The boss looked the two of them up and down, then quickly quoted the price: "Four taels of silver." No sooner had the words fallen than a guard behind Shangguan Xingyan stepped forward in a flash, swiftly producing silver and handing it to the boss.

After paying, Shangguan Xingyan handed one of the books back to Qianqian and said softly, "Here, this one is yours." Seeing this, Qianqian quickly reached into her pouch, fumbled for a moment, then carefully took out two pieces of broken silver. Her fair, slender fingers pinched the silver tight as she held it out to Shangguan Xingyan and said quietly, "Shangguan Gege, here are two taels of silver, for you."

Seeing this, the corners of Shangguan Xingyan's mouth curled up slightly, revealing a warm, kindly smile. He shook his head gently and replied softly, "It's just a book, no need to be so polite; no need to give money." As he spoke, he reached out and slowly pushed the silver in Qianqian's hand back toward her.

However, Qianqian proved quite determined. She blinked her large, sparkling eyes and said seriously, "No way. When Qianqian goes out to buy things herself, she absolutely must pay!"

Watching Qianqian's persistent, adorable look, Shangguan Xingyan's heart softened. After a moment's thought he said, "All right, then let it count as a meeting gift from me. Who told you to be so well-behaved and sensible, and to call me Shangguan Gege so sweetly!"

Hearing this, Qianqian's face blossomed into a radiant smile like spring flowers. She no longer insisted on paying, but thanked him joyfully, "Thank you, Shangguan Gege!"

Just as the two finished this exchange, Qianqian seemed to suddenly sense something; she abruptly lifted her head, gaze fixed straight on the doorway. Immediately after, she shouted excitedly at the top of her voice, "Second Brother?"

At the sound, everyone turned to look. A man in a dark blue robe was striding into the shop. He was tall and straight, bearing an imposing air. Atop his head he wore a simple coronet, his hair neatly bound up, making him appear all the more dashing.

This man, whom Qianqian called "Second Brother," was precisely Yan Si. He spotted Qianqian standing not far away at a glance, and a doting smile instantly appeared on his face as he said, "Qianqian, so you're here buying books too."

Qianqian nodded repeatedly and replied cheerfully, "Yes yes, Second Brother!"

As they spoke, Yan Si had already walked quickly to Qianqian's side, then without hesitation bent down and scooped Qianqian into his arms. Right now Qianqian was like a light little bird, nestling in Yan Si's broad embrace, looking especially tiny and cute.

At that same moment, Yan Shuang'er and Shangguan Xingyu, who had been standing not far off talking quietly, were drawn by the sudden noise from this side. The two simultaneously stopped speaking and both walked toward the source of the sound.

Yan Shuang'er moved lightly, arriving up close swift as a dancing butterfly. A brilliant smile bloomed on her pretty face, lovely as a flower blooming in spring. Before anyone else could react, Yan Shuang'er eagerly called out, "Second Brother, you're here!"

Shangguan Xingyu, following behind, appeared far more graceful and composed. She moved with measured steps, approaching slowly. When she reached the front, Shangguan Xingyu first smiled politely, then turned her gaze to Yan Si and said softly, "So this is the Second Brother that Shuang'er often mentions."

Seeing the two beauties approach together, Yan Si hurriedly smiled in reply, "Yes, today's new book release has drawn such a lively crowd; I worried the throng might cause trouble, so I came to check on things." As he spoke, he covertly sized up Shangguan Xingyu from the corner of his eye.

Meanwhile Shangguan Xingyu was also watching Yan Si with great interest. Suddenly she seemed to recall something, turned her head to look at Yan Shuang'er beside her and asked, "Shuang'er, this is your Second Brother?" Hearing this, Yan Shuang'er seemed to wake from a dream; she patted her own forehead and answered with a laugh, "Oh my, look at my memory — I was so happy I forgot to introduce you to each other. Xingyu Elder Sister, this indeed is my Second Brother Yan Si." Finished, she turned back and introduced Shangguan Xingyu to Yan Si: "Second Brother, this is Princess Shangguan Xingyu from Dongying Guo."

Yan Si nodded slightly at the words, but inwardly he muttered: No wonder I kept feeling this person looked familiar; turns out she's the woman I happened to glimpse by the relay station window that day. Just as his thoughts raced, Shangguan Xingyu spoke again: "Young Master Yan, today's attire makes you look much better than last time we met."

At these words, Yan Si's face flushed slightly. The scene from that day involuntarily rose in his mind, and he felt a wave of embarrassment. He quickly coughed twice to cover his discomfort and stammered, "Th-that was... circumstances forced me, I had no choice."

Yan Shuang'er, who had been silently observing the two's interaction, felt a strong curiosity well up. She blinked her lively, autumn-water eyes, face full of puzzlement as she pressed, "Oh my, so you two have met before? Quick, tell me what interesting story happened!" Yet faced with Yan Shuang'er's eager questioning, both chose in unison to remain silent.

Shangguan Xingyu lowered her head slightly, thinking to herself: If such an embarrassing matter were told truthfully, it might be rather improper... Meanwhile Yan Si pressed his lips tight, brows furrowing slightly, seemingly likewise struggling over whether to lay out the whole truth — after all, this affair truly made him feel utterly awkward and hard-pressed.