Coming for Late-night Snacks

The dim night, a room filled with faint fragrance.

Li Siyi finished setting up the soundproofing array, turned around, and said, "Su Luo, I'm here."

She could barely suppress her smile.

Then the glowstone lit up, illuminating the entire room.

At that moment, Su Luo lay on the bed, fast asleep.

However, the room wasn’t occupied by Su Luo alone.

Jiang Ningshu sat by the bedside, smiling as she said, "Hello there, I just arrived too. You’re the third one."

Little Yu lay on Su Luo’s left side. She was already awake but too embarrassed to open her eyes. Jiang Ningshu was one thing, but facing Li Siyi felt a bit awkward.

Li Siyi was stunned. She had imagined countless scenarios upon entering the room, but never this one.

Weakly, she muttered, "Weren’t you all given separate rooms to rest?"

She had planned to wait until everyone else was asleep before making her move, but now she was third in line.

"What, you didn’t know? This has become the norm," Jiang Ningshu said bluntly, indifferent to Li Siyi’s feelings.

She spoke her mind without hesitation.

Li Siyi suddenly realized the situation had far exceeded her expectations.

She knew her master had been intimate with Su Luo, and so had Little Yu—but Jiang Ningshu too?

But that wasn’t the main issue. Even if they had, how could they all be together like this?

And calling it "the norm"? Good heavens, how scandalous!

Jiang Ningshu sensed Li Siyi was thinking something improper.

The "norm" she referred to was simply sleeping together—nothing indecent.

"Hey, Little Yu, you’re awake, aren’t you?" Li Siyi said.

Little Yu didn’t respond, continuing to feign sleep.

Su Luo also showed no reaction, still asleep.

Earlier, he had been sleeping soundly when Little Yu entered.

Thinking something was up, he woke briefly, only to realize she just wanted to sleep beside him before dozing off again.

Not long after, Jiang Ningshu arrived, waking him once more.

Again, nothing important—so what was there to say?

Su Luo slipped into deep sleep. Whatever they did, he just wanted to rest.

But he truly hadn’t expected Li Siyi to come.

Now, Li Siyi stared at the trio on the bed. Should she join them?

She hesitated. She wanted to be with Su Luo, but alone—not like this, a three-plus-one arrangement.

Maybe another time.

But Su Luo wouldn’t stay long at the Seven Stars Sword Sect. Would there really be private time for just the two of them?

Li Siyi doubted it but shook her head, encouraging herself.

There had to be a way. She knew this place well—she could surely find a way to separate the others.

Tonight seemed impossible, though. Tomorrow, she’d figure something out to create time alone with Su Luo.

Yes, that was the plan.

Just as Li Siyi turned to leave, Jiang Ningshu spoke up. "What, you’re not joining? If you don’t, there won’t be space left."

Li Siyi paused and looked at Jiang Ningshu.

What did she mean?

An invitation? Why? And what did she mean by "no space"?

Jiang Ningshu had no ulterior motive—she simply didn’t care about such things.

"Really not coming?" she asked casually. If Li Siyi left now, that was fine—she’d just mentioned it since Li Siyi had arrived without doing anything.

But those words were tantalizing to Li Siyi.

She wavered. Just moments ago, she’d called this scandalous—now she’d join them?

But if she left like this, wouldn’t she be at a disadvantage? Why should the others get to stay by Su Luo’s side while she didn’t?

And they’d been there so long—it was her turn now.

Jiang Ningshu noticed Li Siyi’s hesitation and grew intrigued.

Unlike Nangong Xiyun, this one was hesitant. If it were Nangong Xiyun, she’d already be on the bed.

Wait—weren’t they master and disciple?

Jiang Ningshu seemed to realize something and said to Li Siyi, "Hey, do you think anyone else might come?"

"Who else?" Li Siyi couldn’t think of anyone.

"Your master—Nangong Xiyun."

"Probably not. Didn’t she say she was going back to Ruyun Peak?"

Li Siyi hadn’t considered Nangong Xiyun because, in her mind, her master was too dignified to sneak into a room at night.

"She did go back, but she could return, couldn’t she? Want to make a bet?" Jiang Ningshu was convinced Nangong Xiyun would show up.

Her claim of leaving might just be an act to maintain her image as a proper master in front of Li Siyi.

Jiang Ningshu smirked. Nangong Xiyun, you’d better not come—or your disciple will see you in a whole new light.

"What’s the bet?" After some thought, Li Siyi chose to trust her master.

In her eyes, Nangong Xiyun was usually cold and indifferent—hardly the type to sneak around.

Surely she wouldn’t do something so outrageous?

Li Siyi knew Nangong Xiyun and Su Luo were involved, but she couldn’t picture how they interacted.

How did her master usually behave around Su Luo?

She made a mental note to observe more closely.

Jiang Ningshu paused. Right—what should they bet?

She wasn’t familiar with Li Siyi, and she lacked nothing. If it were Nangong Xiyun, she’d bet for a kiss from Su Luo—winning would let her flaunt it in front of her.

But that wouldn’t work with Li Siyi, and since she hadn’t provoked her, there was no need to be too harsh.

"What do you want?" Jiang Ningshu asked instead.

"Give me some time alone with Su Luo tomorrow."

"Sure." Jiang Ningshu agreed—it wasn’t a big deal.

Li Siyi was ecstatic. Perfect! I was just worrying about how to get Jiang Ningshu out of the way, and now the opportunity falls into my lap.

This is a guaranteed win—no way my master would come here at night.

But then the door creaked open.

Nangong Xiyun tiptoed in.

She instinctively set up a soundproofing array—only to realize there were already three in place.

Was Su Luo always this cautious?

No matter—one more wouldn’t hurt.

She added another array, then grinned.

"Hehe, Su Luo, I’m here."

She turned—and froze.

Two pairs of eyes stared straight at her.

Little Yu was still pretending to sleep.

This is even worse—better not wake up now.

Not my business, not my business—just sleep, just sleep, next to Su Luo.

She inched closer to Su Luo, playing dead.

Now, the atmosphere in the room grew even stranger.

Nangong Xiyun was instantly mortified.

Li Siyi was her disciple—and she’d just witnessed her master’s slightly… unseemly behavior.

My dignity as a master is ruined!

I want to crawl into a hole and disappear.

Jiang Ningshu burst into laughter. "Nangong Xiyun, truly a master among masters! Your entrance was identical to your disciple’s!"

Nangong Xiyun’s embarrassment deepened.

Jiang Ningshu clutched her stomach, laughing uncontrollably. She’d never expected to witness something this hilarious.

Brilliant, absolutely brilliant—I’ve never seen Nangong Xiyun make this face before.

It was oddly satisfying.

She almost wanted to wake Su Luo to share the spectacle—but decided against it.

Li Siyi said gloomily, "Master, didn’t you say you were going back to Ruyun Peak?"

"Well… um… I came back for a midnight snack?"