He wanted to steal a kiss.

Jiang Zeyu’s shoot didn’t wrap up until the break of dawn. Qu Wan, bundled in a thick coat, stood behind the monitor throughout, watching his performance alongside the director.

When the director finally called “cut,” Jiang Zeyu, also wrapped in an overcoat, came over to review the footage with the director.

“What do you think?” The director asked him.

Jiang Zeyu nodded, “I think it’s good.”

The director nodded as well, “Alright, let’s call it a day.”

At last, the day’s work was over. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for Jiang Zeyu’s superb acting; if it had been someone less skilled, they might have been stuck shooting all night.

Outside, heavy snow was falling. Qu Wan, dressed like a penguin, stood—

“Ahem.” Su Yun pressed her fist to her lips and coughed softly. It was only then that everyone noticed their own lack of composure.

On the open ground along the icy coastline, the crowd had dispersed, leaving only a tangle of footprints in the snow. Dotted across the ground were traces of blood—left by Mo Xiang—brilliantly crimson and painfully vivid in the sunlight.

The repeated use of forbidden arts had severely drained the vitality of the Purple Sparrow. Though a pure spirit, it too would need time to recover.

The demon wolf clung desperately to the earth with its four claws, barely a foot away from tumbling down the cliff with the ice block. Unwilling to accept defeat, it stared after the plummeting ice for a long moment before turning and leaving.

“My strength has increased. Now sword-riding hardly drains any energy at all. While flying, I can continuously absorb elements from my surroundings to replenish myself. Saint-level power truly is different!” Qi Jue laughed joyfully as he controlled the Frost Dragon beneath him.

“This Zhang Baoying is really something else—vain and superficial!” Wang Bing cursed loudly after hearing the news.

Second Uncle, Third Uncle, and Yan Ming rushed into the bamboo cottage, only to find it empty. No letter, no clues—nothing at all. Disaster loomed.

“The master has given instructions: Murong Tianxiang must be dealt with. From now on, you’ll have to rely on yourself. The master will help you secure the position of princess consort.” Nightshade’s voice was even steadier and colder than before.

Learning that she would go to the city the next day, Lin Xiaoqian was too excited to sleep. She tossed and turned in bed until one in the morning before finally drifting off.

Take the recent days for example—even meals had gone uneaten. Ping’er had forgotten the taste of food outside altogether.

Zhang Qilin wiped his face. These two troublemakers—why are they stirring things up here? Didn’t we agree to keep up appearances?

Don’t make a simple exchange feel like you owe someone a favor. I don’t buy into that.

The family of four walked along the corridor toward the ancestral hall, as was their custom upon returning—to pay respects to Zhong Zipei and all their ancestors.

Xu Ruolin clenched her fist. Shen Huanyan was right; whatever message Lu Zhan received depended entirely on what Shen Manman said.

Lin Zhenghe let her go to wash up, then turned to the luggage he brought, picking out a set of clothes for her. When he opened the wardrobe to stow the rest, he found it already packed full, meticulously organized by category.

It was mainly Xiao Jing’s acting that was so convincing. Though healthy in body, he perfectly embodied the male lead’s weary, dim-eyed aura.

Watching Zhang Qilin’s fixed gaze on the jade pendant, Li You understood what he meant. He jumped in place, trying to grab the fish-shaped pendant.

Zhang Feng nodded, then shared her discovery: Xu Yao had made it onto the List of Elites and was coming to take part in the Elite Assembly.

With the 203rd Aeromagic Brigade fully assembled, all members activated their invisibility spells, took to the skies, and hurried toward their target.

“He… he’s had some trouble, so he didn’t come with me.” Su Wushuang’s expression flickered, concealing the fact that Yan Xiyue had been abducted.

She sighed helplessly, took a shallow breath, and gave him a perfunctory kiss on his cold, stern cheek.

General Yamada felt his vision blur and his body grow light, spinning wildly—he met the same fate as those two soldiers.

She took a deep breath to steady her turbulent emotions, then dialed the number from her old phone.