Fairy Hundred Flowers was livid.
As the Palace Master of Hundred Flowers Palace, it was her first time being called a “lowlife” by a mortal.
But that wasn’t what infuriated her most. It was Ye Qiu repeatedly defending Bai Bing and threatening her to apologize.
Why should she?
“Apologize? Never. Kill me if you dare,” she declared, tears sliding down her cheeks.
Though a woman, she rarely cried, always projecting strength outwardly. But now, as Palace Master, ranked sixth on the Heavenly Beauty List, her palace destroyed, her master killed, and fleeing to the mortal world only to be insulted—she felt wronged, and tears fell uncontrollably.
Ye Qiu hadn’t expected her to cry. His head ached, unsure how to handle it.
Worse, Bai Bing fanned the flames.
“Ye Qiu, since she won’t apologize, kill her,” Bai Bing said.
Ye Qiu grimaced, “Ice Sister, don’t make it worse…”
“Make it worse? You’re softening because she’s crying? Do you love me or not? If you do, kill her.”
Bai Bing’s words were fueled by anger, not intent. She just wanted to test Ye Qiu’s stance.
Qin Wan stepped in, addressing both, “It’s a misunderstanding. Let’s not fight. How about we sit and have tea?”
No one responded.
Qin Wan tried again, “Or maybe…”
“No need, Wan Sister. She doesn’t apologize, I’m not done with her,” Bai Bing snapped.
Fairy Hundred Flowers looked at Ye Qiu, “You want me to apologize? Fine, but only if she apologizes first.”
Ye Qiu saw her concession and said, “Ice Sister, apologize to Fairy Hundred Flowers. You insulted her first.”
“She was after my man. Why would I insult her otherwise?” Bai Bing turned away. “Me apologize first? No way.”
“Ice Sister, please, I’m begging you,” Ye Qiu urged.
“Begging me to apologize? You say you love me, and this is how you show it?” Bai Bing retorted. “Apologize? Not unless you kill me.”
Tch, this jealous woman, usually reasonable, was being impossible today.
“Ice Sister, stop being unreasonable. Apologize,” Ye Qiu said.
Bai Bing’s brows shot up, “Unreasonable? Explain yourself.”
Ye Qiu’s temper flared, “Ice Sister, apologize!”
“Unless she goes first, no chance,” Bai Bing huffed.
“You won’t even listen to me? Looks like you need a lesson,” Ye Qiu said, scooping her up by the waist.
“What are you doing? Put me down!” Bai Bing struggled.
Ye Qiu ignored her, carrying her into the rest room.
Qin Wan’s office had a small rest room for breaks, with a sofa, bathroom, and bed.
*Bang!*
The door shut.
Ye Qiu scanned the room—sofa, bathroom, bed.
He tossed Bai Bing onto the bed.
“What are you doing?” Bai Bing panicked.
“You won’t listen? Time for a lesson,” Ye Qiu said, pinning her down.
“No~” Bai Bing squealed, shy and scared.
Ye Qiu didn’t relent, starting her “punishment.”
Outside, Lüluo’s wide eyes sparkled with curiosity, “Palace Master, what’s Young Master doing?”
Fairy Hundred Flowers shook her head, “No idea.”
“Please, sit,” Qin Wan smiled, inviting them to the sofa. “What would you like? Tea, water, coffee, or a drink?”
“What’s coffee?” Fairy Hundred Flowers asked, puzzled.
“What’s a drink?” Lüluo added.
Qin Wan blinked, remembering they were from the cultivation world, and explained, “Coffee and drinks are mortal beverages. Want to try?”
“I’ll have a drink,” Lüluo said.
Fairy Hundred Flowers hesitated, “Coffee for me.”
Qin Wan poured Lüluo a Sprite. Lüluo sipped, exclaiming, “Palace Master, mortal drinks are delicious!”
Qin Wan smiled, brewing Blue Mountain coffee for Fairy Hundred Flowers.
“A curious aroma,” Fairy Hundred Flowers sniffed, sipped, and frowned. Bitter!
“Palace Master, is coffee good?” Lüluo asked.
She didn’t answer, took another sip, closed her eyes, and said, “It’s bitter at first, but there’s a faint sweetness after. Unique. Do mortals all drink this?”
Qin Wan replied, “Mortals work daily, stressed for a living. Coffee boosts energy, so many office workers love it. Its bitter-to-sweet taste mirrors life.”
Life?
Fairy Hundred Flowers’ eyes lit up, smiling, “Well said. What’s your name?”
“Qin Wan,” she replied, smiling.
“I’m Fairy Hundred Flowers, from Hundred Flowers Palace. This is my maid, Lüluo,” she introduced. “Miss Qin, it’s an honor. I hope we can be friends.”
“Friends? Let’s be sisters,” Qin Wan said.
Fairy Hundred Flowers, missing the deeper meaning, nodded with a light “mm.”
Then, strange sounds came from the rest room.
Wailing, rising and falling, continuous.
It was Bai Bing.
Qin Wan blushed, cursing inwardly, “This guy, punishing her like that in broad daylight?”
“What’s happening inside?” Fairy Hundred Flowers asked.
Qin Wan, flustered, said, “Ye Qiu’s punishing Bai Bing.”
“It sounds like she’s suffering,” Lüluo whispered.
The noises grew louder.
Fairy Hundred Flowers reflected, “I was wrong too. Punishing only her isn’t fair. I’ll accept punishment.”
She walked toward the rest room.
