An ambiguous atmosphere gradually filled the living room.
Both of them froze in place.
The girl had nestled into Neuvillette's arms, feeling the faint masculine aura emanating from him. Her flawless, delicate face flushed crimson.
Her slender fingers clutched Neuvillette's sleeve, and she buried her head in his chest, too shy to lift it.
"Cough, cough… maybe you should explain yourself."
Neuvillette fought to steady the surge of emotions within him. More than half of the girl's body pressed against him, and her fragrance filled his senses.
What tested his control further, however, was his gaze drifting downward—following the line of her back, along her long, fair legs, down to her small, pearly-white feet.
The gentle arch of her foot and delicate ankle formed a graceful curve. Her ten toes were perfectly formed, each glistening like tiny grapes, pressing lightly and paling slightly under the subtle strain.
Damn it.
Neuvillette opened his mouth but could only sigh helplessly.
"Mm… mm~"
The girl whimpered softly in his arms, seemingly unwilling to stand.
This couldn't continue.
Neuvillette took a deep breath and, lifting her gently by the nape of her neck like a tiny kitten, tried to help her stand steadily.
"No… it's too embarrassing…"
Dai Yueheng's fair little hands covered her burning cheeks, and her slender legs kicked and fluttered, clearly resisting the idea of standing upright, wishing instead to remain this way forever.
Neuvillette exhaled slowly and loosened his hold.
But the girl, completely unanticipated, collapsed back into his embrace.
This time, it wasn't a partial lean—her entire body pressed against him.
With a startled cry, her arms wrapped tightly around Neuvillette's neck, her face nestled against him, and her whole body straddled his thighs.
The scene became even more intimate.
Neuvillette: "…."
This is torture, pure and simple.
He dared not move a muscle.
Just as Neuvillette was about to lecture her with righteous authority, a soft, muffled sob froze him in place.
Dai Yueheng clung tightly to Neuvillette's neck, her face buried there, her body shaking with each small convulsion of crying.
"What… what's the matter?"
Neuvillette furrowed his brows. Could this little girl be facing some difficulty? Considering what had happened earlier at the academy gate with the two elders from the Haotian Sect, it was hard not to suspect she might be in some danger.
"Teacher Neuvillette, I don't understand why, but every time I deal with Soul Devices, I feel this inexplicable aversion. But I'm supposed to be interested in them."
"Hm?"
Neuvillette raised an eyebrow.
The girl was beginning to resist the restrictions placed by Tang Shenwang. He remembered that in the original story, Dai Yueheng had only felt a brief frustration initially, then quickly became fascinated with hidden weapons. There wasn't such inner conflict.
Could this be because of Huo Yutong's influence in this timeline?
He pondered, sensing the soft warmth of her body in his arms, her hair brushing against his face, a tingling, ticklish sensation causing him mild distress.
The girl seemed to have finally found an elder she could trust, continuously sharing her recent troubles without stopping.
Neuvillette simply sat quietly, nodding occasionally in understanding.
He was glad to witness this filial bond—a fatherly care met with a devoted daughter's trust.
It wasn't that he lacked empathy; it was that Tang Shenwang's actions in Dou Er were no better than a villain's. If Dai Yueheng realized the true nature of her "benevolent" father, she likely wouldn't grow close to him at all.
No, "close" might be too generous a term. Tang Shenwang's deeds had effectively erased Dai Yueheng's spirited personality.
In such a situation, it would be difficult for her to associate the word "father" with him.
"So… you don't understand why. That's why you have this inexplicable fondness for hidden weapons, even though you aren't truly interested. And for Soul Devices, you feel a strange aversion, though in reality, you don't hate them. Am I correct?"
Neuvillette gently raised a hand, brushing away the tears at the corners of her eyes, speaking with a hint of pity.
Most girls wouldn't face such strange pressure. But this child's father was a God King, who had forcibly altered her thoughts with a divine edict. She had no means to resist…
"Yes, that's it…"
Dai Yueheng buried herself in Neuvillette's arms, her voice soft. She was slowly recovering and had realized just how embarrassing the previous scene had been.
"At the gate… the two Haotian Sect elders… it seemed they came to take me back. You…"
Neuvillette asked gently,
"What do you want to do? Will you go back with them to the Haotian Sect?"
"No, I won't go back!"
The moment she heard the words "Haotian Sect," Dai Yueheng, like a startled fawn, trembled slightly, her body shaking.
"I've never seen my biological parents since birth. My uncles raised me, but my memories of Haotian Sect are sparse…"
Her head lifted, teary eyes looking pleadingly at Neuvillette.
"Teacher Neuvillette, could you… not send me away?"
"I don't trust the Haotian Sect. When I returned recently, my uncle forced me to practice hidden weapons, warning me to avoid Soul Devices. I argued with him, asking why I should use such outdated tools. When he was speechless, he wanted to confine me!"
"They must be hiding something from me!"
Neuvillette looked at the little girl in his arms, clinging like a forsaken kitten, her eyes filled with silent pleas. A strange feeling arose in him.
Had Tang Shenwang really overstepped this time?
After all, Dai Yueheng was a living, breathing person, not a toy to manipulate. Her sense of rebellion was only natural.
This, Neuvillette thought, was something Tang Shenwang likely hadn't anticipated.
The girl's gaze fell upon Neuvillette, silently pondering, her bright eyes dimming slightly.
She should have realized long ago: her uncles were strong, and the Haotian Sect's influence was immense. If they insisted, Shrek Academy would likely hand her over after weighing the consequences.
As for her own wishes… did they matter?
Moreover, she had entered Shrek Academy through the Haotian Sect's support. Returning there would feel like perpetual imprisonment.
Like a drowning person, she clutched Neuvillette's neck with delicate hands, as if letting go would mean being handed away.
Of course, Titan and Azure Bull Python had been acting under orders, with intentions perhaps meant for her good.
Yet for a girl of her age, it had the opposite effect.