Night settled over the Qin Clan courtyard like a heavy cloak.
Quiet. Still.
The kind of silence that arrived before important decisions.
Inside Yuan Ai's private hall, Feng Rou stood nervously near the doorway, her fingers twisting in her sleeves. They had only met days ago — strangers bound only by coincidence and the same man.
Yuan Ai stood across the room, posture confident, but her golden eyes were narrowed with calculation rather than fury.
Qin Su sat in the center, calm as a mountain.
The door slid shut behind Feng Rou.
Yuan Ai exhaled.
"…So. You're back. Again."
Feng Rou swallowed.
"Yuan Ai… I didn't come here to fight."
"Good," Yuan Ai replied coolly. "Because I have no reason to fight you. We barely know each other."
The words cut deeper than anger.
Feng Rou lowered her gaze.
Qin Su stood.
"That's why I asked the two of you here. To talk. Honestly."
Yuan Ai raised a brow.
"Talk about how she's been in your bed again?"
"Talk," Qin Su repeated firmly, "about responsibility."
Feng Rou's cheeks burned with shame, but she forced herself to look up.
"Yuan Ai… you're right. We aren't friends. We barely know each other. But… what happened between Qin Su and me…"
She clasped her trembling hands.
"…it wasn't something I could walk away from."
Yuan Ai studied her for a long moment.
"And you really think you can handle being tied to a man like him?"
Feng Rou gave a small, helpless smile.
"I can't help it. He reached into my heart without trying. I fell for him."
Qin Su inhaled deeply.
"I never intended to cause conflict between you two. So let me make things clear."
He stepped forward, looking between them.
"Both of you matter to me. And I won't be a coward who pretends otherwise."
Yuan Ai crossed her arms.
"So what? You plan to pick one of us? Or play us against each other?"
"No," Qin Su said gently.
"I plan to take responsibility for both of you — if you choose that path."
Both women froze.
Feng Rou's breath hitched.
"…You would accept both of us? Publicly?"
"Yes," Qin Su answered without hesitation.
"Not as toys. Not as secrets. But as Dao Companions — equally."
Yuan Ai scoffed softly.
"…We just met, Rou and I. There's no bond between us."
"Not before," Qin Su agreed.
"But there can be one now."
Yuan Ai blinked — surprised by his honesty.
Feng Rou looked at Yuan Ai uncertainly.
"…I don't hate you," she said quietly.
"In truth… I respect you. And I don't want Qin Su to lose either of us because of a misunderstanding."
Yuan Ai sighed and rubbed her forehead.
"This is insane. Completely insane."
Then she looked up — and laughed softly.
"But Qin Su seems to thrive on insanity, so I suppose I shouldn't be shocked."
Qin Su smiled.
"I don't want you to force anything. Not friendship, not love, not acceptance. Only willingness."
Yuan Ai stared at him for a long moment… then turned to Feng Rou.
"You love him?"
Feng Rou nodded.
"You're willing to share?"
Feng Rou nodded again.
Yuan Ai closed her eyes… then opened them slowly.
"…Then I won't stop you."
Feng Rou gasped.
"Really?"
"Don't misunderstand," Yuan Ai said sharply.
"I'm not agreeing because you and I have some grand bond. We don't. We are strangers. But we both care about the same man."
Her expression softened.
"And maybe… that's enough to start something new."
Feng Rou's eyes misted over.
Qin Su approached them and gently placed his hands on theirs.
"Then let me say it clearly," he said quietly.
"If you choose to walk this path with me, I will honor both of you. Treat you equally. Support you. Protect you."
Feng Rou nodded immediately — heart open, vulnerable.
Yuan Ai hesitated… then sighed deeply.
"…Fine. Qin Su, you win. I'll accept this arrangement."
Feng Rou exhaled shakily, relief washing over her.
But Yuan Ai leaned in with a smirk.
"However — if you break either of our hearts…"
She tapped a finger on his chest.
"…we will team up and ruin your life."
Feng Rou nodded fiercely.
"Absolutely."
Qin Su laughed softly.
"Then I suppose I have no choice but to avoid that fate."