The deadline's arrival had always been within Shichen's expectations, but he did recall a question.
It had been almost three months since he came to this world, and the task's special privilege was clearly two and a half months. He still hadn't obtained the God Fragment from Nanggong Nayue, so logically speaking, it should have expired by now.
But he could still use the Progenitor's Body yesterday, and he could also immunize against magic; the task privilege was still active.
Could it be because he first obtained the God Fragment from Lan Yuqiancong?
In the same world, can the God Fragment from anyone grant permanent use of the task privilege?
That's the only way to guess.
In the morning, Shichen woke up, quickly washed up, and brewed a pot of black tea for Nanggong Nayue.
He wasn't at home now; he was still in a hotel on Gozo Island, outside of String God Island, with Nanggong Nayue.
The Black Death Imperial Faction had committed a particularly large number of offenses here, after all, this was where the Fourth Progenitor was unearthed.
Only when the three Progenitors restrict each other can the current stable and peaceful situation be formed, and the appearance of the Fourth Progenitor would break this situation.
If the Black Death Imperial Faction wanted to cause chaos, they would definitely target the Fourth Progenitor.
It's just a pity that they not only arrived late, but now they've almost all been caught by Shichen and Nanggong Nayue.
Shichen finished brewing the black tea, and its fragrance filled the air. Nanggong Nayue came out of the room, drawn by the scent.
"Why are you so diligent today?" Nanggong Nayue, fully dressed, sat down by the tea table and reached for the teacup.
Shichen reached out and slapped her hand.
"?" Nanggong Nayue frowned and looked at him, puzzled.
"Drinking black tea right after waking up? Go brush your teeth first." Shichen scolded.
"...You know I don't need to brush my teeth."
"Then I don't need to either, but don't I still brush my teeth and wash my face every morning? Hurry up!"
"You dare to order me?" Nanggong Nayue glared at him.
"Less nonsense, don't dawdle!" Shichen took advantage of her inattention and slapped her on the head.
"?" Nanggong Nayue froze for a moment, as if she hadn't reacted, but then she became annoyed.
"You dare to lay your hands on me? I'm your older sister!"
"What older sister? There are no outsiders now, we both know our situation perfectly well. Go brush your teeth." Shichen waved his hand, as if shooing her away.
"..." Nanggong Nayue narrowed her eyes, and finally took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to chase and play with him, and got up to wash in the bathroom.
There was nothing she could do; this wasn't the first time this had happened in the past few days.
When Nanggong Nayue came out after washing up, she found Shichen already sitting comfortably on the sofa, leisurely drinking black tea, with an expression of utter contentment.
"You fellow..." Nanggong Nayue huffily sat down opposite him, picked up the teacup, and took a sip.
The mellow aroma and rich flavor of the black tea greatly improved her mood.
Shichen smiled at her and asked, "Are you going back today?"
"Mm, no more work, so I'll go back." Nanggong Nayue nodded while savoring the black tea.
"That's good, I should be leaving soon too." Shichen said calmly.
"..." Nanggong Nayue's movements paused, and she stared at him blankly.
"Don't be reluctant~ Didn't we agree on this a long time ago?" Shichen chuckled softly.
"Mm..." Nanggong Nayue nodded, and her lively mood from the morning suddenly quieted down.
After drinking the black tea, Shichen and Nanggong Nayue simply packed up and returned to String God Island.
The two of them had left directly using space magic before, and they returned home directly without registering.
However, those with intentions naturally knew they had returned.
Shichen didn't leave directly from Gozo Island; he left some evidence for certain people.
Recently, he had become quite famous. As Nanggong Nayue's younger brother, and as the second user of Spatial Control, he was practically known to every demon who had committed a crime.
One Nanggong Nayue was enough to give them a headache, and now there was a second one.
Some people who were interested in him had been paying attention to him, but unfortunately, the abilities he displayed were not what they wanted to see.
Back home, Nanggong Nayue was a bit quiet, just sitting on her exclusive sofa, staring at Shichen.
Shichen was brewing black tea for her; he wouldn't be able to brew it for her for a while after this.
The black tea was ready, and Shichen poured it for her.
Nanggong Nayue picked up the teacup, but didn't drink. Inhaling the aroma, she suddenly asked, "When are you leaving?"
"Anytime." Shichen replied.
"Is that so?"
"Are you reluctant, Nayue-chan?"
"What do I have to be reluctant about? Anyway, I still have Nina to keep me company." Nanggong Nayue denied.
"Nayue-chan, there you go again. Can't you just honestly admit it?" Shichen shook his head helplessly.
"I'm just stating facts." Nanggong Nayue was expressionless: "Didn't you say you'd be back very soon?"
"That's right... So, I'm leaving?"
"..." Nanggong Nayue frowned.
"Hehe~ Can I get a hug this time?" Shichen came over to her, grinning.
"...What's there to hug?" Nanggong Nayue didn't look at him, staring at the black tea in the teacup.
"How about it's a farewell hug from an older sister to her younger brother?" Shichen asked with a smile.
"If you put it that way... it's not impossible."
Nanggong Nayue put down the teacup, stood up, and faced Shichen.
"Remember, it's an older sister to her younger bro—ugh!"
Shichen didn't even give her a chance to open her arms. He suddenly embraced her. She was so small, it felt like he couldn't quite hold her, and she carried the scent of black tea.
He felt like picking her up and spinning her around.
"You fellow... that was too sudden, wasn't it?" Nanggong Nayue was completely held in Shichen's embrace, her face pressed against his right chest. Her arms couldn't move, so she could only move her mouth.
She didn't struggle, but instead felt the embrace, an embrace she had never experienced before.
It was an incredible feeling, very warm, with a hint of sunshine, and the aroma of black tea. This made her quite fond of it.
"Isn't it because I'm afraid you'll go back on your word, Nayue-chan?" Shichen held her tighter.
"You should call me 'older sister' now!" Nanggong Nayue corrected: "We agreed it was an older sister's hug for her younger brother."
"Mm-hm." Shichen nodded in response, holding her and slowly closing his eyes.
Nanggong Nayue felt his movement and didn't speak again, letting him hold her like this, fulfilling his small wish.
Touching her head and hugging her, his ideas were truly strange. What normal person would only be interested in such things?
However, being so pure was actually quite nice.
After a while, Nanggong Nayue realized that Shichen had no intention of letting go, and couldn't help but ask, "How long are you going to hug me?"
"Just a little longer." Shichen replied softly, with his eyes closed.
"How long is 'a little longer'?"
"Just one minute."
"One minute has already passed!"
"Mm..."
Suddenly, Nanggong Nayue felt an emptiness, and she leaned forward a step.
She steadied herself and turned to look behind her. The spot where Shichen had just been was now empty.
The black tea in the teacup on the tea table was still steaming.
Shichen had left just like that, a sudden departure without any warning.
Nanggong Nayue didn't feel any spatial fluctuations; he simply vanished into thin air, as if he didn't exist.
She stood there for a while, looking at the empty living room, then went to sit in her exclusive spot, picked up the teacup, and took a sip of tea.
It was still hot, and it was her favorite flavor, but it seemed she wouldn't be able to drink it for a while after this.
His sudden arrival and sudden departure brought her a life she had never experienced before. How would she be able to be alone again after this?
If he doesn't come back soon, she'll definitely make him pay!