"Xiao Tian, are you joking?"
"Didn't I just say? I don't believe in love."
Ye Tian's eyes, however, were uncharacteristically serious. "I'm not talking about love; I'm talking about a mutual exchange of interests."
"Does Sister really think I'm joking?"
"This isn't funny at all," Bibi Dong nodded, her delicate face solemn.
"You want me to become the controller behind the vast machine of the Spirit Hall, a forerunner for its power. But I need to ensure my own interests, right?"
"To put it bluntly, what if one day my value is completely squeezed out, and the Spirit Hall decides to discard me like an old tool?"
"What then? Where would I seek justice?"
"The Spirit Hall wouldn't do that. Trust me, Xiao Tian," Bibi Dong's eyes were filled with sincerity.
Ye Tian chuckled and shook his head. "The most untrustworthy thing in the world is a human's promise."
"As the Pope, Sister, you should know that better than anyone, right?"
Hearing this, Bibi Dong fell into deep thought.
Indeed, as the Pope, she had seen too many spirit masters who made grand promises one day and ended up arrested for crimes the next.
Human words were the most unreliable thing.
Although Bibi Dong understood that Ye Tian's logic was deeply flawed, for a moment, she couldn't refute him.
Ye Tian rubbed his hands and continued without looking at Bibi Dong's expression:
"That's why marriage, sometimes, has its advantages."
"At the very least, it can maintain a basic level of trust between both parties."
"With that trust as a foundation, everything else can be discussed slowly."
At this point, Ye Tian wore a benevolent expression and sighed softly:
"Sister, marriage is about mutual benefit."
"A union between us would be a win-win!"
"... Indeed."
This thought barely crossed Bibi Dong's mind before she quickly shook her head.
She almost got swayed by Ye Tian's flawed reasoning.
The age gap between her and Ye Tian was greater than her own daughter, Qian Renxue's, entire lifetime.
How could she possibly be with Ye Tian?
Bibi Dong raised her brows slightly and said:
"Xiao Tian, what you said makes sense. If we want to build trust quickly, marriage is indeed a feasible solution."
"But you're already married to Nana. Doesn't that count as a show of sincerity between us?"
"If you still think it's not enough, I can personally arrange for Xiao Xue to marry you."
"Xiao Xue is my own flesh and blood. Isn't that enough sincerity?"
Saying this, Bibi Dong bit her lip slightly.
Her relationship with Qian Renxue wasn't great, and convincing Qian Renxue to marry Ye Tian would be difficult.
What's so good about Qian Renxue anyway? Ye Tian thought with slight disdain.
Of course, his real purpose wasn't to ensure his own interests but to marry Bibi Dong herself.
Since things had reached this point, with success so close, he couldn't back down now.
Ye Tian chuckled and said, "Your relationship with Qian Renxue? I know it. In your heart, she doesn't even compare to Nana."
Hearing this, Bibi Dong's body trembled slightly.
Her daughter was her eternal regret.
Although she cared more for Nana, wasn't that just compensating for the maternal love she couldn't give her own daughter?
At the core, she still loved her daughter more!
But with that damned Qian Daoliu and those cursed oaths, her relationship with Qian Renxue could never be like a normal mother-daughter bond!
Her suggestion to let Qian Renxue marry Ye Tian was, in a way, her attempt to compensate for her daughter.
After all, a boy like Ye Tian was rare across the entire continent.
If Qian Renxue could marry someone like him, even if not purely happy, she would at least never end up miserable.
However, to outsiders, her actions did seem as though she didn't care about Qian Renxue.
Perhaps that was why Ye Tian didn't trust her.
On this, Bibi Dong truly couldn't argue.
No matter how she defended herself, it would be unconvincing.
Ye Tian, of course, understood how deeply Bibi Dong loved Qian Renxue.
Otherwise, in the original storyline, she wouldn't have sacrificed herself, even tarnishing her own reputation, just to save Qian Renxue.
Seeing Bibi Dong's pale expression, Ye Tian knew his earlier words had hit her sore spot.
"Sorry, Sister, I didn't mean to bring that up," Ye Tian apologized sincerely.
Bibi Dong waved it off and regained her usual composure. "It's fine."
She looked up at Ye Tian and said, "Since you don't want to marry Qian Renxue, then state someone else. Whether or not I can help, I'll do my best."
Ye Tian shamelessly tilted his head to the sky and said,
"My only request is to marry you, Sister."
"Otherwise, I'd rather starve to death or jump into a hot spring than leave the mountain."
With a resolute expression, Ye Tian seemed so determined that even he almost believed it.
Though he was serious about Bibi Dong, starving to death for her was a bit much.
Hearing this, Bibi Dong fell into a rare silence.
She hadn't expected Xiao Tian to be so steadfast in his desire for her.
His nearly obsessive pursuit baffled her.
After all, her public image was one of coldness, nobility, and authority.
Logically, that image should deter most admirers.
But from the beginning, Ye Tian had shown an unusual admiration for her.
He could even pinpoint her unspoken thoughts and feelings that no one else understood.
This rare sense of being deeply understood stirred something in Bibi Dong's heart, though it also filled her with sadness.
If only they had met earlier in life!
But she had far too many responsibilities and regrets to attend to now.
Bibi Dong didn't ponder for long before calmly looking at Ye Tian.
"If you believe that marriage can provide the trust you seek, I'll agree to it."
"However, there's one condition: you must tell no one, not even Nana."
"Huh?!"
Now it was Ye Tian's turn to be stunned.
He hadn't expected Bibi Dong to agree so readily—and with such a peculiar condition.
Not telling anyone? Was she planning to be a secret wife?
Bibi Dong remained composed and patiently explained,
"As the Pope, I have an image to uphold."
"My image doesn't belong to me alone but represents the entire Spirit Hall."
"If I were to openly marry you, it would invite public criticism and harm the Spirit Hall's reputation."
(End of Chapter)
Guys, I have posted another fic on Webnovel with a unique take towards the Dragonball verse so make sure to check it out!
The Title: Dragon Ball: I Am The Grand Priest?!
Advance 100 Chapters are up on my Patreon!
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