I alone am the Honoured One!

At this time, Ji Shuang stepped into the kitchen doorway.

Her sharp eyes instantly softened when she caught sight of Zhao Tian and Yan Zijin.

He was standing behind her with his arms wrapped snugly around her waist as she stirred the pot, his chin resting casually on her shoulder.

A small smile tugged at Ji Shuang's lips and she didn't want to break the gentle rhythm of their moment.

Without a sound, she turned on her heel to leave.

But she had only taken a few steps into the corridor when a light, playful humming drifted closer from the other side.

"Tian, Tian, where is my Tian?"

Ji Shuang's brow twitched before she even saw her.

Rui Yuying came skipping down the hallway, with a bright smile on her face as if she owned every room she walked into.

Before she could waltz past, Ji Shuang shifted her stance, stepping directly into Rui Yuying's path.

"You can't go into the kitchen right now," Ji Shuang said in a firm voice, holding a quiet authority.

"Hm?" Rui Yuying tilted her head, "Why not?"

Ji Shuang didn't move and replied in a calm tone "He's busy in there."

Rui Yuying gave a little huff and crossed her arms "Busy? What, peeling potatoes?"

She moved to step past, but Ji Shuang's hand shot out and she firmly grabbed Rui Yuying's wrist.

"I'm telling you, you can't go in there right now,"

Rui Yuying's smile faltered, replaced by a small spark of irritation.

She tried to pull her hand free. "You… let me go."

When Ji Shuang didn't immediately release her, Rui Yuying twisted her wrist sharply, breaking free in a single motion.

Without another word, she rushed toward the kitchen.

But the moment she crossed the threshold, her steps froze.

Her eyes fell on Zhao Tian, still standing behind Yan Zijin with his arms draped loosely around her waist, face close enough to brush against her hair as she cooked.

Rui Yuying's pupils narrowed slightly, and her lips parted in a soundless "oh."

Slowly, very slowly, she stepped back into the hallway.

Ji Shuang was waiting and she raised an eyebrow. "I told you he was busy."

Rui Yuying let out an awkward laugh and walked closer until she was standing directly in front of Ji Shuang.

"Hmph. I thought you were just jealous and making excuses,"

Ji Shuang tilted her head. "Jealous? Of you?"

A faint scoff escaped her lips. "Don't flatter yourself."

Rui Yuying smiled knowingly "Come on, admit it. You were guarding the kitchen door because you didn't want me to get close to him. You were jealous."

"I wasn't jealous," Ji Shuang replied calmly as her eyes narrowed slightly. "For your information, my relationship with Tian is far closer than yours could ever be."

Rui Yuying's grin widened and she leaned forward, lowering her voice "Mhm. Keep telling yourself that if it helps you sleep at night."

Ji Shuang's lips twitched "You-"

Rui Yuying cupped a hand to her ear and tilted her head mockingly "Sorry, I couldn't hear you over the sound of denial."

The air between them seemed to crackle.

Ji Shuang stepped closer and her face mere inches away "Why is it that every time I see you, you're looking for a way to start something with me?"

Rui Yuying mirrored her movement and pressed her chest againt Ji Shuang's chest lightly in a silent challenge "Start something? I'm just being friendly… though I'll admit, your face is really easy to irritate."

Ji Shuang's eyes narrowed further "Careful, Rui Yuying."

Rui Yuying's voice dropped to a whisper, "Or what, Ji Shuang? You'll fight me? Or… are you afraid I might just win him over?"

Ji Shuang's jaw tightened, "You'd have to be far more than you are to even try."

Rui Yuying's smirk widened "Oh, please. You're acting like you're some untouchable goddess. Newsflash- you're not. You're just a bitch who got lucky being around him first."

Ji Shuang's lips twitched upward into a sharp, dangerous smile "Oh? And you're just a brazen little wench who thinks flashing a smile and hopping around like a rabbit makes you special."

Rui Yuying let out a sharp, mocking laugh "Better a rabbit than some cold, frigid ice block who only knows how to glare."

Ji Shuang took one deliberate step forward, forcing Rui Yuying to step back, but the woman stood her ground with a defiant tilt of her head.

"At least I don't have to cling to childish antics to keep his attention,"

"Oh, is that so? Then why are you standing here wasting time blocking me from seeing him? Sounds to me like someone's scared."

Ji Shuang's eyes flashed, and for a moment, the air between them felt as if it might spark into flame.

"Scared? Hardly. I'm simply sparing you the embarrassment of realizing you can't measure up."

Rui Yuying's grinned slyly "Measure up? Honey, I already know I measure up… and then some. You're just afraid he might decide I measure more. You cunt."

The two stood nose-to-nose, glaring at each other.

Ji Shuang's eyes narrowed dangerously, "Call me that again, Rui Yuying, and I'll show you exactly how the Sect Master of Jade Eclipse handles insolent little girls."

Rui Yuying didn't flinch and instead, she tilted her chin up with a smug smirk on her lips "Oh? Is that a threat or an invitation? Because I'm not scared of you, Ji Shuang."

"You might be all high and mighty in your sect, but here? You're just another woman circling around Tian."

That last sentence hit like a spark on dry tinder.

Ji Shuang's pride bristled and she stepped closer until their foreheads almost touched, "And you're just an ugly woman who thinks batting her eyes will make Tian choose her. Don't mistake your playful hopping around for charm... it's just childish."

Rui Yuying's smirk twisted into a sharp grin "Childish? That's rich coming from someone who's clinging to him like a possessive wife when you're not even married to him."

Ji Shuang's lips curled into a cold smile, "Married or not, Tian and I have been through battles, life-and-death moments… things you can't even imagine. We're bound in ways you'll never understand."

Rui Yuying's eyes flashed with a mix of irritation "Then maybe I should make him see that there are other bonds worth having. Stronger ones."

That was the final straw. Ji Shuang's hand shot out, grabbing Rui Yuying by the front of her robes and pulling her close.

"You dare-"

"What are you two doing?"

Both women froze for a moment before turning their heads slightly.

Zhao Tian stood in the kitchen doorway, holding a plate of freshly cooked food Yan Zijin had just handed him.

His gaze moved from Ji Shuang's tightened grip to Rui Yuying's smirk.

Ji Shuang immediately released her grip and straightened her robe as if nothing had happened "Nothing. Just… clarifying some misunderstandings."

Meanwhile, Rui Yuying rushed to Zhao Tian and hugged his arm "Tian, Tian... help me, Sect Master is bullying me."

Huh? Ji Shuang's eyes widened in disbelief "No, Tian... she is lying."

Rui Yuying turned her head just enough to stick her tongue out at Ji Shuang mockingly.

Ji Shuang raised her hand and pointed at her "See, see... she is showing her tongue."

When Zhao Tian turned to look at her, she showed a pleading face and innocent eyes "Tian..."

Zhao Tian let out a deep sigh and reached out to pinch Rui Yuying's cheek "Ying'er, I have told you many times not to provoke Sect Master."

Hearing this, Ji Shuang smiled in relief.

"Ok, ok, sorry." she mumbled, her cheeks puffing out slightly as she retreated half a step.

Zhao Tian set the plate inside the kitchen and walked toward Ji Shuang.

Without hesitation, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close. "Did she bully you, Shuang'er?"

His voice was gentler now, which made Rui Yuying click her tongue under her breath.

Ji Shuang's eyes softened instantly and she returned the hug, her fingers resting lightly against his back. "Well, she didn't bully me exactly… the fight just happened."

Zhao Tian lifted one hand to pat her head, "My poor Shuang'er."

A small smile bloomed across her lips and she tilted her head, resting it against his chest for a moment, before her voice took on a thoughtful lilt "No, actually... you know what? She did bully me. She even gripped my hair earlier."

Rui Yuying's jaw dropped in absolute shock "What?! When did I-"

Ji Shuang tilted her head to look at her and the corner of her lips curled into a smile "Oh? Did I imagine it?"

"You did imagine it!" Rui Yuying stepped forward, pointing a finger.

"I never touched your hair, not even a single strand! You're framing me!"

Ji Shuang hugged Zhao Tian tighter burying her face on his neck like a child "I don't know Tian, I am scared of this woman."

"Gah!" Rui Guying was stunned to hear this 'This bitch...'

A deep sigh escaped Zhao Tian's lips and he gently crouched to pick Ji Shuang up in his arms.

She happily wrapped her arms around his neck.

Looking at Rui Yuying, Zhao Tian smiled "Dear, take the food and come to my room."

She pouted her lips and replied "Alright."

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I hope you guys liked this chapter