Douluo : People are writing diaries in Douluo

Qian Renxue paced around Su Ming, then finally said, "Well, I don't think you'd expose my identity. I realized you could see through my disguise, so I decided to be straightforward with you and reveal myself. After all, if you wanted to expose me, your ties with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan would make Ning Fengzhi suspicious. He'd report it, and I'd eventually be discovered."

She smiled slightly. "So, tell me, Su Ming, would you really reveal who I am?"

Su Ming considered her words. Given she had already sensed his suspicions, it made sense that she'd be open about it. He replied, "Fine, I promise I won't reveal your identity. Exposing you wouldn't benefit me at all—if you're discovered, Prince Xue Beng would likely be named Crown Prince. Since I've had conflicts with Xue Beng, I have no reason to elevate my enemy. But I must admit, you're not quite how I imagined you'd be after revealing yourself. I half-expected you to try recruiting me into Spirit Hall with a tempting offer. If I refused, I figured you'd either kill me yourself or have two hidden Title Douluos do it as soon as I left the palace."

At that, Snake Spear and Porcupinefish Douluo emerged from the shadows. "Kid, you knew we were here this whole time?" one of them asked, eyes narrowing.

Ignoring the two Douluos, Su Ming looked only at Qian Renxue. "No need to pretend—I know these two can't touch me without your command," he said plainly.

Porcupinefish Douluo's temper flared at Su Ming's dismissal. "Kid, what's with that attitude?" he snapped.

Su Ming simply waited for Qian Renxue's reaction, ignoring the Douluo. Qian Renxue waved them off, and Snake Spear Douluo stopped his comrade from acting rashly. "Stand down," he ordered, adding to Porcupinefish Douluo, "Obviously, the young master wants to win him over. Besides, he's at forty-eighth level already—his pride is understandable."

Both Douluos stepped back, and Qian Renxue, watching Su Ming, said with an amused look, "Well, you were right about one thing. Even if you declined, I'd never order Snake Spear and Porcupinefish to harm you."

Su Ming raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "Really? Then were you planning to repeatedly ask until I accepted, relying on your charm alone?"

Qian Renxue smiled. "Why not? With your talent, you're worth the effort."

Right, Su Ming thought. How did I forget her sheer persistence?

In the original story, even when Tang San rejected her, she had continued trying to win him over. It was like some "Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage" persistence. But the issue was, Spirit Hall had already harmed Tang San deeply. Her father, Qian Xunji, had killed Tang San's mother, Ah Yin. Given such a history, how could he ever join Spirit Hall?

"Well, what do you think, Su Ming?" Qian Renxue said confidently, "You've seen my sincerity. Why not consider joining Spirit Hall?"

Though part of Su Ming was genuinely considering the option, he replied, "It's crossed my mind, but not right now. Let's talk after the tournament. I may even have some conditions of my own by then."

He then added, "By the way, your father is Qian Xunji, but who is your mother? And Spirit Hall is truly generous, sending two Title Douluos to protect you."

Qian Renxue mentally sighed. You're still pretending? she thought, knowing he must already know her mother was Bibi Dong. But she responded simply, "My mother is Bibi Dong, the current Supreme Pontiff. So I do have the right to invite you into Spirit Hall."

Su Ming was taken aback. Something's definitely different here. She's openly admitting Bibi Dong is her mother and doesn't seem conflicted at all. And she's inviting me directly into Spirit Hall, not just to the Douluo Hall. Could it be that, in this world, Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong are actually close?

"Qian Renxue, are you and Supreme Pontiff Bibi Dong on good terms?" he asked cautiously.

Qian Renxue's eyes showed a flicker of surprise, but she quickly composed herself. She recalled that Su Ming didn't know the changes their relationship had undergone because of the diary. Let him be curious, she thought, the mystery won't hurt. Smiling playfully, she replied, "Why? Were you hoping that we'd be on bad terms? And don't you think you're overstepping a bit, Su Ming? You're hardly close enough to ask me that."

Su Ming paused. Fair enough, he thought, it was a bit personal.

He then reached out mentally, System, a little help here?

System: I'm here.

"Any idea what's going on?"

System: Uh, well, I can't predict the future or anything, but here's a theory: It's likely a 'butterfly effect' that started after I gave Bibi Dong that diary with information on Yu Xiaogang's true character. It might have prompted her to finally open up and mend her relationship with Qian Renxue. Bibi Dong has always cared about Qian Renxue, even if she struggled to show it. The diary may have just been the spark they needed.

Su Ming found himself somewhat impressed with the System's reasoning. Makes sense, he thought. If they're on good terms now, it's not a bad outcome.

The System mentally sighed in relief, glad Su Ming had accepted its explanation. Handling these domino effects, it thought, is becoming a full-time job. First Liu Erlong, now Qian Renxue. What's next?