379. Sneak Kiss

The next afternoon arrived quietly.

In the hotel room, Qian Renjue lay peacefully on the soft and comfortable bed, his breathing steady.

In his arms, Ye Lingling's delicate face was tinged with a faint blush. She wore a close-fitting beige underlayer, which accentuated her graceful and beautiful figure. Her slender arm rested lightly on Qian Renjue's chest, where his white undershirt couldn’t fully hide his well-defined, muscular physique.

Her delicate hand lay softly, feeling the contours of his muscles and the warmth of his body beneath her palm.

Knock, knock!

A faint knocking sound broke the quiet.

Ye Lingling’s long eyelashes fluttered gently. Her light blue, expressive eyes shimmered like a serene lake reflecting a clear sky, tranquil yet radiant. In their depths, the golden, handsome visage of Qian Renjue appeared.

Wrapped in a warm blanket, her soft body nestled against him, her waist encircled by his comforting warmth.

Ye Lingling’s gaze sparkled as she tilted her head slightly, looking at the still-sleeping Qian Renjue. Her heartbeat quickened as she considered slipping away from his embrace.

Pressing her lush lips together, she hesitated, then gently held Qian Renjue’s hand. The air around her carried his familiar and intoxicating scent.

Just as she made the smallest movement, Qian Renjue suddenly turned, facing her and pulling her petite figure closer into his embrace.

“Jue...”

Ye Lingling squirmed slightly in his arms. Qian Renjue’s breath tickled her ear, making her blood rush and her heart race. She felt a strong urge to flee.

“Lingling~ What’s wrong?”

Qian Renjue’s eyes remained closed as he lightly nudged her soft figure, his voice lazy yet tender.

Ye Lingling bit her rosy lips. Under his gentle prompting, her face grew even redder. She took a soft breath and spoke in a delicate voice.

“Jue~ It’s time. Yanyan is knocking at the door.”

“...”

Qian Renjue’s brows twitched as he listened carefully.

Knock, knock!

A light tapping sound came again.

Finally, Qian Renjue’s brilliant purple eyes opened, his gaze falling onto Ye Lingling’s radiant features. His eyes held a mixture of sheepishness and an overwhelming tenderness.

“Jue, it’s time to get up,” Ye Lingling murmured, gently tugging at the sleeve of his shirt. Yet, she didn’t stop his warmth from roaming freely.

“Sorry, Lingling,” Qian Renjue said with a faint nod. He raised his still-warm arm and rolled onto his back, lying flat on the bed once more.

The warmth covering her body faded away.

Ye Lingling lifted the edge of the blanket, letting the fresh, cool air touch her skin. Her lips parted slightly as she exhaled a gentle breath. Pulling up her underlayer to cover her nearly exposed shoulder, she finally sat upright.

Meanwhile, Qian Renjue grabbed her pillow and tossed it over his head, leaving only his nose and mouth visible as he spoke lazily.

“Lingling, you go open the door for Yan Yan first. Once everything’s ready, call me.”

“Alright~”

Ye Lingling smoothed her hair behind her ear and knelt beside him, gently tucking the blanket around him.

“If you’re still tired, you can sleep a bit longer,” she said softly.

“No need~ Just resting my eyes is enough,” Qian Renjue replied, his hand dropping from the pillow to pat the blanket.

“Okay,” Ye Lingling nodded. She was about to stand when she hesitated, pressing her lips together. Leaning down, she left a light kiss on his cheek, her own face burning as her tenderness lingered in the air.

With that, she slid her jade-like feet off the bed and crossed over Qian Renjue. Grabbing his coat, she draped it over herself temporarily and headed toward the door.


——————————————


Click!

The door creaked open.

Leaning against the wall by the door, Dugu Yan immediately turned her head, her eyes gleaming with admiration as she saw Ye Lingling, whose face was still slightly flushed.

Ye Lingling held the door partially closed, shielding half of her delicate figure as she softly said,
"Yan Yan, come in."

"Alright."

Dugu Yan nodded, a faint smile spreading across her lips. She stepped forward with graceful ease, teasing as she walked,
"I thought the Holy Son was too exhausted after being tormented."

"Yan!"

Ye Lingling furrowed her brows and glanced back at the room in a panic.

"Haha, I know you two haven't done anything yet," Dugu Yan chuckled, linking her arm with Ye Lingling's. "I just wanted to help you snap out of it."

She was staying in the room next door—if anything had happened between Lingling and the Holy Son, she would have heard it.

"..."

Ye Lingling shot her a reproachful look but closed the door gently. As much as she wanted to deny it, Dugu Yan’s words indeed brought her back to her senses.

"Where's His Highness?" Dugu Yan asked, glancing into the room.

"Jue's still lying down. He likes to stay in bed for a while after waking up," Ye Lingling explained softly, taking Dugu Yan's hand and leading her inside.

They walked only a few steps before Dugu Yan spotted Qian Renjue still snuggled under the blanket, a pillow covering his face with only his nose and mouth exposed.

"Yan Yan, wait here for a bit," Ye Lingling said, pouring a cup of water for her guest.

She then walked over to the bed's clothing rack, took off Qian Renjue's coat, and hung it back up. Grabbing her own clothes, she headed toward the bathroom.

"Sure," Dugu Yan replied, taking a seat on the sofa.

She sipped the warm water Ye Lingling had prepared, her pale green eyes flickering with a mix of curiosity and nervousness. Staring at the bed, she swallowed hard and tried to calm her thoughts.

Eventually, unable to resist her curiosity, Dugu Yan stood up. Her strikingly beautiful face carried a hint of mischief as she tiptoed toward the bed.

Reaching the bedside, she saw Qian Renjue curled under the blanket, the pillow still obscuring his face. Only his peaceful breaths hinted at his slumber.

Dugu Yan clasped her hands nervously in front of her chest and leaned closer, her voice low and soft as she called out,
"Your Highness~ Holy Son~"

When there was no response, Dugu Yan hesitated, biting her lip. She glanced toward the bathroom, ensuring Ye Lingling wouldn’t come out unexpectedly. Then, summoning her courage, she bent down further.

The closer she got to Qian Renjue, the more her face flushed with embarrassment. She could hear his steady breathing, feel his warmth radiating. Her own breath quickened as she clutched her chest, her heartbeat erratic.

Unable to resist, she closed the gap, her lips brushing faintly against his. She lingered for a moment, her emerald eyes shimmering with a mix of curiosity and nervous excitement.

As Qian Renjue stirred slightly, Dugu Yan snapped back to reality. She quickly pulled away, retreating with a flushed face and trembling hands pressed against her chest.

Under the pillow, Qian Renjue's brow furrowed faintly. His lips twitched slightly, seemingly tasting something unfamiliar yet distinct.

Dugu Yan froze, her heart pounding as she watched him grasp the pillow tightly. Panic surged through her as she thought he might lift it, but Qian Renjue only held it close and didn’t uncover his face.

Letting out a shaky breath, Dugu Yan quickly returned to the sofa, her cheeks burning with guilt and shame. She lowered her head, avoiding eye contact, though her peripheral vision remained locked on the bed.

Click!

The bathroom door opened, and Ye Lingling emerged. Dugu Yan sat up straight, pretending nothing had happened, though her rosy cheeks betrayed her.

Meanwhile, Qian Renjue loosened his grip on the pillow, fully awake now. His sharp instincts told him the faint, unfamiliar scent lingering wasn’t Ye Lingling’s.

It belonged to the mischievous "beauty snake" in the room.


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