313. Close Call

At dusk.

Qian Renjue returned with Ling Yuan to a secret chamber within the Spirit City.

In the dimly lit chamber, only the faint glow of pearls embedded in the walls provided a soft illumination. The long, sinister hook was slowly retracted as Qian Renjue released Ling Yuan from his embrace.

“We’ve arrived, Sister Ling Yuan. You can let go of me now,” he reminded gently.

"Your Highness…" Ling Yuan clung to him, her cheeks flushed, gazing at him intently. She pressed her lips together as if holding back unspoken thoughts.

“What’s wrong, Ling Yuan?” Qian Renjue asked, his expression puzzled.

"Your Highness…what do you think of me?" Ling Yuan’s voice was hesitant, her words faltering.

Caught off guard, Qian Renjue paused, observing her anxious expression clearly despite the darkness.

After a moment of thought, he couldn’t help but smile. Ling Yuan still seemed bothered by Zhu Zhuqing’s earlier remarks about her.

“Why are you laughing, Your Highness?” Ling Yuan asked, gripping his clothing tightly, her gaze laced with worry.

“Oh, it’s nothing.” Qian Renjue chuckled, cupping her face playfully. “It’s just that, I suddenly find you rather cute.”

“Cute?!” Ling Yuan’s face flushed deeply, feeling a mix of shame and embarrassment.

Was a word like “cute” even appropriate for her?

"Yes. Why let a child’s words affect you?" Qian Renjue gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, softly pinching her cheek.

Ling Yuan’s face grew even warmer, and she lowered her head.

“Your Highness, it’s not about what others think. It’s… it’s about what you think.” Her voice was barely a whisper, laced with vulnerability.

Qian Renjue was momentarily speechless. After a pause, he tilted her chin, raising her heated face to look at him again. “Ling Yuan…”

Ling Yuan looked away, clearly flustered, as Qian Renjue leaned closer.

"Then if you really care that much, you shouldn’t worry so much," he murmured, his breath brushing her face.

The room seemed to grow warmer as Qian Renjue moved nearer, closing the space between them. Ling Yuan held her breath, her dark eyes growing hazy and reflective.

"Did you forget how you always tease me, Ling Yuan?" Qian Renjue whispered.

"Your Highness…" Ling Yuan’s gaze wavered. She hadn’t realized he’d been fully aware each time she volunteered to train him, each time she subtly encouraged him.

“If you weren’t so adorable, why would I keep coming back to you?” Qian Renjue teased, his hand sliding down to embrace her gently.

Ling Yuan felt a rush of warmth at his touch, shame and confusion flooding her mind.

Your Highness has such a… unique way of comforting others!

Can’t he just compliment me instead?!

“Ling Yuan, stop overthinking.” Qian Renjue laughed awkwardly, pulling back slightly, lowering his leg.

He felt a bit embarrassed himself, realizing he might have crossed the line in his playful teasing.

Ling Yuan nodded faintly, the space between them growing cooler as the moment faded.


She glanced down, feeling somewhat disheartened as it seemed nothing had changed between them.

Suddenly, she felt something soft and warm against her lips, causing her eyes to widen.

Qian Renjue’s lips were on hers, gentle yet lingering, as he lightly bit her lower lip, exploring softly.

Ling Yuan went limp in his embrace, opening her lips, letting him deepen the kiss, a subtle glint of moisture gathering at the corner of her mouth.

Qian Renjue’s hand ventured downward, and Ling Yuan’s body trembled, her breathing ragged.

"Your Highness…not… there," she gasped, her voice filled with both trepidation and anticipation.


---

After some time had passed, the heavy door of the training chamber slowly creaked open. Qian Renjue and Ling Yuan stood side by side, both awkwardly avoiding each other’s gaze.

Ling Yuan looked down, adjusting her clothing, flustered by the lingering warmth from earlier. She had nearly lost herself to his hands.

Qian Renjue rubbed his nose, feeling awkward. He hadn’t expected his first visit to nearly end in a heated mishap.

As they stood there, hesitant to step out, footsteps approached from outside.

“Is that… Nana?” Qian Renjue looked toward the doorway, where Hu Liena’s figure appeared around the corner.

Ling Yuan hastily smoothed her hair to cover her flushed face, nervous.

“Senior Brother! Sister Ling Yuan! You’re back!” Hu Liena beamed as she quickly ran to Qian Renjue, hugging his arm affectionately.

“Where have you two been? Teacher and I have been waiting for ages!”

Qian Renjue chuckled, offering a vague response. “Ah, we got held up by some things. Let’s head out now.”

Hu Liena nodded, not paying much mind to the odd atmosphere, assuming they’d simply picked up some unusual event on their travels.

“Ling Yuan, let’s go,” Qian Renjue called softly.

Ling Yuan’s subdued voice and disheveled hair drew a curious look from Hu Liena.

She blinked in mild surprise, noticing how unusually docile Ling Yuan seemed.