283. Initiative

  Dugu Yan held the box and left the room, turning towards the next door.

  Creak!

  As soon as the door opened, Dugu Yan was stunned, looking at the two graceful figures leaning against the wall with confused faces.

  "Miss Xue, Lady Ling Yuan, what are you doing?"

  "Shh!"

  Ling Yuan immediately turned around and signaled Dugu Yan to keep quiet, whispering:

  "Quickly, close the door."

  "Oh, I'll close it right now."

  Dugu Yan quickly shut the door.

  Suddenly, a suppressed voice from Qian Renxue echoed in the room.

  "Kissing again?"

  Hearing this, Dugu Yan's spirit was slightly uplifted.

  "His Highness, his Highness actually made a move!"

  Ling Yuan's eyes trembled, her face flushed with a mix of excitement and embarrassment.

  "W-what?!"

  Dugu Yan became even more confused.

  Unable to ignore it any longer, she transformed into a shadow and rushed to the wall.

  Bending down, she leaned under Qian Renxue and noticed a special glass panel that allowed her to see the entire scene next door.

  Her face slowly turned red.

  Lingling’s playful expression was so provocative.

  "Dammit, who taught him such behavior?"

  Qian Renxue gritted her teeth, her face blushing in embarrassment.

  She felt a mix of happiness and frustration in her heart.

  Happy for Qian Renjue's growth, yet displeased by it.

  Feeling uneasy that he now had another important woman in his life.

  Ling Yuan suddenly felt a little uneasy.

  Was Miss Xue implying that she was the one who had misled His Highness?

  It couldn't be, right?

  His Highness had never treated her that way.

  ——————

  In the next room.

  After Dugu Yan left, Qian Renjue sat beside Ye Lingling with the box in hand under her curious gaze.

  Ye Lingling lowered her head, her face heating up like a furnace due to his proximity.

  "Lingling."

  Qian Renjue called her softly, smiling.

  "Yes."

  Ye Lingling nodded gently, leaning slightly against him.

  Qian Renjue looked down at the delicate girl and opened the box.

  Inside was a green, life-filled left arm bone.

  "This is for you, another ten-thousand-year soul bone, from the nearly thirty-thousand-year-old Greenwood Spirit Ape."

  "Thank you. I like it very much."

  Ye Lingling softly expressed her gratitude, looking up at him. Though she liked something even more than the soul bone.

  "As long as you like it."

  Qian Renjue smiled, closing the box, and urged:

  "Lingling, put this soul bone away."

  "Okay."

  Ye Lingling replied softly, noticing the nervousness in his expression. She didn't move, instead, she asked curiously:

  "Jue, didn’t you have something to tell me?"

  "Uh..."

  Qian Renjue sat up awkwardly, turning to look at her with hesitation.

  Ye Lingling remained calm, her feelings still evident in her eyes, and she wrapped her arms around his.

  "Jue, just say it. I'm listening."

  Feeling guilty, Qian Renjue inhaled her delicate fragrance and said softly:

  "Lingling, actually, last year... I got engaged to someone."

  As soon as the words left his mouth, Qian Renjue felt a sense of relief and looked at Ye Lingling, awaiting her response.

  However, she only nodded calmly.

  "I understand."

  "…"

  Qian Renjue was stunned.

  He stared at her, a head full of questions, and asked strangely:

  "Lingling, aren't you mad?"

  "Why should I be angry?"

  Ye Lingling tilted her head in confusion, a trace of playfulness crossing her face.

  "Huh?"

  Qian Renjue was utterly shocked and asked cautiously:

  "Lingling, are you sure you're not mad? So mad you can’t even express it?"

  "…"

  Ye Lingling looked at him blankly, his anxious, babbling manner making her want to laugh.

  She cupped his warm hand in hers, shaking her head and speaking softly:

  "Jue, I’m really not angry."

  "…"

  Qian Renjue raised his hand to pat her head.

  "So warm!"

  "That's because you’re touching me."

  Ye Lingling blushed, playfully glaring at him.

  "Is that so?"

  Qian Renjue felt conflicted.

  Her lack of anger should be a good thing, yet he felt uneasy.

  "Lingling, how about you scold me?"

  Qian Renjue suggested.

  Then he spread his arms slightly, seriously offering:

  "Or you can hit me a few times too. Just don’t hold it in."

  "But I can't beat you."

  Ye Lingling found the situation both funny and exasperating.

  She didn’t mind it, so shouldn’t he be happy?

  "It doesn't matter if you can’t beat me. I won’t fight back!"

  Qian Renjue sat up straight, promising confidently.

  "Not fight back? Hmph."

  Ye Lingling couldn’t help but laugh.

  Seeing his uneasy expression, her blue eyes shimmered like a clear summer sky.

  Softly, she suggested:

  "Then… why don’t you close your eyes, and I’ll start."

  "Alright."

  Qian Renjue immediately closed his purple eyes, spreading his arms wide.

  "…"

  Ye Lingling pressed her lips together, her slight bitterness covered by her tenderness.

  She already knew about this.

  Miss Xue had told her when it happened.

  Qian Renjue was the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall; he couldn’t live only for her.

  For the Spirit Hall, it was necessary.

  Since she couldn’t help him, she certainly wouldn’t hold him back either.

  "Jue, brace yourself."

  Ye Lingling smiled gently, grabbed his collar, and leaned in.

  Looking at his handsome face up close, she whispered:

  "I'm fine. Hit me however you like."

  Qian Renjue kept a straight face, feeling her soft breath on his face.

  Ye Lingling’s soft lips briefly touched his, like a feather brushing across warm jade.

  Qian Renjue blinked quickly, opening his purple eyes to see her blushing face close to his.

  "Lingling, you…"

  Before he could finish, she wrapped her arms around him and gently bit his lips.

  Her actions spoke louder than words—she really wasn’t angry.

  Watching her bashful face, his embrace tightened as he kissed her back.

  "Mm!"

  Ye Lingling tilted her head slightly, closing her eyes in shyness as their breath intertwined.

  Her body softened, and she leaned more into him.

  Feeling her tender body, unfamiliar thoughts stirred within Qian Renjue, guiding his hands along her figure.

  From her slender waist, he moved upward.

  "Ahh~"

  She trembled as he touched her soft curves, her long lashes fluttering open.

  Staring at him shyly, Qian Renjue hesitated, but before he could stop, she resumed the kiss, showing no sign of resistance.

  With her face even redder, she closed her eyes.

  Even so, Qian Renjue didn’t dare move further, instead just holding her close, feeling her rapid heartbeat.

  He deepened the kiss, while her hands clutched his clothes tightly, soft sounds occasionally escaping.

  As time passed, Qian Renjue couldn’t help but caress her gently.

  Finally, they pulled apart.

  Qian Renjue slowly raised his flushed face, a thin strand of saliva connecting them.

  Ye Lingling, feeling a bit dazed, looked up at him with her blushing, delicate face, her lips parted, panting softly.