Yu Qing felt somewhat flustered. Without thinking, she reached out and grabbed the man’s slightly cool wrist, intending to wipe the milk stain from his fingers.
Xie Qing Ci didn’t refuse, allowing the young girl’s soft, delicate hand to hold his wrist as she carefully wiped his fingers bit by bit.
He couldn’t remember how many years it had been since anyone had touched his hand. He had always disliked others’ touch, and those around him were well aware of his temperament, so no one would dare to provoke his displeasure.
Earlier, when he had taken the initiative to wipe the milk stain from the corner of the girl’s mouth, it had been an involuntary act.
Now, allowing the girl to hold his hand and clean it was him yielding to his heart.
How could a young Buddhist disciple with shallow cultivation resist a thousand-year-old temptress, especially one who was utterly pure yet seductive without even realizing it?
The young disciple could set aside his prayer beads, could set aside his bodhi heart, but how could he ever set aside the desires buried deep within his heart?
Kneeling amidst the lingering incense smoke, he could not clearly see the deities.
Only in her alone did he glimpse the secrets of heaven.
Xie Qing Ci lowered his gaze to the girl’s slender neck and lovely profile, speaking in a deep voice:
“Qingqing.”
“Hmm?”
“Didn’t you just say I was taking advantage of you?”
Yu Qing didn’t understand what he meant, looking at him somewhat dazedly: “What?”
“Help me take off my glasses, please?”
The girl obediently freed one hand and gently removed the man’s glasses.
Beneath the lenses were the man’s sharp, blade-like eyes.
No wonder he always wore those glasses—if people saw this gaze, who would still call him a “Buddhist disciple”?
Yu Qing placed the glasses on the small coffee table, and when she turned her head, cool, thin lips met her soft ones.
Little Milk Candy, who had been watching the excitement in the Sea of Consciousness, didn’t yet know why she had suddenly been locked in a dark room.
Xie Qing Ci only gently rubbed his lips against hers, lightly pecking her soft lips repeatedly without any deeper advances.
The girl hadn’t even processed what he was doing, staring with wide, round eyes in stunned silence.
( . )
Noticing the girl’s daze, the man slightly pulled back, resting his forehead against hers as he said in a husky voice, “Qingqing, be good, close your eyes.”
Yu Qing obediently closed her eyes.
Xie Qing Ci glanced down at her soft lips, now flushed crimson from his kisses, and couldn’t resist gently sucking her lip pearl, continuing to savor her.
……
The atmosphere in the room grew increasingly intimate.
After who knows how long, the man finally released the dazed, thoroughly kissed girl.
Yu Qing opened her eyes, her deer-like orbs misty with moisture as she gazed tenderly at the man.
Xie Qing Ci’s pale complexion now made his thin lips appear vividly red, the abstinence contrasting sharply with extreme desire.
The man reached for his glasses and put them on, concealing the turbulent desires swirling in his eyes.
When he spoke again, his voice had returned to its usual cool tone: “Will you accompany me to the banquet later after we’re done here?”
Yu Qing was shocked by this absurd progression.
(°°)
Xie Qing Ci appeared no different from usual now, but his words were completely unrelated to a “Buddhist disciple.”
“Will you, Qing Bao?”
The man’s voice was low, laced with coaxing.
“Okay.”
Having obtained the girl’s agreement, the man resembled a cat that had successfully stolen some cream, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
[Little Milk Candy, what’s going on with Emperor Lord—what’s happening?]
【Hmm, host, I don’t know either. I just updated the system and saw the Emperor Lord’s current favorability—it’s 60%.】
??
A 60% favorability means liking, 80% means love, 90% means deep love, and 100% signifies perfection.
So, does Xie Qing Ci like her now?
Since when did this start??
Wasn’t this only their second meeting???
Xiao A Li’s mind was filled with question marks…
Yu Qing was lost in thought when a Phoebe zhennan wood box suddenly appeared before her.
The young girl looked up in confusion. “What is it?”
Xie Qing Ci’s slender, well-defined fingers held the box, offering it to her. “Open it and see.”
Yu Qing took it and opened the box. Inside was an Imperial Diamond Necklace of the highest purity, cut to perfection. Even in the dimly lit room, it sparkled like starlight.
The man lifted the necklace with his long fingers and carefully fastened it around the girl’s neck.
Only then did Yu Qing notice how well the necklace’s luster complemented his silver-white Tang Suit with its subtle dark patterns.
“Does it look good?”
“Yes. It suits Qingqing perfectly.”
The two had completely lost track of the auction outside. When Yu Qing finally glanced out, she realized it had already ended.
The young girl felt a little disappointed.
Noticing this, Xie Qing Ci found it somewhat amusing and asked gently, “What’s wrong? Did you miss out on something you wanted?”
Yu Qing was too embarrassed to say that his earlier mention of the pink diamond had piqued her interest. It wasn’t that she expected him to give it to her—she was just curious about what the pink diamond he praised looked like.
The man watched the girl’s conflicted expression, a faint, almost imperceptible smile in his eyes.
Just then, a knock came from the door. “Sir, it’s me.”
“Come in.”
Zhou Chuan entered, followed by a man in a suit carrying a tray.
The two approached the sofa.
“Sir, the pink diamond necklace you bid on has arrived,” Zhou Chuan said, taking the tray and presenting it with a bow.
Yu Qing was startled by this and looked up.
Xie Qing Ci’s expression softened noticeably. “Open it and see?”
The girl took the tray and opened it. As expected, it was no ordinary piece—a pigeon-egg-sized pink diamond cut into a heart shape, flanked by gradually smaller pink diamonds, with the entire necklace forming a larger heart when connected.
Seeing the girl’s sparkling eyes and uncontainable delight, Xie Qing Ci motioned for the others to leave.
“I promised to give it to you. I won’t go back on my word.”
“It’s really for me!? Thank you, Mr. Xie.”
The man’s previously smiling eyes darkened slightly at her form of address.
He leaned in, one hand braced on the sofa behind her, enveloping her in a loose embrace.
“What did Qingqing just call me?”
“Mr. Xie?”
Yu Qing hesitated. Subconsciously, she still regarded him as the respected Emperor Lord. Even in this small world, he was somewhat of an elder to her, wasn’t he?
She couldn’t just casually call him by his first name, could she?
Xie Qing Ci found it both exasperating and amusing that the girl could drift off at a time like this. He leaned in even closer.
“Qingbao, what should you call me? Hmm?”
Surrounded by the comforting scent of cold cedar from the man, Yu Qing felt her senses slipping. She murmured softly, “A Ci.”
The man stiffened, his dark eyes deepening unfathomably.
Yu Qing grew uneasy under his intense gaze and tried to push him away, but he held her firmly in his arms, leaving her unable to move.
Xie Qing Ci’s voice was low and hoarse: “Sweetheart, say it again.”
The young girl was utterly embarrassed, her cheeks flushed crimson as she lowered her gaze, her long eyelashes fluttering.
After a brief pause, she called out again in a soft, delicate voice: “A Ci.”