Xie Qing Ci gazed at the girl’s delicate and lovely face up close, yet an inexplicable sorrow surged within him.
He had walked alone for twenty-eight years before finally meeting this girl who made him willingly submit.
Every time he took the initiative to test her, her lack of resistance—or even her active responses—filled him with ecstasy.
But was it all because she saw him as someone else?
A wicked thought even arose in Xie Qing Ci’s heart: Since she already mistook him for another, why not let it continue this way?
Whether the person in her heart had left or died, he could make that person truly disappear and completely take their place.
That way, the girl would only have eyes for him, right?
One thought leads to enlightenment, another to damnation.
The once ascetic Fuzi had finally stepped into the abyss of desire, one step at a time.
Yu Qing sat on his lap, her arms wrapped around his neck, and for a moment, neither of them spoke.
She had just finished crying, and her eyes and the tip of her nose were still red, making her look pitiful beyond words.
Seeing the girl in such a wretched state, how could Xie Qing Ci bear to press her for answers?
He could only sigh resignedly and ask softly, “Are you tired? Do you want to go back?”
How could he not want to spend more time with her?
But he was worried she might be exhausted. Moreover, she had just had a nightmare and her emotions had only just stabilized—she ought to rest early.
He had assumed she would want to hurry home and rest.
Unexpectedly, she shook her head gently and murmured in a soft, tender voice:
“There’s no one else. It’s always been you.”
It was a seemingly random remark, but Xie Qing Ci understood.
In an instant, his mind exploded with one brilliant firework after another.
He didn’t even try to rationalize her words, nor did he doubt her.
If she said it, he would believe her unconditionally.
Even in the depths of despair and sorrow, all he had longed for was an explanation from her.
So pitifully humble.
Like a devout believer desperately pleading for mercy before the Buddha.
Yu Qing looked at the overwhelming, almost overflowing love in the man’s eyes.
Summoning her courage, she leaned her head forward slightly, wanting to kiss him.
But Xie Qing Ci tilted his head back slightly, avoiding her.
???
Xie Qing Ci was amused by her expression of utter disbelief.
Still, he patiently explained in a gentle voice, “Be good, Qingqing. My glasses might poke you.”
Love overflowed freely, and the man’s low, magnetic, and slightly hoarse voice was exceptionally captivating.
Remembering their somewhat awkward position, Yu Qing felt a wave of shyness. She wriggled slightly, trying to get off his lap.
“Don’t move.”
Xie Qing Ci’s tone was uncharacteristically stern. His large hand pressed firmly against the small of her back, preventing her from squirming.
Yu Qing, who had been immersed in his tenderness just moments before, was suddenly scolded and was about to protest.
But then she felt certain changes beneath her…
Yu·Little Coward·Qing: …
The so-called ascetic Fuzi: …
The girl’s face visibly flushed bright red in an instant.
＞＜
Xie Qing Ci whispered soothingly, “I’m sorry. Just give me a moment.”
Yu Qing responded in a voice as faint as a mosquito’s hum, “Mm.”
The two of them sat there, maintaining their intimate position, neither speaking another word.
But Xie Qing Ci had seriously overestimated himself.
He had always prided himself on his exceptional self-control and thought he would recover quickly.
But with the girl he loved sitting on his lap, how could he possibly remain calm and composed?
Yu Qing maintained an upright sitting posture, gradually growing somewhat tired.
She complained in a coquettish tone, “Why isn’t it ready yet?”
Xie Qing Ci smiled self-deprecatingly, “Sorry, baby, can you go up by yourself?”
He had originally intended to escort her to her doorstep, but it seemed that wasn’t feasible now.
Yu Qing nodded, “Sure.”
Xie Qing Ci picked up the slipped suit jacket with his slender fingers and carefully helped her put it on.
He reached out to open the car door, cautiously assisting her as she got out.
Yu Qing practically fled toward the building as soon as she left the car, even forgetting to say goodbye.
Xie Qing Ci finally breathed a sigh of relief, leaning back against the seat. He raised his hand to remove his glasses, covering his eyes with his pale, cold hand.
This short evening had felt so long.
So long it seemed like the journey of his entire life.
Compared to the man’s complicated feelings, Yu Qing appeared much more composed and relaxed.
After returning home, she comfortably soaked in a bath, applied a facial mask, and then lay on her bed chatting with Little Milk Candy.
[A Li host, the Emperor Lord’s favorability has now reached 70%.]
[That’s rising way too fast, isn’t it?!]
She really hadn’t done much, had she?
Right?
[By the way, your sister Bai Jiao Jiao has been running herself ragged these past couple days trying to raise money to repay Gu Yu Bai. Do you want to help her?]
[Is this also part of my mission?]
[It’s a random mission. Completing the main mission in this world will give you 100 points, and completing random missions will give you additional points.]
[How many points for this random mission?]
[20 points. The requirement is to help Bai Jiao Jiao repay her debt and gain freedom.]
[What counts as her gaining freedom?]
[Here’s the situation: previously, Gu Yu Bai helped Bai Jiao Jiao pay off all the Bai family’s debts in one go. In exchange, Bai Jiao Jiao had to stay by his side as his woman.
Now that Bai Jiao Jiao has returned to the Yu Family, she wants to repay the debt as soon as possible to break free from their relationship.
But the direction of their relationship is hard to determine, so your mission is simply to help her repay the debt. If she feels liberated in her heart afterward, the mission will be considered complete.]
Xiao A Li had always loved gossip back in the Immortal Realm.
She had thoroughly investigated all the secrets and scandals of the Immortal Realm inside and out.
Never did she expect that while on a mission, she could also indulge in some gossip – she was absolutely thrilled!
Yu Qing didn’t want to wait another moment. She picked up her phone, found Bai Jiao Jiao’s profile picture, and sent her a message.
Over on her end, Bai Jiao Jiao was still at home, desperately trying to gather funds when she suddenly received Yu Qing’s message, finding it rather baffling.
Hadn’t this younger sister always disliked her? Why would she reach out proactively?
When she opened the message, she was shocked to see that Yu Qing actually wanted to help her repay the debt?!
So how did she know about this matter?!
Seeing that Bai Jiao Jiao wasn’t replying, Yu Qing felt puzzled. With such a good opportunity handed to her, why was she ignoring her?
[A Li host, Bai Jiao Jiao is struggling with how you found out about this. She’s afraid that Yu’s Father and Mother Yu also know.]
[Ah? Why are human thoughts so complicated!]
Yu Qing had no choice but to send another message, explaining that she had only learned about it by chance, that Yu’s Father and Mother Yu were unaware, and that she would keep it confidential for her.
The two later arranged to meet the next day to discuss the details in person.
Yu Qing began pursuing her mission with fiery determination.
Little did she know how tormented Xie Qing Ci was after returning to his residence, still burning with the fire she had ignited in him.
In the bathroom, the man stood under the shower with his head bowed, letting the cold water wash over him.
After a long while, he finally stepped out.
Glancing at his silent phone, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of irritation.
The situation earlier had been unusual, and he’d forgotten to ask for her contact information.
He had Zhou Chuan look up the young woman’s phone number and proactively sent her a friend request.
Who would have thought that after taking such a long cold shower, he’d come out to find she still hadn’t accepted his request?
In the past, when his mind was unsettled, he would simply fiddle with his prayer beads and recite the Heart Sutra, and soon find peace.
But now…