"How... what's going on?"
Dai Chengfeng looked at Qian Renxue, his voice slightly uneasy as he asked, "Didn't you refuse? Then I'll leave…"
Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue's face revealed a sly smile, her eyes locking onto Dai Chengfeng. "Dai Chengfeng, your little trick can't escape my notice."
"Today, there's no way out for you!"
The corners of Qian Renxue's lips curved upward into a teasing smirk as she stared directly at Dai Chengfeng.
Then, she slowly took deliberate steps toward him, closing the distance between them.
Tap, tap, tap…
The sound of her high heels striking the floor seemed to echo in Dai Chengfeng's heart, pulsing in time with his heartbeat…
Until they were so close that they could clearly smell each other's scent.
Only then did Qian Renxue stop, tilting her head slightly upward to meet Dai Chengfeng's gaze.
"I'm saying, Dai Chengfeng, how could you suddenly propose such an absurd condition, comparing me to your pet…"
"It turns out, your real goal all along was to make me back off, right?"
"After all, if I refused your condition, then you wouldn't have to be my spy, and you wouldn't offend me either—since it was I who rejected you…"
Dai Chengfeng swallowed hard, his voice 'nervous.' "Qian Renxue, w-what are you talking about? I don't understand…"
Looking at the nervous Dai Chengfeng,
Qian Renxue instantly confirmed her suspicions, her eyes gleaming with even more smugness.
Phew, phew! Good thing I'm so sharp-witted! I saw through your trick just before you left!
Otherwise, I would've fallen for your trap again!
Thinking this, Qian Renxue lowered her head slightly in front of Dai Chengfeng. "Go ahead, touch!"
"If you want to touch, I'll let you touch to your heart's content. Let's see who's better to rub—me or Su Xi…"
Seeing Qian Renxue, who now believed she had exposed his 'true' intentions, feeling incredibly proud of herself, Dai Chengfeng chuckled inwardly.
Little angel, oh little angel, still so young…
What you think is only what you think. Maybe you're standing on the second level, but I'm on the fifth!
Reverse psychology on reverse psychology…
I'm curious what your expression will be when you finally discover the truth?
With this thought, Dai Chengfeng didn't hold back.
He reached out and gently stroked Qian Renxue's golden hair, letting the silky strands slide smoothly through his fingertips like satin.
"This texture feels much smoother than Su Xi's fur."
For a moment, Dai Chengfeng couldn't help but silently admire, 'And every journey begins with a single step.'
'Now that we've broken the ice with this simple intimate contact, our relationship moving forward…'
For a while, the room fell silent.
Dai Chengfeng continued to gently massage Qian Renxue's hair until her tresses became thoroughly disheveled under his touch. Only then did he slow down his movements…
Each stroke was incredibly gentle, as if trying to gradually smooth away the defenses in Qian Renxue's heart.
At this moment,
Qian Renxue felt an inexplicable tingling sensation on her scalp as Dai Chengfeng's hand tenderly glided over her hair. His movements seemed to carry a strange kind of magic.
Her heartbeat quickened, her palms grew sweaty from nervousness, and her cheeks flushed rapidly, turning crimson.
In the sultry atmosphere of the room, shyness washed over her like a tide.
But at the same time, a foreign yet familiar sense of comfort quietly spread through her heart.
She closed her eyes slightly, her thoughts drifting unconsciously.
'It's been such a long time since anyone has shown me genuine warmth… aside from Grandpa.'
In the Spirit Hall, a place full of schemes and power struggles, although Qian Renxue held a noble status, precisely because of this, most of what she faced were insincere smiles and hidden calculations.
Coupled with her mother Bibi Dong's peculiar attitude toward her and her identity in the Tian Dou Empire…
This caused Qian Renxue to habitually wrap herself in layers of pretense, always remaining vigilant against everything around her, never allowing herself to relax.
But at this moment,
Dai Chengfeng's gentle movements seemed to touch the softest corner of her heart, making her feel completely at ease.
"Little Xue, has anyone ever told you how beautiful your golden hair is…"
At this moment, Dai Chengfeng suddenly spoke softly, his voice deep and magnetic.
Instantly, Qian Renxue's body stiffened slightly, and she looked at Dai Chengfeng with some panic.
She found that Dai Chengfeng was looking at her earnestly, his gaze devoid of any mockery or teasing—only pure admiration.
A complex wave of emotions surged in Qian Renxue's heart. She didn't know how to face Dai Chengfeng's gaze or respond to his words.
She could only lower her head again, trying to conceal the turmoil within her.
"H-Have you touched enough?"
Qian Renxue whispered, her voice trembling slightly.
Dai Chengfeng's lips curved upward into an almost imperceptible smile. "Not yet. With such a wonderful texture, I need to cherish it."
As he spoke, his hand gently stroked Qian Renxue's hair once more…
Only this time, his fingers intentionally—or perhaps unintentionally—brushed against her cheek, leaving faint, delicate touches.
Qian Renxue's cheeks instantly burned hot. "Dai Chengfeng, y-you shouldn't go too far."
Qian Renxue bit her lip.
But Dai Chengfeng acted as if he hadn't heard her, continuing to gently caress her hair.
Until, from the neighboring room came another loud noise, followed by a woman's voice.
"Daddy, good daddy…"
This sudden sound shattered the previously sultry atmosphere of the room. Qian Renxue snapped back to her senses, forcefully pushing Dai Chengfeng away and taking several steps back.
Her face still bore traces of lingering blush, her eyes filled with shyness and panic.
"Dai Chengfeng, that's enough."
Qian Renxue took a deep breath, striving to make her voice sound calm. "Now tell me, what's your second condition?"
Dai Chengfeng looked at the slightly flustered Qian Renxue, finding her amusing, but he also knew it wasn't appropriate to tease her further at this moment.
So, he composed himself. "As for the second condition…"
"I haven't thought of it yet. I'll let you know when I do."
Qian Renxue nodded lightly, a trace of relief washing over her face.
She was genuinely afraid that Dai Chengfeng would continue to propose some outrageous, embarrassing requests that she'd find hard to accept.
"So it seems Dai Chengfeng does have a conscience~"
Qian Renxue muttered softly, "Just not much!"
After a while, she raised her head, looking directly at Dai Chengfeng. "In that case, Dai Chengfeng, I hope you don't forget your promise!"
"Otherwise, I'll make you regret ever playing tricks on me!"
With that, Qian Renxue didn't linger, quickly turning and hurrying away as if fleeing from some ferocious beast behind her.
Dai Chengfeng stood silently in place, watching her retreating figure. A sly, meaningful smile played on his lips.
Soon after, he too stepped out of the room.
However, upon returning to the Pope's Palace, Dai Chengfeng didn't head to his own room. Instead, he went straight to Bibi Dong's quarters.
"Teacher, I have something to discuss with you."
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead Guaranteed: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)