Qian Renxue was held in Jin Lingfeng's arms in such an intimate, ambiguous position that her cheeks instantly flushed crimson with embarrassment.
She slightly raised her head and looked at the handsome face before her. Her heart thumped wildly, like a startled deer crashing about in her chest.
As the heir of the Angel Clan and the Young Mistress of Spirit Hall, Qian Renxue had been showered with glory ever since childhood. When had she ever been so intimate with a boy?
Being so sensitive, her body stiffened at once. Her breathing quickened as she stared at the young man, gradually becoming entranced...
"Xue'er, I know I'm handsome."
"But if you keep looking at me like that, I'll get embarrassed too."
Jin Lingfeng chuckled and steadied Qian Renxue before letting her go.
Qian Renxue came back to her senses, and her cheeks turned even redder. Her eyes brimmed with springtime tenderness as she shot the hateful fellow before her a resentful glare and snorted coldly.
"Jin Lingfeng, you're shameless! You have no shame at all!"
"Why don't you find a mirror and take a good look at yourself? You're ugly as sin!"
The little beauty was terribly shy and instinctively wanted to avoid his gaze. Yet her proud nature would not allow her to lower her head so easily, so she bit her lip and glared at him with flushed cheeks.
Jin Lingfeng smiled and took Qian Renxue's delicate hand.
He knew this little girl was all talk, so he spoke gently.
"Xue'er, you held back just now. You withdrew part of your strength."
"Do you like me? Did you deliberately go easy on me so I could defeat you, making it proper for you to date me?"
As he spoke, Jin Lingfeng stared straight into the girl's panicked eyes. With his other hand, he gently pinched her soft chin and lifted her head so she would look at him.
Qian Renxue's breathing became hurried, and she grew extremely nervous. She had not expected her little secret to be seen through. How embarrassing...
But how could her pride allow her to admit that she liked this hateful fellow? She quickly swatted away the hand pinching her cheek and said coldly.
"Jin Lingfeng, stop being so full of yourself. How could I possibly like someone like you?"
"Let go of me. Let go now, or I'll tell Grandpa that you took liberties with me and have him teach you a lesson..."
Qian Renxue tried to shake off the hand holding hers, only to find it being gripped even tighter.
"Xue'er, there's nothing bad about you."
"Except that you're too thin-skinned and too obsessed with saving face."
"Since you refuse to admit it, I won't force you."
"But tonight, your hand belongs to me. Stop struggling. I'm not letting go."
Jin Lingfeng spoke with a wicked grin, pulling Qian Renxue along the pond for a stroll, a faint smile lingering on his lips.
Qian Renxue puffed out her cheeks in anger. She struggled fiercely a few times, but seeing it was useless, she gave up resisting and let him lead her by the hand.
As she gazed at the black-clad figure before her, she inexplicably felt very safe. His palm radiated scorching warmth, and it seemed that simply being by the young man's side was the happiest thing in the world for her.
After a long while, a sweet smile appeared on Qian Renxue's face. The blush faded from her cheeks as she slowly grew accustomed to this warm feeling.
Suddenly, Jin Lingfeng stopped and turned to look at her. In that instant, Qian Renxue withdrew her smile, her face returning to its usual coldness as she stared into his eyes.
Jin Lingfeng took Qian Renxue's delicate hand, cradled it in his palm, and gently rubbed it as he spoke tenderly.
"Xue'er, the day after tomorrow is your birthday. I was upset just now because I didn't know what gift to give you. Don't be mad at me anymore, all right?"
Qian Renxue's gaze tightened slightly. She had not expected this bastard to know that the day after tomorrow was her birthday. So she had misunderstood him. Her heart instantly filled with sweet happiness. It felt so good to be cared about.
Her expression softened somewhat. Her hand being rubbed like this made her terribly shy, and she muttered.
"Hmph, I don't even know whether you're telling the truth."
"But I'm magnanimous, so I won't hold it against you. I forgive you."
Jin Lingfeng smiled faintly and continued walking with the little beauty's hand in his. The two walked side by side when he suddenly said.
"Xue'er, the day after tomorrow is your birthday. I'll personally make you a cake."
"Cake is a very delicious dessert. I guarantee you've never eaten anything like it."
Qian Renxue pursed her lips. Instinctively, she wanted to retort, Who wants your things?
But the words that reached her lips were ultimately swallowed back down. After all, this was the first boy she had feelings for, and he wanted to give her something on her birthday. Qian Renxue was truly looking forward to it and felt delighted.
"Th... thank you."
Qian Renxue lowered her head slightly and spoke in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, but Jin Lingfeng heard her clearly.
He turned to look at the girl beside him, whose cheeks were bright red, and smiled gently.
The two held hands as they strolled through the courtyard side by side. In tacit understanding, neither spoke, making the scene especially warm and sweet.
Beneath the clear night sky, the young man held the young girl's hand, and for the first time, their two hearts pressed close together.
At that moment, each of their worlds contained only the other. Gentle tenderness lingered around them as the girl's innocent heart was stirred, and the seed of love sprouted and took root.
Above the Papal Palace, a peerlessly beautiful woman holding the Azure Spirit Scepter gazed through everything at the young man and woman in the courtyard. A joyful, gratified smile appeared on her red lips...
That day, at noon.
The blue sky stretched for miles without a cloud, and the sunlight was bright.
In the courtyard, Great Priest Qian Daoliu held his granddaughter Qian Renxue's hand as the two arrived.
Golden Crocodile Douluo saw them and walked over with a genial smile.
"Hello, Grandpa Jin!"
Qian Renxue sweetly called out to Golden Crocodile Douluo.
"Xue'er, today is your birthday. This Purple Gold Jade is from Grandpa Jin."
"It looks beautiful on a girl, and it can ward off evil and protect against the cold. Take it."
Golden Crocodile Douluo took out the Purple Gold Jade and handed it to her with a kind smile.
In the past, he had disliked Qian Renxue because the little girl was always giving his grandson Jin Lingfeng a sour look.
Now, she often went out hand in hand with Jin Lingfeng, and she called him "Grandpa Jin" so sweetly. She was sensible and lovable, so Golden Crocodile Douluo was naturally overjoyed and extremely satisfied with his future granddaughter-in-law.
"Grandpa Jin, thank you."
"This Purple Gold Jade is so beautiful. Xue'er really likes it."
Qian Renxue said with a smile as she accepted the Purple Gold Jade and looked around, as if searching for something.
Qian Daoliu and Golden Crocodile Douluo exchanged knowing smiles. As people with experience, they naturally understood what the little girl was looking for.
"Xue'er, Feng'er went to prepare your gift."
"He said he wanted to give you a surprise and would come a little later."
Golden Crocodile Douluo said with a smile.
Qian Renxue's cheeks reddened slightly, and her lips curved into a small smile. Her heart was filled with excitement and anticipation.
Ever since she had strolled hand in hand with the young man by the pond under the moonlight two days ago, her heart had already been drawn to him. Now, she missed him at every moment...
About half an hour later, hurried footsteps sounded. A young man appeared at the courtyard entrance, carrying an exquisite gift box as he quickly walked toward the stone table.
"Lingfeng, we agreed on twelve o'clock."
"You're a full half hour late!"
Qian Renxue looked excitedly at the beautiful gift box in the young man's hand. Her heart was sweet and happy, yet out of habit, she still complained a few times.
"Xue'er, I'm very sorry. I shouldn't have been late for so long."
"I was preparing your cake, so it delayed me a little."
"Xue'er, happy birthday. This is the gift I prepared for you."
Jin Lingfeng spoke sincerely as he handed her the gift box.
This was a cake he had made based on memories from his previous life. It had taken him an entire night.
Although he was exhausted, it was worth it as long as it was for the girl he liked, Qian Renxue.
Qian Renxue met the young man's gentle gaze. Her cheeks were crimson with shyness as she softly said, "Thank you," then reached out and accepted the gift box.
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