Endearingly Straightforward

"I'm sorry, I went a bit too far—"

Gwen apologized first, then, meeting You Lan Dai Er's somewhat bewildered and helpless gaze, he said firmly—

"But--

Bianca, I love you, and I want to be with you forever.

"!"

You Lan Dai Er's eyes widened instantly, as if she couldn't believe what she had heard, but her keen hearing allowed her to clearly hear Gwen's words, though she was momentarily unable to accept it.

A moment later, meeting Gwen's gaze, You Lan Dai Er hesitated for a moment before pointing to herself—

"Gwen, are you saying you like... me?"

"Um."

Gwen nodded.

"Yes, you heard me right, I like you, Bianca You Lan Dai Er Atagina."

Gwen repeated.

"But... I... you..."

You Lan Dai Er had never imagined such a thing before—or rather, had never considered it since realizing how terrible she was as a girl—was somewhat unable to process this information.

With her mind in complete chaos You Lan Dai Er blurted out incoherently—

"But Gwen, it seems you're already with Mei or Elysia, aren't you?"

The moment the words left his mouth, You Lan Dai Er regretted them—

Why are we talking about this now?

Isn't that the same as a rejection?

Although she vaguely sensed that Gwen seemed to be too close to some people around him, and might even be in a relationship, You Lan Dai Er did not have the option to refuse at that moment.

You Lan Dai Er knew she had feelings for Gwen, but she always thought they were for a friend, for a comrade she could entrust her life to.

But now, You Lan Dai Er alarmed to realize that what she thought was friendship seems to have changed—

You Lan Dai Er doesn't understand love, and she's not interested in the movies and TV shows that most girls her age would be interested in, but she reads classic literature and draws inspiration from it.

And according to her understanding, her current situation... seems to be... being in love?

You Lan Dai Er felt her head was a complete mess, a jumbled mess she couldn't untangle...

"But I also like Bianca— "

Gwen could see the panic and confusion in You Lan Dai Er's eyes, but he didn't refuse, so he spoke without hesitation—

"I love You Lan Dai Er and want to spend every day of the future with you."

"I..."

Realizing she shouldn't say those things again, You Lan Dai Er pressed a hand to her chest, trying to calm her wildly beating heart, but she couldn't—

"But I'm not as gentle and considerate as Rita..."

I like your straightforwardness and innocence.

"And unlike Miss Elysia, she's not as quirky and mischievous..."

I like your straightforwardness and easygoing nature.

"I..."

You Lan Dai Er was sweating profusely, but he didn't know what to say next. His writing skills, honed through writing reports, were completely useless.

"Feel sorry..."

Gwen suddenly spoke with a grave expression, causing You Lan Dai Er to panic—

Why did he suddenly apologize?

Could it be... could it be that you were just kidding me?

But... who jokes like that?

However, what Gwen said next was not what she had feared—

"Bianca, I'm not a faithful person, but I'm also a greedy bastard."

I like you, and I like everyone. I want to move towards tomorrow together with everyone...

"I agree!"

Upon hearing that it wasn't a prank he had feared, You Lan Dai Er immediately breathed a sigh of relief and, without even listening to Gwen finish speaking, readily agreed.

She was now certain that Gwen was not mocking her, but speaking from the heart.

She also confirmed that she also harbored extraordinary affection for Gwen.

If that's the case, why not agree?

Chapter 766 Adorably Honest

"I...

You agreed?

Originally, when You Lan Dai Er asked those two questions, Gwen thought that his impulsive confession would be rejected outright by You Lan Dai Er.

After all, You Lan Dai Er isn't some loveless brat; she's a sunny, healthy, and positive girl.

Given her personality, the fact that she asked those two questions should already be considered a rejection.

So, she agreed?

Seeing Gwen's surprised and bewildered expression, You Lan Dai Er couldn't help but scratch her ponytail—

Is it strange that I agreed?

"No, of course not!"

Gwen shook his head decisively, making no attempt to hide his relief—

"After hearing those two questions, I thought I was going to be severely reprimanded by you from multiple angles and be labeled an untouchable element from then on..."

"How could this be..."

Upon hearing Gwen's words, You Lan Dai Er did not laugh, but instead showed a troubled expression—

"As expected, in your heart, I am the kind of rigid and unreasonable person..."

"No--

Absolutely not...

Seeing that You Lan Dai Er seemed about to fall into some kind of inferiority trap that wasn't hers, Gwen quickly grabbed her hand, causing the blonde girl to instinctively look up at him—

"Although Bianca, you are a bit too straightforward, in many ways, that is a kind of cuteness."

"Cute and stuff..."

Upon hearing this comment, You Lan Dai Er couldn't help but raise his hand and touch his face—

Although the word felt completely out of place with me, unsurprisingly, my face still felt hot...

"That's right, she's so straightforward and adorable..."

Seeing the unnatural blush creeping onto You Lan Dai Er's face, Gwen nodded even more forcefully, but his tone subtly lowered—

"Furthermore, my assumption that you would reject me wasn't because of you, but because of myself..."

"What's wrong with you?"

You Lan Dai Er blinked and hesitated.

"From a universal perspective, it is normal for me to be rejected."

After all—I'm a very fickle guy...

Gwen pointed to himself, his eyes meeting You Lan Dai Er's blue eyes—

"And you, Bianca, are a person with a strong sense of justice."

Faced with such an impolite request, it's perfectly reasonable for you to refuse...

"Um..."

Upon hearing Gwen mention this, You Lan Dai Er pondered for a moment before speaking—

"If someone else were in this situation, I might offer advice based on the circumstances."

But if it's you... I believe you wouldn't deceive or let me down.

Although they were discussing this topic, You Lan Dai Er's eyes remained exceptionally clear, as if she were in a meeting discussing serious matters—

"I have seen all the efforts you have made over the years—"

In order to seize the initiative from Bishop Otto, you made countless efforts, all to end his harmful plans and save everyone, including me and Rita, from harm.

Even in order to save the world from the shadow of Honkai, you are still striving to bear the Cocoon of the End.

I believe... someone like you is someone I can entrust my life to.

"...

Thank you for your trust, Bianca.

I love you"

As You Lan Dai Er's clear words and met those limpid eyes, a flood of emotions surged through Gwen, ultimately manifesting in his actions—

"Hmm..."

Although it was only her first time experiencing it, You Lan Dai Er still seemed somewhat at a loss. Her usually heroic and sharp eyes were filled with panic and a shyness that was rarely seen on her. She didn't know where to put her hands, and she had completely lost the calm and rationality that she had shown as a scholar just now.

However, as her body temperature rapidly rose, You Lan Dai Er's somewhat stiff movements gradually softened, and a pair of small hands, seemingly unsure of where to place them, slowly landed behind Gwen.

However, even after being guided to gradually become familiar with this intimate behavior, You Lan Dai Er still accidentally bit Gwen several times.

Am I stupid?

Once her lips were freed, her face flushed, and You Lan Dai Er, who had been completely different from her previous stern demeanor, asked hesitantly.

She was quite certain that she had just bitten Gwen at least three times.

If Gwen hadn't possessed exceptional physical abilities, You Lan Dai Er would likely be bleeding from the Gwen by now.

"That's true to some extent—"

Gwen raised his hand and gestured a universe between his fingers, but it was only between his fingers—

"Awkwardly cute."

"Don't try to comfort me with 'cute' stuff..."

Upon hearing that name again, You Lan Dai Er covered her face with her hands, not wanting to meet Gwen's gaze—

"Long before I met you, I already realized that I was a person who was neither gentle, nor understanding, nor cute, and completely unrelated to the image of a girl that people liked."

"So, Bianca, why do you label yourself with these tags?"

Or rather...

I mean, is it possible that, in the eyes of Rita, me, and everyone else, this version of you is actually quite adorable in a unique way?

Gently embracing that delicate body that was capable of wrestling with Emperor-class Honkai Beast, yet was exceptionally soft at this moment, Gwen whispered a smile in her ear.

"Um, is there?"

You Lan Dai Er lowered her hands slightly and blinked somewhat blankly.

"Have."

Gwen nodded affirmatively.

"Even so, compared to someone as gentle and understanding as Rita, I still seem... unfeminine, don't I?"

You Lan Dai Er lowered her hands from the girl's face, speaking in a muffled voice, her eyes fixed intently on Gwen—

"I'm not quick-witted, and I often make a mess of simple things in life. Life would be a mess without Rita..."

Are you really willing to live with me for decades?