After finishing his bath, Su Qing returned to his room feeling refreshed.
After such a relaxing break, all the running around and exhaustion he had endured recently seemed worth it.
Just as he was thinking about this, someone gently pushed open the door.
"Young Master, you finally came out. I've been waiting for you for ages!"
The pleasant voice carried a hint of grievance, making one's heart flutter.
"Lian Yin, is something wrong?"
Su Qing took a sip of tea and spoke casually.
He wasn't playing hard to get. He was thinking about serious matters.
The most important thing to do next was to use this free time to improve his constitution.
But if he wanted to accomplish that, he had to work on that Goddess.
Judging from the current situation, it seemed he still didn't have the conditions to win her over.
"Young Master, what have you been busy with lately? It seems like you've had a lot on your plate."
Lian Yin walked in and stood directly beside him.
Her voice carried a hint of coquettishness, and even the position she chose was quite deliberate.
Beneath her pale-green dress, a section of her fair, delicate calf was exposed.
At this distance, he could clearly see the scene before him.
The double attack of coquettishness and a bare calf was absolutely enough to bring him down!
Lian Yin was very confident about this.
This sort of thing had happened more than once before, and she had never failed!
If they were talking about understanding him, she knew him like the back of her hand.
Today was the day she would reclaim the initiative. Some newcomer could forget about replacing her!
"Mm, there have indeed been quite a few things."
Su Qing answered somewhat absentmindedly.
If it had been the old him, seeing this scene would certainly have drawn his attention.
But now... it was nothing special.
Hearing his clear and obvious perfunctory reply, Lian Yin was completely stunned.
Didn't you used to sneak glances before? Why aren't you even looking now?!
It's only because a newcomer arrived. Have I really lost that much of my charm?
"What is it? Is there a problem?"
Su Qing asked when he saw the Pretty Maid staring at him in shock.
His state of mind was perfectly calm. He wasn't pretending.
After all, he was currently in sage mode, so he could speak with complete confidence.
"...Yes. There's something very important. It concerns Young Master's safety!"
"Someone once tried to make me betray Young Master, but I firmly refused!"
"Not only that, I've secretly investigated during this time and already found where she's staying."
Lian Yin felt helpless and suddenly threw out a bombshell.
There was no other way. Her standing in his heart had already begun to plummet.
She could only rely on that collaborator to raise her credibility and status a little.
Besides, it wouldn't be a big deal if he found out. She could just move somewhere else, right?
"Hmm? Lian Yin, you mean you found where that mastermind is hiding?"
Su Qing immediately perked up and hurriedly asked.
He had already been considering this matter, but he lacked some of the conditions needed to capture her.
Now, however, the information seemed to have delivered itself to his door.
As long as he knew where she was, he could begin the capture operation!
"Of course. It took me a great deal of effort to investigate."
"If I hadn't been worried about Young Master, I would have told you about it long ago."
Lian Yin spoke in a serious tone.
In just a few words, she had found an excuse for her delay.
"Lian Yin, you're truly amazing. I can't imagine what I'd do without you!"
Su Qing's face was filled with emotion.
He seemed unable to control himself. Reaching out, he pulled her into his arms.
Feeling the young man's warmth, Lian Yin's heartbeat rapidly quickened.
As expected, handling him was still incredibly easy!
I can't let my guard down now. Watch me work!
"Hmph, what are you saying, Young Master? Even without Lian Yin, you still have Lian Yue and Lian Hua."
"Whether I'm here or not, it's all about the same lately."
The Pretty Maid gave a light hmph and turned her face away as though throwing a tantrum.
"Lian Yin, you're one of a kind. No one can replace you."
Su Qing's voice was filled with deep affection.
As he spoke, he slowly moved closer to the maid's pretty face.
Lian Yin watched the affection flickering in the beautiful young man's eyes and worked hard to calm herself.
He wants to kiss me again?
But I've already experienced it once. It won't work on me anymore!
The Pretty Maid felt a trace of disdain in her heart, but she didn't show it.
She placed a hand against his chest to push him away, though she didn't use much force.
That was right. This was the legendary flirting technique—welcoming while refusing!
Just a slight movement could give him the pleasant feeling of being in control of everything.
The distance between them grew smaller and smaller. Lian Yin had already decided what to say after he kissed her.
The two soon pressed against each other.
One second, two seconds...
Shock appeared in Lian Yin's eyes.
Why has it lasted so long? Did something go wrong?
And you... what are you doing? Why are you still going?!
As he met the Little Fox's widening eyes, a cry of utter defeat quietly rang out. When all was said and done, Lian Yin's eyes were already shrouded in mist.
Ten minutes passed.
Only then did Su Qing release the limp Pretty Maid with some satisfaction.
Had she really thought a kiss was merely lips touching lips?
Clearly, in the face of the passionate French-style version, the Little Fox, who had just been harboring ulterior motives, had now been utterly defeated.
Everything she had wanted to say had been tossed into the farthest reaches of the sky, and her whole body felt dizzy.
This had truly been completely unexpected!
She had even forgotten her original objective, her blank mind suffering from a severe lack of oxygen.
She was plunged into deep doubt about life, pitiful and miserable.
She had lost terribly.
Was I really this useless?!
Her green-tea heart had rarely suffered such a devastating blow.
Lian Yin didn't know what he had said, nor did she know how she had returned to her room.
Only after sitting down and taking several sips of cooled tea did she finally regain some composure.
Why does it feel like... after this exchange, I ended up sacrificing even more?
But it had already happened. There seemed to be no point in dwelling on it.
Perhaps I should look on the bright side... For example, his enthusiasm proves that he has me in his heart.
Mm, knowing that, it can't be said that I gained nothing.
As for his ignoring her not long ago, it had probably only been an attempt to lure her in by pretending to reject her.
The Pretty Maid gently touched her swollen, reddened lips, her gaze somewhat dazed.
At this moment, her interest in him had grown stronger and stronger.
If it had been the old him... he probably wouldn't have done something like that to her either.
The dormant threads of affection in her heart had trembled faintly just now.
Could he be the person I need?
Am I thinking too far ahead? He's still at the center of the storm...
Lian Yin rested her chin on her hand, her eyes carrying a complicated emotion she couldn't quite put into words.
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