Teasing Lu Xueqi

Lu Xueqi sprang to her feet and turned to run.

Unfortunately, she didn't get far.

A hand reached around from behind, slipped around her waist, and gently pulled her back.

She fell into a warm embrace.

"Stealing a kiss isn't right."

Lu Jiuyuan's voice sounded beside her ear, amused. His breath brushed her earlobe, making it itch.

"You should do it openly instead."

Lu Xueqi struggled, but couldn't break free.

His arm was like an iron band, holding her firmly against him.

"I... I didn't..."

"You didn't?" Lu Jiuyuan raised an eyebrow. "Then what I felt just now—was that a mosquito?"

"It was..." Lu Xueqi stammered.

"Are the mosquitoes on Xiaozhu Peak that fierce? They can kiss people too?" Lu Jiuyuan teased.

Lu Xueqi was at a loss for words. She lowered her head, her ears red as if they might drip blood, and curled up in his arms like a boiled shrimp.

Lu Jiuyuan looked down at her and couldn't help laughing.

"Xueqi."

"Don't say anything."

"Look up and let me see."

"No."

"Then I'll look down."

As he spoke, he really did lower his head, moving close to her and staring at her from only inches away.

Lu Xueqi was forced to meet his gaze.

His face was right in front of hers, his eyes smiling. He looked smug, mischievous, and unmistakably tender.

She bit her rosy lips and murmured, "You're such a bad man."

"Hm?" Lu Jiuyuan leaned closer. "What did you say?"

"I said you're a bad man."

"Oh." Lu Jiuyuan smiled and nodded. "Then this bad man would like to ask his wife a question."

"What question?" Lu Xueqi's bright eyes fluttered, and her soft hands nervously clutched the hem of her clothes.

"What did it feel like to steal a kiss from me just now?" Lu Jiuyuan gazed at her intently.

Lu Xueqi's delicate face turned scarlet in an instant.

How could he be so shameless?!

She turned her face away and refused to answer.

But Lu Jiuyuan wouldn't let it go. He moved his face after hers, chasing her gaze.

"Come on, tell me."

"I won't."

"Just one sentence."

"No."

"Then should I guess?" Lu Jiuyuan asked with a grin. "Did you think your husband was so handsome that you couldn't resist giving him a kiss?"

At that, Lu Xueqi blushed even harder.

Finally, she reached out and covered his mouth. "Husband, no more!"

Lu Jiuyuan let her cover his mouth, his eyes curving into crescents.

Lu Xueqi looked at him smiling beneath her hand and suddenly couldn't help smiling too.

She lowered her hand and said softly, "My husband is pretty handsome."

Lu Jiuyuan's lips curved into a smile. "What? Say that again?"

"If you didn't hear me, forget it." Lu Xueqi gave a little huff and ignored him.

"I heard you, I heard you!" He pulled her closer. "My wife said I was handsome. I heard it!"

Lu Xueqi buried her face against his chest and mumbled, "What are you so pleased about?"

"Of course I'm pleased." Lu Jiuyuan lowered his head and kissed the top of her hair. "My wife praised me. Why shouldn't I be pleased?"

Lu Xueqi said nothing, only hugging him tighter.

The morning light grew brighter, filling the whole room.

They held each other without saying a word.

After a long while, Lu Xueqi suddenly spoke. "Husband."

"Hmm?" Lu Jiuyuan raised an eyebrow and looked at her.

"How come you... got up so late today?"

Lu Jiuyuan was usually up by this time, so his unusual lie-in left Lu Xueqi puzzled.

Lu Jiuyuan paused.

Last night came back to him.

The back mountain, Shuiyue, that outer robe, and those words: "Stay and keep me company."

And that night when she had clutched his sleeve and refused to let go.

He pulled himself from his thoughts and replied calmly, "I didn't sleep well last night."

"What's wrong?" Lu Xueqi asked with concern, worry in her eyes.

"I was thinking about things," Lu Jiuyuan said flatly.

Lu Xueqi looked up at him, her gaze clear and bright, as though she could see right into his heart.

Lu Jiuyuan smiled and tapped the tip of her nose. "I was wondering when my Xueqi would come steal another kiss."

Lu Xueqi blushed again and lightly thumped his chest. "You're so unserious."

"I don't want to be serious when I'm with you." Lu Jiuyuan chuckled, his arm tightening slightly around her slender waist.

They fooled around for a while longer before finally getting up.

As Lu Jiuyuan straightened his robe, Lu Xueqi stood beside him and suddenly asked,

"Husband, last night... were you really just thinking about things?"

Lu Jiuyuan paused for a moment.

He turned to look at her.

In the morning light, concern filled her eyes, along with a trace of worry she could barely hide.

He walked over and kissed her forehead.

"I was, Xueqi." Lu Jiuyuan gently stroked her face. "Don't worry. I won't lie to you."

Lu Xueqi studied him for a moment, then nodded and softly murmured, "Mm."

Then the two of them walked out of the room hand in hand.

Their fingers interlaced as they followed the mountain path toward Jingzhu Pavilion.

The sunlight fell on them, warm and bright.

Lu Xueqi glanced at the person beside her, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly.

[ Ding! Group message. ]

[New member Yan Lingji has joined the group!]

[Yan Lingji: Hello, everyone!]

[Yun Yun: Welcome, welcome!]

[Feng Qing'er: It's so early. What are you all making such a racket for?]

[Yun Yun: Didn't you say you were going to sleep last night? Why are you still here?]

[Feng Qing'er: Can't this young lady wake up whenever she wants?!]

[Medusa: ...]

[Yun Yun: The group leader seems to be gone again?]

[Bibi Dong: Is he keeping another beauty company?]

Lu Jiuyuan glanced at the messages in his mind and casually sent a reply.

[Lu Jiuyuan: I am.]

[Bibi Dong: !!!]

[Feng Qing'er: ???]

[Yan Lingji: What beauty?!]

[Yun Yun: ...]

[Medusa: ...]

After Yan Lingji learned that the group leader was a man, she sent a message straight away.

[Yan Lingji: Group leader, you know you're going to make people hate you acting like this, right?]

Lu Jiuyuan glanced at Lu Xueqi beside him, then at the women blowing up the group chat, and smiled faintly.

[Lu Jiuyuan: Mm, I know.]

[Lu Jiuyuan: But I don't care.]

After sending the message, Lu Jiuyuan logged off. He could imagine the women in the group grinding their teeth in frustration.

Sunlight streamed in through the window and fell across the bed.

Shuiyue slowly opened her eyes.

Above her was the familiar ceiling, the familiar bed curtains, the familiar room. She stared blankly for a moment, then memories of the previous night came flooding back.

The back mountain, the moonlight, and her disciple Lu Jiuyuan, who had sat with her until late into the night.

And the outer robe he had draped over her.

Shuiyue lowered her gaze slightly and saw what she was holding.

The robe was made of grayish-blue cloth and still carried a faint scent of soap.

She held it tightly against her chest, as though it were something precious.

Her face flushed in an instant.