Teasing Lu Xueqi

Lu Xueqi stood up abruptly and turned to run.

Unfortunately, she didn't make it.

A hand reached out from behind, wrapped around her waist, and gave a gentle tug.

Her entire body fell into a warm embrace.

"Stealing a kiss from me is wrong."

Lu Jiuyuan's voice sounded in her ear, laced with laughter, his breath brushing against her earlobe, making it itch.

"You should do it openly and honestly."

Lu Xueqi struggled, but couldn't move.

His arms were like iron bands, locking her firmly in his embrace.

"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 powerful? They can even kiss?" Lu Jiuyuan teased, his tone filled with playfulness.

Lu Xueqi was speechless for a moment. She lowered her head, her earlobes red enough to drip blood, and curled up in his arms like a boiled shrimp.

Lu Jiuyuan looked down at her and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Xueqi."

"Don't speak."

"Look up and let me see you."

"No."

"Then I'll look down."

As he spoke, he really did lower his head, leaning in close to her face to stare at her from inches away.

Lu Xueqi was forced to meet his gaze.

That face was right in front of her, his eyes smiling, carrying a hint of triumph, a touch of mischief, and a tenderness that couldn't be hidden.

She bit her rosy lips and muttered softly, "You are a bad person."

"Hmm?" Lu Jiuyuan leaned in closer. "What did you say?"

"I said you're a bad person."

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

"What question?" Lu Xueqi's bright, watery eyes fluttered, her soft little hands nervously clutching the corner of her robe.

"How did it feel to steal a kiss from me just now?" Lu Jiuyuan watched her with burning eyes.

Lu Xueqi's exquisite little face turned bright red in an instant.

This man... how could he be so thick-skinned?!

She turned her face away, refusing to answer.

Lu Jiuyuan, however, was relentless, moving his face to follow her gaze.

"Tell me."

"No."

"Just one sentence."

"No."

"Then shall I guess?" Lu Jiuyuan asked with a grin. "Is it because you thought your husband looked so handsome that you couldn't help but want to kiss him?"

Hearing this, Lu Xueqi's face turned even redder.

She finally couldn't help it and reached out to cover his mouth. "Husband, you aren't allowed to say that!"

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

Lu Xueqi covered his mouth, watching him smile with his eyes crinkled, and suddenly she couldn't help but laugh too.

She let go of her hand and said softly, "My husband is indeed quite handsome."

The corners of Lu Jiuyuan's mouth curled up, and he asked in a teasing tone, "What? Say it again?"

"If you didn't hear it, then forget it." Lu Xueqi huffed and ignored him.

"I heard it, I heard it!" He pulled her closer into his arms. "My wife praised me for being handsome, I heard it!"

Lu Xueqi buried her face in his chest and said muffledly, "What are you so proud of?"

"Of course I'm proud." Lu Jiuyuan lowered his head and planted a kiss on the top of her hair. "My wife praised me, why shouldn't I be proud?"

Lu Xueqi didn't speak, only held him a little tighter.

The morning light grew brighter, spilling across the entire room.

The two of them just held each other like that, neither saying a word.

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

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

"Why did you... wake up so late today?"

Usually, Lu Jiuyuan would have been up long before this, but today was so unusual that it left Lu Xueqi feeling puzzled.

Lu Jiuyuan's movements paused.

The events of last night surfaced in his mind.

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

And that night where she gripped his sleeve, refusing to let go.

He pulled back his thoughts and replied in a calm tone: "I didn't sleep well last night."

"What happened?" Lu Xueqi's expression turned to one of worry as she asked with concern.

"Thinking about things," Lu Jiuyuan said indifferently.

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

Lu Jiuyuan chuckled and reached out to tap the tip of her nose: "Thinking about when my Xueqi would come to sneak a kiss from me."

Lu Xueqi's face flushed red again. She gave his chest a light punch and chided: "You really have no sense of propriety."

"In front of you, I don't want to be proper," Lu Jiuyuan laughed softly, his hand tightening slightly around her slender waist.

The two of them messed around for a while longer before finally getting out of bed.

As Lu Jiuyuan straightened his robes, Lu Xueqi stood to the side and suddenly asked:

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

Lu Jiuyuan's movements paused slightly.

He turned around to look at her.

In the morning light, her eyes were filled with concern and a trace of imperceptible worry.

He walked over and planted a kiss on her forehead.

"Really, Xueqi." Lu Jiuyuan reached out to gently stroke her face. "Rest assured, I wouldn't lie to you."

Lu Xueqi watched him for a moment, nodded, and gave a soft "mm."

Afterward, the two walked out of the room hand in hand.

With their fingers interlaced, they walked along the mountain path toward Jingzhu Pavilion.

The sunlight spilled onto them, feeling warm and cozy.

Lu Xueqi tilted her head to look at the person beside her, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly.

[Ding! Group message.]

[New member Yan Lingji has joined the group chat!]

[Yan Lingji: Hello everyone!]

[Yun Yun: Welcome, welcome!]

[Feng Qing'er: It's early in the morning, what's all the noise about!]

[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 if she wants to!]

[Medusa: ...]

[Yun Yun: It seems the Group Master isn't here again?]

[Bibi Dong: Could he be 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: ...]

When Yan Lingji realized the Group Master was a man, she immediately sent a message.

[Yan Lingji: Group Master, do you know that you're going to make people hate you like this?]

Lu Jiuyuan looked at Lu Xueqi beside him, then at the women in the group chat who were in an uproar, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

[Lu Jiuyuan: Mm, I know.]

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

After sending this message, Lu Jiuyuan logged off immediately; he could easily imagine the women in the group gritting their teeth in frustration.

Sunlight streamed in through the window, falling across the bed.

Shuiyue slowly opened her eyes.

What met her gaze was the familiar ceiling, the familiar bed curtains, and the familiar room. She was stunned for a moment as the memories of last night came flooding back like a tide.

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

And that outer robe draped over her shoulders.

Shuiyue lowered her head slightly and saw the object in her arms.

That outer robe, made of blue-gray fabric, still carried a faint scent of soap nuts.

She was clutching it tightly to her chest, as if holding onto something precious.

Her face flushed bright red.