"Gentleman" Qin Yuan

"You are severely injured and must have it bandaged immediately, otherwise it will leave a scar. As it happens, I have medicine."

On the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest, inside a cave, Qin Yuan looked at the pale-faced Zhu Zhuqing with a serious and sincere expression.

Upon hearing that it would leave a scar, Zhu Zhuqing panicked slightly; what girl does not cherish her beauty?

However, her injury was in a sensitive area for a girl, and she hesitated; she had never let any man see her body before.

Qin Yuan saw through Zhu Zhuqing's concerns at a glance. He took the medicine from his storage Soul Tool, placed it in her hands, and smiled.

"Miss Zhuqing, it is better if you apply the medicine yourself. I will step outside first. Just call me once you are finished; I will be right there."

With that, he stood up and left, walking out of the cave without the slightest hesitation or lingering attachment.

Zhu Zhuqing cast a grateful look at Qin Yuan. Once the youth had left, she moved her arm, intending to undress and apply the medicine, but the moment she moved, it pulled at her wound, causing her to groan in intense pain.

She looked at the medicine in her hand, unable to move, her face filled with distress.

Outside the cave, a smile played on Qin Yuan's lips. He leisurely tore a long strip of cloth from his clothing and tied it over his eyes, as if preparing for something.

"Brother Ling Tian, could... could you help me apply the medicine?"

A moment later, as expected, Zhu Zhuqing's shy and troubled trembling voice drifted from inside the cave.

"That wouldn't be appropriate, would it? After all, men and women should keep their distance," Qin Yuan said, putting on the air of a gentleman and acting troubled.

"Zhuqing... does not mind," came Zhu Zhuqing's shy voice from inside, her words contradicting her heart.

Hearing this, the corners of Qin Yuan's mouth curled up, revealing a look of triumph.

He had Zhu Zhuqing in the palm of his hand; even Dai Mubai could not stop him.

When it came to things or people he liked, Qin Yuan never chose to wait; he preferred to take the initiative.

Of course, when their relationship had not yet reached that point, he would naturally not do anything out of line. At most, he would create a romantic atmosphere for the two to be alone, making it easier to cultivate their feelings.

Blindfolding himself was exactly for that purpose.

Zhu Zhuqing, a faint blush appearing on both sides of her pale face, felt the shyness in her beautiful eyes intensify as she heard the footsteps drawing closer.

Yet, deep down, she did not feel the rejection she had imagined; instead, there was a hint of anticipation, which left her feeling somewhat bewildered.

What is happening? Why do I feel so... close to a youth I have known for less than half an hour?

Zhu Zhuqing did not know that growing up in the cutthroat environment of the Star Luo Empire had forged her sensitive and tense personality.

Coupled with the fact that her fiancé, whom she viewed as her support, had fled, even though she had forced her heart to become strong, she still craved a powerful reliance.

And just when she was in her most difficult moment, Qin Yuan had appeared, sweeping away all danger with thunderous methods.

This feeling of being protected by a strong individual made her heart feel an unusual attachment and infatuation.

It was just that, being accustomed to being strong on her own, she had not yet realized it.

Moreover, the person who gave her this sense of security was a man of similar age to her, so she naturally and uncontrollably developed a fondness for Qin Yuan, longing to be close to him.

Qin Yuan entered, but the eyes behind his Golden Dragon Mask were covered by a black cloth, making it impossible to see any specific details.

Seeing this, Zhu Zhuqing's shy face froze for a moment.

Following that, her beautiful features became exceptionally soft, and her full lips curled slightly, showing that she was very happy inside.

With his eyes covered, Qin Yuan could only roughly sense Zhu Zhuqing's position and could not see the specific area clearly, so he had to let her guide him with her voice to avoid touching the wrong spot.

After a few accidental touches, the medicine was finally applied, and Zhu Zhuqing's beautiful face had turned bright red.

After helping Zhu Zhuqing put her clothes back on, Qin Yuan removed the blindfold and saw her beautiful, snow-white face flushed with a rosy hue—it was a blush of shyness.

He withdrew his gaze and said solemnly, "Zhuqing, since the medicine has just been applied, you must not move during this period, otherwise you might tear the wound, making it even more likely to leave a scar. Therefore, for the next period of time, until your injury heals, we will have to live here together."

Zhu Zhuqing was silent for a moment, then said somewhat embarrassedly, "Would that be too much trouble for Brother Ling Tian? I am taking up so much of your time."

"It is no trouble at all; I have nothing to do anyway," Qin Yuan said with a light laugh.

Zhu Zhuqing lowered her head, her face slightly flushed.

For the next half month, Qin Yuan and Zhu Zhuqing lived together in the cave.

Every day, Qin Yuan would change the dressing for Zhu Zhuqing, and she went from being shy and troubled at the start to only feeling a little bashful.

The relationship between the two shifted from awkward to exceptionally familiar, like friends who had known each other for years.

Only, the look in the young girl's eyes when she gazed at the youth held hidden threads of affection.

Half a month of meticulous care had caused the girl's feelings for the youth to deepen.

But good times always pass quickly. Half a month later, Zhu Zhuqing's injuries had mostly healed, and she could walk freely.

Early that morning, two figures, a man and a woman, appeared outside the Star Dou Great Forest. Under the faint light of dawn, their shadows were stretched long and thin.

They walked together until they reached a fork in the road, where they finally stopped.

"Zhuqing, let us part ways here." After a moment of silence, Qin Yuan pointed to the road on the left and said, "This is the way to Shrek Academy."

Zhu Zhuqing bit her jade lips. "Brother Ling Tian, why don't you come with me to Shrek Academy?"

"No, I have other choices." Qin Yuan shook his head in refusal, then patted Zhu Zhuqing on the head before stepping toward a different path.

Suddenly, Zhu Zhuqing lunged at Qin Yuan, her jade-like arms wrapping tightly around his waist, her lush, exquisite body and delicate face pressed against the youth's back.

White clouds drifted across the sky, obscuring the sun and casting a shadow over the two of them.

The two remained silent for a long time, until Zhu Zhuqing seemed to summon all her courage and said:

"Big Brother Ling Tian, I like you. Do you like me?"

"I..." Qin Yuan was stunned for a moment and was about to answer that he liked her too, but Zhu Zhuqing hurriedly interrupted him, terrified of hearing an answer that would leave her heartbroken.

"Don't say it now!" Zhu Zhuqing clung to Qin Yuan's body, reluctant to let go, and said:

"I will go to Heaven Dou City to find you. When we meet again, you can tell me the answer then."

After saying this, Zhu Zhuqing immediately activated her Martial Soul Possession and darted down the path leading to Shrek Academy, vanishing in a flash.

Watching the beautiful figure fleeing as if escaping, Qin Yuan smiled helplessly.

Although he could teleport and catch up to Zhu Zhuqing at any moment, there was no need.

Since Zhu Zhuqing wanted to wait until their next meeting to hear the answer, then so be it; it could be considered a little romantic game between the two of them.

Qin Yuan placed his hands behind his head and walked onto the other path with a smirk, heading back toward Heaven Dou City, while finally removing the Golden Dragon Mask from his face to reveal his peerlessly handsome features.

Not long after he started walking, a figure darted out from the shadows by the side of the road; it was none other than Li Fu.

"Young Master," Li Fu said respectfully. He had been hiding in the dark the entire time and had not revealed himself.

Glancing at Li Fu, Qin Yuan looked up at the sun as it emerged, the sunlight bright and brilliant.

Qin Yuan gave a hum of acknowledgment and smiled:

"The trip was a success. Let's go home!"