First Kiss

Hm?

What was going on?

The sun still rose in the east and set in the west today. Nothing was wrong there, so what the hell was this?

A conspiracy! There had to be a conspiracy behind this!

This was Gu Yi's first reaction after hearing Ning Rongrong's words. What he was seeing could no longer be called science fiction—it was downright fantasy!

Ning Rongrong had actually apologized! If this wasn't a conspiracy, then what was?

Gu Yi unconsciously took two steps back, his expression still calm yet somewhat cold.

"You don't need to do this."

Putting aside whether this apology was sincere or not, even if it was, he had no right to accept it. The person she had truly wronged was the original owner of this body.

"No, Xiao Yi, this is something she should do. More precisely, she should have apologized to you over a month ago."

"Uncle Ning said he would give you an explanation. Though it is somewhat late, please accept it."

Ning Fengzhi spoke with a solemn, earnest expression.

Gu Yi frowned but did not answer. Inwardly, he summoned the system panel and glanced at Ning Rongrong's favorability.

Heh!

Sure enough, she was faking it. It had gone straight from -80% to -90%, nearly reaching its limit.

She must have done this because Ning Fengzhi had forced her to, right?

Since that was the case, he would give her a way out. It would also save Ning Fengzhi some face and bring this farce to an end.

"Uncle Ning, it isn't that I won't accept it. It simply isn't necessary. Everything that happened before was something I brought upon myself. I accept that."

"There was no right or wrong between her and me. I was merely acting out of spite, so she doesn't need to apologize to 'me.'"

"Alright, if Uncle Ning has nothing else, I'll be leaving first. Someone is still waiting for me at the academy."

Gu Yi remained calm and spoke respectfully, giving what he felt was an acceptable answer.

"So that's how it is. Fine, since you aren't angry with Rongrong, I hope the two of you can still get along well in the future."

"Rongrong is my only daughter, after all. Uncle Ning hopes you'll look after her a little more."

Although Gu Yi's answer had not met his expectations, Ning Fengzhi still accepted it with a smile and gently reminded him.

This was already the most he could do. The rest depended on Rongrong herself.

If it truly came down to it, he could only use his trump card.

"Don't worry, Sect Leader. Don't you know Yi'er? He'll do it."

Seeing the situation ease, Gu Rong immediately stepped in to smooth things over. As he spoke, he winked at Gu Yi.

Gu Yi nodded as well, but he did not say anything.

"Alright, since someone is waiting for you, go take care of your business first. I'll have a few words with Rongrong." Ning Fengzhi smiled.

Gu Yi did not hesitate. Soul Power surged around him, and in the blink of an eye, he vanished.

"Dad, what did you want to tell me?" Ning Rongrong glanced at Gu Rong beside them and asked curiously.

"It isn't much. I just want you to put more thought into it. Although Xiao Yi is already with someone else, they may not necessarily make it to the end."

"So you need to try harder, understand? It won't be easy to take back something you've once lost, so you must also learn to persevere."

"If you feel tired or think it's difficult, then think about the future you want most. That way, you'll have the motivation to keep going."

Ning Fengzhi did not avoid Gu Rong as he smilingly advised Ning Rongrong.

"I understand, Dad. I won't give up!" Ning Rongrong replied firmly.

"Mhm, Dad believes in you. Go on in. Remember to get along well with your classmates. That will make it easier for you to succeed." Ning Fengzhi added.

Ning Rongrong nodded vigorously, then turned and ran into the academy.

"Sect Leader, what are you talking about? Why can't I understand any of it?" Gu Rong was completely baffled now. As the middleman, he was utterly confused.

From what Gu Yi had said, he no longer liked Ning Rongrong. But from the conversation between Ning Rongrong and Ning Fengzhi, was Ning Rongrong going to pursue Gu Yi?

What was going on now? Was the story really taking such a turn?

"It's nothing. Rongrong has realized how good Gu Yi is and decided to win him back. Don't you think that's a good thing?"

Ning Fengzhi looked at Gu Rong with a faint smile and asked.

"Of course it's a good thing!"

"I wouldn't feel at ease handing Rongrong over to anyone else. I was worried about what would happen to her, but now it's perfect!"

Gu Rong laughed heartily, his delight plain to see.

"Mhm, but whether it works out will depend on Rongrong. Let's return to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

Academy plaza.

Gu Yi had already been gone for a while, yet the nervousness in Zhu Zhuqing's heart had not faded. It had even grown stronger.

"You haven't left yet? What are you thinking about?"

Suddenly, a familiar voice sounded beside Zhu Zhuqing's ear.

"Hm! When did you come back?"

Zhu Zhuqing was slightly startled. She looked at Gu Yi in surprise and asked curiously.

"Just now. What were you thinking about? You didn't even notice me, hm?"

Gu Yi asked with a smile, his handsome face moving closer and closer to Zhu Zhuqing's until it was nearly pressed against hers.

Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks visibly reddened. In the end, unable to bear it any longer, she turned her head away, her heart pounding wildly.

"You're awful! You came back without telling me and only know how to scare me." Zhu Zhuqing shyly complained.

That bad guy Gu Yi only knew how to pull these little tricks!

"Haha! You were the one spacing out, and now you're blaming me. You're the one accusing the innocent here~"

As he spoke, he wrapped an arm around Zhu Zhuqing's waist and lifted her chin with his right hand, grinning mischievously.

"Hmph!" Zhu Zhuqing huffed proudly, swatting away Gu Yi's right hand. Pretending not to care, she asked, "What did you and your grandfather talk about?"

"Hm~ Are you curious about what my grandfather thinks of you?" Gu Yi asked in return.

Seeing through her thoughts made Zhu Zhuqing even more embarrassed, but she still pretended not to care and continued, "Forget it if you don't want to tell me. It's not like I want to know."

Gu Yi did not expose her. The teasing look on his face faded as he softly said, "Actually, we didn't say much. We only talked about what happened yesterday."

"My grandfather still dotes on Ning Rongrong, so..."

Gu Yi did not need to finish. Zhu Zhuqing understood. Put simply, they had come to hold him accountable. Nothing else mattered.

"Then... are you okay?" Zhu Zhuqing asked worriedly.

"Of course. He's my actual grandfather. No matter what, he'll take my side. Besides, he has quite a good impression of you~"

As he spoke, that familiar mischievous grin returned to Gu Yi's face.

"Is... is that so? What did he say?"

Zhu Zhuqing blinked her beautiful eyes, her heart full of curiosity.

"Hm~ Give me a kiss, and I'll tell you. But go slowly. Don't be too fast, or I won't feel anything."

After saying that, Gu Yi closed his eyes with an expectant look.

The moment she heard that, Zhu Zhuqing's already crimson cheeks became completely flushed. Though nervous and conflicted, she ultimately lost to her curiosity.

She gently closed her eyes, pursed her soft pink lips, and slowly leaned toward Gu Yi.

The next moment, Gu Yi felt something soft touch his lips, accompanied by a unique fragrance.

Hm!

Gu Yi was so startled that he immediately opened his eyes, only to see an exquisitely beautiful face pressed against his.

Hadn't she always kissed his cheek before? Why this time—

Before Gu Yi could think further, that lovely face slowly pulled away.

Zhu Zhuqing took several deep breaths before opening her eyes again and looking at the somewhat stunned Gu Yi.

"Can you tell me now?"