Ye Lingling: Sorry, I Came at the Wrong Time.

"Mm..."

The sudden kiss landed hard on Yu Tianjiao's lips, all youthful inexperience and petulant boldness.

For a moment, time seemed to stand still. In the dim room, only their suddenly quickened breaths could be heard.

Yu Tianjiao's pupils widened slightly. He clearly hadn't expected Dugu Yan to fight back this way.

He could feel the softness of her lips, along with the cool, slippery sensation and astonishing strength of the snake tail wrapped around his waist.

Apparently, Dugu Yan had forgotten to turn off her Martial Soul Possession.

But that made it even more thrilling!

The girl's warm breath brushed his cheek, carrying a faint, sweet fragrance.

However, this bold counterattack lasted less than two seconds.

Dugu Yan finally realized what she had done. Her emerald eyes were instantly filled with overwhelming embarrassment and panic.

She abruptly released her arms from around Yu Tianjiao's neck, and the snake tail coiled around his waist slid away as if it had been shocked.

She stumbled when her feet touched the floor, then practically used both hands and tail to wriggle out of Yu Tianjiao's embrace. Her cheeks were so red they looked ready to drip blood.

"E-enough, right? That was my first kiss..."

She cried out incoherently, her voice trembling even as she tried to sound fierce. But she didn't dare meet Yu Tianjiao's eyes again. She could only lower her head and straighten her torn emerald clothes, as if that could hide her heart pounding against her chest and her burning face.

Yu Tianjiao looked at Dugu Yan, who had gone in an instant from an attacking Little Demoness to a panicked little quail. Feeling the lingering warmth on his lips and the faint, distinctive scent that belonged to her, he slowly widened his smile until it became meaningful.

Instead of letting go, he tightened his arms and drew the delicate figure trying to escape closer to his chest.

He lowered his head slightly, deliberately letting his hot breath brush her flushed ear. His low voice sounded like a devil's temptation as it slowly whispered beside her ear:

"Yanzi, this way of making amends..." He deliberately drew out the words. The girl in his arms stiffened noticeably. "It's certainly unusual. One tea set for one kiss? Mm, looks like I got the better end of that deal?"

"You! Yu Tianjiao! You jerk! You got what you wanted and still have the nerve to gloat! Let go of me!"

Dugu Yan was furious and embarrassed, and struggled even harder. Her snake tail slapped restlessly against the floor with faint thuds.

At last, she raised her head and glared at him. But the watery gleam in her eyes and her crimson cheeks robbed the glare of all its force, making her look more coy than threatening.

Yu Tianjiao glanced at the panel and saw that the mission to punish Xiao Yi Xian had somehow been half completed. He considered it for a moment.

Either he hadn't gone far enough, or...

Whatever. He'd turn things up a notch first.

At the thought, he smiled again, lowering his head to admire Dugu Yan's shy, charming expression. He felt he'd discovered a new side of her today.

"Let you go? How could I?" He moved closer, his nose almost touching her forehead. "You broke the tea set, and you offered a kiss to make up for it. Now... it's my turn to punish you."

"W-what punishment? What else do you want?"

Dugu Yan's heart raced even faster. A strange mix of nervousness and inexplicable anticipation spread through her, nearly making her forget to struggle. She could only watch his handsome face, so close to hers, with wary confusion.

Yu Tianjiao gently rubbed his thumb over the spot on Dugu Yan's forehead where he had flicked her earlier. His gaze lingered for a moment on her rosy lips, and a dangerous, suggestive smile curled his mouth.

"That apology kiss was too rushed. You knocked my teeth together and made them hurt. As punishment..." He paused deliberately. Dugu Yan's breathing grew a little quicker before he continued, "I'm going to teach you properly how to kiss."

Before Dugu Yan could react, his other hand gently pressed against the back of her head, and he lowered his face to kiss those moist red lips again.

"Mm..."

Dugu Yan's mind exploded into a blank.

The sudden kiss shattered all her resistance and embarrassment.

All she could do was instinctively clutch the front of his shirt, then sink again and again into the affection woven between their lips and teeth.

Who knew how long it took before they finally parted. Dugu Yan's Martial Soul Possession had worn off because she couldn't concentrate, and her legs dangled limply.

Her whole face had flushed. She gazed at the handsome, tall young man before her, breathing hard, her dewy eyes burning with a fire that seemed ready to consume them both.

"Tianjiao~"

Her voice carried a hint of seduction, as captivating as a fox's bewitching call.

Yu Tianjiao was worked up too. His chest rose and fell more heavily, and his gaze held unconcealed hunger.

Just as they were about to take the next step, a sudden knock brought them back to their senses.

Knock, knock, knock!

Outside, Ye Lingling knocked on Yu Tianjiao's door.

The two inside paled and quickly pulled apart, then hurried to straighten their clothes.

Only after Yu Tianjiao saw that Dugu Yan was ready did he open the door. There stood a graceful girl in a black dress.

"Lingling?"

At the sound of her name, Dugu Yan immediately felt guilty. On an ordinary day, she wouldn't have been afraid of Ye Lingling, but she had nearly succeeded in sneaking a taste behind her good friend's back. She didn't have much confidence now.

"Tianjiao, is Yanzi already inside? Did I come too early?"

It was late outside, and the hallway was dim. Seeing the awkward look on Yu Tianjiao's face, Ye Lingling assumed she had interrupted his private time with Dugu Yan. She spoke apologetically.

Yu Tianjiao certainly couldn't give her a disappointing answer, so he quickly opened the door wider and invited Ye Lingling inside.

Only under the bright lights did Ye Lingling notice the vivid red lipstick smeared across Yu Tianjiao's lips. Then she looked at Dugu Yan: her lipstick was smudged, and the corner of her clothes had been torn...

"I'm sorry. Maybe I came at the wrong time."

She pictured them burning with passion, about to throw themselves into each other's arms, and her heart suddenly ached. She turned to leave.

How could Yu Tianjiao possibly let her go? He immediately pulled her into his arms.

"No, you came at just the right time!"

As he spoke, he drew Dugu Yan into his embrace too, not wanting to show favoritism.

Hearing him, Dugu Yan rolled her eyes at Yu Tianjiao where Ye Lingling couldn't see.

Yu Tianjiao only pursed his lips a little, warning her to behave herself.

Seeing how Yu Tianjiao seemed ready to get up to mischief at the drop of a hat, Dugu Yan felt a little shaken. She couldn't help recalling how he had kissed her so deeply that she couldn't breathe, her heart pounding like a drum, her whole body going weak. She couldn't help pressing her thighs together.

"Lingling, you two talk. I'm a little tired and want to go back and rest."

Feeling the dampness beneath her, Dugu Yan bit her lower lip and forced herself out of Yu Tianjiao's arms. After greeting Ye Lingling, she hurried away.