Deeply Sinful

It was easy to imagine how much stronger Xu Qing would become if he trained.

If it had been anyone else, knowing Xu Qing had such incredible talent, they would have forced him to train, even if he had no interest in it.

But Xu Xin doted on her younger brother, Xu Qing, and never forced him to do anything.

"Sister Xin, do you know how strong Luo Feng is now? He should be a War General Level warrior by now, right?" Xu Qing asked curiously.

Xu Xin shook her head. "I don't ask about those things."

Whenever Luo Feng came to see her at the Alliance Mall, they only chatted casually. They never went out of their way to talk about anything related to warriors.

"Hehe, Sister Xin, you're already slipping into the role of a devoted wife so soon," Xu Qing teased with a mischievous grin.

Xu Xin glared at him. "Are you asking for a spanking? And you're teasing me when you and Teacher Qin are already a couple. Which one of you is the devoted wife?"

"Obviously she is. How could it be me? You're doing that on purpose, aren't you, Sister Xin?" Xu Qing pouted.

"Let's see if you still dare tease me next time." Xu Xin rolled her eyes at him. Silly little brother. Did he really think she couldn't keep him in line?

"Sister Xin, about you and Luo Feng..." Xu Qing trailed off.

Xu Xin fell silent, then smiled faintly. "It's not time yet."

"Don't worry, Sister Xin. He'll definitely be able to stand before you openly one day," Xu Qing said with his usual confidence.

Perhaps that was the kind of understanding only one genius could share with another.

"Mm." Xu Xin smiled gently. She thought so too.

In the blink of an eye, January came to an end, and New Year's Eve arrived.

The Xu Family Manor was bustling with activity. Nearly all the Xu family's direct descendants had gathered, including Xu Xin's aunts, uncles, and maternal relatives, along with their children.

After dinner, Xu Qing didn't stay in the living room with Xu Xin to chat with the elders. Instead, he went outside to look at the stars.

Once the Spring Festival was over, he'd be able to go visit Qin Lin.

These past few days, he and Qin Lin had kept in touch on their phones. Every time, she told him she missed him, which made Xu Qing very happy.

"Ah, having a clingy girlfriend is the best." Xu Qing sat on the steps, resting his chin in his hands, his eyes curving into crescents.

"Hello, I'm Zhou Hao," said a handsome young man as he walked over.

Xu Qing looked at him. "Hi, I'm Xu Qing."

He remembered that this young man was the son of one of Xu Xin's aunts. His aunt had married into the Zhou family, which, like the Xu family, was one of the Alliance's Huaxia Consortiums.

This Zhou Hao seemed to be visiting the Xu Family Manor for the first time. Xu Qing hadn't seen him during previous Spring Festivals.

"Are you out here looking at the stars by yourself?" Zhou Hao asked, looking at Xu Qing with a gentle smile.

"Yeah. What about you? Are you here to look at the stars too?" Xu Qing nodded.

Zhou Hao walked over and sat down beside Xu Qing. "Mm. I came out for some fresh air."

As he spoke, he sneaked a glance at Xu Qing. His perfect profile made Zhou Hao's heart race.

Xu Qing had an adorable face, even a sweet one, with big, bright eyes. Anyone seeing him for the first time would mistake him for a girl.

Zhou Hao was no exception. As it happened, he liked cute girls, so he'd come over to strike up a conversation.

"Oh," Xu Qing replied, and said nothing more.

When Xu Qing stopped talking, Zhou Hao began to wonder what he could say to get a conversation going.

Ding!

Suddenly, Xu Qing's phone chimed. He turned it on and took a look, then burst out laughing.

"Something good happen? You look so happy," Zhou Hao asked, pretending to be curious.

"Mm, it's good news. My girlfriend said she misses me," Xu Qing replied with a smile.

But when Zhou Hao heard that, his mind went blank. "What? Gir...girlfriend?"

A lesbian?

Xu Qing turned to look at him. Judging by Zhou Hao's shocked expression, there was no doubt he'd mistaken him for a girl.

It was understandable. They'd just met, and Zhou Hao couldn't have known about him beforehand.

"You thought I was a girl, didn't you? Sorry, you got the wrong idea. I'm a guy," Xu Qing told him.

Boom!

At that moment, Zhou Hao felt as if he'd been struck by lightning. He was completely stunned. He'd never imagined Xu Qing was a guy.

Then Zhou Hao walked away in a daze, utterly crushed.

"Poor guy. You shouldn't judge people by their looks. I bet he'll remember that lesson." Xu Qing shook his head. That was what happened when you didn't gather intel before taking action.

Back in the living room, everyone was puzzled to see Zhou Hao walk in looking dejected. "Xiao Hao, what's wrong?"

"N...nothing. I just feel a little unwell." Zhou Hao forced an awkward smile.

"If you're not feeling well, go rest in your room."

After that, a servant escorted Zhou Hao to his room to rest.

"No way..." Only Xu Xin noticed what had happened, and she couldn't help laughing to herself.

Her silly little brother was truly a menace.

Xu Qing stood outside Jiangnan University's gates, a backpack on his shoulders.

Before long, an off-road vehicle drove up and stopped in front of him. Through the window, he saw a beautiful, cool face.

Xu Qing immediately got into the car without a word.

Back at Qin Lin's place, Xu Qing walked into the living room. He had just set down his backpack when Qin Lin pulled him into her arms.

"Okay, okay, I'm here now, aren't I?" Xu Qing wrapped his arms around her waist, nuzzled her cheek, and spoke softly.

Qin Lin hugged Xu Qing, unwilling to let go. It had taken being apart from him for half a month for her to realize how much she liked him. She missed him every day, so much that she couldn't eat or sleep.

It felt like she'd lost herself in a feverish obsession.

Xu Qing let Qin Lin hold him without saying anything. He could feel her warm breath against his neck, and his gaze was incredibly tender.

"Um... Linlin, I'll call you Linlin from now on, like I promised. Is that okay?" Xu Qing's heart softened.

When they'd first become a couple, Qin Lin had hoped Xu Qing would call her Linlin.

But Xu Qing had been too shy to say it, so he hadn't agreed. Now, to make it up to her, he decided to give in.

"You said it," Qin Lin said, raising her head to look at him with a beaming smile.

Seeing how happy she looked, Xu Qing knew he'd been had.

"Oh, so you tricked me! You naughty Linlin. I'm going to punish you." Xu Qing glared at her, but he looked cute rather than fierce.

"How are you going to punish me?" Qin Lin blinked.

The next second, Xu Qing hugged her first and whispered in her ear, "Your punishment is to hold me for three minutes without letting go."

Qin Lin's heart melted completely. Her little boyfriend was so good at this—he was practically an angel.

During their time apart, Qin Lin hadn't been the only one who missed Xu Qing terribly. He'd missed her just as much. That was how every couple in the throes of young love felt.