Lin Yuan took a deep breath, then suddenly came back to himself.
He met Qian Renxue's watery gaze without the slightest hesitation, his voice filled with heartfelt admiration.
"Big sister, you're so beautiful."
"It's been so many years since we last saw each other. I've missed you terribly. I just want to look at you a little longer and make up for all the time I missed."
His candid words struck a chord in Qian Renxue's already sensitive heart.
Two intoxicatingly lovely flushes quickly bloomed across her fair, delicate cheeks.
The shy blush spread downward, reaching the hollow of her slender, pale neck.
She lowered her head slightly, gently biting her red lip as her eyes shimmered.
Then Qian Renxue lifted a slender finger and lightly poked Lin Yuan's firm chest.
"You've gotten better and better at sweet-talking over the years."
"And you're as slick as ever."
Qian Renxue raised her lovely eyes, a hint of scrutiny and jealousy in her gaze.
"You're a rising star among Spirit Hall's peerless geniuses now. Be honest—there must be plenty of pretty girls flocking around you, right?"
Lin Yuan caught Qian Renxue's soft hand and pulled her into his arms.
The instant her soft, voluptuous body pressed against him, the astonishing sensation shot straight through his nerves and into his brain.
"That's unfair, big sister."
"How could those common beauties out there compare to even a fraction of your grace?"
Lin Yuan lowered his head until their noses nearly touched, their breaths mingling.
Qian Renxue's heart raced at his bold, almost aggressive gesture, and her body trembled slightly.
Yet she had no thought of resisting. Instead, she leaned into Lin Yuan's broad shoulder.
She closed her eyes, greedily savoring the long-missed sense of security.
The night wore on, and the wind outside the