"..."
Li Qing was momentarily stunned by the words "fiancé" and that overly sweet smile. Then he rolled his eyes, barely noticeably, stepped aside from the door, and said, "Come in."
Qian Renxue didn't stand on ceremony. She walked in with elegant steps and gently shut the door behind her, shutting out the light and sounds from outside.
Only the two of them remained in the room.
Li Qing went over to the table, poured himself a glass of cool water, and gulped down several mouthfuls before he finally woke up completely.
He looked at Qian Renxue and asked bluntly, "Go on. What do you want this early in the morning?"
People didn't visit the Three Treasures Hall without a reason. This woman had been matching wits with him just yesterday, and now she was suddenly smiling so sweetly. There had to be something fishy going on.
Qian Renxue didn't beat around the bush either. She walked to the window, her back to the morning light, which gilded her silhouette. In a calm voice, she announced, "I'm setting off for the mainland in three days."
"Oh?"
Li Qing set down his glass and raised an eyebrow.
He was a little surprised she was leaving so soon, but then again, it made sense. The Heaven Dou Empire surely had a pile of crown prince's affairs waiting for Xue Qinghe to handle.
Thinking of this, he nodded and said flatly, "Oh. Then I wish you a safe journey. May you... um, may you complete your plans soon."
He'd meant to say "return soon," but thought that sounded a little odd and changed his words at the last moment.
However, his indifferent reaction instantly froze the sweet smile on Qian Renxue's face.
She furrowed her delicate brows slightly, a clear flash of hurt passing through her violet eyes. Her voice took on a hint of reproach.
"Li Qing, do you think I came all the way here this early just to tell you I'm leaving and hear such a... lukewarm farewell?"
"Huh?"
Her sudden hurt expression left Li Qing a little bewildered. He blinked his still-sleepy eyes and asked, confused, "Then what?"
He looked her up and down, as if he'd just thought of something, and a teasing smile appeared on his face. He deliberately drew out his words. "Don't tell me... you want one big hug before we part? Or... a passionate kiss?"
As he spoke, he couldn't help grumbling to himself:
[I never would've guessed. Qian Renxue seems so cold on the outside, but she's pretty... wild on the inside? She's already asking for intimate contact before we part? So should I pretend to resist before agreeing, or turn her down righteously to preserve my gentlemanly image? Tsk, that's a tough choice.]
[What if she forces herself on me in a moment? Should I put up a token struggle to show some restraint? But... maybe there's no need? We're engaged, after all. A kiss probably... wouldn't be going too far?]
[Ah, being handsome, strong, and talented sure does have its downsides. Even a stunning beauty of Qian Renxue's caliber can't help throwing herself at me. Well, whatever. Since she's my future wife, if she really dares to kiss me, I'll graciously accept. It's not like I'd lose out. As they say, even the homeliest bride must meet her in-laws. Uh, that doesn't quite fit here, but you get the idea.]
Every word of Li Qing's shameless, self-satisfied inner monologue swept into Qian Renxue's mind like a violent storm!
"!!!"
Qian Renxue's peerless face turned visibly red in an instant, her pale cheeks flushing crimson.
It wasn't a shy blush. It was a furious red, mixed with shock, disbelief, indignation, and outrage.
Her temples throbbed. Her chest heaved, making her perfect curves tremble, and her clenched fists turned white at the knuckles.
She... she truly hadn't expected this!
Her fiancé in name only could have such a thick skin!
And such a powerful imagination!
She'd only expressed some displeasure at his indifferent reaction, yet in his mind he'd already staged an entire play about a beauty forcing a kiss on him, and how he should accept it with restraint and dignity!
And he'd graciously accept? And it wouldn't be a loss for him?
Ah!
She was going to explode!
What a narcissist!
Bastard!
Shameless lecher!
Qian Renxue felt her composure and reason being tested like never before.
She took deep breaths, desperately trying to suppress the urge to pin the innocent-looking, expectant fellow in front of her to the ground and rub his face into the dirt.
At last, once the heat in her cheeks had eased and her heaving chest had calmed, Qian Renxue forced a few words through her teeth, trying to keep her voice level.
"You... are reading too much into it."
She paused. Afraid Li Qing might come up with an even more outrageous fantasy, she hurriedly got to the point. "I came to tell you to pack your things ahead of time."
"Pack my things?"
The teasing smile disappeared from Li Qing's face, replaced by genuine confusion. "Why would I pack my things?"
Qian Renxue looked at him, a hint of "you tell me" flashing in her violet eyes, but didn't answer right away.
Li Qing stared at her expression. First he froze, then a thought struck him. His eyes widened, and his voice rose without him meaning to.
"Wait! You're not... asking me to go back to the mainland with you, are you?!"
"Isn't that obvious?"
Qian Renxue crossed her arms and regarded him at her leisure. "Did you think I came all this way just to tell you I was leaving?"
"This..."
Li Qing instinctively shook his head, immediately bringing out his shield. "It's not up to me! You have to ask Big Sister! I can only go if she agrees!"
He was already grumbling furiously in his mind:
[What in the mainland are you talking about?! I'm living the good life on Sea God Island. I've got all the cultivation resources I need, the surroundings are great, and there's a beautiful big sister to look at—and I can tease her now and then. Life here is wonderful. Why go to the mainland? I don't know anyone there, and there are all kinds of rules. How could it compare to being treated like a lord here? Big Sister definitely can't bear to let me leave! That's right, she definitely won't agree!]
Hearing Li Qing firmly assume that Bo Saixi couldn't bear to part with him—and describe life on Sea God Island as so comfortable—Qian Renxue's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.
But at his next words, a smile of triumph, as if she'd expected this all along, appeared on her face.
"Oh? Is that so?"
Qian Renxue tilted her head slightly, looking at Li Qing with a hint of amusement. "Then tell me, if Senior Bo Saixi hadn't agreed... would I have come over first thing in the morning to tell you this?"
"Uh..." Li Qing was stumped.
"Li Qing, don't forget!"
Qian Renxue stepped closer, shortening the distance between them. Her faint, sweet fragrance drifted into his nose as she reminded him, "We're a properly engaged couple now. Isn't it only natural for you to go back to the mainland with me and live together, spending every day side by side? That'll help us grow closer and prepare for our wedding. Or... are you scared? Afraid to come with me?"
Before you continue