Qian Renxue, Aloof on the Surface, Uninhibited Within?

"..."

Li Qing was momentarily stunned by the words "fiancé" and that overly sweet smile. He rolled his eyes in a subtle manner, stepped aside to clear the doorway, and said, "Come in."

Qian Renxue didn't stand on ceremony. She walked in with elegant strides and gently pulled the door shut behind her, sealing out the light and noise from the hallway.

The two of them were left alone in the room.

Li Qing walked to the table, poured himself a glass of cold water, and gulped it down to fully shake off his drowsiness.

He looked at Qian Renxue and asked point-blank, "Speak. What brings you here so early in the morning?"

She wouldn't visit without a reason; this woman had been playing mind games with him just yesterday, so her sudden sweetness definitely meant she was up to something.

Qian Renxue didn't beat around the bush. She walked to the window, her silhouette rimmed with gold against the morning light, and announced in a calm tone, "I am departing to return to the mainland in three days."

"Oh?"

Li Qing set down his glass and raised an eyebrow.

Although he was a bit surprised she was leaving so soon, it made sense; after all, there must be a mountain of political affairs in the Heaven Dou Empire waiting for Xue Qinghe to handle.

Thinking of this, he nodded and said in a flat tone, "Oh, then I wish you a safe journey and... well, may you complete your plans soon."

He had originally wanted to say "return soon," but felt that sounded a bit strange, so he changed his words on the fly.

However, his indifferent reaction caused the sweet smile on Qian Renxue's face to freeze instantly.

She knitted her delicate brows, a flicker of visible grievance flashing through her purple eyes, and her voice took on a hint of reproach:

"Li Qing, do you really think... I came to find you first thing in the morning just to tell you I'm leaving, only to hear such a... lukewarm blessing from you?"

"Huh?"

Li Qing was a bit bewildered by her sudden grievance. He blinked his still-sleepy eyes and asked in confusion, "What else would it be?"

He looked Qian Renxue up and down, and as if struck by a thought, a mischievous grin appeared on his face. He deliberately drew out his tone: "Could it be... you wanted a big farewell hug? Or perhaps... a passionate kiss?"

As he spoke, he couldn't help but mutter to himself:

I never would have guessed. Qian Renxue seems cold and aloof on the surface, but she's actually quite... bold? Is she already asking for intimate farewell contact? Should I agree half-heartedly, or should I righteously refuse to maintain my image as a gentleman? Tsk, this is a tough choice.

What if she tries to force it later? Should I struggle symbolically to show some reserve? But... it doesn't seem necessary, does it? We're already engaged, so a kiss doesn't seem... too excessive, right?

Sigh, being handsome, powerful, and talented is such a hassle. Even a great beauty of Qian Renxue's caliber can't help but throw herself at me. Fine, fine, for the sake of her being my future wife, if she really dares to kiss me, I'll reluctantly accept. I won't be losing out, anyway. As they say, an ugly bride must eventually meet her in-laws—er, that doesn't quite fit here, but the sentiment is the same.

Li Qing's shameless, self-absorbed inner monologue crashed into Qian Renxue's mind like a torrential storm, every single word of it!

"!!!"

Qian Renxue's beautiful face flushed from pale to bright red at a speed visible to the naked eye!

It wasn't a shy blush, but a deep crimson mixed with shock, absurdity, indignation, and extreme fury!

She felt her temples throbbing, her chest heaving violently, causing her perfect curves to tremble, and her knuckles turned white as she clenched her fists.

She... she truly hadn't expected this!

Her nominal fiancé's skin was thick to such an extent!

His ability to imagine things was truly formidable!

She had merely expressed her dissatisfaction with his indifferent reaction, and he had already staged an entire annual blockbuster in his head about a beauty forcing a kiss and how he should accept it without losing his dignity!

"Reluctantly accept"? "Not losing out"?

Ah!

She was furious!

This narcissist!

Bastard!

Shameless lecher!

Qian Renxue felt her composure and reason being tested like never before.

She took a deep, desperate breath, trying to suppress the urge to pin the innocent-looking, expectant guy in front of her to the ground and give him a sound thrashing.

Only after the heat on her face subsided slightly and her breathing leveled out did she squeeze a few words through her teeth, forcing her voice to sound calm:

"You... are overthinking it."

She paused, fearing Li Qing might come up with even more outrageous inner drama, and quickly cut to the chase: "I just came to tell you to start packing your things."

"Packing my things?"

The mischievous smile vanished from Li Qing's face, replaced by genuine confusion. He asked, "Why would I need to pack?"

Qian Renxue looked at him, a hint of "you guess" flashing in her purple eyes, and didn't answer immediately.

Li Qing watched her expression, stunned for a moment, before a thought flashed through his mind. His eyes widened, and his voice rose involuntarily:

"Wait! You don't mean... you want me to go back to the mainland with you?!"

"What else?"

Qian Renxue crossed her arms, watching him with a composed air, and retorted: "Did you think I came all this way just to notify you that I was leaving?"

"This..."

Li Qing instinctively shook his head, immediately bringing out his shield: "I don't get the final say! You have to ask Big Sister about this! I can only go if she agrees!"

Inside, he was already frantically venting:

What kind of continental joke is this! I'm living comfortably on Sea God Island, with plenty of cultivation resources, a great environment, and a beautiful sister to look at—not to mention I can tease her from time to time. Life is sweet. Why would I go to the mainland? I'm unfamiliar with the place, there are too many rules, and it's nowhere near as carefree as being a lord here. Big Sister surely won't want me to leave either! Yes, she definitely won't agree!

Hearing Li Qing's firm belief that Bo Saixi couldn't bear to part with him, and his description of life on Sea God Island as so cozy, the corner of Qian Renxue's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.

But upon hearing his final remark, a smile of anticipated victory appeared on her face.

"Oh? Is that so?"

Qian Renxue tilted her head slightly, looking at Li Qing with a playful tone as she retorted, "Then tell me, if Senior Bo Saixi hadn't agreed... do you think I would have come over first thing in the morning to tell you all this?"

"Uh..." Li Qing was stumped.

"Li Qing, don't forget!"

Qian Renxue took a step closer, shortening the distance between them. Her faint, delicate fragrance drifted into Li Qing's nose as she reminded him, "We are, after all, a legitimate engaged couple. You following me back to the mainland to live with me, spending every day together—isn't that only natural? It will help us cultivate our relationship and prepare for our future wedding. Or is it that... you're afraid? Too scared to come with me?"