It's Already Night. What Else Can We Do Besides Have Sex?

She used a mild provocation, because she thought a genius like Li Qing would be especially susceptible to that sort of thing.

"That's right, I'm scared. What are you going to do about it?"

But Li Qing didn't fall for Qian Renxue's provocation at all. He replied nonchalantly, "I'm doing just fine on Sea God Island. Why would I go to the mainland with you for no reason? If you're busy carrying out your plan, how are we supposed to grow closer? Isn't that a joke? Big sister is way too naive, letting you lead her around by the nose."

He had at least come from Blue Star. A little provocation like that was far too childish.

"What do you mean, I led her around by the nose!"

Qian Renxue flew into a rage and retorted, "And why can't we grow closer? You can do your own thing during the day and train as much as you like. Can't we grow closer at night?"

As she spoke, she raised her chin slightly. A glint of pride and authority—befitting the Saintess of Spirit Hall and the future Angel God—flashed in her violet eyes. "With me, Qian Renxue, by your side, who would dare disrespect you within Spirit Hall's sphere of influence? If you want to train, you can use any resources you like. If you want peace and quiet, no one will dare disturb you."

"That's all well and good, but explain one more thing: how exactly are we supposed to grow closer at night?"

Li Qing blinked at Qian Renxue, hinting at what he meant.

Qian Renxue froze for a moment, then her cheeks reddened again.

What had she just said?

Grow closer at night?

What could they do to grow closer at night?

What else was there to do besides have sex?

At the thought, Qian Renxue was at an even greater loss for words. She could only change tack and switch topics. "Don't forget, the mainland is vast and rich in resources. It's full of rare treasures, secret realms, and ancient ruins—far more than these isolated islands overseas. There might even be opportunities that can speed up your training or greatly benefit that mysterious Martial Soul of yours."

Qian Renxue kept dangling the bait. She knew Li Qing was intensely eager to grow stronger.

Sure enough, Li Qing was genuinely tempted when he heard that.

The mainland... does seem to have a lot of good stuff. The Immortal Herbs at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, the domain at Slaughter City... They don't have things like that on Sea God Island.

He rubbed his chin, a thoughtful look on his face.

Maybe... going with her wouldn't be entirely without benefits?

But agreeing so easily would make him seem like he had no principles. His eyes rolled, and he came up with a plan.

"It's not like I'm completely unwilling to go with you..."

Li Qing drew out his words, putting on an expression that said he was in a difficult position. "But what do I get out of it? You can't just flap your lips and expect me to come running after you. Let me make this clear: if there's nothing in it for me, I'm not going! You can bring whoever you want to persuade me—it won't make a difference!"

"What do you get out of it?"

Qian Renxue's beautiful face darkened again. She was practically furious enough to laugh at Li Qing's shameless opportunism. "Li Qing! We're engaged! Do engaged couples really need to talk about what's in it for them? Is the person I am worth less to you than a few material things?"

This time, she was genuinely a little angry. A faint sheen of tears even clouded her violet eyes.

But Li Qing stood his ground, spreading his hands. "Even brothers settle their accounts clearly, let alone us—we've only just gotten engaged. Feelings are feelings, and business is business. Without some tangible benefit, I don't have enough motivation."

"You—!"

Qian Renxue pointed at him, her chest rising and falling violently once more. She was clearly furious.

She realized that neither reason nor an appeal to their feelings seemed to work on this guy.

He was the type who wouldn't release the hawk until he saw the rabbit!

They stared each other down, locked in a stalemate for a moment.

In the end, Qian Renxue seemed to make up her mind.

She took a deep breath, then slowly let it out. The anger gradually faded from her face, replaced by a calmness like someone burning her boats. A faint smile even tugged at her lips, tinged with self-mockery and resolve.

She didn't say a word. She simply started walking toward Li Qing, one step at a time.

Her sudden calm and approach left Li Qing baffled. He instinctively took half a step back and eyed her warily. "Y-You... what are you trying to do? We agreed, forcing a melon doesn't make it sweet. Don't do anything rash!"

Qian Renxue ignored his warning. She walked right up to him, close enough that they could almost feel each other's breath.

She raised her violet eyes, which seemed to hold countless stars and some complicated emotion, and gazed deeply at Li Qing.

Then, beneath Li Qing's increasingly astonished and disbelieving gaze—

She rose slightly onto her toes and closed her eyes. With a tremor so faint it was almost imperceptible, she pressed her soft, enticing, cherry-blossom-red lips gently but firmly against Li Qing's slightly parted lips.

"!!!"

Time seemed to stop completely in that moment.

Li Qing's eyes flew wide open, and his mind went utterly blank!

All he could feel was the impossibly soft, delicate sensation of her lips against his, slightly cool and carrying Qian Renxue's distinctive, faint fragrance.

It was a strange and wonderful sensation unlike anything he had ever experienced. It was as if a faint current had raced through his entire body from where their lips touched, leaving him completely frozen.

Qian Renxue's lips... were so soft.

Kissing her... wasn't so bad?

The thought sprouted like a weed in Li Qing's blank mind. Almost without realizing it, he found himself reluctant to let it end.

Of course, that might have had something to do with the fact that this was the first real kiss either of his two lifetimes had ever brought him.

So... this was what kissing felt like?

At the instant their lips touched, Qian Renxue, who had offered the kiss, shuddered too.

Her thick, long lashes trembled violently like the wings of a startled butterfly. Her beautiful face turned scarlet in an instant, like a ripe peach, all the way to the roots of her ears.

She could clearly feel the warmth of Li Qing's lips and his momentary stiffness. She could also hear the brief blankness in his mind, followed by the thoughts that surfaced—naive and tinged with a hint of reluctant desire.

Is this benefit tangible enough?

She thought bitterly, with the faintest hint of vindictive satisfaction.

Their lips touched, then parted.

Qian Renxue quickly stepped back twice, putting distance between them. She didn't dare look Li Qing in the eyes. Lowering her head, she spoke in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, yet leaving no room for argument:

"This... is your benefit. Now, you... pack your things."

After saying that, she couldn't stay another moment, as if some dreadful beast were at her back.

She turned, opened the door, and hurried away without looking back, leaving only a faint trail of fragrance and a fleeing silhouette.

Only Li Qing remained in the room, standing dazedly in place. The soft sensation and fragrance seemed to linger on his lips.

He raised a hand without thinking and touched his lips.

Holy crap... she really went for it?