Zhang Lexuan's beautiful eyes widened slightly, and she put on a "fierce" look.
They were only three inches apart, face-to-face. She puffed out her cheeks and gave a soft snort, her warm breath brushing against Su Ling's face.
Su Ling managed a smile even uglier than a grimace.
He hadn't gone over just now because... it was February 2.
He couldn't let her see something so embarrassing. What if she mistook him for a pervert? That would be mortifying.
So Su Ling had pretended to read, trying to distract himself.
There was no helping it. People in the Douluo World matured early—not mentally, but physically. It really wasn't uncommon for someone his age to be married with children!
At that very moment,
Su Ling was sitting in a chair, still with one leg crossed over the other, feeling extremely awkward.
"Little Brother Su Ling, what you said just now was true?" Zhang Lexuan asked, looking doubtful as she mulled over his words.
"It was. I never lie. Sister Lexuan is the prettiest girl I've ever seen."
Su Ling said it without hesitation, wearing a perfectly serious expression.
At that, Zhang Lexuan's smile grew wider. Her eyes curved into crescents, and she looked as if she'd just eaten honey.
"If that's true, then why are you avoiding me, Little Brother Su Ling?"
"I..." Su Ling's mind raced, and he quickly came up with an explanation. "Because Sister Lexuan's Martial Soul is the moon, and when you activate it, you look like a celestial maiden in the heavens. As the saying goes, a celestial maiden is meant to be admired from afar, not ogled up close!"
"I see~"
Watching Su Ling's earnest expression, Zhang Lexuan giggled. Her voice was clear and sweet, like the chime of silver bells.
Seeing that, Su Ling breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that he'd managed to talk his way out of it.
But then!
Just as Zhang Lexuan straightened up, her vision began to darken. She grew dizzy, and then her legs suddenly gave way.
"Ah!"
Zhang Lexuan stumbled forward. Su Ling reacted quickly and started to rise to catch her.
But unexpectedly, he felt a tug from behind, and his footing slipped. He stumbled.
With a ripping sound, the battle-worn yellow shirt Su Ling was wearing tore, its hem caught fast in a gap in the chair.
"Thud!"
They hit the ground hard.
A sweet fragrance filled his nose. Zhang Lexuan landed on top of Su Ling, and her two little white rabbits smothered him in her embrace.
"Xiao Ling, are you all right?" Zhang Lexuan struggled to push herself up, her voice full of apology. "I must not have fully recovered yet. I'm still a little weak. Sorry, Xiao Ling. Did I hurt you?"
Pinned beneath her, Su Ling's heart pounded wildly. He took a couple of deep breaths, then stared at the two snowy peaks almost bursting from her blouse, his throat bobbing.
So soft...
"I'm fine..."
Su Ling hadn't finished speaking when Zhang Lexuan's entire body suddenly stiffened.
She lowered her head and met Su Ling's gaze. The next second, both their cheeks turned red.
"Xiao Ling... you..."
"I... no! Sister Lexuan, listen to me..." Su Ling fought against the pressure on him and tried to explain.
Watching Su Ling fumble about in guilty panic, Zhang Lexuan's lips curled up slightly, and her heart lifted.
So I still have some charm!
But was Xiao Ling having a hard time like this? Should I do something?
Right! In those romance stories...
With that thought, Zhang Lexuan pressed her lips together, cupped his face with both hands, and leaned down.
Su Ling's pupils shrank. The words at the tip of his tongue abruptly stopped as a moist, soft sensation suddenly enveloped his lips.
Zhang Lexuan had kissed him by force.
"Mmph... mmph..."
Calling it a kiss was generous; she was really just blocking his mouth.
His first kiss wasn't a pleasant experience. Zhang Lexuan didn't know how to kiss; she just foolishly pressed her soft lips against his.
Su Ling was about to run out of breath. Looking at Zhang Lexuan's already-flushed face, he simply wrapped both arms around her and took the initiative!
He'd never kissed anyone before, but he'd picked up a trick or two from what he'd read and heard.
Namely, drawing the ABCs...
Feeling Su Ling move, Zhang Lexuan's body trembled, and her mind went blank.
The tables had turned. She didn't resist, instead letting his strong tongue pry open her teeth.
His cool tongue slipped into her mouth, his movements clumsy and inexperienced as he greedily explored every corner.
Zhang Lexuan gradually began to respond, learning Su Ling's technique and turning the tables on him.
Their breaths mingled.
After a long while, their lips parted.
Su Ling held Zhang Lexuan as he slowly sat up. Looking at her dazed expression, he curled his lips into a mischievous smile.
"Sister Lexuan, you learn pretty fast."
At that, Zhang Lexuan gave a coquettish huff and lightly punched his chest. "Bad Xiao Ling! You... how are you so good at this? Have you kissed other girls before...?"
"I'm innocent, Sister Lexuan! That was my first kiss. I learned all this from romance stories."
"Really?"
"Mm!"
Watching Su Ling nod earnestly, Zhang Lexuan felt a flicker of secret delight. Then she wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face against his chest.
[Zhang Lexuan Affection +5, received 50 Strategy Points] [ Ding! The current goddess Zhang Lexuan's affection has reached 60. Unlocked the Stage Two Strategy Reward: a random 100,000-Year Soul Ring and Soul Bone (the Soul Ring and Soul Bone come from the same source, guaranteed to be at least 100,000 years old)] [The current goddess Zhang Lexuan's affection is 62. There are 33 points remaining until the Stage Three Reward is unlocked. Keep up the good work, host.] [Ding! Detected that the host has completed a Stage Two strategy with a goddess. The system can now undergo a full upgrade. The host may upgrade at any time; the process will take one day.]
The system's voice fell silent.
Su Ling and Zhang Lexuan hugged for a long while before finally letting go. Of course, it was just a simple embrace.
"Sister Lexuan, you're weak. Let me carry you to bed so you can lie down," Su Ling suggested.
Sitting on the floor wasn't ideal, and Zhang Lexuan hadn't fully recovered. After that little battle of lips with Su Ling, she was now rather limp.
"All right."
Zhang Lexuan wasn't heavy. Su Ling had been able to carry her with ease when she was unconscious, and now she cooperatively looped her arms around his neck.
Su Ling scooped her up in one arm and carried her to the bed, then gently laid her down and tucked her in.
After a moment's thought, he spent 200 Strategy Points in the system's Strategy Mall on an All-Purpose Pill. Then the Sumeru Ring flashed, and he poured her a cup of water.
"Sister Lexuan, here. Open your mouth."
Zhang Lexuan didn't hesitate when Su Ling brought the pill to her lips. She opened her mouth and swallowed it.
Su Ling gently held the cup and helped her drink, while using his other hand to smooth her disheveled hair.
"That pill can heal most of your injuries and restore most of your Soul Power. Sister Lexuan, get some rest. If there's nothing else, I'll head back."
"All right."
Su Ling set the cup down and turned around.
"Wait!"
Zhang Lexuan suddenly called out.
"What is it?"
Su Ling turned back and approached, puzzled.
Zhang Lexuan pouted and pointed to her cheek with one finger, a hint of bashfulness in her eyes.
"Heh." Su Ling chuckled, stepped forward, and gently kissed her cheek.
"All right, bye, Sister Lexuan."
He walked out of the quiet room.
Su Ling closed the door. As he turned around, he saw Mu En in the distance, sitting in his wheelchair with his back to him.
Without hesitation, Su Ling bowed to Mu En's back, then hurried away guiltily.
That old Mu En hadn't been spying, had he...?
Not long after Su Ling left,
Mu En slowly opened his eyes in his wheelchair, a trace of reminiscence flashing in them.
"To be young... how wonderful..."