"Huh? Is this where I'm going to live from now on?"
Ning Ling'er looked at the courtyard before her, unable to keep the happiness from welling up inside.
Su Li had bought it for her.
That made it different.
"Yeah. You can stay here for now."
"Then... what about you?"
"Me? I can't live here, of course. Men and women shouldn't be so familiar."
The excitement on Ning Ling'er's face faded.
She pressed her lips together, a flicker of disappointment crossing her eyes.
So...
He wasn't going to live with her.
She had gotten excited over nothing.
"All right."
Ning Ling'er pouted and gripped her black pleated skirt in both hands, looking distinctly unhappy.
Seeing her dejected expression, Su Li couldn't help reaching out to rub her head.
In an instant,
Ning Ling'er's pupils contracted. Some inexplicable energy inside her began to surge faster.
Warmth spread through her whole body. It felt wonderful.
So... this was what it felt like to have her head patted.
Blushing, Ning Ling'er gently nuzzled his palm.
For some reason,
perhaps out of habit, she even stuck out her little pink tongue and gave Su Li's palm a light lick.
At that moment,
they both felt a current dart wildly through their bodies.
Thump, thump, thump!
Ning Ling'er tingled all over, her heart racing.
Her pretty face turned so rosy she looked feverish.
"S-sorry! I didn't mean to!"
"Su Li, don't get the wrong idea..."
Ning Ling'er backed up two steps, shaking her head in embarrassment. The way she scrambled to explain herself made her look like a kitten whose tail had been stepped on. She was adorable.
"It's fine. I like it too."
Su Li chuckled softly.
After patting her head, he found an excuse and left.
A moment later,
Ning Ling'er crouched by