Qian Renxue's Warmth

"Trouble?"

Dai Chengfeng thought of the killing intent in Qian Daoliu's eyes, and still feeling a lingering chill, he curled his lips. "He nearly scared me to death. Still, at least he relented a little and told me to treat you better, or he'd skin me alive."

Qian Renxue burst out laughing. She could imagine how furious and flustered her grandfather must have been then, and she could also picture Dai Chengfeng's wretched, awkward state.

She reached out and lightly poked his chest. "Serves you right. Who told you to... in the middle of the night..."

"Who told you to be so tempting?"

Dai Chengfeng chuckled lowly, dropped a kiss on the side of her neck, then lifted his head and looked at her delicate face so close at hand, his eyes full of tenderness. "But it was worth it."

Qian Renxue's cheeks reddened, and she avoided his burning gaze, burying her face in his chest.

Dai Chengfeng stopped teasing her and merely held her quietly, enjoying this rare, peaceful morning stillness.

A long while passed before he seemed to remember something. His lips moved close to her sensitive auricle, and he asked softly, "Over at the Heaven Dou Empire... are you doing all right? Has anyone bullied you?"

His voice was deep and low, serious, carrying undisguised concern.

Warmth filled Qian Renxue's heart, and she gently shook her head in his arms. "I'm all right. Everything is going according to plan. It's just... sometimes I feel a little tired. A little... lonely."

Dai Chengfeng's arms tightened, pulling her even closer, as if he wanted to pass his own strength to her. "You've worked hard. Actually, if you don't want to, you don't have to keep pretending anymore."

"No..."

Qian Renxue shook her head.

"Don't try to persuade me. I