The warhorse raced toward Qin Ran. When it was still four or five meters away, Aitelinna vaulted from the saddle and ran toward him.
The distance between them shrank from five meters to four, then three, two, and one.
Throughout it all, the delighted surprise on Aitelinna's face never changed. When they stood face-to-face, Qin Ran could clearly see the love in her expression.
Women were born actresses.
For some reason, that saying came to Qin Ran's mind.
And the woman before him was the kind who could win awards.
"R-Ryan!"
Aitelinna had a thousand things she wanted to tell the man before her, but when the words reached her lips, all that came out was his name.
The excitement in her heart left her feeling almost incoherent.
She did not want to say anything inappropriate.
So she turned to action instead.
Stepping forward, Aitelinna wrapped her arms around Qin Ran.
Cold raven feathers, heat in his breath.
Everything was real.
None of it was an illusion.
At last, she let out the breath she had been holding.
She rose onto her toes, resting her chin on his broad shoulder, and whispered, "It's so good to see you."
"Mm."
"Support me."
"Remember to look worried and anxious. Make it as natural as possible."
Using her hair to conceal his still-smiling face, Qin Ran spoke as quietly as he could.
Aitelinna's body trembled.
But...
She recovered immediately.
She remembered their "relationship."
A contract on paper.
But what did that matter?
The contract was still in place, and the man in her arms was real.
Then...
Anything was possible.
As for what Qin Ran intended to do?
Clever as she was, Aitelinna had already guessed some of it.
So she chose to cooperate.
When Aitelinna straightened and released Qin Ran, an unmistakable