So Cringe!

Once the troublesome people had all left, Qing Mo turned around and found Qing Lin hiding behind a pile of rocks nearby, with only half her body exposed.

"It's all right now. You can come out."

Qing Mo called to her gently, but Qing Lin remained hidden there, motionless and unwilling to come out.

Qing Mo raised a brow. Had she been frightened by what had just happened?

He slowly walked over, his footsteps exceedingly light.

"You..."

Before he could finish, Qing Mo saw Qing Lin slowly raise her head. Her body trembled violently, and those clear eyes of hers were filled with terror as she looked at Qing Mo.

As if Qing Mo were some terrifying monster.

"No, don't, don't come closer." Qing Lin's voice was filled with boundless fear.

"What's wrong, little Qing Lin? It's me."

Qing Mo's heart clenched. Why was she so afraid?

"Don't, don't come closer..."

Qing Lin's voice grew louder, carrying a hint of hysteria.

"All right, all right, I won't move. I won't come any closer, okay? I won't hurt you."

Qing Mo immediately stopped and raised both hands, showing that he meant no harm.

Had his appearance just now frightened Qing Lin?

He thought carefully about it. He had merely taught those people a lesson and given them a few hard slaps. It was not as if he had done anything else.

Qing Mo looked at Qing Lin. Her hands clutched the rocks beside her so tightly that her nails were nearly digging into the crevices. That bone-deep terror sent waves of pain through Qing Mo's heart.

Qing Lin's reaction was so extreme that it probably was not because of what he had just done. It was more like she had been triggered by something far deeper.

Noticing this, Qing Mo softened his tone even further.

"Don't worry. You saved my life. I'm still grateful to you, so how could I possibly turn around and hurt you?"

"R-Really?"

Perhaps Qing Mo's sincere tone had moved Qing Lin. She cautiously lifted her head, and there was a trace of inexplicable anticipation in those emerald eyes.

When Qing Mo saw her looking at him, he immediately put on an innocent expression and blinked at her.

"Do I look like a bad person to you?"

Qing Lin: "..."

Qing Mo: "??"

"Do I really look like a bad person?!"

Qing Mo's eyes widened. He was an upstanding Young Pioneer from Blue Star, one of those legendary model youths.

He neither smoked nor drank. His daily entertainment consisted of nothing more than playing games and reading novels.

The worst thing he had ever done was secretly take his roommate's tissues or swap a classmate's shampoo with conditioner.

How could he possibly be a bad person? He was an upright, kind, outstanding young man of society!

"Pfft~"

Perhaps Qing Mo's expression was too ridiculous, because Qing Lin could not help laughing. The fear in her heart lessened considerably as well.

"Will you really not hurt me?"

There was still some hesitation in Qing Lin's gaze, though she already had an answer in her heart.

In Stone Desert City, she had never even dared to imagine that someone would stand up for a Snakefolk half-blood like her.

Ever since she was little, apart from her mother, no one had ever treated her kindly.

It was already good enough if they did not bully her.

Yet this person before her had not only stood up for her, but had also helped teach those who bullied her a lesson.

Most importantly, the way he looked at her was clearly different from everyone else. There was not the slightest thing in his eyes that made her uncomfortable. They were full of sincerity and concern instead.

"Of course."

Qing Mo said this with absolute certainty. After all, he was a young man of the new era who had received compulsory education. He could not do anything utterly vile or inhumane—at least, not for now.

Besides, he had no grudge against the Snakefolk. More importantly, little Qing Lin was adorable and kind.

She had clearly known that she could ignore him and avoid unnecessary trouble, yet she had still brought him back. If that was not kindness, what was?

"Let's introduce ourselves properly. My name is Qing Mo."

"Thank you. Um... I-I'm Qing Lin." Qing Lin's voice was very soft, but it had a little more life in it than before.

"Come to think of it, we even share the same surname. What a coincidence." Qing Mo smiled. "How about you become my... Pah! Hahaha, it's nothing."

Qing Mo laughed awkwardly, nearly revealing his true thoughts.

That was so cringe!

I seriously can't stand myself.

They had known each other for less than a day. Saying something like that would be far too presumptuous. He should wait until they knew each other better.

Qing Mo glanced at Qing Lin. Thankfully, she had not noticed anything strange, or it would have been bad if she took him for some weirdo.

He merely liked the little girls in anime. Other than that, he had no improper hobbies.

"You weren't hurt just now, were you? Let me take a look."

Qing Mo gradually moved closer to Qing Lin. He remembered that little brat had thrown a rock at her, probably aiming for her head.

"I'm fine, I... mm..."

Before Qing Lin could refuse, Qing Mo stepped forward. While she was still too stunned to react, he carefully brushed aside the bangs by her forehead and inspected it closely. Sure enough, a small patch near her temple was pink. Fortunately, the skin was not broken; it was only lightly reddened and not serious.

"N-No, um, I-I... mm~"

Qing Lin stammered incoherently, her eyes darting about in panic. Her hands hovered helplessly in the air, while her entire face instantly reddened like a ripe fruit.

Steam even seemed to hiss from above her head, leaving Qing Mo rather amazed. He had never seen anyone become embarrassed to such an extent.

Still, he knew when to stop.

After taking the opportunity to gently pinch her burning little cheek, Qing Mo finally let go.

Qing Lin hurriedly retreated two steps, nearly curling herself into a ball.

"Ahem, it's nothing serious."

Qing Mo said this while forcing himself to remain composed. He felt as though he had become strange. Since when had he grown this bold?

If this had been on Blue Star, he would have been sued into bankruptcy!

Damn it! Why had I become like this?!

Qing Mo frowned. He had spent eighteen years single, and the most intimate contact he had ever had with a girl was holding hands with female classmates during morning exercises between classes. He would never have had the nerve to do something like this before.

So why?

As Qing Mo thought, he suddenly came to a realization.

So I'd been repressing myself too much!

No wonder, no wonder. That explained everything.

Cringe or not, whatever.

After all, he had essentially died once already. It was perfectly reasonable for him to reveal his true nature.

Hehehe!

"Um, th-thank you, Young Master Qing Mo..."

Qing Lin's face was still flushed. Her gaze was unfocused as she occasionally stole a glance at Qing Mo, then hurriedly lowered her head again. Even the tips of her ears carried a faint pink hue.

From time to time, she pressed her lips together, yet she could not say a single word. That little appearance of wanting to hide while unable to resist secretly looking at him had an indescribably obedient charm.

Looking at the incredibly adorable Qing Lin, Qing Mo suddenly felt something stir within him.

Oh no, he was going bad!