The moment the bold thought in Roxy's heart, like magma deep within a dormant volcano, finally broke through the earth's crust and resolved to erupt...
She seemed to become an entirely different person.
"Bzz-"
Roxy felt her cheeks burning fiercely.
Her eyes, which had been flustered by Elinalise's bold remarks, now miraculously steadied.
The last trace of shyness and evasion faded from her watery blue eyes, replaced by an unprecedented, brilliant gleam-a mixture of nerves, apprehension, and resolve.
She lifted the rough wooden cup, no longer taking cautious little sips as she had before.
Instead, under Cui Ciyou's and Elinalise's surprised gazes, she slowly, firmly drained the remaining milky-white liquid in one go.
At that moment, her unyielding will set the mild Camel Milk Wine in her cup ablaze, turning it into the strongest "rock wheat liquor" in the world.
It burned all the way from her stomach to her mind, consuming every hesitation and urge to retreat.
That small gesture was like a silent ritual.
It was an oath to break with her former self, a resolute challenge issued to the future fast approaching.
"Hm?"
Cui Ciyou keenly noticed the change in Roxy at once.
What's gotten into her...? he wondered in surprise.
Only a moment ago, Roxy had been like a frightened little rabbit, wishing she could curl into a ball, making him feel an irresistible tenderness toward her.
But now, although her cheeks were still flushed crimson, her straight back and unwavering gaze seemed to silently proclaim something.
Cui Ciyou could not fathom everything behind that gaze, but he could clearly read one thing-resolve.
Elinalise noticed too, a knowing, amused smile flickering in her emerald eyes.
She knew that the fire she had stoked just now seemed... to have burned exactly as intended, igniting something she had