Hu Liena wrapped the new belt around Lin Tian's waist.
Her arms encircled his waist from both sides, and she pressed a little closer.
A faint fragrance drifted before Lin Tian.
Lin Tian lowered his head to look at her.
"Did this really need to take so long?"
Hu Liena lifted her face.
"Didn't Qian Renxue also take a long time when she put on your Holy Son Badge?"
Lin Tian said, "You saw it."
Hu Liena fastened the belt.
"Everyone in Pope Hall saw it."
She did not immediately step away.
Hu Liena lowered her head to adjust the belt, positioning the azure gemstone at its center directly over Lin Tian's lapel.
"She put on your badge."
"I tied your belt."
"That makes it fair."
Lin Tian raised a hand and held her waist.
"You've been comparing yourself to her all along?"
Hu Liena lifted her chin.
"I haven't."
Lin Tian said, "You mentioned her three times."
Hu Liena looked at him for a moment.
She lifted a leg over the side of Lin Tian's knee and sat on his lap.
Her wine-red skirt spread out, the Black Stockings resting against the hem of Lin Tian's robes.
Hu Liena wrapped both arms around his neck.
"I waited for you for five years."
"She had only just returned, yet you carried her all the way."
Lin Tian said, "I've carried you too."
Hu Liena leaned toward his face.
"That was different."
Lin Tian asked, "How was it different?"
Hu Liena's fingers came to rest on the Holy Son Badge.
"You've known each other since childhood."
"She knows many things I don't."
Lin Tian said, "You can ask."
Hu Liena looked at him.
"Will you answer anything I ask?"
Lin Tian nodded.
"Mm."
Hu Liena asked, "Did she hold you when