Gu Yue dragged him through two streets, only slowing down once they had thoroughly shaken off the enthusiastic blonde princess, Dai Yun'er.
"Phew..."
Tang Wulin let out a long breath and looked helplessly at the girl beside him. "Gu Yue, you were walking too fast. I could barely keep up."
Gu Yue stopped and turned to face him. The frost on her face had melted, replaced by a petulant look tinged with possessiveness.
"Who told you to be so eye-catching?"
Gu Yue reached out irritably and straightened his blue-gold bangs, which their brisk walk had left slightly disheveled. Her voice carried a sour edge. "And that princess, whatever her name is, clearly isn't anyone good. From now on, stay away from women who come throwing themselves at you. Do you hear me?"
Watching her guard him like a little creature guarding its food, Tang Wulin felt sweetness well up inside him.
"Yes, Gu Yue."
He nodded obediently, then pointed at her still-closed eyes and asked curiously, "But doesn't it tire your eyes out, dragging me along so fast? Using spiritual power to watch the road the whole time?"
At his words, the corners of Gu Yue's lips lifted into a sly smile.
"Tiring? Of course it is."
She spoke as though it were perfectly obvious, then slipped the elegant little bag she was carrying into Tang Wulin's hand with utmost naturalness.
"So, to make it up to me, you can carry this."
Tang Wulin froze. He looked down at the bag, printed with the words "Pastries by appointment to the Star Luo Imperial Family," feeling rather bewildered. "But... didn't we just agree you wouldn't make me carry anything? You said my eyes were bothering me."
"That was then. This is now."
Gu Yue fluttered her eyelids, utterly unapologetic. "I was