"But? But what?" Guang Ling raised his brows slightly, his fingers toying with the little braid resting on Qian Renyue's shoulder.
Qian Renyue chuckled. "But you have to promise me one thing."
"What is it?"
Guang Ling asked instinctively, but a moment later, before Qian Renyue could answer, he seemed to think of something and continued with a hint of helplessness, "Oh, my Yue'er, when have I ever refused anything you asked of me?"
"Haha."
Qian Renyue smiled, withdrew one hand, and pinched his cheek. "We still have to go through the motions, don't we? If I just said it outright, it would sound a little like an order. That wouldn't do, wouldn't do at all."
"There's nothing wrong with that." Guang Ling caught her hand, lowered his head, and kissed her fingers. "As long as it comes from you, no matter how you say it or what tone you use, I'll agree unconditionally. The only things that could make me hesitate are those that concern you. So, Yue'er, what is it this time?"
Guang Ling's voice was gentle, and his movements were just as tender. Qian Renyue looked at him, her smile tinged with another emotion-seemingly, a reluctance to part.
Guang Ling gazed at her and sensed something was wrong. "Yue'er, you..."
A trace of panic suddenly appeared in his expression. Qian Renyue blinked and gave him a relaxed smile. With her other hand hooked around his neck, she patted it gently. "Don't worry, this has nothing to do with me. I'm just planning to visit the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace tonight. I wasn't going to tell you, but since you've put it that way, why don't you come with me?"
It was as though the expression Guang Ling had seen a moment ago had merely been an act.