Zhu Zhuqing had meticulously gone through every possible explanation for the spirit resonance in her mind within a short period of time, but she still couldn't find a reasonable answer.
In the end, she raised her eyes and looked at Dai Chengfeng, who had remained silent throughout.
Perhaps it was just an illusion, but there was a hint of dependence in her gaze—something she might not even have realized herself.
"Dai Chengfeng, I really can't figure it out. Tell me, what is it?"
Hearing this, Dai Chengfeng merely smiled and remained silent.
His gaze lingered on her meaningfully, slowly moving until it finally settled on her slightly parted lips, which glistened with a moist sheen.
His gaze was intense, carrying a burning heat.
In an instant, it was as though a faint electric current ran down her spine. Looking into Dai Chengfeng's eyes, Zhu Zhuqing suddenly seemed to realize something.
"Could it be… because of that…?"
At this moment, Zhu Zhuqing finally thought of one possibility that she found absurd and didn't want to consider.
After all, it was one of the biggest differences between yesterday and today—the fact that her first kiss had been taken by Dai Chengfeng yesterday.
Since then, although Zhu Zhuqing hadn't said anything outwardly, that kiss had already made her subconsciously accept…
Her future husband could only be Dai Chengfeng!
Thinking about this—
Boom—
Zhu Zhuqing felt as if all her blood rushed to her face in an instant. The embarrassment that had just begun to subside now surged back with even greater intensity, completely overwhelming her.
She could even feel her ears burning.
"You… you… you… why are you staring at me like that!"
For a moment, Zhu Zhuqing turned her face away in extreme embarrassment, her voice filled with obvious panic.
The last remnants of her usual aloofness and detachment shattered completely, leaving only the shyness caused by being unable to hide under Dai Chengfeng's gaze.
"Hmm…"
Dai Chengfeng chuckled softly and finally made a move.
He reached out, his fingertips brushing against her cheek. "You… you're so cute when you're flustered!"
Zhu Zhuqing gently pushed away Dai Chengfeng's hand. "Stop laughing!"
At this moment, Zhu Zhuqing was so embarrassed that she almost wanted to curl up and disappear from Dai Chengfeng's sight. Even her pale neck blushed crimson, and the dizziness and breathlessness from the earlier kiss seemed to return, making her lightheaded.
"Could it be… mmm~"
Before Dai Chengfeng could finish teasing, Zhu Zhuqing's small, fair hand covered his mouth.
"You… you shut up! Don't say it! Leave! Now! Immediately!"
Zhu Zhuqing was utterly flustered, almost incoherent: "Dai Chengfeng, you jerk! Pervert! Scoundrel…"
She grabbed the pillow beside her and threw it at Dai Chengfeng, trying to mask her inner embarrassment.
Dai Chengfeng laughed heartily as he easily caught the pillow. Taking advantage of Zhu Zhuqing's distraction, he quickly leaned in and stole another quick kiss on her lips, perfectly silencing whatever she was about to say next.
"You!"
"Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore."
In the end, amidst Zhu Zhuqing's mortified glare, Dai Chengfeng gently placed the pillow back beside the bed.
"Zhuqing, I'm serious. This is a good sign."
Dai Chengfeng softened his playful tone, his voice becoming gentler. "Rest well. I'll head back now, no need to see me off."
With that, Dai Chengfeng turned around cheerfully, laughing loudly as he left the room.
It wasn't until Dai Chengfeng's figure disappeared beyond the door that Zhu Zhuqing seemed to snap out of it. She collapsed onto the edge of the bed, exhausted, secretly listening to his fading laughter grow quieter outside.
Cradling the pillow, she buried her burning cheeks deeply into it again, muttering in frustration: "Who said I wanted to see you off!"
"Dai Chengfeng! You're so annoying! You're the worst!"
Though her words were harsh, anyone seeing Zhu Zhuqing's expression would never think she was angry. In fact, she seemed… to be enjoying it?
---
After leaving Zhu Zhuqing's room, Dai Chengfeng walked alone under the clear moonlight, humming a cheerful tune, fully satisfied as he made his way back to his own room.
Soon, Dai Chengfeng arrived at his door and gently pushed it open.
Squeak~
Accompanied by the soft creak of the wooden door, Dai Chengfeng entered the room.
Inside, only a dim bedside lamp was lit, casting the room in warm shadows.
Dai Chengfeng's gaze fell upon the center of the bed…
There, curled up in a tiny ball, was a small figure with golden fur that shimmered softly in the faint light.
Qiu'er was huddled in the blankets, her breathing steady, looking like a cozy bundle of golden fluff.
Dai Chengfeng deliberately softened his steps, even slowing his breathing.
But soon, he noticed…
Although Qiu'er's eyes were closed, her eyelashes trembled lightly, and her small paw unconsciously tugged at the corner of the blanket.
Dai Chengfeng's heart instantly melted into a puddle. He immediately understood—Qiu'er was pretending to sleep.
Smiling, Dai Chengfeng bent down and gently picked her up, blankets and all, cradling her in his arms.
Feeling Dai Chengfeng's movements, Qiu'er's eyelashes fluttered slightly. She opened her drowsy golden eyes and instinctively snuggled deeper into his warm embrace, seeking a more comfortable position.
"I'm back."
Dai Chengfeng lowered his voice, his warm breath brushing past her ear.
"Ugh, you found out. I wanted to surprise you…"
Qiu'er's voice was hoarse and soft, still tinged with sleepiness. She looked up at Dai Chengfeng, disappointment flickering in her golden eyes.
"You wanted to surprise me?"
Dai Chengfeng chuckled and ruffled the fluffy top of Qiu'er's head, messing up her smooth fur.
"Naughty girl, you deserve a spanking!"
"Ugh~"
Qiu'er gave a soft humph and ignored Dai Chengfeng.
Whether it was an illusion or not, Dai Chengfeng couldn't help but feel that Qiu'er seemed less lively than usual today.
Even her eyes carried a faint veil of worry, like sunlight partially obscured by thin clouds.
"What's wrong with Qiu'er?"
Soon, Dai Chengfeng roughly understood…
Dai Chengfeng tightened his arms, pulling Qiu'er closer into his embrace.
He knew what Qiu'er was worried about—sacrifice. For any spirit beast, it was a fear deeply ingrained in their bones.
"But in the end, Qiu'er still agreed to trust me…"
Thinking about how Qiu'er, despite her fears about sacrifice, still chose to believe in his promise of "resurrection," Dai Chengfeng's heart was touched as if brushed by the softest feather, filling him with bittersweet emotion.
His large palm gently stroked Qiu'er's back, rhythmically soothing her as if cherishing a rare treasure.
"Let's get ready to rest."
"Hmm?"
Hearing this, Qiu'er seemed surprised. She tilted her little face up to look at Dai Chengfeng, her golden pupils shimmering faintly in the dim light.
"You're not going out tonight?"
These past few days, Dai Chengfeng had always gone out late at night, returning quietly in the early morning with a faint unfamiliar scent clinging to him.
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