The knock on the door suddenly sounded again.
Dai Chengfeng was slightly startled. "Who is it this time?"
He got up and walked to the door, pulling it open once more.
Standing outside was Zhu Zhuqing.
She still wore her form-fitting black outfit, accentuating her graceful figure. Her stunningly beautiful face, bathed in the dim light of the corridor lamp, exuded an even colder allure.
It seemed she had just bathed; her jet-black hair was still slightly damp, casually draped over her shoulders. She appeared less sharp than usual, with a rare hint of softness.
However, her clear eyes, when they met Dai Chengfeng's gaze, seemed deeper and harder to decipher than ever before.
"Zhuqing? Come in."
Dai Chengfeng stepped aside, his tone gentle.
Zhu Zhuqing gave a faint "Mm," then stepped inside, her movements as light and nimble as a cat's.
She entered the room but didn't sit down. Instead, she stood in the center, her gaze seemingly casual as it swept across the room, finally landing on Dai Chengfeng's face. Her voice remained cool as she asked:
"Not resting yet?"
"I was about to start cultivating for a bit."
Dai Chengfeng closed the door and walked over to her. Naturally, he took her hand, feeling the slight chill at her fingertips. Unlike usual, she didn't immediately pull away, only stiffening briefly before allowing him to hold it.
"And you? Is there something you need?"
Zhu Zhuqing turned her head slightly, avoiding Dai Chengfeng's direct gaze. Her voice remained cold:
"Nothing in particular."
"Just… checking if everything's settled on your side. We're entering the Great Star Dou Forest tomorrow, so we need to stay vigilant."
Her words sounded reasonable enough, but Dai Chengfeng noticed the subtle pause and the fleeting glance toward the door, confirming his suspicions.
His little wildcat must have seen Ning Rongrong leaving his room earlier. Though she appeared calm on the surface, her heart was clearly unsettled.
This hidden concern warmed Dai Chengfeng's heart, bringing a touch of tenderness and amusement.
He gently tugged on her hand, pulling her closer. His other arm naturally wrapped around her slender yet elastic waist.
The two were now so close that he could smell the faint, refreshing fragrance of her hair and feel the tension in her body.
"So… you really just came to check if I'm settled?"
Dai Chengfeng lowered his head, his forehead almost touching hers. His warm breath brushed against her smooth forehead and trembling eyelashes as he spoke in a low, magnetic voice:
"My Zhuqing, when did you start being so indirect?"
Zhu Zhuqing was enveloped in his embrace, surrounded by his strong masculine presence. Her cheeks flushed, and her heartbeat quickened uncontrollably.
She tried to pull away, but the firm grip around her waist refused to release her. Deep down, she didn't truly want to leave the warmth of his arms.
She tried to maintain her composure, but the blush creeping up her ears betrayed her:
"I… I'm not. Let me go."
"No."
Dai Chengfeng chuckled softly, finding her rare display of embarrassment far more captivating than her usual aloof demeanor.
His hand on her lower back gently caressed her, feeling the warmth beneath the fabric. The stirring in his heart grew stronger.
"Earlier, Rongrong came to give me something—the ring from the market. She said she sensed it was special and might be useful to me."
He offered the explanation willingly, not wanting her to misunderstand.
Sure enough, upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing relaxed slightly, though she still avoided looking at him. Her voice remained indifferent, but carried a faint trace of jealousy:
"She's… thoughtful."
This slightly jealous yet feigned nonchalance thoroughly pleased Dai Chengfeng.
No longer satisfied with the distance between them, he gently lifted her cool chin with his fingers, forcing her to meet his gaze.
Her usually cold eyes now shimmered with complex emotions—shyness, tension, and a barely noticeable flicker of desire.
"No one moves me more than my little cat right now, nestled in my arms."
Dai Chengfeng's voice was deep and tender. Before his words faded, he leaned down, capturing her slightly parted lips with precision.
"Mmm…"
Zhu Zhuqing trembled, instinctively trying to retreat, but Dai Chengfeng held her firmly in his embrace.
Her initial resistance melted like snow under his gentle yet determined kiss. Her tense body gradually softened.
The hand pressing against his chest unconsciously clutched at his clothes.
Dai Chengfeng carefully traced the shape of her lips, patiently guiding her awkward response until her breathing became erratic and her delicate body trembled slightly.
Only then did he reluctantly pull back slightly, his lips still lightly brushing against hers.
Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks were flushed, her eyes glistening with moisture. Her usual cold demeanor was replaced by a languid, powerless charm.
Breathing softly, she could barely stand without Dai Chengfeng's support.
"Tonight… don't leave."
Dai Chengfeng gently wiped her moist, swollen lips with his thumb, his voice hoarse as he whispered into her ear. His warm breath sent shivers through her sensitive earlobe.
Zhu Zhuqing snapped out of her daze, panic flashing in her eyes. She instinctively shook her head: "No… no, absolutely not!"
A man and woman alone in a room—if anyone found out…
How could she face others?
Dai Chengfeng pulled her closer, resting his chin lightly on the top of her head, inhaling the fresh scent of her hair. "I'll just hold you while we sleep. I promise I won't do anything else."
"The Great Star Dou Forest is full of danger. I just want to be near you, to feel more at ease."
His tone carried a hint of unyielding dominance. "Let me hold you, okay? My little kitten."
Zhu Zhuqing's heart wrestled with conflicting emotions.
Reason told her this was improper and risky. If word got out…
How could she face people?
But emotionally, the warmth of Dai Chengfeng's embrace, the steady beat of his heart, and his tender words…
In the end, she remained silent, neither agreeing nor strongly opposing.
Instead, she buried her burning cheeks deeper into his chest. This silent consent filled Dai Chengfeng with immense joy and satisfaction.
He knew that for someone as reserved and conservative as Zhu Zhuqing, this was the greatest compromise she could make.
"Good girl."
Dai Chengfeng kissed her hair lightly, then bent down, scooping her up effortlessly with one arm under her knees.
Zhu Zhuqing let out a small gasp, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck. Her cheeks were flushed crimson, but she hid her face in the crook of his shoulder, too shy to look at him.
Dai Chengfeng carried her to the bed, gently placing her on the inner side of the mattress before lying down beside her. He pulled the thin blanket over both of them.
Throughout the process, Zhu Zhuqing remained as stiff as a board.
Her eyes were tightly shut, her long lashes trembling nervously.
Dai Chengfeng turned to his side, extending his arm to pull her slim, slightly cool body fully into his embrace, pressing her back against his chest.
His hand naturally rested on her flat abdomen, feeling her immediate tension.
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