Dai Chengfeng looked at his mother but did not answer with a simple "yes" or "no."
He only paused for a moment, then stepped forward and gently yet firmly embraced his mother's somewhat frail body.
Then, he placed a soft and warm kiss on his mother's forehead.
"Mother," his voice was deep and resolute, "you are also my beloved mother."
After saying this, Dai Chengfeng released the embrace, gazed deeply at Zhu Hongxiu, and turned to leave.
Zhu Hongxiu stood there, feeling the lingering warmth on her forehead and watching the direction in which her son had departed, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
Dai Chengfeng had not given a clear promise, yet Zhu Hongxiu was fully aware of her son's inner thoughts...
Finally, she watched his retreating figure and could only sigh deeply, filled with helplessness and sorrow.
"Perhaps... this is the destiny of the Star Luo Imperial Family? The cruel competition, the rules flowing in the blood..."
"Never mind!"
"No matter what choice he ultimately makes, he is still my Chengfeng, my good child."
...
Meanwhile, after leaving his mother's residence, Dai Chengfeng did not head to Teacher Bibi Dong's bedchamber as he usually would tonight.
Instead, he turned his steps toward another quieter courtyard within Spirit City — the residence of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family.
He was thinking about another person — Liu Erlong.
He had just forcefully entered the world of this fiery-tempered woman and completely possessed her.
At this moment, Liu Erlong was at her most unstable emotionally, most susceptible to emotional fluctuations, and most prone to anxiety over gains and losses.
Dai Chengfeng knew well that if he did not provide comfort and stability now, given Liu Erlong's fierce and decisive temperament…
He could not give her the chance to overthink or even regret.
Soon, Dai Chengfeng quietly entered the quiet little courtyard.
The room was brightly lit. He pushed open the door and saw that Liu Erlong had not gone to rest.
Instead, she was wearing a black gauze nightgown, quite different from her usual bold style, with a hint of seductive allure, sitting alone on the edge of the bed.
Though she held a book in her hands, her gaze was somewhat unfocused, clearly lost in thought elsewhere.
Hearing the sound of the door opening, Liu Erlong snapped back to reality and saw it was Dai Chengfeng.
Her eyes instantly became extremely complex, filled with panic, shame, a barely noticeable joy, but more so with an overwhelming sense of confusion and unease.
She instinctively closed her legs and pulled up a slightly slipped shoulder strap, trying to conceal her inner turmoil.
Dai Chengfeng took in all her reactions and understood everything.
A gentle yet non-refusable smile appeared on his face. He walked directly to the bedside, naturally extending his hand and pulling her slightly tense body into his arms.
Liu Erlong stiffened momentarily, made a token struggle, and then relaxed.
Feeling the scorching heat and strong masculine presence emanating from Dai Chengfeng, her chaotic thoughts strangely calmed down somewhat.
"You... why are you here?"
Liu Erlong's voice carried a trace of hoarseness and uncertainty.
Dai Chengfeng lowered his head, lightly rubbing her crown with his chin, pulling her closer with his arms, his voice low and magnetic:
"I missed you, so I came."
"And besides, if I didn't come, some foolish woman might have gotten herself worked up again."
Upon hearing this, Liu Erlong buried her face deep into Dai Chengfeng's chest and mumbled:
"Who... who got worked up..."
Feeling the rare vulnerability and dependence of the woman in his arms, a glint of satisfaction flashed in Dai Chengfeng's eyes.
He knew that conquering a woman like Liu Erlong required not only forceful possession but also tenderness and control afterward.
To make her accustomed to his presence and dominance in both body and soul.
Especially since Yu Xiaogang's indecisiveness had broken her heart; under such extremes, Liu Erlong surely craved being forcefully conquered now.
Thinking this, Dai Chengfeng tightened his arms around Liu Erlong instead of loosening them.
That strength carried an undeniable meaning, making Liu Erlong's slightly relaxed body tense up again.
He lowered his head, no longer simply rubbing her crown but accurately capturing her slightly reddened earlobe.
His hot lips pressed against it, gently nibbling with a nearly biting force.
"Mmm..."
Liu Erlong trembled all over, letting out a short gasp.
This intimacy, carrying a slight pain and strong sense of conquest, was entirely different from the tender affection between lovers she was used to. It felt more like a declaration and a mark.
She instinctively tried to turn her head away, but Dai Chengfeng's arms were like iron shackles, fixing her in place, unable to move.
"Not getting worked up?"
Dai Chengfeng's voice sounded by her ear, low and dangerous, with a hint of mockery.
"Then who was it that looked panicked like a startled deer when I came in?"
"And who was it, wearing something like this..."
His gaze swept over her, clad in that near-transparent black gauze dress, vastly different from her usual style, his tone thick with playful teasing.
"...waiting for me? Hmm?"
The last "hmm" rose in pitch, full of aggression, as if he had completely seen through her hidden thoughts.
Liu Erlong's face instantly flushed red, overwhelmed by embarrassment and anger.
Indeed, she had worn this outfit with some unspoken expectations and intentions, and having it so bluntly pointed out by Dai Chengfeng left her utterly mortified.
She suddenly raised her head, her eyes ablaze with familiar flames, the pride and stubbornness of the Fire Dragon Liu Erlong.
"Dai Chengfeng! Stop talking nonsense! Who's waiting for you! I... I just wore it casually!"
She tried to cover her guilt with anger and reached out to push him away.
But how could Dai Chengfeng let her have her way?
He effortlessly restrained her resisting hands, twisting them behind her back and securing them firmly with one hand.
The other hand lifted, its rough fingertips exerting undeniable force to grasp her delicate chin, forcing her to look up into his deep, starry eyes.
"Casually worn?"
Dai Chengfeng moved closer, his nose almost touching hers, his powerful aura enveloping Liu Erlong completely.
"Erlong Sister, there's no need for these unnecessary pretenses and insincerities in front of me."
"You are my woman now, inside and out..."
"So, there's no need to deny it."
Liu Erlong's struggling movements stopped, and she stared blankly at this young yet commanding man before her.
In his eyes, there was no trace of adolescent awkwardness or hesitation, only profound desire and absolute dominance.
This kind of assertiveness not only failed to offend her but strangely smoothed out her previously anxious and confused feelings...
Because he was so certain, so unquestionably declaring ownership, as if all hesitation and uncertainty were not allowed in his presence.
Completely unlike the indecisive Yu Xiaogang from before.
"This feeling of having someone to rely on... surprisingly feels pretty good..."
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