This time, Dai Chengfeng gave her no chance to evade. He captured her trembling lips with precision.
"Mm…"
Qian Renxue gasped—then all breath vanished beneath his kiss.
Unlike his earlier teasing brushes or the fleeting touches on her cheek and earlobe, this kiss was different.
It carried undeniable possession—yet strangely tender.
Her mind went blank. Instinctively, she closed her eyes, long lashes fluttering like a startled butterfly's wings.
Feeling her surrender, Dai Chengfeng deepened the kiss.
Qian Renxue stiffened, fingers clutching his tunic—but didn't push him away.
A foreign, overwhelming tremor shot from their joined lips through her entire body. Her knees buckled; she'd have collapsed if not for his arm anchoring her waist.
She'd never imagined a kiss could unravel her so completely.
Shyness, panic, and a secret, drowning sweetness tangled within her—until she melted into him like spring water.
Dai Chengfeng savored her sweetness, relishing how she softened from stiffness to pliancy, from hesitation to faint, trembling responses. Satisfaction flooded him.
Only when her breath grew ragged did he reluctantly pull back.
Lips parted. Qian Renxue's cheeks burned crimson, eyes dazed as she gasped for air, chest heaving. She couldn't meet his gaze.
Dai Chengfeng traced her swollen lips with his thumb, voice rough with contentment:
"This time, I really must go."
Utterly mortified, she buried her face in his chest.
He chuckled softly, holding her a moment longer. "If I stay any longer, I won't want to leave at all…"
She lifted her head. Though still flushed, her eyes had cleared—now filled with worry.
"Be careful…"
"Mm."
He kissed her forehead, then released her, striding to the window.
He slipped it open, melting into the moonlight with a final whisper: "Remember your promise…"
...
Dai Chengfeng moved like a phantom, weaving through the Spirit Hall's labyrinthine architecture, using moonlight and shadows to evade patrols.
He knew these paths well, dodging night guards with practiced ease.
Just beyond the garden connecting the inner sanctum to outer quarters, safety awaited.
His mood was light, lips still tingling with Qian Renxue's sweetness, her flustered surrender replaying in his mind.
But as he neared the garden's arched gate—a figure materialized beneath it, blocking his path.
Dai Chengfeng froze. Every muscle locked.
Moonlight outlined a white robe radiating supreme authority—and a face both aged and striking, now glacial with fury.
Qian Daoliu.
The Spirit Hall's Grand Worship. A Level 99 Limit Douluo. Qian Renxue's grandfather.
Dai Chengfeng's scalp prickled. Ice shot up his spine.
Even his usual audacity failed him. Caught by the continent's apex powerhouse—Qian Renxue's own grandfather—at this hour, in this place? Embarrassment warred with danger.
The air thickened.
Qian Daoliu stood arms crossed, eagle-sharp eyes pinning Dai Chengfeng like ice daggers. Fury, outrage, and the rage of a gardener finding his prized cabbage trampled by a pig blazed in his gaze.
Dai Chengfeng's throat went dry. No excuse came to mind.
Admiring the night view? Got lost?
Lies would crumble before this man.
He forced a grin—more grimace than smile—to break the suffocating silence:
"Ah… Grand Worship… good… good evening…"
Qian Daoliu ignored the greeting. His gaze raked over Dai Chengfeng—lingering on his disheveled collar… and the lingering scent of Qian Renxue.
His expression darkened. The air grew heavy, thick with suppressed wrath.
Cold sweat beaded on Dai Chengfeng's brow. He felt like prey before a primordial beast.
No doubt—Qian Daoliu could erase him with a thought.
After an eternity, Qian Daoliu exhaled slowly, visibly restraining himself. Through gritted teeth, he growled:
"From now on… treat Xue'er better."
The words were quiet—yet carried crushing weight. Dai Chengfeng's heart skipped.
"Or else…"
Qian Daoliu didn't finish. But the killing intent that erupted—tangible, glacial—chilled the garden to its roots. Flowers seemed to freeze mid-bloom.
Dai Chengfeng shuddered, nodding frantically like a pecking chick.
"Grandfather! I swear! I'll cherish Xue'er! Never let her down!"
The "Grandfather" slipped out effortlessly.
Qian Daoliu's barely contained fury reignited. Face purple with rage, he roared.
"Who's your grandfather, you insolent brat!"
His beard trembled. With a final glare, he decided further words were self-torture. He snorted, sleeves whipping as he vanished.
Dai Chengfeng watched him disappear, exhaling shakily. Only then did he notice his back was soaked in cold sweat.
He wiped his brow, muttering "Damn… nearly died there…"
But relief brought back his trademark smirk. "Tsk, old man's got a temper… but as long as he's given ground, it's fine."
Adjusting his clothes, he melted into the night.
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