"Rather than clinging to these elusive memories, I trust my instincts more."
"Even if I lose my memories, as long as my instincts remain in my body, that's 'me.'"
Camellya's perspective was very free-spirited.
She continued, "I'm driven by it, and I control it. I'm happy when it's fulfilled, and I suffer when it's drained."
"My instincts guide me…"
Turning around, Camellya grabbed Lucian's hand, gently tracing it, "As a visitor from beyond the stars, what are your instincts?"
"To live freely on this planet…"
"Or to save the people suffering from The Lament…"
"Or perhaps… to help Rover recover her memories and solve the troubles of those close to you…"
"I'm guessing… it's the third one, right?"
Lucian pondered her words. Each option she mentioned represented a different path he could have taken.
If he hadn't gained the system or met Rover and the others, he might have chosen a carefree life…
As the saying goes, you gain something only to lose something else. People always long for the path not taken.
But he was content with his current life and saw no need to regret unknown possibilities.
Still, Lucian felt the third option wasn't quite his 'instinct.' More accurately, his instinct was to follow his heart.
'Want or don't want,' 'do or don't do'… it all came down to his whim.
"Are you thinking about your instincts right now?"
Camellya smiled, wrapping her arms around Lucian and resting quietly against his chest, feeling the overwhelming 'vitality.'
"Is this your instinct too?" Lucian asked.
Camellya smiled faintly, "Of course. It makes me feel… unprecedentedly content, like a desert traveler finding an oasis."
Lucian nodded slightly, lifting her chin, "Your instincts are influencing mine, so…"
As he spoke, Lucian leaned toward her soft, rosy lips.
Camellya: "?"
She quickly raised her slender hand to cover his lips.
Lucian blinked, confused.
Camellya's expression darkened slightly, "You flirtatious guy. I'm not letting you get your way so easily."
Seeing him mumble against her hand, tickling her, she let go to hear him out.
"But this is my instinct. I didn't stop yours, so why are you stopping mine?"
Camellya, slightly annoyed, "So your instinct is to do something like this with someone you're not that close to?"
Lucian shook his head, "Of course not. I only do this with people I'm familiar with. Like I said, your instincts influenced mine, so I acted this way."
Camellya thought for a moment and asked, "Let me ask you, if Rover and Zhezhi were standing in front of you, who would you choose?"
From what she knew, Lucian and Zhezhi weren't at the stage of zero-distance contact yet, but they were close, just a step away.
Lucian pondered and shook his head, "That's not the right question. And… why isn't you an option?"
Camellya's eyes gleamed, "Alright, then if Rover, me, and Zhezhi were standing in front of you, who would you choose?"
Lucian answered without hesitation, "Rover, of course!"
Camellya: "?"
She pinched the soft flesh at his waist, "Then why did you include me!"
Lucian said helplessly, "I just didn't want Zhezhi to come in last."
Camellya: "???"
Lucian laughed at her expressionless face, "So, do you believe me now?"
"I didn't reject your instincts earlier, so you shouldn't reject mine, influenced by yours."
Camellya huffed, "All these excuses just to kiss me…"
With that, she stood on her tiptoes, closed her eyes, and slightly pursed her rosy lips, as if inviting him to take his chance.
Lucian, puzzled, hesitated. She'd been so resistant moments ago—why the sudden change?
Cautiously, he leaned in.
Just as their lips were about to meet, Camellya suddenly moved, pressing her lips together and launching a 'rocket headbutt.'
As expected…
Lucian calmly leaned back, his hands swift, grabbing her arm tightly.
Camellya, having put all her force into the headbutt, missed and stumbled forward uncontrollably.
"Ugh—"
Her eyes widened as her lips unexpectedly met Lucian's.
Taking advantage of her stunned state, Lucian wrapped his arms around her waist, flipping her beneath him…
…
Moments later, Lucian lifted his head, looking at the flushed, breathless Camellya, and smiled, "My instincts tell me they're very happy."
That was her first kiss!
Camellya clenched her fists and pounded his chest furiously.
But… she secretly licked her lips. The feeling just now was even better than when they were pressed close together…
Lucian, wincing, grabbed both her hands and then scooped her up in his arms.
"Just a bracelet isn't enough to locate the star chart. Let's go find other remnants."
Camellya's snow-white legs kicked restlessly in his arms, her soft chest trembling slightly with her struggles.
"Can you put me down first!"
Lucian shook his head, "Isn't this your instinct? Your instincts should be happy."
Camellya: "?"
As Lucian walked deeper, Camellya, unable to break free, gradually settled down.
Noticing her staring at him intently, Lucian couldn't help but ask, "I've never seen you this quiet… except when Shorekeeper teleported you to the Black Shores."
Camellya didn't argue. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her ear to his chest, listening to his strong, steady heartbeat.
"This feeling… it's wonderful."
Lucian coughed lightly, "Actually, there's something even better. Want to try it?"
Camellya lifted her head with a smile, whispering in his ear, "Sure… but on one condition."
Lucian raised an eyebrow, "What condition?"
Camellya continued, "You can only experience it with me."
Lucian replied decisively, "Then forget it."
As Counselor Changli once said, why give up an entire forest for one tree?
Camellya sighed, "You're so outstanding, I don't think they're worthy of you."
Lucian, confused: "???"
"What do you mean?"
Camellya chuckled, "Let's start with Counselor Changli…"