She coughed quickly, forcing her expression to stay calm. "Alright then," she said, trying to sound composed. "Lesson one: no kissing without consent."
He nodded obediently. "Understood."
"Lesson two," she continued. "Don't threaten to kill people I like."
"Even if they're useless?" he asked innocently.
She pinched the bridge of her nose. "Especially if they're useless!"
For a long moment, silence filled the cave.
Then unexpectedly… Xuan Long let out a faint huff, like a small laugh.
Su Qinglan blinked.
Wait… did he just laugh?
He looked down at her, his expression softening just a little. "You're strange," he said. "But I think I like it."
"You are the first person to teach me so many things."
Su Qinglan's eyes widened slightly. Her ears burned.
"Didn't your mother or father teach you those things?" she murmured quietly.
But Xuan Long heard it and replied casually, "I don't remember my father or mother. They never existed in my life."
