An Ordinary Afternoon

After eating and drinking to her heart's content...

"Heave-ho!"

Su Muwan flopped onto the living room sofa like a lazy little cat.

The soft cushions sank slightly under her weight as she curled up on her side, her jet-black hair cascading carelessly over the sofa and framing her face.

"Miss, you’re lying down right after eating?"

"Hmph! What do you know? This is called enjoying life! Savoring every moment!"

Su Muwan snorted lightly before turning on the TV and tearing open a bag of chips, munching happily.

Ah, a lazy afternoon—this is the kind of life a young lady like me deserves to indulge in~~

Qin Luo watched her antics, his lips curling into an unconscious smile as he sat beside her on the sofa.

Then, slowly, he reached out and gently rested his hand atop Su Muwan’s head.

Feeling his touch, Su Muwan blinked curiously. "Qin Luo, what are you doing?"

"Petting a cat."

"??"

No sooner had he spoken than Qin Luo’s fingers lightly combed through her hair, smoothing it with slow, rhythmic strokes.

Su Muwan, who had been about to protest, immediately closed her eyes in pleasure. "Mmm..."

A soft, contented hum escaped her throat as her brows relaxed, her expression serene and satisfied.

Qin Luo’s movements were gentle and deliberate, gliding from the crown of her head down to the ends of her hair, each stroke brimming with unspoken affection.

Su Muwan adjusted slightly, nestling her head more comfortably against Qin Luo’s lap.

Her body stretched out further, one arm draped lazily over the sofa’s armrest, fingers curling faintly.

[Loyalty +10]

[Loyalty +10]

[Loyalty +10]

Little Su Muwan—completely under his spell.

Qin Luo chuckled softly.

Since he often gave Su Muwan massages, his initial basic techniques had leveled up to advanced.

Su Muwan was now experiencing the bliss of a high-end spa treatment. She murmured happily, "Tsk tsk, Qin Luo, your massage skills have really improved. I’ve never seen you practice, though."

"Heh, if the young lady likes it, I’ll give you one every day. Guaranteed to satisfy."

Hearing this, Su Muwan perked up. She opened her eyes and looked at Qin Luo. "Oh? Every day? Satisfy?"

"Pfft—you get all flustered with just a little teasing! How dare a mere Qin Luo act so smug!"

A mischievous grin spread across her face before she began squirming playfully in his arms like a slippery little fish.

Her silky hair brushed against Qin Luo’s cheek, tickling him slightly.

Qin Luo sighed and tightened his arms, trying to hold her still.

But Su Muwan only grew more unruly. She poked his nose with her fingertip and cooed, "Oh? Trying to keep me trapped, are you?"

Qin Luo met her sparkling eyes and smiled. "You’re the one wriggling around, Miss."

"Hah? You’re blaming me now?"

Su Muwan pretended to pout, her lips pursed as she playfully nipped at Qin Luo’s chin.

Qin Luo dodged just in time.

Su Muwan gasped in mock outrage. "You actually dodged?!"

Then, as if noticing something, she pointed dramatically at the faint bite marks on Qin Luo’s neck. "Qin Luo! Who did this to you?!"

Qin Luo: ?

Sometimes, Qin Luo felt truly helpless. He stared at Su Muwan, who looked like she’d just woken up from a daze, and sighed before loosening his hold. Pulling his collar aside, he said dryly, "Miss, why don’t you compare these to your own teeth?"

The moment he let go—

Su Muwan’s lips curled triumphantly. "Hehe, gotcha!"

In a flash, she lunged forward, cupping Qin Luo’s face and pressing her forehead firmly against his.

Qin Luo stiffened momentarily.

Was she... initiating cultivation again?

But...

One second, two seconds, three seconds...

Instead of the expected softness against his lips, all he felt was the smooth warmth of Su Muwan’s forehead.

?

Qin Luo froze.

When he saw the teasing glint in Su Muwan’s eyes, his eye twitched.

Ah.

I’ve... been played.

Su Muwan watched his stunned expression, her eyes gleaming with mischief before she burst into a peal of bell-like laughter.

"Ohhh? What’s this, Qin Luo?"

"Were you... expecting something?"

"No way, no way~"

"Did you really think this young lady was going to kiss you?"

"Hmm? Were you looking forward to it?"

She giggled, playfully swatting his shoulders, her body shaking with mirth.

Yet she kept her forehead pressed to his, savoring his flustered expression up close.

"Luo Luo~ You know what I love most? That awkward look on your face after being teased~"

"Like... a little puppy! So cute~"

"Kehehehehe~"

"Ah, calling you a puppy is a bit mean, isn’t it?"

"Hmm? What’s with that face? Feeling wronged?"

"My bad, my bad~"

Tch.

His fists clenched.

Qin Luo stared at the smirking Su Muwan, his lips pressed into a thin line.

To think—after all the times he’d teased others, today he’d fallen for Su Muwan’s tricks.

Heh. Truly, this young lady was something else.

Just as Qin Luo was silently lamenting—

Su Muwan’s laughter abruptly stopped. A fleeting tenderness and shyness flickered in her bright eyes before she swiftly leaned in again.

This time, her soft lips landed squarely on Qin Luo’s.

"Mmm..."

Qin Luo’s eyes widened briefly before he relaxed, melting into the sudden sweetness.

Su Muwan’s long lashes fluttered as she kissed him, her hands gripping his shoulders, fingers curling slightly.

After a moment, she pulled back, her cheeks dusted pink like blooming peach blossoms.

With a playful wink at Qin Luo’s dazed expression, she teased, "There. Happy now, puppy?"

Then, she lightly wiped the corner of his mouth with her fingertip—adorable and charming, all traces of her earlier mischief replaced by pure, radiant playfulness.

Thump. Thump.

Qin Luo’s gaze lingered, his heartbeat drowning out all sound, his vision filled with nothing but her.

After a long pause, he finally chuckled and shook his head.

This... utterly mischievous, utterly captivating young lady...

"Oh, right, Luo Luo—what did you do today?"

"Well... that’s a story starting from when I arrived at the Primordial Sacred Land..."