Roses Need Not Grow Tall

Gu Chengyin's tone was crisp and decisive, without a hint of hesitation.

Seeing that Gu Chengyin agreed, Lin Qingyan felt relieved, knowing there was no time to waste.

She had spent enough time with Gu Chengyin to know his way of doing things inside and out.

Once he decided to do something, he would never drag his feet or second-guess himself.

Since he said he would join the Heavenly Master Mansion, he truly meant it.

And once a decision was made, the sooner it was carried out, the better—to avoid any trouble down the road.

Gu Chengyin's sudden decision was clearly tied to the imperial decree before him.

The decree had only just been issued, and the news hadn't fully spread yet.

This was the critical moment where every second counted.

Lin Qingyan let go of the arm she had been holding and said,

"Then I'll go back and make the arrangements now?"

Her voice carried a hint of inquiry, a trace of reluctance, and a subtle undercurrent of eagerness.

The inquiry came from wanting to know if Gu Chengyin had any other instructions.

The reluctance came from having to leave so soon after such a brief moment together.

The eagerness came from finally being able to do something.

From the moment she had taken the initiative to admit her mistake and apologize, Lin Qingyan had been thinking.

What could she do to make up for her earlier cluelessness?

Now that the opportunity had come, she was determined to do it well.

Gu Chengyin turned his head, his gaze meeting Lin Qingyan's.

Sunlight slanted through the window lattice, falling on her profile, illuminating half her face with a bright and tender glow.

Her eyes, in that light, looked remarkably clear—like two shallow pools touched by sunlight, filled with his reflection.

Gu Chengyin smiled gently. "Sorry to trouble you, Aunt."

His voice was as warm as a spring breeze, softly brushing past Lin Qingyan's heart.

There was no formality or distance in his tone, only a natural intimacy.

As if it were only fitting for Lin Qingyan to do things for him.

That sense of naturalness reassured her more than any sweet words ever could.

Lin Qingyan said nothing more, only pressing a gentle kiss to Gu Chengyin's lips.

This kiss lingered slightly longer than the last—her lips rested against his for a full two breaths.

As if telling him with this gesture, I'll be right back, wait for me.

And at the same time, it was a declaration of ownership to the two others present.

After the kiss ended, Lin Qingyan stood up.

She didn't glance at Luo Zhao, nor at Gu Xiaoli. She simply turned and walked toward the hall's exit.

Her steps were calm and light, her skirt swaying gently at her ankles like petals stirred by the spring breeze.

Her back was straight, her demeanor cool and aloof, restored to the proper bearing of Fairy Jingzhe.

But the tips of her ears were still red—red as cherries freshly plucked from the branch.

Giving away without reservation the shyness hidden deep within her.

Under Luo Zhao's contemptuous gaze and Gu Xiaoli's expectant stare, Lin Qingyan drifted out of the hall.

Luo Zhao's eyes followed Lin Qingyan's retreating figure until it completely disappeared behind the corridor's end outside the hall, and only then did she look away.

Her mouth was still turned down at the corners, and the contempt in her eyes had not faded—if anything, it burned even brighter.

She had seen that kiss Lin Qingyan planted on Gu Chengyin with her own eyes.

In broad daylight, in the open world, before the crown princess, before the loli.

The two of them had no sense of restraint whatsoever!

If she and Gu Xiaoli hadn't been there, those two might have gone even further!

Gu Xiaoli's reaction, however, was the complete opposite of Luo Zhao's.

From the moment Lin Qingyan had kissed Gu Chengyin, a light of anticipation lit up her big eyes.

That light burned bright and pure, like a hungry kitten spotting a dried fish, or a child who had waited long finally seeing candy.

She no longer rested her chin on her hands; instead, she braced both palms on the table.

Leaning her upper body forward slightly, her whole posture was one of coiled readiness.

The moment Lin Qingyan disappeared from sight, Gu Xiaoli moved without delay.

She craned her neck, pushing her delicate little face toward Gu Chengyin.

Her neck stretched long, like a fledgling bird waiting to be fed, or a kitten begging for a treat from its master.

Her lips were pursed high, pink and soft, parting slightly and glistening with a faint sheen in the sunlight.

"Brother, Xiaoli wants a kiss too!"

Her voice was soft and sticky, carrying a wheedling, pleading tone.

And a hint of hurt that said I've been waiting so long, you can't play favorites.

As she spoke, Gu Xiaoli's big eyes stared unblinkingly at Gu Chengyin's lips, her gaze full of longing.

Seeing such an eager cat-eared loli, Luo Zhao wasted no time throwing Gu Chengyin the most contemptuous glare she could muster.

Like a sharp little blade, it cut straight toward him.

Her eyes were filled with accusation, with disgust, with fury at such a scoundrel.

The corners of her mouth were pulled down so hard they nearly reached her chin, her brows tightly knit.

Her entire face was a mask of unabashed revulsion and disdain.

As if to say: Gu Xiaoli is this young and you won't let her be? Are you even human?

The emotion in that stare was so obvious that Gu Chengyin could feel its heat even from across the table.

Luo Zhao hadn't said a single word, yet she had conveyed everything she thought with that one look alone.

But Gu Chengyin paid it no mind. The charged gaze was no more than an irrelevant breeze to him.

It blew past, nothing more, not even stirring a single corner of his clothes.

Gu Chengyin looked down at Gu Xiaoli's delicately pretty face pressed close to his.

A rose need not grow tall; the one who loves it will bend down of his own accord.

But Gu Chengyin didn't bend down—not because he didn't care for Gu Xiaoli.

And not because he was afraid of getting zapped by Lin Qingyan.

As far as he could tell, this cat-eared loli was perfectly legal.

She only looked young on the outside because she was a half-step Nascent Soul cat demon, which kept her in this perpetually world-weary loli form.

Though Gu Chengyin wasn't Straw Hat Boy, still—if it was going to happen, it had to be back in the room, not in broad daylight...

So his hand came down with a light smack on Gu Xiaoli's head.

The force was neither too heavy nor too light, just enough to push her little face back where it came from.

His palm rested briefly on the top of her head, feeling the softness and warmth of her hair.

Like fine silk, smooth and slippery, tempting him to run his fingers through it more than once.

But he merely gave a light press and withdrew, with no extra gestures.

"Xiaoli, we still have business to take care of."

At the word "business," Gu Xiaoli instantly settled down.

She blinked her big eyes, the anticipation within gradually receding, replaced by a forced, well-behaved understanding.

Her lips no longer pouted but pressed together slightly into a well-behaved curve.