After leaving the market, Ning Rongrong remained immersed in the joy of her unexpected find, glancing down at the jade bangles on her wrists every few steps.
"Today's luck was really amazing!"
She couldn't help but say it again, then turned to Dai Chengfeng beside her. "If you hadn't come with me, I definitely would've missed them."
Dai Chengfeng gave a faint smile. "It was your sharp eye—not me."
"But it's only fun when someone's with you," she countered, blinking playfully. "If I'd been alone, I probably would've gotten bored after a while and given up before reaching the end."
By the time they finished talking, they'd already returned to their quarters in the Spirit Hall.
Entering the courtyard, Ning Rongrong sat on a stone bench and laid out everything she'd bought onto the stone table.
Aside from the jade bangles, there were a few small trinkets—charming but inexpensive knickknacks.
"Thank you for coming with me today," she said, lifting her gaze to meet his earnestly. "I know you don't like shopping. The fact that you stayed with me this long… made me really happy."
The soft glow of sunset bathed her face. Those eyes—usually so mischievous and spirited—now shone with sincerity, stripped of their usual haughtiness, revealing instead the pure, unguarded tenderness of a young girl.
Dai Chengfeng sat across from her, propping his chin on one hand, elbow resting on the stone table as he studied her.
"That's all the thanks I get?"
Ning Rongrong blinked. "What else?"
"I walked all afternoon with Miss Ning," he arched his brow, amusement dancing in his eyes, "my legs are sore—and all I get is a 'thank you'?"
She tilted her head, thinking. "Then… how about I treat you to dinner? There are some excellent restaurants in Tian Dou City—I…"
"I'm not hungry," Dai Chengfeng cut her off gently.
"Then what do you want?" she asked, puzzled.
He didn't answer—just kept watching her in silence.
The setting sun cast shifting shadows across his face; his deep eyes, fixed on her in the twilight, held an intensity that made Ning Rongrong fidget. A faint blush crept up her cheeks.
"W-Why are you staring…"
She looked away, her voice dropping instinctively.
"At you."
His reply was quiet—but carried a magnetic warmth that made her heart skip.
The courtyard fell still. Only the rustle of leaves in the evening breeze remained. The air itself seemed to thicken with unspoken tension…
Ning Rongrong felt her pulse quicken uncontrollably.
She stood abruptly, feigning composure. "It's getting late. I'll head back to my room. Tomorrow—"
But before she could finish, Dai Chengfeng rose too.
Towering over her by a full head, his presence cast a shadow that nearly enveloped her completely.
She instinctively stepped back—but he caught her wrist gently.
"Running again?" he murmured.
"I-I wasn't running…"
She tried to pull away, but his grip only tightened.
"Then tell me," he repeated, voice laced with teasing warmth, "how will you thank me?"
Her mind went blank. She'd never faced a moment like this.
Back in the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, she'd always been the pampered heiress—boys her age either treated her with awed deference or fawning flattery. No one had ever unsettled her like Dai Chengfeng did: neither fawning nor distant, yet effortlessly stirring chaos in her heart.
"I… I don't know…"
She lowered her head, voice barely a whisper.
Gently, he lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.
In his eyes, she saw her own reflection—flushed, wide-eyed, utterly flustered, her usual arrogance nowhere to be found.
"I'll show you," he said softly.
And then he leaned down.
Ning Rongrong's eyes flew wide as his face drew closer—her thoughts scattering like startled birds.
She should push him away. Should scold him for his audacity. Should…
But her body refused to obey. Frozen in place, she could only watch as his lips brushed her forehead—light as a dragonfly skimming water.
She froze in surprise.
His kiss drifted slowly—from her brow to the bridge of her nose, then to the tip—each touch feather-light, reverent, as if handling something infinitely precious.
Her heart hammered against her ribs; her breath grew shallow and uneven.
Finally, his lips hovered just above hers—less than an inch away.
Their breaths mingled. She caught the clean, crisp scent of him—sunlight, green leaves, and something uniquely his.
"Close your eyes," he whispered, voice thick with gentle persuasion.
Without thinking, she obeyed.
And then—his lips met hers.
At first, it was the softest caress—like silk brushing silk.
Ning Rongrong trembled, fingers instinctively clutching the fabric of his tunic.
Dai Chengfeng moved slowly, patiently, savoring the kiss as if tasting rare nectar.
She'd never felt anything like this.
The world spun; sound faded. All that remained was the thunder of her heartbeat—and the warm, intoxicating pressure on her lips.
His presence wrapped around her completely…
Time lost meaning.
When he finally pulled back slightly, Ning Rongrong opened her eyes slowly—dazed, misty-eyed, still reeling from the sensation.
Her lips glistened, slightly swollen, impossibly inviting.
Dai Chengfeng's gaze darkened. He dipped his head again.
This time, the kiss wasn't so gentle.
There was restraint—but also a quiet hunger beneath it.
One arm cinched her waist, pulling her flush against him; the other cradled the back of her head, deepening the kiss with deliberate care.
Ning Rongrong let out a tiny whimper, her body melting into his, all resistance gone.
She responded shyly, arms winding around his neck without her realizing—fingers tangling in the hair at his nape.
The evening breeze sighed through the trees. Sunset stretched their silhouettes long across the stone courtyard—two shadows merging into one.
After a long while, Dai Chengfeng finally released her.
Ning Rongrong leaned against his chest, breathing heavily, face burning crimson, eyes shimmering with unshed tears, lips puffy and tender—a picture of sweet, breathless surrender.
"You… you…"
She tried to speak, but her voice came out soft and trembling, laced with unintended coquetry.
Dai Chengfeng chuckled, the vibration rumbling through his chest. "Me what?"
"You're bullying me!"
She found her voice at last—but it lacked any real force, sounding more like a petulant plea than an accusation.
"This is bullying?" He arched a brow, thumb brushing lightly over her swollen lower lip. "Then what about this?"
Before she could react, he kissed her again—quick, teasing, impossibly tender.
Ning Rongrong jerked back like a startled rabbit, stumbling several steps away. She covered her mouth with both hands, glaring at him—though her eyes betrayed more fluster than fury.
"You—you pervert!"
Dai Chengfeng laughed openly. "Wasn't it you who wouldn't let go just now?"
"I—I did no such thing!"
Her blush deepened. She remembered her own eager response all too clearly—and the memory made her want to vanish into the earth.
"Alright, alright. You didn't."
He agreed easily, though his eyes sparkled with mischief.
Seeing his smug expression, Ning Rongrong flushed with embarrassment and indignation. Stomping her foot, she whirled around.
"I'm ignoring you!"
And with that, she fled—nearly tripping over the stone bench in her haste. Without looking back, she dashed into her room and slammed the door shut with a loud bang.
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