"Sophistry." The System could not find a proper rebuttal, so it spat out two dry syllables.
Gu Qianran had no interest in going in circles with a machine. Truthfully, she was glad the System had returned. Otherwise, just the thought of a machine silently watching her every move would leave her feeling chilled to the bone.
She responded in her mind, "Sophistry? And what makes you so sure I am wrong? You are saying that because you cannot win an argument against me. I do not care about what you think. I only care about what I think."
The System went quiet. After a long pause, its voice came out low and hoarse, like a distorted growl through static. "Host's actions are in direct conflict with Heaven's assigned directive. Initializing correction protocol. Erasure."
Gu Qianran thought she heard it chuckle softly, an almost imperceptible sound that could easily be dismissed as a hallucination.
"Host, we will meet again." After leaving these words behind, the System vanished. Gu Qianran felt a faint twitch in her brow, a creeping sense of unease washing over her.
Bai Ziyuan noticed the strange shift in her girlfriend's mood. Assuming that Gu Qianran was upset because she had banned intimacy for an entire week, Bai Ziyuan began to wonder if she had gone overboard. Was a week too long a punishment?
It had to be said: Bai Ziyuan's kindness toward Gu Qianran was truly boundless.
She tugged lightly on Gu Qianran's sleeve and looked up at her with wide, glistening eyes brimming with love. "Gu Qianran, don't be upset. Maybe a week really is too long. I… I could shorten it."
Gu Qianran's heart gave a hard thump at the sight of this. Bai Ziyuan was utterly enchanting, and she had no idea how much she could tempt someone just by being herself.
So Bai Ziyuan thought Gu Qianran's moodiness was all about that? Gu Qianran let out a soft laugh. Her girlfriend was far too cute and far too kind. And kind girls deserved rewards.
She gently kissed the corner of Bai Ziyuan's lips, pulled her into an embrace, and whispered, "Little sweetheart, you care so much about me. I am so happy. But you are right. We should be more restrained. Come on, let us go take a bath."
Before Bai Ziyuan could react, her feet left the ground. Gu Qianran carried her bridal-style toward the stairs. Bai Ziyuan yelped in shock. "Gu Qianran, what are you doing!"
Gu Qianran chuckled in delight. "It is Friday. Of course, I am taking you to bathe."
Bai Ziyuan thought this over. Friday… and bathing… Why did she need to be carried for that? Then realization hit her, and her face turned scarlet. "T… Together?"
"What else?" Gu Qianran sealed her protest with a kiss, not giving her any chance to speak further.
She led Bai Ziyuan into the bathroom, where Bai Ziyuan stood frozen, utterly at a loss. Gu Qianran smirked softly, turned her back, and began removing her clothes. She teased over her shoulder, "Little sweetheart, I've already seen every part of you. Why so shy now? Come join me."
Bai Ziyuan wanted to cry. Sure, Gu Qianran had seen everything, but she had never seen Gu Qianran's body! How could she not be embarrassed?
Seeing Bai Ziyuan unmoving, Gu Qianran did not push. She simply turned on the shower and let the water run. Steam filled the room, softening every contour of her flawless figure. The body that had once been frail and undernourished had now filled out into graceful curves, her toned abs tracing lines of cold, sharp beauty.
Her waterfall-like hair clung to her back, her face flushed by the heat, every gesture exuding effortless allure. Bai Ziyuan thought she might lose her mind. That such words could so perfectly describe a seventeen-year-old girl said everything about Gu Qianran's stunning presence.
Gu Qianran noticed Bai Ziyuan's wide-eyed stare and waved a slender finger in front of her eyes. "Little sweetheart? Bai Ziyuan? What are you looking at?"
Bai Ziyuan snapped out of it, realizing she had been staring at Gu Qianran's naked body like a creep. Her cheeks burned as she mumbled, "You're… so pretty, Gu Qianran. And your figure is amazing…"
A slow smile curved Gu Qianran's lips. Her fingers traced Bai Ziyuan's ear as she whispered, "Is that so? Does it look good? Want to join me?"
Bai Ziyuan nodded dazedly, and Gu Qianran promptly scooped her up and set her under the shower. The small space quickly grew sweltering. Gu Qianran washed Bai Ziyuan gently, but her fingers deliberately skimmed sensitive spots, making Bai Ziyuan weak in the knees until she had to cling to Gu Qianran for support.
Seeing her reactions, Gu Qianran grew even bolder, teasing her like a flower trembling in the wild. Bai Ziyuan let out a soft moan, collapsing into her arms, her face flushed and lips bitten in frustration. "Gu Qianran… please… stop… you said… tonight… was… a rest… day…"
The sound of her own voice startled her. It was so soft, so sweet. A spark of fire shot through Gu Qianran. Bai Ziyuan could so easily awaken all her desires. Gu Qianran bent down to bite lightly at her ear, her voice low and hoarse. "Little sweetheart, have you heard the saying?
'A woman's mouth is full of lies.'
"And my mouth is good for more than lying."
Steam blurred the world as Gu Qianran led Bai Ziyuan through wave after wave of pleasure. From the shower to the vanity, she finally carried the exhausted girl upstairs only when Bai Ziyuan had fainted from bliss.
With Bai Ziyuan in her arms, Gu Qianran finally felt a deep sense of peace. This person was hers. Their bodies and hearts belonged only to each other. No System, no male lead, no so-called Will of Heaven would ever tear them apart.
The next day, Bai Ziyuan woke up in Gu Qianran's embrace as usual. Moving her sore body brought a rush of memories from the night before. She had fallen so easily for Gu Qianran's seduction, completely losing herself.
And Gu Qianran… She had promised to rest, yet still played her like that, experimenting with so many things. Just thinking about it made Bai Ziyuan's cheeks burn.
Gu Qianran, sensing her girlfriend squirming, could already guess what was going through her mind. Last night really had started as just a half-serious tease, but one spark had ignited a wildfire. She sighed. This time, Bai Ziyuan would surely be angry again. But how could she hold back when her girlfriend was this adorable?
Bai Ziyuan glanced at her phone. It was nearly noon. Now she understood why Gu Qianran had been so insistent about Friday night. No classes the next day meant freedom to play all night.
She sighed helplessly and mumbled, "Gu Qianran, I am hungry."
Gu Qianran kissed her between the brows, then rose to bring her a steaming bowl of porridge. "I made congee for you. Come, try it. I am sorry. Next time I will hold back. You are just so beautiful, I cannot resist you. You have me completely wrapped around your finger."
Gu Qianran's words were as smooth as silk, and Bai Ziyuan's mood brightened instantly. She nipped at Gu Qianran's collarbone in playful punishment, then forgave her. Gu Qianran ran her fingers over the fresh bite mark, deciding not to cover it. After all, it was a gift from her beloved. Why hide it?
The same could not be said for Bai Ziyuan's own body, covered in visible marks. Admiring her handiwork, Gu Qianran smiled in satisfaction, completely ignoring the murderous glare Bai Ziyuan sent her way when she realized.
A scream echoed through the quiet villa. For the entire following week, Gu Qianran wore high-collared sweaters.