"I was only startled."
His ears lifted more.
"And you have to ask next time."
Hu Baiyu nodded so fast that his white hair shifted over his shoulders.
Lin Huahua hesitated, then asked, "Do you understand?"
He nodded again, then carefully lifted one hand and pointed to her lips, then to himself, then tilted his head, his eyes so earnest that Lin Huahua nearly lost the ability to stay normal.
She swallowed. "Are you asking now?"
Hu Baiyu nodded.
Then, as if afraid she would regret giving him permission, he quickly raised one finger.
Lin Huahua blinked. "Only once?"
He froze, glanced at her lips, then very slowly raised two fingers.
Mu Qingyi's hand paused over the bowl he had been wiping for the third time.
Lin Huahua's face heated. "You are bargaining now?"
Hu Baiyu shook his head with innocent speed, but his ears betrayed him by standing even straighter.
He tapped his chest, pointed at her, then carefully held up both hands as if presenting something precious.
