âIâm fine.â
Chu Qingyi gently shook her head and said.
She had merely felt uncomfortable just now.
âI donât believe it. If youâre really fine, smile for me and let me see.â
Lu Changsheng said quite naturally, âBy the way, I havenât seen what you look like when you smile.â
Chu Qingyi: â...â
She could smile, of course.
After all, in her daily life, there were always moments of happiness and joy.
But being suddenly asked to smile on demand, she truly didnât know how.
Her lips twitched slightly before she softly said, âI donât know how.â
âYou donât even know how? Then allow your husband to show you a smile.â
Lu Changsheng reached out with two fingers to pull at the corners of his lips, making a silly face and a grinning expression.
âPfft!â
Even though Chu Qingyiâs mental state was tightly wound, she couldnât help but laugh at Lu Changshengâs antics, completely ignoring the fact that he referred to himself as âyour husband.â
âSee? Didnât you end up smiling after all.â
Lu Changsheng watched her reaction and smiled, saying, âYou should smile more often;
you look beautiful when you do.â
Chu Qingyi, realizing she had lost some composure, toned down her smile slightly.
She then looked up at the man before her and said, âLu Daoist, Qingyi truly appreciates your great kindness and willingness to step in to save me.â
âBut you are Dao companions with Xiao Xiyue, and she is my sister-disciple. I cannot do anything that would betray her.â
âMoreover, my heart is devoted to cultivation, and I am uninterested in matters of romance between men and women. I hope that the matters between us will end here.â
âAs for your kindness, Qingyi will always remember it. Should there be a time in the future when you require my assistance, I will not hesitate to risk boiling waters or shattering bones.â
âYour secret will also remain locked in my heart. I wonât tell anyone.â
Chu Qingyi summoned her courage, looked at Lu Changsheng, and spoke earnestly.
She had thought over these words for a long time, but hadnât known how to bring them up.
With the way things were between themâambiguous, overly intimateâit had stirred turmoil in her heart and cast a shadow over her Sword Heart. She no longer wished to delay and finally mustered the courage to make everything clear.
âBoiling waters, shattering bones? Why not simply offer yourself to me instead?â
Lu Changsheng reflexively blurted out.
However, noticing the woman pressing her lips into a tight line and looking solemn, he immediately adopted a serious demeanor and said, âIf Xiao Xiyue were to know the circumstances at the time, I believe she would have wished for me to save Qingyi as well. Therefore, Qingyi, there is no need to feel guilty. Afterward, I will explain everything to Xiao Xiyue.â
âAs for matters of affection, such things should never be forced. Although I fell for you at first sight, it doesnât mean you are obliged to reciprocate. Thereâs simply no such reasoning in this world, so Qingyi, you shouldnât feel any guilt.â
âIf Qingyi feels indebted for the events that transpired and forces yourself because of that, it would make me feel ashamed instead.â
âIn the days ahead, Qingyi, you may regard me as just an ordinary friend. Thereâs no need to strain yourself.â
Lu Changsheng took a deep breath and spoke.
Indeed, while Chu Qingyi was troubled by her connection to Xiao Xiyue,
even without that connection, someone like Chu Qingyi was unlikely to easily be moved.
Therefore, Lu Changsheng hadnât deluded himself into thinking that saving her through Dual Cultivation would instantly make her fall for him.
However, since he was already on board the metaphorical âcar,â getting her to buy a ticket afterward would become much easier.
âSigh...â
Chu Qingyi heard his words but didnât feel any joy or relief.
Thereâs a saying: the hardest debts to repay are those of a beautyâs grace.
She felt that, in her case facing Lu Changsheng, it was the hardship of repaying a handsome manâs favor.
From their first meeting, he had openly revealed his feelingsâhis affection, admiration, and pursuit of her beautyâwithout any attempt to hide.
Though previously... he had indeed taken so many liberties with her,
now his measured restraint and gentlemanly demeanor made him seem like a noble and courteous man, warming her like the spring breeze. It left her utterly at a loss.
âThank you, Lu Daoist.â
After saying what was on her mind, Chu Qingyi felt as if a weight had lifted off her shoulders.
She decided that once they were done wandering around these next few days, she would bid farewell to Lu Changsheng and leave.
Otherwise, continuing to spend time with Lu Changsheng like this would keep disrupting her flawless Sword Heart, stirring up chaotic thoughts and emotional turbulence.
âLetâs eat first. Just relax and be natural.â
Lu Changsheng said with a smile.
âThis woman is so idiotic. Do you think this dog of a man will let you off so easily?â
In the Formless Domain, Nangong Mili watched the scene unfold, her face full of disdain.
However, seeing how Lu Changsheng treated Chu Qingyi while she herself remained suppressed in the domain, Nangong Mili couldnât help but feel an inexplicable sense of frustration rising in her heartâsour, bitter, and vexed.
She immediately sneered and cursed at Lu Changsheng, âDog of a man!â
âMili, are you jealous?â
The old ancestor Lu, multitasking at once, maintained an outwardly calm appearance with a gracefully serene smile.
âScram!â
Nangong Mili instantly cursed coldly.
âHeh.â
Lu Changsheng merely chuckled, planning to educate her about family discipline at some later time.
...
Regularly accustomed to the finest delicacies, this meal was only mediocre to the old ancestor Lu.
Chu Qingyi, perhaps afraid that Lu Changsheng might initiate a conversation with her again, ate very seriously, and in doing so presented a pleasing scene to behold.
âLetâs go.â
After finishing the meal, Lu Changsheng effortlessly reached for Chu Qingyiâs hand, preparing to continue shopping and visit a few merchant shops.
Being held by Lu Changsheng in such a manner caused Chu Qingyi to tremble slightly, and she instinctively pulled her hand away, speaking softly, âLu Daoist...â
Didnât they just clarify everything moments ago? Why was he still being so close?
âWhatâs wrong, Qingyi?â
Lu Changshengâs gaze remained pure, his demeanor unperturbed, as he replied, âIâm still planning to purchase some spiritual materials. Qingyi, do you need anything?â
âSigh.â
Chu Qingyi inwardly sighed, thinking that with the situation as it was, she might as well go along with it for these few days. She lightly shook her head and said, âI donât need anything.â nĂžvel.com
After speaking, she paused and then softly added, âIf Lu Daoist requires any materials, Qingyi can help.â
Being a Nascent Soul Immortal of the Qingyun Sect, she typically only exchanged Heavenly and Earthly Treasures from the sectâs treasury when needed.