Xie Jing looked at her face and guessed her thoughts, a slight smile curving his lips. He suddenly wrapped his arm around her waist.
"You..." What are you doing?
Before she could finish, Xie Jing had already embraced her waist, and a completely new world unfolded before her eyes.
It was like experiencing a 3D game at an amusement park. Mountains and rivers swept past beneath their feet, and in an instant, they traversed through the seasons, from autumn to winter, then to spring and summer. Every frame was as beautiful as a painted scroll.
Qin Jiujiu couldn't help but be captivated. Xie Jing's gaze was fixed on her. He suddenly leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Miss Qin, do you like it?"
Qin Jiujiu, now clinging tightly to his lean waist, was completely absorbed by the ever-changing scenery. She felt his warm breath, a slight tickle that seemed to bewitch her mind. She blurted out, "I do!"
Xie Jing suddenly smiled. Qin Jiujiu happened to turn her head to look at him, and her heart instantly accelerated.
The handsome youth's slight smile outshone ten thousand vistas; it was perhaps the highest praise for him.
Seeing her dazed eyes, Xie Jing suddenly burst into laughter. "Am I more handsome... or is the scenery more beautiful?"
Qin Jiujiu instinctively wanted to answer – Of course, you are more handsome! But her face flushed, and she turned her head away, hiding her embarrassment. She cleared her throat to mask her awkwardness.
The youth didn't pursue the topic. His gaze shifted from Qin Jiujiu, and he suddenly spoke, "You're not the original Qin Jiujiu, are you?"
Qin Jiujiu's heart pounded violently at his words. When did he find out?
Suddenly exposed, Qin Jiujiu dared not meet his eyes. Villains always gave the impression of seeing through everything. She felt his scorching gaze on her face and finally met his eyes.
"What are you talking about? I am Qin Jiujiu! The genuine article..."
As she lied, she tried to convince herself – this body belongs to Qin Jiujiu anyway. As long as she denied it vehemently, he wouldn't find any proof!
Xie Jing smiled again, his peach blossom eyes fixed on her. Her self-persuasion faltered, and her heart began to race. She looked at Xie Jing with a mixture of curiosity and uncertainty.
Xie Jing confirmed his suspicions. So this fool revealed herself so easily. He shouldn't have asked.
He looked at her startled, deer-like eyes and tightened his grip on her waist, pulling her even closer.
"Why are you flustered? It was just a joke... Miss Qin, do you still want to see the scenery? This talisman was drawn by Xie for Miss Qin!"
They were currently within the illusory realm created by the void talisman Xie had drawn. Everything before them was an illusion, a space he had conjured.
Qin Jiujiu couldn't quite figure Xie Jing out. The scenery within the talisman was so rich and varied; it must have taken a great deal of effort to create. Yet, he claimed he drew it specifically for her?
"Specifically... for me?" she repeated softly, her tone filled with curiosity and disbelief.
Xie Jing responded with a faint "Mm."
As if not receiving a satisfactory answer, he suddenly asked again, "Miss Qin, you don't like it?"
Did her liking it matter to him?
She didn't answer. Xie Jing suddenly became angry, withdrawing his gaze from her face. He looked like a child who had failed to receive praise, even showing annoyance.
Everything before them vanished abruptly, but his hand around her waist did not loosen.
Qin Jiujiu wanted to explain, but she saw the talisman in his hand turn to smoke and disappear. His expression was calm, giving no clue to his emotions. Qin Jiujiu let out a soft sigh, surprised that the villain could still be so childlike.
"Um... can you let go of my hand now!" She couldn't ignore the strength around her waist. It was only with great effort that she managed to speak those words to Xie Jing's inscrutable face. To her surprise, he not only ignored her but tightened his embrace even more.
What was he doing now? Had she angered him just now, and this was his way of tormenting her?
Qin Jiujiu silently declared in her heart, Very well! If that's the case, then know this: you have succeeded.
Being held by him like this was incredibly uncomfortable, not just physically, but more so mentally!
"Miss Qin, do you recall that night? You were clinging to me then, unwilling to let go. How is it that you are so different now?"
Qin Jiujiu: "..."
She suspected he was deliberately provoking her, but she had no proof!
Qin Jiujiu decided to feign amnesia to the very end!
"What night? I don't remember anything! I truly don't remember what happened..."
Xie Jing was so incensed by her demeanor that he laughed. Qin Jiujiu had a sudden feeling that Xie Jing might just devour her alive.
His face leaned towards her. Because she was short, he had to bend his neck. The angle looked painful, but Xie Jing seemed oblivious as he moved his head towards hers.
Qin Jiujiu wanted to retreat, but he was holding her waist with such force that it was impossible to break free easily!
She hadn't realized that Xie Jing, despite being so slender, had been exercising diligently!
He enfolded her completely in his arms, and as he drew closer, the distance between them gradually shortened until their breaths mingled, and his lips met hers.
At first, it was a fleeting touch, a mere brush of lips, and Qin Jiujiu's sinking heart suddenly rose. Her relief was palpable. But then, the warm sensation returned to her lips as he pressed them to hers again.
This time, it was no longer a tentative exploration but a tempestuous storm.
She was utterly defeated!
Xie Jing kissed her gently this time. Before long, she was struggling to breathe. He slowly transferred the air from his lungs to hers, making her lose herself in the moment.
Just as the passion reached its peak, he suddenly pulled away.
Qin Jiujiu felt a surge of fresh air rush into her nostrils. Her eyes were glazed, her waist felt weak, and she leaned against his arm, utterly limp.
A faint blush colored Xie Jing's cheeks. Even he, usually so composed, was breathing heavily. Their foreheads touched, and they leaned against each other, both panting.
"Do you like it?" he suddenly asked. His voice was hoarse and low, perhaps due to a dry throat, and it struck her heart with each word, like a potent poison.
This man was truly a demon!
Qin Jiujiu gradually regained her senses, feeling the changes in her body. At first, she found it unbelievable, but her body's reaction forced her to accept that she had even felt a sense of longing!
So, she could only silently curse the man who had ignited this passion in her heart and then mentally recite some classical Chinese verses before facing Xie Jing.
How could she expose her childishness to him!