This time, Lu Feng was completely open about his intentions.
If Zhu Zhuqing didn't want this, she had every opportunity to refuse.
Her face was already flushed crimson, and for a brief moment, she hesitated, shifting slightly in his arms.
But in the end she accepted.
The fiery red sun rose over the horizon, its golden rays filtering through the rustling leaves and casting a warm glow over the two of them.
Standing there in the forest, it was as if the rest of the world had faded away. In that instant, nothing else existed, just the two of them, lips meeting, hearts melding into one. They forgot everything else.
Perched in the tree, Zhu Zhuyun's fingers dug unconsciously into the bark.
Even from dozens of meters away, she could practically taste the overwhelming sweetness in the air.
She had been force-fed dog food for no reason.
"Zhu Zhuqing, weren't you always so aloof? So stubborn? So cold to every man who approached you? How could you let him advance this fast?!"
She unconsciously licked her lips with her pink tongue, her breathing growing ragged.
For some reason, she began to imagine herself in Lu Feng's arms instead, passionately kissing him.
Neither Zhu Zhuqing nor Lu Feng had any idea that Zhu Zhuyun was watching.
While kissing, Lu Feng felt extremely happy.
It was not just because of the kiss but also because Zhu Zhuqing, who had always been cold and aloof, hadn't rejected his advance, which was enough to show that she had accepted him in her heart.
Lu Feng's gift had also done its job perfectly.
Gifts were a way to show a girl what a boy was willing to give, to prove how much she meant to him.
It wasn't about the price tag. What mattered was the sentiment behind it.
But the best gifts were the ones a girl truly needed and loved.
And when she received exactly what she desired most?
That was when her heart would bloom with joy.
[Ding. Mission complete. Reward: 1,000 Energy Points.]
[First-time completion bonus: Unlocking Divine-tier Lottery System.]
[Energy Points: Can be used to permanently increase attributes, soul skill potency, soul ring age, or exchanged for lottery draws.]
[Divine-tier Lottery: Spend 1,000 Energy Points for a chance to obtain divine-tier items or skills.]
[Ding. New mission triggered…]
The sweet, mechanical voice of the system echoed in Lu Feng's mind.
Amidst the haze of passion, he couldn't help but feel the system was ruining the mood.
Right now, he had no mental capacity to spare for it.
But he did catch that the new mission's reward was three times the usual amount.
Seemed easy enough.
With mutual affection like this, taking Zhu Zhuqing was only a matter of time, maybe even today…
For now, he'd try pushing just a little further.
This time, he took it slow, step by step…
As the emotions intertwined and became more intense, Lu Feng slowly extended his claws, one hand sliding down her shapely waist, the other hand exploring forward from her jade-like back.
'Mmm,' Zhu Zhuqing, who was shyly closing her eyes, twisted her body as if protesting but didn't stop him.
success!
He was immersed in immense satisfaction.
Zhu Zhuqing's whole body trembled slightly, her jade-like arms clinging tightly to Lu Feng's neck like an octopus, leaning softly on him as if she had lost all her strength, letting out a dreamy moan.
Both of them were somewhat lost in their emotions.
After a while of being wrapped up in each other, Lu Feng couldn't hold back anymore. He got caught up in the heat of the moment and started unbuttoning Zhu Zhuqing's leather jacket and pants, dying to feel her closer.
She shivered when she noticed what he was doing and snapped out of it. Her instincts kicked in, and she pushed him away with a little gasp. Breathing fast, she looked at him, her eyes teasing him just a bit.
Lu Feng knew he'd gone too far. He gave her a sheepish grin and said, "Sorry, I got carried away. But don't worry, I'd never push you into anything you don't want," His voice was soft, honest.
Sure, he could force things and get something out of it, but it'd taste bitter and probably mess him up. Truth was, with her strength, he couldn't make her do anything anyway, she'd be the one calling the shots if it came to that.
"Pfft-" Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help laughing at Lu Feng's slightly flustered expression, shooting him an amused glance. "You need my protection, yet you think you could force me?"
She wasn't truly angry. She wasn't some delicate flower. she understood perfectly well how boys always tried to push boundaries in these intimate situations.
Instead, she took the initiative, grasping Lu Feng's hand with a radiant smile. "So this is what it feels like... Thank you. For everything. Especially for freeing me from that royal engagement. Now I don't have to fight my elder sister to the death anymore."
"I see you value your sister more than even soul bones," Lu Feng remarked, gently smoothing her waist-length hair where it had become tousled.
That she hadn't gushed over the priceless gifts but instead spoke of Zhu Zhuyun revealed her true feelings.
"Of course," Zhu Zhuqing admitted softly. "Before I turned six, Big Sister raised me. We were so close... Even after everything she's done these years, I still... I still care for her deeply. She's always been important to me."
Drip.
Hidden in the tree, Zhu Zhuyun's peach-blossom eyes welled up, a single tear falling onto a leaf below.
Overwhelming emotion, guilt, regret, tenderness - flooded her heart.
She'd been wrong.
Her stubborn little sister wasn't like her at all. While Zhu Zhuyun had become ruthless in their cutthroat world, willing to fight for every advantage...
Her sister had kept this love hidden so deeply, never speaking it aloud until now.
Without Lu Feng, Zhu Zhuyun might never have heard these words.
She too had grown up in that cold, merciless environment where trust was weakness. Slowly, ambition had frozen her heart, scheming, manipulating, even crushing her own sister for Dai Weis' throne and her future as empress.
After Dai Mubai fled alone, Zhu Zhuqing had been left completely unprotected. Truth be told, Zhu Zhuyun had numerous opportunities to eliminate her sister during this time, but some lingering familial affection in her heart had stayed her hand from going too far.
Now that Zhu Zhuqing was freed from the Dai family's engagement, it was Zhu Zhuyun's liberation as well.
For this, she felt grateful to Lu Feng too.
"And where do I rank in your heart?" Lu Feng teased playfully.
"You're my man, do I even need to say it? Of course you're more important than her... by just a tiny bit." Zhu Zhuqing tilted her head and pinched her slender fingers together to emphasize how small the difference was.
Her mischievous smile was radiant enough to light up the whole world, and the words "you're my man" sent Lu Feng's heart racing wildly.
Overcome with emotion, Lu Feng immediately pulled her into another embrace, capturing her lips with his own. Some moments needed no words, actions spoke louder than anything.
Not far away in the tree, Zhu Zhuyun pouted in mock annoyance. "Well now, you little traitor. Getting yourself a man and forgetting all about your sister."
But despite her internal grumbling, a soft, genuine smile curved her lips. The bond between sisters let her feel Zhu Zhuqing's happiness in this moment.
After some time, Zhu Zhuqing broke away breathlessly. "Alright... we really shouldn't keep doing this. We came here today to hunt a spirit ring for you. Don't you want to get stronger and become a real soul master?"
"Of course I do," Lu Feng replied.
"Then why aren't you the least bit anxious about it? You've just been clinging to me this whole time..."
"Because you smell amazing," he said with a grin, then added mysteriously, "And also because... I already have spirit rings."