Li Qiong Yu noticed her evasion. His crimson eyes darkened slightly. He firmly cupped the back of her head, deepening the kiss.
He didn't want to scare her like this.
But he truly couldn't help himself.
The moment their lips met, he could no longer pretend.
This kind of vibrant reality was something he couldn't achieve by secretly drugging her.
"You—are you crazy?"
Broken sounds spilled from her lips.
She struggled desperately, pushing him away.
Li Qiong Yu sensed her resistance and stopped.
He buried his head in the crook of her neck, hiding the madness in his eyes, but his hand, holding her, remained tightly pressed.
"Do you feel it? I've endured this for many years for you."
His voice was husky and low, completely unlike the person she knew.
Wei Qing Ge felt as if the sky was collapsing. She quickly struggled to pry his hands open.
The heat emanating from him made her cheeks burn.
"You—you—"
She bit her lip fiercely, unable to speak for a long time.
He had actually kissed her!
And—
Ah, she was going mad.
"Li Qiong Yu, you lunatic— let— let me go—"
"Qing Ge!"
His voice deepened slightly, inexplicably sending a tremor through Wei Qing Ge's heart.
She wanted to push him, but the moment she tried, she heard him gasp in pain.
He was covered in injuries.
Wei Qing Ge recalled the scenes in the dark room and found herself unable to bring herself to do it. Her mind suddenly drew a blank, and she blurted out.
"You know, that pervert touched my entire body. I'm not planning to get married."
Li Qiong Yu's eyes narrowed slightly. "Is it that you don't want to marry, or that you can't marry the person you want to marry?!"
"—"
Wei Qing Ge understood his implication.
He was referring to her liking for Brother Liu.
The scenes from yesterday flashed before her eyes, and she said with a sigh of dejection.
"I won't like Brother Liu anymore. From now on, I'll only treat him as a brother, and I won't have any improper thoughts, nor will I delude myself into marrying him."
She came back to her senses and started pushing him again.
"But it's impossible between you and me—"
Li Qiong Yu held her tightly. "A man and a woman are both unmarried. What's impossible? You don't resist me, do you?"
Yes, she clearly liked Brother Liu. Why wasn't she resisting him?
Wei Qing Ge stared, feeling as if her long-held beliefs were instantly turned upside down, churning like colossal waves in her mind.
She instinctively dared not think deeper and pushed him.
"I treat you as a friend, as a brother. How can you be like this—"
The word "disgusting" she swallowed back forcefully.
She really couldn't bear to think that Li Qiong Yu actually harbored different intentions towards her.
Li Qiong Yu caught her hand and glanced at her.
"I don't have a sister like you."
He then spoke with his usual disdain for her.
Wei Qing Ge gritted her teeth and said indignantly, "I don't have a brother like you either."
Li Qiong Yu chuckled and pulled her hand forward forcefully.
Wei Qing Ge was caught off guard and her face bumped into his chest.
It was hard, and her nose hurt.
Just as she was about to struggle, he suddenly leaned down and whispered in her ear.
"I consider you my wife, but you want to be my sister."
Wei Qing Ge stiffened all over. Her large, moist apricot eyes widened, and she looked up at him in disbelief.
"Li Qiong Yu, you're teasing me, aren't you."
"—"
Li Qiong Yu's eyes were deep. He pinched her chin and lifted it, about to kiss her.
Wei Qing Ge quickly covered her mouth, staring at him.
Seeing her action, Li Qiong Yu chuckled. His smile filled his eyes with a unrestrained charm, as enchanting as a crimson lotus.
His peach blossom eyes curved beautifully, making anyone who looked at them for too long unable to resist falling into them.
Wei Qing Ge could no longer bear it. She shoved him hard and yelled.
"You should rest and heal first. I'm leaving."
With that, she grabbed her skirt and ran. The door slammed shut, and the apricot-colored figure had long since disappeared.
The fish has taken the bait.
Li Qiong Yu hooked his lips, withdrew his gaze, and pulled off all the bandages on his body. He showed no sign of weakness.
He walked to the soft couch and reclined lazily, his eyes half-closed.
It was time to cast the net.
He didn't want to wait any longer.
After leaving the Li residence, Wei Qing Ge went directly to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
She patted her flushed face, the scenes from moments ago replaying in her mind.
He kissed her—
He had actually kissed her!
Wei Qing Ge felt her own denseness and angrily hit her own head.
She should have slapped him, cursed him angrily, and hit him. How could she have let him kiss her?
What on earth was she doing?
Ah—
"Qing Ge, come in."
It was the height of summer, and the weather was hot.
Ye Luan was dressed lightly and coolly, wearing a pale green lotus-patterned dress made of thin, breathable fabric. She stood at the doorway, like a blooming lotus, cold and noble.
Hearing the voice, Wei Qing Ge immediately looked up.
"A' Luan."
She quickly ran over and pulled her into the room.
Ye Luan, not understanding, watched her close the door, then smiled and sat on the soft couch, picking up Xue Qiu, who was still asleep.
"What's wrong, being so secretive."
"I'm telling you, I'm going crazy. Li Qiong Yu kissed me."
Ye Luan: "—"
Wei Qing Ge felt a jumble of complex and vexing emotions churning within her, disturbing her peace of mind and urgently needing an outlet.
She grabbed Ye Luan's hand and began to pour out her story rapidly.
After speaking, she felt less suffocated. Her throat was dry, and she reached for the water on the table and took a gulp.
Ye Luan quickly stopped her, "Don't drink."
"What's wrong?"
She looked over with suspicion.
Ye Luan looked at the empty cup and said, "Xue Qiu drank from that."
Wei Qing Ge: "—"
Ah—
She immediately turned around, put down the cup heavily, and busied herself with getting a new cup and pouring water. After rinsing her mouth thoroughly, she finally stopped.
Seeing her demeanor, Ye Luan couldn't help but chuckle.
Wei Qing Ge spat out twice, then sat down opposite her with a sigh, casually stroking Xue Qiu's fur.
"Bad egg."
Xue Qiu was woken by her petting, opening his eyes in confusion. "—"
"A' Luan, is he just playing with me?"
Ye Luan looked at her playing with a cup from the table and asked, "Qing Ge, do you still like Prime Minister Liu?"
"I don't anymore. I only treat Brother Liu as a brother and will no longer have any improper thoughts."
Hearing this, Ye Luan raised an eyebrow. "Then what are you upset about? You can't possibly remain unmarried for life just because of Prime Minister Liu."
"But—but Li Qiong Yu— we're friends—"
Wei Qing Ge's mind suddenly flashed with the image of Li Qiong Yu being severely injured while saving her in the dark room last night, her heart aching.
She said hesitantly, "Li Qiong Yu went to save me last night and was seriously injured—"
Before she could finish, Ye Luan scoffed, "What are you saying?!"
"Yesterday, I was kidnapped by Li Jing Ren. He went alone to save me, was tied up and whipped in a dark room, and is still recovering at his residence."
How could that be possible?!
Li Qiong Yu's martial arts were very high. How could he be so seriously injured by a mere bumpkin like Li Jing Ren? With his intelligence, he could have rescued the person without any effort. Did he really need to put himself in danger?!
Ye Luan said, "He's lying to you."