Although his face was covered, his build and temperament still attracted the attention of passersby, just not as exaggerated as before.
But the figure appearing ahead suddenly made her stop.
Why was Lin Xinglan here?!
Behind her, Qiu Tao hadn't noticed the person ahead yet because his vision was blocked.
Seeing they were getting closer, Shen Jianxi glanced around and pulled Qiu Tao into a small path beside them.
There were hardly any people on this small path. After a lot of twists and turns, they ended up in a dead end.
Shen Jianxi finally breathed a sigh of relief, knowing there was no possibility of encountering Lin Xinglan. She let go of Qiu Tao's hand and turned around.
The moment she turned, she met his smiling eyes and realized they were a little too close because she had stopped so suddenly.
She didn't look away, just gazed at him quietly.
According to the ten-second rule of eye contact between men and women, looking at each other for ten seconds or more can lead to the desire to kiss.
The atmosphere gradually became intimate. Qiu Tao moved closer, paying attention to her reaction.
Until he captured her full red lips.
If a stranger man and woman looking at each other for ten seconds would have the urge to kiss, how much more so for two people who had been together for half a month and had developed feelings for each other.
77: "Beep! Favorability +4, Qiu Tao's current favorability is 34."
They kissed passionately. When they broke apart, Shen Jianxi could only stand steadily by leaning on his arm.
Qiu Tao admitted he was aroused at this moment, by a young girl.
Cultivators lived long lives, especially after reaching the Golden Core stage, their appearance would freeze at the moment of breakthrough.
All along, in his eyes, Shen Jianxi was just a young girl. As for when the thought arose, it was probably after that kiss when she was drunk.
Although he was amorous, he was not vulgar. Despite having many confidantes, this was his first kiss with a woman. He had to admit, the feeling was addictive.
His warm breath brushed against her ear, his voice a low, hoarse tone filled with desire: "Are you willing to come with me, Xiao Ci'er?"
Hearing this, Shen Jianxi smiled in her heart.
You see, in this era where customs were generally conservative, after a kiss, he didn't say "I'll marry you," but "Come with me."
This meant he didn't want to be responsible, or at least not at this moment.
And what about after they left? Would they get married? Or would she just stay by his side until he grew tired of her?
How much sincerity was there in those amorous peach blossom eyes?
For an ordinary young girl, after the kiss, especially with his bewitching appearance, she might have carelessly agreed and foolishly followed him.
The only difference was perhaps that she was a confidante he was willing to touch.
Qiu Tao really didn't want to get married.
Although he knew this young girl in front of him was somewhat different to him, he didn't have any intention of getting married.
To put it crudely, this spark of affection was not enough to make him feel responsible. Marrying someone meant taking on responsibility.
Although many people couldn't marry just one wife, Qiu Tao had witnessed the scheming in the inner courtyards since childhood, which made him strongly opposed to taking concubines. Therefore, he would only marry the most suitable woman to be his principal wife for himself and his family.
So Shen Jianxi refused. She shook her head: "We're fine like this."
Like this, without a formal title, without responsibility.
If you don't take responsibility, neither will I. See, isn't that fair?
This was good. Being single, she could be with whoever she wanted. Even if it was discovered, no one could say anything, after all, she had never explicitly told anyone, "I want to be with you."
Qiu Tao merely thought she was too shy to say it, so he didn't pressure her. However, in his heart, Shen Jianxi was already his woman. Sudan Novel Network
...
Lin Xinglan returned to his room at the inn dejectedly.
He took a bite of the pastries he had just bought and frowned in disgust the next second, unwilling to touch the remaining ones.
After tasting such delicious and beautiful pastries, how could he eat anything else?
At this moment, Lin Xinglan's longing for Shen Jianxi reached its peak.
77: "Beep! Favorability +5, Lin Xinglan's current favorability is 52."
Along with it rose a strong sense of grievance.
Why hadn't she come today? Had he done something wrong?
He didn't know where Shen Jianxi lived, so he could only try to see if he could run into her on the street. By the time he was so hungry he had no strength, he still hadn't seen her.
Uncharacteristically, he lost his appetite and walked to his bed, lying down.
He really wanted to eat the pastries she made...
...
Shen Jianxi returned home alone. Qiu Tao had said on the way that he had something to attend to and would return later, but she thought he was probably going to find Lin Xinglan.
The favorability points added today indicated that her actions were correct, but she didn't plan to avoid him forever. A little teasing was good.
She needed to think about what food to bring tomorrow.
"Miss, Master and Madam have asked you to come for a meal." Luyuan's voice sounded from outside.
A while ago, when Qiu Tao's injuries were severe, even Luyuan was not allowed into her courtyard. It was only recently, when Qiu Tao could hide himself, that she allowed Luyuan in.
"Understood." She replied, tidied her slightly wrinkled clothes, opened the door, and said, "Let's go."
Luyuan followed behind her silently, his eyes filled with an unreadable complexity, but he lowered his head the moment Shen Jianxi's gaze swept over him.
As she entered the main hall, the moment she stepped in, 77's voice rang out.
[Name: Cheng Wenyu
Gender: Male
Identity: Eldest disciple of Lotus Immortal Lord of Mingxin Sect, eldest young master of the direct lineage of the Cheng family, one of the Four Great Cultivation Families of Beichangzhou, engaged to Miss Shen.
Frequent places: Mingxin Sect
Ideal type: Unknown (please host figure it out)]
Shen Jianxi paused. The earlier information was fine, but the last item in his identity caught her completely off guard.
"Xiao Guai, why aren't you coming in?" Shen Ziqian was the first to notice her. Seeing her standing at the door, he walked over.
"No, I was just about to come in when you arrived, Big Brother." She stepped in with her other foot, maintaining a calm expression, and linked her arm with Shen Ziqian as they walked in.
Upon seeing the stranger in the room, she let go of Shen Ziqian and ran to Shen Mu, leaning on her dependently. She tilted her head and asked, "Who is this, Mother?"
Shen Mu didn't answer her but first smiled apologetically at Cheng Wenyu. "My daughter is a bit spoiled by us. I hope Wenyu doesn't mind."
Despite saying this, Shen Mu's eyes were filled with pride and tenderness.
Cheng Wenyu smiled faintly, "Aunt is too kind. Sister Jianxi is very cute."
The original host's name was not Shen Jianxi. However, when she arrived in this world, 77 had altered the memories of everyone who knew the original host.