"This..."
Chen Pingchuan was momentarily at a loss for words. Xia Qingxue's confession left him stunned. If he understood correctly, she had just confessed her feelings to him.
His two lifetimes of experience combined couldn't compare to the excitement of the past few days. This was a first for him. But in reality, from meeting to becoming acquainted, from being acquainted to getting to know each other, and from that to enduring hardship together… well, if you could even call it that… it had all happened in less than two days.
Love at first sight? A cliché that only happens in movies. Could it really be happening to me?
Chen Pingchuan hesitated. Seeing that he didn't give a firm answer, the light in Xia Qingxue's eyes gradually dimmed. She lowered her head, trying her best to hide the disappointment, and silently chided herself.
At home, I'm normally so reserved. Why do I become a completely different person whenever I see him?
"It's okay," she said, forcing a smile. "We can still be friends."
At that moment, she finally understood her sister's words. "I'm not sending you out to improve your combat skills or to harden your resolve," her sister had told her, "but to let you experience a different kind of life, to enrich your perspective. When you return..."
How could Chen Pingchuan not hear the disappointment in her voice? Even though his own thoughts were still a tangled mess, he couldn't just back down.
But hey, I'm a man. How can I say no?
"What I mean is, do you even need to ask?" he said with a grin. "You little fool, do you remember what that group of people called you?"
"Huh?"
"You're my paramour, aren't you? Of course, your little brother has to offer himself up. I hope you'll take pity on me, big sister."
Chen Pingchuan put on an exaggeratedly dramatic expression and, with a playful hand, gently booped the tip of Xia Qingxue's nose. Her skin felt incredibly smooth and delicate.
...
The sky grew darker, and the road fell silent.
TAP, TAP, TAP…
Xia Qingxue skipped ahead with light steps while Chen Pingchuan followed leisurely behind. Every so often, she would playfully hop back to walk beside him.
"Chen Pingchuan, why do I like you after only seeing you a few times? Are you some kind of warlock from a fairytale? Did you cast a spell on me?"
"Or could it be," he countered, "that a certain little princess has simply fallen for my dashing looks and charming personality?"
"Pfft! Shameless. Who compliments themselves like that?"
"I do!"
"Hahaha, you're so thick-skinned."
A faint smile played on Chen Pingchuan's lips as he watched her dance back and forth, full of boundless energy.
So, we've finally reached this point, he thought. It's a bit earlier than in the simulation, but it feels pretty good.
"Chen Pingchuan, I think I've found the purpose of my trip."
"What did you say?"
"I said, I'm really happy when I'm with you!"
"Young lady, you're acting strange. Are you hiding something from me?"
"Oh, it's not important! Anyway, Chen Pingchuan, I like you."
He gazed at the girl, his heart blooming in this season of flowers.
"Me too," Chen Pingchuan murmured, so softly only he could hear.
Time flies, especially when you're with someone you love. Before they knew it, they had arrived in front of Xia Qingxue's apartment building. They stood in a long embrace, neither wanting to let go. But Chen Pingchuan had something on his mind, so he was the first to break the comfortable silence.
"You should go up. It's late."
"No, I don't want to."
"Be good."
Xia Qingxue pouted reluctantly. Like any girl in the throes of first love, she was a bit clingy. She narrowed her eyes, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "Alright then. Are you sure you don't want to come up for a bit?"
Chen Pingchuan was conflicted. "Really?"
"Suit yourself. Come or don't."
She feigned a pout, stamped her foot, and began walking slowly toward the building entrance. The moment she heard his footsteps following her, a wide, joyful smile spread across her face.
The apartment Xia Qingxue rented wasn't large, but the interior decor was exceptionally fresh and inviting. The warm, pink-themed bedroom made Chen Pingchuan's eyes widen. Pink wallpaper, wooden floors, milky-white sheer curtains, and a small round table adorned with a few cute stuffed animals.
"It really does feel like a little fairytale cottage."
"Heehee, isn't it nice?" Xia Qingxue was very pleased with the apartment. Otherwise, she wouldn't have gone to the trouble of hiring movers from the labor market. Of course, she was also glad she had made that decision.
"Yeah, it's nice. Well, I've seen the place, so I should..."
Before he could finish, Xia Qingxue took a swift step in front of him. She raised a fair, delicate index finger and pressed it to his lips. "Don't say anything. Wait for me. I'm going to take a shower."
Seeing her clumsy attempt at flirting, Chen Pingchuan chuckled. "Who taught you that?"
"Hmph! Darn it, you saw through me. But this is how they do it on TV."
He gently flicked her forehead. "Alright, stop learning those bad habits. I'll sit for a bit, then I'll head back."
Xia Qingxue gave a soft, sweet "Mmm" and then whispered, "Feel free to look at anything in the room, you know."
With that cryptic remark, she disappeared into the bathroom. Soon, the sound of rushing water echoed from within. Chen Pingchuan didn't quite understand what she meant, but he wasn't in a hurry to ask. Instead, he casually looked around.
Just then, his eyes landed on a small, dark green crystal bottle placed prominently on her dressing table.
Could this be the alpha virus potion from the first simulation?
Glancing at the bathroom door, he figured he had some time before she came out. He walked over to the vanity, sat down, and curiously inspected the little green bottle but found nothing unusual about it.
This bottle reminds me of the medicated oil that was so common in my previous world.
At the thought, a strange impulse took over. He unscrewed the cap and took a sniff. After all, the simulations had shown that the virus couldn't be transmitted through the air, so he had let his guard down.
As the potent fragrance flooded his senses, a frenzied, overwhelming desire erupted from the depths of his being.
Damn it, this perfume is poison!
That was his last conscious thought.
Inside the bathroom, Xia Qingxue leaned against the door, still fully clothed, her hand pressed to her chest. She had no idea if her little ploy would work. That final, subliminal suggestion had been the best she could do.
When a low, beast-like growl echoed from the other side of the door, she knew.
The plan worked. A pang of guilt shot through her. I didn't want to do this, but I'm out of time.
She gently opened the bathroom door.
She was met by a beast-like Chen Pingchuan, his masculine aura fierce and overwhelming. Xia Qingxue didn't resist. Feeling his unbridled desire, she spoke with a calm that defied the situation.
"Tell me, do you love me?"
The man, who had been wantonly exploring her mysterious terrain, stopped abruptly. Confusion filled his eyes, as if his rapidly processing brain had encountered a fatal error and simply crashed.
"Let me rephrase. Do you like me?"
"I do."
"Do you know my identity or where I come from?"
"No."
"If I leave one day, will you come and find me?"
"I will."
"No matter how dangerous the journey?"
"No matter how dangerous the journey."
Xia Qingxue let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding, relieved. Finally, in a shy voice, she uttered words that made even herself blush.
"Don't say anything. Love me."