Dai Chengfeng said no more. He gently lifted her smooth chin with his fingers, forcing her to meet his gaze.
Then, without hesitation, he kissed her.
Unlike the dominant and possessive kiss he had given Zhu Zhuqing—which carried a sense of punishment and claiming—his kiss with Hu Liena was more focused on technique and teasing.
His kiss was tender and lingering, skillfully pushing her buttons…
At first, Hu Liena responded with a hint of mockery and provocation, as if saying, "Is this all you've got?"
But soon, under Dai Chengfeng's expert and targeted kissing technique, her feigned composure crumbled completely.
"Mmm~!"
Hu Liena was naturally endowed with an alluring charm, making her more sensitive and open to such things.
Now, being deliberately teased by Dai Chengfeng, her body's most honest reactions were quickly ignited.
Her eyes grew hazy, her breathing became rapid, and her fingers, which had been tracing circles, now tightly gripped the front of his robe. Her slender body unconsciously leaned closer to him, seeking more warmth and comfort.
When the kiss ended, Hu Liena's cheeks were flushed red, her eyes shimmered with desire, and her neatly styled hair had become slightly disheveled, adding to her lazy, seductive allure.
She breathed softly, casting a playful glare at Dai Chengfeng, her voice soft and sultry:
"You just use this trick to silence me…"
Dai Chengfeng chuckled softly, his fingers affectionately stroking her smooth, warm cheek. His tone carried confident assurance:
"But isn't this the most effective way to deal with you?"
He understood Hu Liena's pride and knew she needed this feeling of being "specially conquered" to affirm her own allure.
Next, he modified the explanation he had given Zhu Zhuqing, rephrasing it in a tone that suited Hu Liena's personality—infused with a touch of flirtation and promise.
He still emphasized that Xiaowu's involvement was purely coincidental and rooted in morality, but between the lines, he subtly hinted that Hu Liena held a unique place in his heart.
"Nana, you are different from them."
"You understand me better, and we share… a deeper chemistry."
"The road ahead requires someone like you by my side—not just as a lover, but as a trusted ally."
He deliberately elevated their relationship to the level of strategic partners, which undoubtedly hit the right notes for Hu Liena.
As the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall, she yearned not only for romantic love but also for a companion who could stand beside her and overlook the world together.
Hu Liena was an exceptionally intelligent woman who knew when to stop.
Seeing Dai Chengfeng come to reassure her with sincerity, giving her a "special" experience through his actions, and knowing her value in his heart—both emotionally and strategically—she decided not to dwell further on the matter.
She extended her arms, softly wrapping them around Dai Chengfeng's neck, bringing her lips close to his ear. Her breath was sweet, carrying a hint of playful threat but mostly seductive allure.
"I'll let it slide this time."
"But if you dare to bring any more 'flowers and grasses' into your life without my permission, I won't be so forgiving next time. You'll have to… properly compensate me."
The implications in her words were clear, temporarily putting the matter to rest while shifting the focus from the mysterious Xiaowu to the more intimate dynamics of their future interactions.
Having soothed this cunning and complicated Holy Maiden, he gently patted Hu Liena's back and lingered for a few more moments.
When he stepped out of Hu Liena's tent, the night had grown even deeper.
Dai Chengfeng rubbed his slightly throbbing temples and turned his gaze toward another tent on the opposite side of the campsite. Though quieter, it emanated faint traces of unease and resentment.
Ning Rongrong's quarters.
This final member of the group might not possess Hu Liena's depth or Zhu Zhuqing's restraint, but handling her would require a completely different approach.
He walked slowly, already formulating a plan in his mind.
Dealing with a spoiled little princess like Ning Rongrong required more than just gentle reassurance—it might backfire, making her think he was easy to manipulate and encouraging her to push further.
Sometimes, a touch of dominance and "discipline" was necessary to establish boundaries while simultaneously providing her with a strange sense of security that came from being cared for.
He lifted the flap of Ning Rongrong's tent and, as expected, found the girl wide awake, sitting on her bed with her knees hugged to her chest. The bed was covered with a soft, plush rug.
Hearing the movement, she glanced up briefly at Dai Chengfeng before quickly lowering her head, fidgeting with the hem of her pajamas. Her demeanor screamed, "I'm upset, I'm angry, but I won't say anything—I'll wait for you to notice and comfort me."
Her stubborn yet pitiable expression had a certain charm.
Dai Chengfeng understood her game but didn't call her out on it.
He closed the tent flap behind him, walked over to Ning Rongrong, and instead of sitting down immediately, loomed over her.
The tent was so quiet that her suppressed, shallow breathing was clearly audible.
He intentionally remained silent for a moment, creating an invisible pressure, then squatted down to meet her seated height, calling her name calmly:
"Rongrong."
Ning Rongrong's body trembled almost imperceptibly, but she stubbornly turned her head away, presenting him with a profile and her slightly pouting, rosy lips—ready to hang oil bottles—silently protesting.
Dai Chengfeng sighed inwardly. This little one was definitely throwing a tantrum.
His tone grew firmer, carrying a note of undeniable seriousness:
"Lift your head and look at me."
Ning Rongrong seemed startled by this tone, hesitating slightly before reluctantly turning her head and raising her face.
Like a frightened little rabbit.
Dai Chengfeng kept his expression stern, showing no signs of softening.
"I know what you're thinking."
"But my encounter with Xiaowu was truly coincidental—an act of assistance."
"Dai Chengfeng may sometimes act without concern for trivial matters, but I wouldn't take advantage of an unknown, injured girl in the middle of the night."
"Believe it or not, that's the truth."
Ning Rongrong pouted, muttering softly with a thick nasal tone.
"Who knows… It was the middle of the night, a man and a woman alone… And she's quite pretty too…"
Her voice trailed off, but her jealousy remained undiminished.
"Ning Rongrong!" Dai Chengfeng frowned, his voice suddenly dropping with clear anger.
This sharp rebuke startled her, causing her entire body to shudder. She looked up at Dai Chengfeng, fear evident in her eyes.
She rarely saw him look so severe with her.
Without giving her a chance to explain herself, Dai Chengfeng reached out abruptly, grabbing her delicate wrist. With a slight pull, he yanked her off the bed.
Ning Rongrong let out a surprised cry, not yet comprehending what was happening, when she felt the world spin.
In the next second, she found herself forcibly pressed face-down across his knees, her hips awkwardly raised at an embarrassing angle.
"Ah! What… What are you doing? Let me go!"
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