Liu Erlong picked up her chopsticks and took a spoonful of congee. The rice was soft and tender, cooked to perfect consistency.
She tried a bite of the side dish—crisp, refreshing, perfectly seasoned.
"Not bad," she praised sincerely.
Dai Chengfeng smiled. "I'm glad you like it."
They ate breakfast in quiet companionship, exchanging a few words here and there—the atmosphere warm and harmonious.
After the meal, Dai Chengfeng stood to clear the table. Liu Erlong rose too, reaching for the dishes.
"I'll wash them," she said.
"We'll do it together."
He didn't let her take over. Side by side at the sink, one washed while the other rinsed.
As Liu Erlong scrubbed a bowl, she suddenly felt Dai Chengfeng draw near from behind—his warm breath brushing her ear.
"Erlong," he murmured her name, voice laced with amusement.
"What?" Her hands kept moving, but her ears turned pink.
Dai Chengfeng wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder. "Nothing. Just wanted to hold you."
His arms were strong, his chest pressed firmly against her back. Through the thin fabric, she could feel his heat clearly. She tried to pull away—but he only held her tighter.
"Stop fooling around—I'm washing dishes," she chided softly, though there was no real reproach in her tone.
"You wash. I'll hold."
Dai Chengfeng teased, refusing to let go. He even nuzzled her neck deliberately, his warm breath sending shivers down her spine.
"Dai Chengfeng!"
Liu Erlong gritted her teeth and jabbed her elbow lightly backward.
He let out a muffled grunt—but still didn't release her. Instead, he grew bolder, dipping his head to press a soft kiss to the side of her neck.
Liu Erlong froze, nearly dropping the bowl in her hands.
She took a deep breath, forcing calm into her voice: "If you keep this up, I won't wash anything."
"Then don't."
Dai Chengfeng chuckled lowly, turning her to face him. He braced his hands on either side of the sink, caging her in his embrace.
They were so close she could see the laughter in his eyes—and beneath it, a tenderness that made her heart skip.
Morning light streamed in behind him, haloing his silhouette, blurring his edges yet making him all the more magnetic.
"You…"
Liu Erlong opened her mouth—but words failed her.
Dai Chengfeng studied her face: the flush on her cheeks, the nervous press of her lips, the bright, flustered spark in her eyes.
In that moment, he thought she'd never looked more beautiful.
"You're stunning," he whispered, voice thick with unguarded admiration.
Liu Erlong's blush deepened. She turned her face away. "Flatterer."
"From the heart," he said earnestly, cupping her cheek. "Erlong… you have no idea how beautiful you are."
His gaze was too intense, his tone too sincere. Liu Erlong's heart fluttered—she didn't know how to respond. She lowered her eyes, long lashes casting trembling shadows.
Dai Chengfeng leaned down and kissed her.
The kiss was gentle, lingering—not driven by lust, but by pure, quiet reverence.
At first, Liu Erlong stiffened—but soon relaxed, her arms circling his waist as she returned the kiss.
In the morning light, they embraced in the kitchen, their silhouettes merging into a scene of perfect domestic warmth.
After a long while, Dai Chengfeng finally pulled back, forehead resting against hers, breath slightly uneven.
"I wish we could stay like this forever," he sighed.
Liu Erlong nestled in his arms, catching her breath. She smiled faintly. "You're the Fourth Prince of Star Luo—with duties at the Spirit Hall too. You can't just stay like this."
"That's why I cherish this moment even more."
He held her tightly, as if trying to fuse her into his very bones.
They lingered a while longer before separating to finish cleaning the kitchen.
This time, Dai Chengfeng behaved—no more teasing touches. But his eyes never left Liu Erlong, watching her with quiet, unwavering tenderness.
Once everything was tidy, Dai Chengfeng bid her farewell.
Outside, the streets bustled with people—lively, noisy, full of life.
Yet walking through the crowd, Dai Chengfeng felt an unusual calm.
At the Spirit Hall, guards bowed respectfully as he passed, clearing his path.
He nodded in acknowledgment and headed straight to his courtyard.
The moment he stepped inside, he found Zhu Zhuqing already waiting.
Clad in black training attire, her figure was sleek and poised. Her long hair was tied high, neat and efficient.
She gave a slight nod as he approached.
"Been waiting long?" Dai Chengfeng asked.
"No. Just arrived." Zhu Zhuqing shook her head, expression calm.
But Dai Chengfeng noticed something different about her today.
Though her demeanor remained cool, her brows carried a subtle weight—as if burdened by unspoken thoughts.
"Shall we begin?" he asked.
"Wait…"
Zhu Zhuqing looked at him, eyes flickering with complexity. She bit her lip, then spoke abruptly: "Chengfeng, I have a question."
"Go ahead."
Dai Chengfeng walked to the edge of the training ground and took a sip from his water flask.
Zhu Zhuqing stepped closer, expression serious. "Is our cultivation method… progressing too slowly with the Asura God Power?"
Dai Chengfeng paused, turning to face her.
Her gaze was clear, resolute—waiting for his answer.
He nodded. "Yes. Why?"
Zhu Zhuqing took a deep breath, as if steeling herself for something irreversible.
She stepped forward—so close their breaths mingled.
"Chengfeng." She met his eyes, voice soft yet crystal clear. "You will marry me, right?"
Dai Chengfeng froze, completely unprepared for the question.
Zhu Zhuqing was his fiancée—that had been settled long ago.
But though they'd grown close, they'd never spoken so plainly about marriage.
He studied her. In the training yard's light, her face looked especially pale, her cat-like eyes fixed on him—clear, determined, yet betraying a hint of hidden tension.
"Of course."
He nodded. "You're my fiancée."
It was a simple truth—no need to deny it.
Though their engagement began as political alliance, years of companionship had bred genuine admiration in him. She was strong, independent, principled—her talent and character unmatched.
At his words, Zhu Zhuqing stepped even closer.
"I thought about it all last night," she said quietly, voice trembling almost imperceptibly. "Since I'm destined to marry you… perhaps some things needn't wait until after the wedding."
Dai Chengfeng's heart stirred. He understood what she meant.
Zhu Zhuqing lifted her chin, her feline eyes gleaming with resolve. "Cultivating the Asura God Force through conventional methods is too slow. But if we…"
She hesitated, a faint blush rising to her cheeks.
Dai Chengfeng listened silently, not interrupting.
"So…" Zhu Zhuqing drew a sharp breath, as if summoning every ounce of courage. "Tonight… come find me at my quarters."
The moment the words left her lips, she couldn't bear to look at him. Turning abruptly, she hurried away—her steps quick, her retreating figure radiating flustered urgency.
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