Chapter 681
Renxue's Shyness
Chapter 681 Qian Renxue's Shyness
Dai Chengfeng's technique wasn't exactly skillful, but it was patient and meticulous enough. His fingertips would occasionally brush against her scalp or the back of her neck, causing her to shudder slightly.
Qian Renxue's body stiffened slightly as she felt his rare tenderness, a warmth rising in her heart mixed with even more shyness.
She never imagined that this usually arrogant and unruly man would have such a... considerate side.
"I can do it myself..."
She said softly, trying to take the towel.
"Don't move."
Dai Chengfeng pressed her hand down, his voice low and unquestionable, "Let me do it."
Qian Renxue stopped struggling and obediently let him do as he pleased.
The palace was silent for a moment, with only the sound of towels rubbing against hair and the breathing of the two people who were so close together.
The flickering candlelight cast their shadows on the wall, overlapping intimately.
"Just now...did you go to see His Majesty?"
While wiping her hair, Dai Chengfeng asked casually, his tone calm and revealing nothing unusual.
Qian Renxue's heart stirred slightly, and she said softly, "Yes. Mother said she has a headache and told me to come back and rest first."
"Headache?"
Dai Chengfeng continued working with his hands, his tone tinged with amusement, "Indeed, His Holiness the Pope is extremely busy and stressed, so it's inevitable that he might experience some headaches or fevers."
As he spoke, Dai Chengfeng stopped what he was doing, draped the towel over the back of the chair, wrapped his arms around her waist again, and turned her around to face him.
Dai Chengfeng looked at her lowered eyes and brows, her long eyelashes casting a small shadow under her eyes, making her look somewhat pitiful.
He reached out and gently stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers, a gesture tinged with a rare tenderness.
In the candlelight, the two looked into each other's eyes, so close that they could clearly count each other's eyelashes.
A silent ambiguity filled the air, as if something was quietly growing.
Qian Renxue could feel his breath on her face, warm and making her heart race and her cheeks burn.
Looking at her shy and bashful appearance, Dai Chengfeng's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and a dark glint flashed in his eyes.
He slowly lowered his head, his target being her slightly pursed, glistening cherry lips.
Qian Renxue panicked and subconsciously turned her head away, and the kiss landed on her cheek.
The warm touch swept over her, yet it sent a shiver down her spine.
"Don't……"
Her voice trembled, and she pressed her hands against his chest, trying to push him away, but she had no strength.
Dai Chengfeng didn't force her, but simply maintained the close position, their noses almost touching, and asked with a low laugh:
"What, have you forgotten what you promised me last time?"
Qian Renxue's face instantly turned bright red, and even her neck was tinged with crimson.
Of course she remembered, but when the moment came, shyness ultimately triumphed over courage.
"me……"
She stammered, not daring to look at him, her eyes darting around, "This is the Spirit Hall... no, this won't do..."
"Why not?"
Dai Chengfeng raised an eyebrow, deliberately misinterpreting her meaning. His lips moved closer again, this time to her earlobe, and he gently breathed warm air on her. "Is it the place that's not right, or... is it the person who's not right?"
"N-nothing will do!"
Qian Renxue was both embarrassed and anxious from his teasing. Her earlobes felt unbearably itchy from his warm breath, and she couldn't help but shrink back. "Grandpa's still here... what if we get caught..."
"Don't worry, the old man isn't that free to come and check your room in the middle of the night."
Dai Chengfeng chuckled, gently biting her soft earlobe with his teeth. Feeling her body tremble noticeably, he was pleased, but continued to tease her, "Or are you afraid His Holiness the Pope will find out?" Mentioning her mother, Qian Renxue stiffened, the complex emotions she had felt outside the palace earlier resurfacing. She subconsciously shook her head.
"No...it's just..."
"Just what?"
Dai Chengfeng pressed on, his lips tracing her jawline with light kisses, finally stopping at the corner of her mouth, a fleeting, almost imperceptible touch.
Qian Renxue's body went weak from his kiss, her mind went blank, and she could only say instinctively, "I...I'm not ready...and...it really isn't possible here..."
Her voice was trembling with tears, filled with shyness and fear, as if she was about to burst into tears.
Seeing her like this, Dai Chengfeng finally softened.
He stopped what he was doing, looked up, and gazed at the angel heir who was usually aloof and proud, but now blushing like a frightened little rabbit in his arms. An indescribable feeling of tenderness welled up in his heart.
"Okay, I won't pressure you."
He reached out and gently wiped away the tears welling up in her eyes with the pad of his thumb, his voice extremely soft, "I told you, I can wait."
Qian Renxue looked up at him and saw that although there was still some emotion in his eyes, there was no intention of coercion. She felt relieved, but at the same time, a sense of guilt welled up in her heart.
She knew her reaction just now was a bit of a letdown, but he... was so considerate.
"I'm sorry..." she apologized softly.
"Fool, why are you apologizing?"
Dai Chengfeng chuckled, pulling her back into his arms and resting his chin on the top of her head. "I was too hasty. This is the Spirit Hall after all, and your concerns are valid."
He paused, then changed the subject, his tone slightly coaxing: "But... when we have the chance, let's go somewhere else, hmm?"
Qian Renxue buried her head in his arms and nodded gently, her voice barely audible.
"Um……"
With her tacit approval, Dai Chengfeng was in a great mood.
He held her in his arms, slowly pacing through the palace, savoring this moment of tenderness.
Qian Renxue was a little stiff at first, but then she gradually relaxed and even leaned closer to him unconsciously. Listening to his steady heartbeat and feeling the warmth of his embrace, an unprecedented sense of security enveloped her.
"By the way," Dai Chengfeng suddenly remembered something and asked her, looking down at her, "How long do you plan to stay this time?"
Qian Renxue paused for a moment, then said, "It's not decided yet. It depends on what Grandpa and... Mother think. Things are relatively stable in the Heavenly Dou Empire for now."
"Hmm," Dai Chengfeng responded, and didn't ask any more questions.
He wasn't particularly concerned about the situation in the Heavenly Dou Empire, as long as it didn't affect his plans and his little Xue'er.
The two embraced quietly for a while, neither of them speaking again.
The candlelight occasionally crackled softly, while the moonlight outside the window flowed quietly like water.
After an unknown amount of time, Qian Renxue stirred slightly and whispered, "You... should go."
Although she was reluctant to part with him, she knew he couldn't stay any longer.
If the night patrol guards discover something amiss, or if the maids see it first thing tomorrow morning, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Dai Chengfeng also understood this principle.
He lowered his head and placed a light kiss on the top of her head, saying, "Okay, then I'm leaving."
He released his embrace, and Qian Renxue immediately felt a void around her, a chill running through her.
She instinctively reached out and grabbed his sleeve, her eyes revealing obvious reluctance.
Seeing her so affectionate, Dai Chengfeng's heart softened. He took her hand in his own and lowered his head again.
(End of this chapter)