For Dongfang Jinyao, a young lady who ran away from home, Qin Luo, with his current experience, would naturally seize such an opportunity.

However, to his surprise, when Jin Yao heard his affectionate words, her worried eyes were instantly clouded with a melancholy look.

Her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, her almond-shaped eyes widened, and her rosy lips pursed slightly.

"You, with those words, do you have some unrealistic ideas about me? Don't try to deny it! My dad always uses the same tone when he's trying to appease my mom!"

Seeing this, Qin Luo was taken aback, but quickly calmed himself down. Looking at her unnatural gaze, a thought struck him, and he looked directly at her and admitted:

"That's right, Miss Dongfang, I do have some special feelings for you."

Dongfang Jinyao, who had been so aggressive, paused for a moment upon hearing these words, then became flustered, and her cheeks flushed.

"You...you actually admitted it! I knew you weren't up to any good!"

After saying that, she patted Qin Luo's chest with her slender hand, but when she heard the uncontrollable cough and the blood flowing from the corner of his mouth again, Dongfang Jinyao panicked. Her feigned toughness crumbled instantly, and her eyes were full of worry.

"I...I didn't mean to! I..."

Her voice trembled noticeably, and she seemed completely at a loss. She never imagined that her seemingly insignificant slap would worsen Qin Luo's injuries.

Ignoring the bright red blood streaming from the corner of his mouth, Qin Luo suddenly grasped Dongfang Jinyao's delicate hand and gazed at her with deep affection:

“Daughter of the East, you are truly a graceful and beautiful woman, the object of every gentleman’s affections. From the first moment I saw you, I was captivated by your frankness and liveliness. I know it was somewhat sudden, but every time I see your charming smile, my heart grows more certain. In this life, I can no longer live without you!”

Hearing this passionate confession, Dongfang Jinyao's heart pounded like a drum, her whole body froze, her eyes widened, filled with panic.

She tried to pull her hand back, but her hand, which couldn't use any spiritual energy, felt like it was filled with lead and she couldn't move it.

"You...you stop talking..."

Dongfang Jinyao's voice was barely audible, her cheeks as red as ripe apples. She dared not look Qin Luo in the eye and could only look away.

Do you doubt my sincerity?

Seeing her waver, Qin Luo was naturally delighted. It wasn't in vain that he had said such mushy things. These words wouldn't work on a cold and aloof woman like Dan Bingli, but they were very effective on a naive and innocent young lady like Dongfang Jinyao.

"My dear Dongfang, my sincerity towards you is as clear as the sun and moon."

Hearing these heartfelt words, Dongfang Jinyao bit her lower lip, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

From childhood to adulthood, she has had no shortage of suitors, but most of them were attracted by her family background or appearance. This is the first time she has encountered such a sincere and affectionate confession as Qin Luo.

Amidst the perilous ruins and the life-risking protection she had just received, this sudden surge of emotion left her somewhat bewildered.

"I...I've never heard anything like that before." Dongfang Jinyao finally mustered her courage and said softly, "I don't know how to respond to you..."

Seeing her shy expression, Qin Luo knew he was halfway to success. He held her hand, feeling the warmth of her fingertips, and said softly:

"I understand, I was too hasty. I was afraid of losing you if I didn't do something right, so I couldn't help but speak my mind. You don't need to make a decision right away."

Hearing Qin Luo's considerate words, Dongfang Jinyao became even more flustered and stammered:

"I didn't say anything, you... don't flatter yourself."

Dongfang Jinyao's cheeks flushed, and she turned her head away, not daring to look Qin Luo in the eye. Although her voice still carried its usual coquettishness, it lacked its previous harshness.

Qin Luo's gaze fell on Dongfang Jinyao's pretty face, which was feigning anger, and then shifted to the two of them still holding hands tightly. He couldn't help but find it a little funny.

This girl is very quick-witted. She's still putting on a brave front, but in reality, her mind is probably in complete turmoil.

Noticing the increasingly unrestrained handling of the object in her hand, Dongfang Jinyao's heart suddenly raced, and a blush quickly spread from her face to her ears.

She abruptly pulled her hand back as if burned, her eyes filled with a hint of panic and shyness, and said coquettishly:

"What are you doing! Who gave you permission to lay a hand on me...?"

Seeing her like this, Qin Luo's smugness deepened, but he deliberately pretended to be innocent and said:

"It was just an accident, Miss Dongfang, please don't misunderstand."

"Hmph, you still dare to argue!" Dongfang Jinyao stomped her foot and said angrily, but there was no real anger in her eyes. Instead, there was a bit of girlish shyness.

"Have you always been this frivolous and rude?"

Qin Luo quickly waved his hand, his face hardening into a serious expression, and said:

“Miss Dongfang, I had no intention of being disrespectful. It’s just that you seemed a bit relaxed just now, and I couldn’t help myself.”

Dongfang Jinyao turned her head and secretly sized up Qin Luo. The more she looked at him, the more he resembled her father, that womanizing scoundrel. Unconsciously, she took a step back, her wary gaze sweeping over Qin Luo.

"Hmph, I bet you're up to no good. My dad was just as smooth-talking back then, making my mom happy, and what happened? He was always out there having affairs and leaving his mark everywhere. I won't be fooled by you so easily."

No? Your father is a womanizer and I... Never mind, thinking of this, Qin Luo was too ashamed to say that he had never been involved with other women.

He sighed, his expression full of helplessness, before finally speaking:

“Miss Dongfang, I understand your concerns and why you are so wary. But my feelings for you are not as fake as you think.”

Dongfang Jinyao frowned slightly, her suspicion growing stronger:

"A man's words are deceitful; I dare not easily believe them. Besides, we've only known each other for less than half a day. I think what you're doing isn't affection, but lust."

That's not very interesting...

Qin Luo fell silent for a moment, not expecting this girl to suddenly become so intelligent, which made his earlier actions seem somewhat abrupt and offensive.

This only made her more wary.

Seeing him fall silent, Dongfang Jinyao secretly rejoiced, thinking to herself that she had almost fallen for this man's trick and been seduced by him.

After all, they had only known each other for half a day, and this person had already said such shameless things. If she hadn't kept her rationality, she probably would have already been intoxicated by his sweet words and let him manipulate her.

Thinking of this, she confidently raised her chin, her tone slightly mocking, and said:

"What? I've seen through your little scheme, now you have nothing to say?"