If Ji Jiuying saw Gong Mingyue's current appearance, she would definitely think that the person in front of her was Yuezhu instead of Gong Mingyue.

Whoosh!

With a splash, the water in Tianchi Lake rippled continuously.

Gong Mingyue approached Ji Jiuying, his face turning icy cold, and the aura emanating from him sent a chill down Ji Jiuying's spine in her dream.

Just as she was about to wake up, Gong Mingyue's eyes flashed, and drowsiness once again overwhelmed Ji Jiuying.

Where exactly did Yue Zhu touch her? Was it here, or here? Gong Mingyue's slender fingertips traced from her cheek to her lips and then to behind her ear, slowly moving downwards.

Suddenly, Gong Mingyue placed his hand behind her ear and washed her neck with warm water over and over again until her fair skin turned red.

His gaze shifted to Ji Jiuying's thin lips, his fingertips repeatedly rinsing them until they turned a captivating red.

Gong Mingyue seemed to be suppressing something. He closed his eyes, then opened them again, revealing his usual deep affection, without the domineering and obsessive demeanor he had shown earlier.

Beneath his eyelashes, his deep eyes gazed at her slightly parted red lips, flickering with unreadable emotions.

He held Ji Jiuying tightly in his arms, murmuring a few times, "Jiu'er..."

Gong Mingyue felt the softness of her body and greedily absorbed her scent.

But out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of teeth marks on her shoulder. Fragments of memories flashed through his mind, and he looked at her peaceful sleeping face with a pang of heartache.

He tightened his grip on her, then gently stroked the menacing teeth marks with his other hand, as if telling him of her grievances, all because of him.

Gong Mingyue gently tucked her black hair behind her ear, pressed it against her smooth back, and slid his fingertips to her lips.

His eyes darkened.

gentleman?

He, Gong Mingyue, has never been...

Staring at the unconscious Ji Jiuying in his arms, he kissed her without hesitation.

——

Two hours later.

The long eyelashes of the beautiful woman in red on the bed trembled a few times.

Ji Jiuying slowly opened her eyes, and what came into view was Gong Mingyue's devilishly handsome face.

Her hand unconsciously rubbed her neck, which felt numb and unclear. As she regained consciousness, Ji Jiuying glanced down at her clothes, her face flushing. "A-Yue, I didn't..."

Gong Mingyue gently stroked her head, "You fell asleep in Tianchi."

"What about my clothes..."

Ji Jiuying looked up and met his half-smiling eyes. She felt a little uncomfortable. She was so embarrassed. How could she be sleeping so soundly?

Seeing her like that, Gong Mingyue chuckled, "I used my spiritual power to change it for you."

Hearing this, Ji Jiuying breathed a sigh of relief.

"Ah Yue, how long have I been asleep?"

"Two hours."

It had only been two hours, but it felt like she had slept for a long time.

Gong Mingyue saw a hint of blankness in her eyes, and took her hand, "Jiu'er, come and eat something."

Ji Jiuying snapped out of her thoughts. He should have kept quiet, because once he started talking, she felt a pang of hunger and sat down without any hesitation.

Seeing Gong Mingyue sitting next to her, staring straight at her, she asked in confusion, "A-Yue, aren't you going to eat?"

"I've already eaten."

Looking at the table full of dishes, Ji Jiuying picked up her chopsticks, unsure where to begin. "A-Yue, I can't eat if you keep looking at me like that..."

"Then shall I feed you?"

A smile appeared on Gong Mingyue's lips.

Ji Jiuying was taken aback, then quickly shook her head, picked up some food and put it in her mouth, "I'll eat it myself!"

"Hiss~"

Ji Jiuying frowned and cried out in surprise.

"Jiu'er? What's wrong?"

Gong Mingyue supported Ji Jiuying, his face grim, thinking there was something wrong with the food.

"Ah Yue, my lips seem to be chapped~"

Gong Mingyue froze, a hint of panic flashing across his stunning face.

Seeing his uncomfortable expression, Ji Jiuying narrowed her eyes and pinched his arm. "A-Yue, what happened to your gentlemanly demeanor?"

Gong Mingyue snapped out of his daze, cupped her small face in his large hands, and smiled wickedly, "Jiu'er, I've never been a gentleman~"

After speaking, she lowered her head and pressed her finger to his lips.

"Have a meal."

Ji Jiuying sat up in a flustered manner, ignoring the pain in her lips, and began to eat heartily.

Gong Mingyue looked at her like a mouse seeing a cat and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

——

Returning from the Imperial Preceptor's residence, I saw Hei Xiangling sitting together with the woman who had come with Gong Mingyue to rescue her. I don't know what they were talking about, but their laughter echoed in the courtyard.

"You brat, you're back!"

Hei Xiangling caught a glimpse of a red-clad figure at the doorway, put down the melon seeds in her hand, and went to greet her.

“You seem quite relaxed.” Ji Jiuying raised an eyebrow.

Turning her head to look at the woman behind her, she saw a woman dressed in a light blue Cuiyan dress, elegant and refined, with an ethereal air about her. Her bright eyes stared straight at her, her face showing a mischievous and playful expression, which added to her captivating charm.

Why is she staring at her like that?

Ji Jiuying unconsciously touched her cheek. Could it be that she hadn't wiped her mouth just now?

While she was still in a daze, Shiraisha came up to her and even circled around her once.

"Beautiful, absolutely gorgeous!"

Before her stood Ji Jiuying, dressed in a flowing red gown, with a matching ribbon around her waist that accentuated her slender figure. Her hair was styled with a single peach wood hairpin adorned with red jade, her lips were a touch of crimson, her features were exquisite, and her face was free of makeup. The blood lotus between her brows seemed to be a natural addition to her unparalleled beauty, adding a touch of allure and charm.

No wonder that evil god treasured Jiu'er so much. Such a beautiful woman, looking like a fairy, anyone would want to hide her away and party with her every night.

What incredible luck did that devil have? Meeting this beauty even cured his woman-avoidance problem! If only she could cure his habit of kicking people too…

"Who are you?"

Ji Jiuying asked.

Bai Lisha snapped out of her daze and looked at Ji Jiuying with a smile. "Hello, my name is Bai Lisha, and I'm Si Yu's fiancée, though our relationship is still uncertain."

Ji Jiuying raised an eyebrow. Still unsure? Fiancée?

"Hello, my name is Ji Jiuying."

“I know, Sister Xiangling said so.” Bai Lisha pointed to Hei Xiangling behind her, who bit her finger and pretended to look around.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. May I call you Xiao Jiu from now on?"

"good."

"Can I come to see you often from now on?"

"good···"

"Little White, don't you want to find me?" Hei Xiangling said resentfully.

"Sister Xiangling, what are you saying? Of course I will come to find you, and I will wait for you in the Heavenly Realm." Bai Lisha patted Hei Xiangling's shoulder and said earnestly.

"That's more like it."

Hei Xiangling nodded in satisfaction.

Ji Jiuying watched as the two seemed to know each other very well, while she felt like an outsider, unable to join the conversation at all.

"By the way, why didn't Si Yu come with you?" Ji Jiuying asked.