After a long while, in the quiet space, Qin Luo gently stroked Nuantang's soft, long hair, again and again, with gentle and soothing movements, calming her uneasy heart.
Although the sweet and lovely girl nestled in Qin Luo's arms, enjoying this moment of tenderness, her heart was filled with shame.
She couldn't help but shift her body, enduring the discomfort as she cautiously looked at him:
“Brother Qin, Nuantang… is so clumsy. She can’t even do this simple thing right. I was just trying to make you happy, but I…”
However, before she could finish speaking, Qin Luo interrupted her self-reproach.
He lowered his head, meeting Nuantang's gaze, and looked at her somewhat pale face, saying softly:
"It's alright, Nuantang, you've done enough."
"Stop overthinking," Qin Luo continued, stroking Nuantang's cheek with one hand, his thumb caressing her skin.
After sighing, his eyes were filled with pity:
“I know you mean well, but you have to understand that your sincerity is the best ‘service’ you can give me.”
Hearing these comforting words, Nuantang's eyes filled with tears again, moved by the feeling of being understood and cherished.
She blinked hard to stop the tears from falling, her voice trembling with sobs yet filled with joy:
"Really, Brother Qin? You really don't blame me?"
Qin Luo simply smiled and shook his head. His physique, tempered by the Primordial Chaos Heaven, possessed strength and resilience far exceeding that of ordinary people, which might be somewhat difficult for this delicate fox-girl.
Thinking of this, Qin Luo gazed at Nuantang, his eyes filled with complex emotions—reluctance, pity, and helplessness.
His lips moved, he hesitated several times as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he steeled himself and said:
"Nuantang, Brother Qin understands your feelings, but I really can't take you with me. You'll understand, right?"
Upon hearing this, Nuantang's smile froze instantly, and she just stared blankly at Qin Luo.
After a long while, she finally came to her senses, a bitter feeling welling up inside her. But she forced back her tears and nodded forcefully, her voice trembling noticeably.
“Brother Qin, Nuantang understands, you must have your own reasons.”
Even so, Nuantang's heart was breaking. She had finally received a response from Brother Qin, but she never expected that this happiness would be so short-lived.
Nuantang bit her lower lip, tears welling up in her eyes and spilling over. She shook her head desperately, choking back sobs as she said:
“Brother Qin, Nuantang is really not sad. Nuantang will wait for you, no matter how long it takes, a year, ten years, or even a lifetime, Nuantang will wait for you. I will stay in the Fox Clan and not go anywhere else, waiting for you to come back and take Nuantang away.”
As she spoke, Nuantang buried her head deeply in Qin Luo's chest, greedily absorbing the unique aura emanating from him, as if she wanted to imprint this aura deep into her soul so that it could sustain her through the long wait.
Even though she knew that Qin Luo would never return, Nuantang still wove a beautiful, illusory dream in her heart, which was the only pillar supporting her at this moment.
“Brother Qin, Nuantang knows that she is just an insignificant ripple in your life and shouldn’t ask for too much. But Nuantang’s heart has always been tied to you and can never be taken back.”
"Nuantang dares not dream of being by your side all the time, nor does she dare to hope that you will always remember her. As long as you are willing to return to this little fox clan when you are most tired and helpless, and give Nuantang a chance to serve you."
"Even if you only stay briefly, or even just pass by in a hurry, without even glancing at me, Nuantang will cherish this as her most precious memory and savor it repeatedly for the rest of her life."
Hearing Nuantang's sobbing voice, Qin Luo couldn't help but give a bitter smile:
"What, you're really hoping I'll never come back?"
Upon hearing the sound, Nuantang hurriedly raised her head, wanting to explain, but saw Qin Luo's fingertip touching her forehead.
A faint light appeared, and Nuantang could clearly feel a trace of divine soul imprint being engraved into her forehead.
The mark carried Qin Luo's unique aura, warm and familiar.
"Nuantang, in this world, love is not enough if it is just liking someone."
Qin Luo withdrew his hand, his gaze falling on Nuantang's face with a complex expression. His expression contained both the seriousness of someone dealing with an important matter and a gentleness that was deliberately concealed yet inadvertently revealed.
"My previous harsh rejection of your feelings wasn't because I ignored them, but because I didn't want to ruin your promising future. But I, Qin Luo, am not that kind of irresponsible person."
As he spoke, he raised his hand and gently touched the soul mark etched on Nuantang's forehead, and continued:
"This soul imprint carries my aura and can unleash my most powerful attack at crucial moments. It is also an opportunity I am giving you."
"One day in the future, when you feel you are ready, whether it is the calming of your mind or the improvement of your strength, you will have reached your expectations. At that time, you only need to crush this soul imprint. No matter where I am in the world or what kind of predicament I am facing, I will put everything down and come to see you."
At this point, Qin Luo took a deep breath, as if he had made a do-or-die decision, and continued:
"If you can satisfy me with your growth and show me a brand new you when we meet again, then it would be perfectly acceptable for you to stay by my side."
"But such an opportunity only comes once! If by then you have not reached a level that satisfies me, then you will have no choice but to remain in this fox clan and continue the long wait."
"Although I will come to see you from time to time, I cannot predict when I will be able to find the time. It will be a year later, ten years later, or even a hundred years later. All of this is unknown."
After speaking, Qin Luo looked into Nuantang's eyes and solemnly said:
"I don't want to weave you an unattainable dream with unrealistic hopes. This is the most honest response I can give you, which is both a respect for you and a respect for your feelings."
In the end, Nuantang is still too ordinary. If I really take Nuantang back, with her "real" seductive identity, she will probably be besieged by all the women.
Therefore, this is the only option left. If she really cannot grow up, then we can only keep her hidden away in the fox clan.
Qin Luo knew in his heart that every woman associated with him was exceptionally talented and beautiful. Compared to them, Nuantang seemed far too lackluster.
Besides, given her personality, she's probably the type who wouldn't talk back when insulted. If I really take her back, she'll probably be subtly mocked every day and used as a punching bag.
I can't just ignore it when the time comes. It's okay once, but if it happens too often, I'll inevitably have to give up on some things. Not only will Nuantang suffer a lot of grievances, but it may also cause more conflicts and make the relationships around me a mess.
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