Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Where Did He Kiss?

In springtime, the flowering trees planted along the roads of the Upper City District were in full bloom, their delicate petals trembling in the warm breeze.

Every year at this time, the news media would take photos and promote them with great fanfare, calling it a paradise on earth and a testament to the Empire’s success in combating pollution.

But inside the spacious flying vehicle, Jiang Qingli was in no mood to appreciate the scenery. She felt utterly restless.

’She really couldn’t understand why, in such a spacious flying vehicle, two men insisted on squeezing in next to her!’

When the door had opened a moment ago, Baili Jing was sitting in the back seat with a smile, beckoning her to get in.

The other seats in the flying vehicle, including the front passenger seat, were all piled high with gift boxes. The only available spot was the one next to Baili Jing.

Jiang Qingli had no choice but to sit next to Baili Jing.

Baili Jing looked at Qin Muye outside, feigning a little surprise. "Sorry, it looks like there’s no more room. Why don’t you sit in the front, Muye?"

As soon as he said that, the driver quickly cleared the gift boxes from the front seat and stuffed them into a storage compartment.

Qin Muye: "..."

Qin Muye huffed. "No need. She can just sit on my lap."

As he spoke, he reached for Jiang Qingli’s waist. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Baili Jing’s smile faltered.

Jiang Qingli said, "I can just sit in the front. You two sit in the back."

As she started to get up, the expressions on both men’s faces turned even fouler.

The driver quickly interjected, "Young Master, we can move the gift boxes from the back seat to the front."

After the back seat was cleared, a space for one person indeed opened up. Qin Muye squeezed in and sat down next to Jiang Qingli, effectively boxing her in.

The problem seemed to be solved, but in reality, things had only gotten messier.

The legs of the two men beside her were pressed firmly against her own, the warmth of their bodies transferring through the fabric and making her extremely uncomfortable.

Jiang Qingli had only been sitting for a moment when she felt Baili Jing take her hand and begin to gently knead it.

The spots he pressed tingled. Jiang Qingli tried to pull her hand away, but couldn’t. "What are you doing?" she whispered.

"Do you remember Uncle Lin? We saw him all the time when we were kids," Baili Jing said with a smile. "I ran into him at the banquet last night. He’s studying ancient Chinese medicine and taught me a few relaxation techniques. He said I should help my female master relax more often."

The name sounded vaguely familiar to Jiang Qingli, but she couldn’t recall who he was. To avoid giving herself away, she just nodded vaguely and let him continue.

Seeing her consent, the smile at the corners of Baili Jing’s lips deepened.

His smile didn’t last long.

Qin Muye suddenly let out a sharp hiss and rested his head directly on Jiang Qingli’s shoulder.

The tall young man leaned his entire body toward her. His hand was behind her, pinning the hem of her dress, and his face was so close to her neck that his scorching breath brushed against her delicate skin.

"I was exhausted last night." Qin Muye’s excuse was even more potent. "Let me just rest for a bit."

Jiang Qingli wasn’t used to being this close to him, but she remembered his spiritual power going out of control last night. He really must be exhausted.

Her heart softened, especially when she remembered the little boy from Qin Muye’s memories. She steadied him by placing an arm on his back, her voice softening. "Okay. Get some rest."

Qin Muye’s lips curled into a smirk. He lifted his eyes and, from an angle Jiang Qingli couldn’t see, shot a provocative glance at Baili Jing.

Then he nestled back against her, holding her even tighter, stopping just short of pulling her into his lap entirely.

They were pressed close together, so intimate they could have been any one of the countless couples deeply in love.

Watching this scene, Baili Jing felt his eyes sting and ache. The smile he’d been wearing finally vanished, and his expression darkened completely.

-

Although he was leaning on her, Jiang Qingli didn’t feel he was too heavy. She just noticed that his embrace had grown tighter.

The flying vehicle moved at high speed, nearly running red lights several times.

When they arrived home, Qin Muye’s eyes were still closed.

Jiang Qingli turned to Baili Jing. "Can you give me a hand? I can’t move him."

"No need," Baili Jing said, his smile not reaching his eyes. "This flying vehicle isn’t needed for anything else at the moment. He can sleep here."

A few seconds after he said that, Qin Muye opened his eyes.

His gray-blue eyes blinked, as if he had just woken up. He looked at Jiang Qingli. "What’s wrong?"

Because of their positions, Qin Muye was looking up at Jiang Qingli.

When he looked up at her, he resembled an obedient puppy gazing at its owner.

Jiang Qingli was suddenly reminded of his Spiritual Body curled up in her arms. Her hand moved faster than her thoughts, patting the top of Qin Muye’s head.

A hint of a smile touched her voice. "Nothing. We’re home."

After she did that, everyone was visibly stunned.

The driver, especially, looked like he wanted to jump out of the vehicle.

’The Prince’s explosive temper was infamous across the interstellar network. I myself saw him send a guy flying for just trying to get chummy with him.’

’It’s over, it’s over. This flying vehicle is going to get totaled today.’

Just as the driver was debating whether to make a run for it, he saw Qin Muye release Jiang Qingli and let out a soft "Mm."

Then he got out of the vehicle with Jiang Qingli, one hand in his pocket, trailing behind her.

As meek as a lamb.

The driver was speechless.

’Who managed to tame him like that?’

-

Back at home, Ye Linyuan was nowhere to be seen.

Yi Nuo said respectfully, "Miss, Mr. Ye didn’t return last night."

"He’s probably just busy," Baili Jing said thoughtfully. "A lot of people want to get to know Professor Ye. He was likely caught up in social obligations."

Qin Muye scoffed. "Social butterfly."

At that moment, Qin Muye conveniently forgot about the time he had stayed out all night, street racing in the mountains with his buddies.

Baili Jing smiled at Jiang Qingli. "Qingli, I have a present for you."

Only after he spoke did Jiang Qingli realize that the driver had brought in all the gift boxes from the vehicle.

Jiang Qingli walked over and opened one of the boxes to find a silver-white evening gown. She opened another—it was also a dress.

There were thirty boxes in total, containing thirty different gowns.

Baili Jing said, "I ordered ninety-nine in total. This is just the first batch. The rest are being rushed."

Jiang Qingli was astounded by his extravagance. "Is it some kind of holiday today?"

Baili Jing thought for a moment. "When we were kids, we raised a caterpillar together. It eventually turned into a butterfly and flew away. Today is the tenth anniversary of its metamorphosis."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Qin Muye scoffed.

’Childhood this, childhood that. All this damn fox knows how to do is bring up pointless things from the past.’

’What’s the matter? Is it because Jiang Qingli has no interest in him now?’

’It’s just ninety-nine dresses. What’s the big deal?’

Qin Muye pulled out his terminal and, with a cold expression, sent a message to the imperial tailor: [I want to order 999 dresses, all different styles. How long will it take?]

The reply came back, full of trepidation: [May I ask if you will be the one wearing them, or... ?]

Qin Muye subconsciously typed the two words "female master," but upon seeing them, hastily deleted them and retyped: [Jiang Qingli.]

The tailor replied: [Could you please provide Miss Jiang’s measurements?]

Qin Muye: [...]

’Her measurements...’

Qin Muye’s gaze drifted unconsciously to Jiang Qingli. Sunlight filtered through the cotton fabric of her dress, vaguely outlining the slender, girlish figure beneath its wide skirt.

A few seconds later, a maid cried out in alarm, "Your Highness, you have a nosebleed!"

-

She had no classes today, so after watching the maids clean up Qin Muye’s nosebleed, Jiang Qingli went upstairs to read.

That night, Qin Muye was summoned back by the Imperial Family.

Only two of them were left for dinner.

Baili Jing didn’t have the kitchen staff cook; instead, he prepared the meal himself.

Miraculously, every dish he made was one of Jiang Qingli’s favorites.

After dinner, Jiang Qingli prepared to go upstairs to continue reading.

Baili Jing walked her to her door. Just as she was about to push it open, he suddenly braced a hand on the doorframe beside her head and slowly leaned in.

The distance between them closed in an instant.

Jiang Qingli remembered how Baili Jing had kissed her in front of Qin Muye that other night. Her scalp tingled with apprehension, and she froze.

Just as she was about to push him away, he simply watched her for a moment. His thin lips curved slightly as he gently touched them to her forehead.

"Good night, Qingli." His voice was as gentle as ever. "See you tomorrow."

Jiang Qingli touched her forehead, overcome by a powerful sense of déjà vu.

Countless "Good nights" echoed in her ears, each one as gentle as the one she had just heard.

Jiang Qingli took a step, subconsciously wanting to follow Baili Jing’s retreating form.

However, the door behind her suddenly swung open.

A snake’s tail coiled forcefully around her, pulling her into a cool embrace.

A punishing bite nipped the tip of her ear, making it sting.

A hoarse, gloomy voice whispered by her ear:

"Where did he kiss you just now?"