"Lin Fei, that's my name! I never change it for anyone!" Lin Fei announced proudly, puffing out her chest as she spoke. Her amber-like eyes stared directly at Gu Changqing, curiosity gleaming in them.
"Hey, what's your name?" she asked, her tone still filled with arrogance.
As Lin Fei took a closer look at Gu Changqing, she couldn't help but notice how flawless he was. He was incredibly good-looking, without a single imperfection in sight. If he became her boyfriend, it certainly wouldn't be a bad deal for her.
"Oh, so you're Lin Fei? My apologies for not recognizing such a beauty earlier. I also like you. Since you've confessed so boldly, why don't we just start dating from today?" Gu Changqing smiled mischievously, having already guessed her identity. This must be the same Lin Fei from Black Rock City, the one often seen alongside Xue Mei.
Gu Changqing wasn't disappointed. After all, the novel had described her vividly as a mischievous yet captivating beauty. Now, seeing her in person, she was even more stunning than he'd imagined.
Without a second thought, Gu Changqing reached out, and before Lin Fei could react, she found herself pulled into his arms.
"Ah! What are you—?"
Lin Fei gasped, startled not only by his strength but also by how forward he was. She had only just introduced herself, and yet, this bold stranger was already accepting her confession.
"Lin Fei, huh? Well, I'm Gu Changqing, and from now on, I'll be your boyfriend," he declared smoothly, lifting her delicate chin with his hand. Without hesitation, he leaned in and pressed his lips against hers.
"Mmm!" Lin Fei's eyes widened in shock. She never expected her first kiss to be taken so easily.
People on the street stood frozen in disbelief.
"W-What just happened...?"
"Is that Lin Fei?!"
"No way! Lin Fei just got kissed—right in front of us?!"
"Is that her boyfriend? They've only just met! How did things escalate so fast?"
The crowd had all heard Lin Fei's daring confession moments earlier. Before they could even process it, she was already in Gu Changqing's arms, being kissed passionately on the back of a magical lion. It was a scene they never imagined witnessing.
"Unbelievable... Lin Fei actually got confessed to... and now she's lost her first kiss?!" Xue Mei, still up on the city wall and yet to reach them, was equally stunned. She had never seen Lin Fei like this before. Her friend, known for her fiery independence, was now being held and kissed right in the middle of the street.
It was a scandal!
And even worse—Lin Fei was the one who had initiated the confession. No matter how you looked at it, she was the one in the wrong!
"Let me go, you… you jerk!" Lin Fei finally pulled away, her face flushed with a mix of anger and embarrassment. She raised her fists and started hitting Gu Changqing in a frenzy.
Tears welled up in her amber eyes. She had only made a silly bet with Xue Mei, and now her first kiss had been stolen by this infuriating guy.
Her emotions swirled—she was angry, upset, humiliated, and confused. But among it all, there was also something sweet lingering, something she didn't want to admit: his kiss had tasted surprisingly nice. But that small sweetness paled in comparison to the overwhelming storm of emotions she was feeling.
"Alright, alright, don't be mad, my dear girlfriend. I'll take responsibility. I like you, Lin Fei," Gu Changqing said softly, holding her hands gently to stop her from hitting him further. His gaze was sincere as he looked into her tear-filled eyes, and his voice was tender.
Lin Fei blinked, momentarily stunned. His words seemed genuine, and the way he looked at her was… hypnotic. How could someone so irritating look so breathtakingly handsome?
There's a saying: If someone is good-looking enough, even when they do something wrong, they can be forgiven.
That was exactly what Lin Fei was thinking now. Gu Changqing was just too good-looking. His deep, sincere gaze felt like it was pulling her in. And then there was that aura around him—it had a mysterious charm that made her feel oddly close to him.
Before she knew it, Gu Changqing leaned in again, this time gently kissing the tears off her cheeks. His lips brushed over her eyes before returning to claim her lips once more.
Lin Fei's entire body shuddered, her mind going blank as she fell into his embrace again.
"Lin Fei, are you okay? You... you scoundrel! Let go of Lin Fei!" A voice suddenly shouted from nearby.
Xue Mei had finally arrived and, seeing Lin Fei in Gu Changqing's arms, drew her sword with a sharp clang, charging toward him in a fit of rage.
"Roar!"
But the Purple-Winged Lion, ever vigilant, wouldn't let anyone approach its master so easily. With a thunderous roar, it lifted a powerful paw and swiped at Xue Mei, ready to strike her down.
The lion was a Tier-3 magical beast, still growing but already possessing immense strength. Even without using its full power, it could crush someone like Xue Mei, who was just an ordinary fighter.
Seeing the enormous paw descending on her, Xue Mei's face paled. She had never faced such overwhelming strength before.
But just as the paw was about to strike, Gu Changqing appeared beside her in a flash, pulling her slender waist into his arms and swiftly dodging the attack. His finger tapped lightly on her forehead as he said calmly, "You shouldn't rush into battles you can't win, understand?"
"You…" Xue Mei's face flushed crimson with embarrassment and anger. Her heart raced uncontrollably. She had always prided herself on her purity and cleanliness, yet now she found herself in this scoundrel's arms. She could feel the warmth of his hand on her waist, sending electric tingles through her body.
"Damn it, let go of Xue Mei!" a furious voice suddenly echoed from the street.
A handsome young man, accompanied by a group of guards, was rushing toward them, his face twisted with both shock and anger.
"Xue Mei! Lin Fei! Are you two alright?"
"Men, kill this scoundrel! How dare he publicly harass Lin Fei and Xue Mei! Unforgivable!"
The young man was both horrified and enraged. He had heard Lin Fei's bold confession earlier and witnessed her getting kissed by this stranger. And now, this same stranger was holding the woman he adored—Xue Mei!