CFSSIR

‧₊˚ 80 ‧₊˚

The encounter ended with Shen Qingyao unable to bear the shame and anger any longer and kicked Gu Ziyan in frustration.

Gu Ziyan was caught off guard and let out a surprised yelp when he was kicked, but Shen Qingyao ignored him and stormed off, her face flushed red. Back in her courtyard, she felt the heat rising within her. She tried fanning herself with her hand to cool down, eventually managing to calm herself somewhat. However, the phrase 'go together in clouds and rain' kept swirling in her mind.

As the evening deepened and the dew grew heavier, Lu Zhao, who had been out handling official business, entered the courtyard under the moonlight. Shen Qingyao was already lying in bed, half asleep after washing up.

"I heard you had an argument with Gu Ziyan this afternoon? And things got physical?" Lu Zhao entered with a smile, asking softly, "Did he bully you?"

Shen Qingyao was surprised that Lu Zhao knew about it. She had only met Gu Ziyuan briefly, yet Lu Zhao seemed to know everything. She was taken aback by the rumors circulating about her, muttering quickly, "No physical fight..." just a kick.

"Oh, no, we didn't argue at all," Shen Qingyao corrected herself hastily. Then she muttered, "Who would let that elementary school kid bully me!"

"What are you saying, Yaoyao?" Her voice dropped in volume for the second half, and Lu Zhao leaned closer, his cool body temperature mingling with the scent of dew and fragrance.

Shen Qingyao shook herself out of her daze and pushed him away, clearing her throat nervously, "It's nothing. Who told you that? Don't believe rumors!"

"Gu Ziyan said so," Lu Zhao raised an eyebrow, dropping a name.

Thinking back to the afternoon when he met Gu Ziyan outside, shouting about being kicked by Shen Qingyao, Lu Zhao couldn't decide whether to be more shocked or amused.

Shen Qingyao froze for a moment, cursing inwardly. How dare Gu Ziyan spread such rumors!

Not only that, now he was fabricating stories in front of Lu Zhao!

Seeing Shen Qingyao's clearly vexed expression, Lu Zhao chuckled softly. "Seems like our little Yaoyao can be quite fierce." He reached out and lightly brushed her nose, curious. "What did he do to make you this angry? Tell me, I'll teach him a lesson tomorrow."

Lu Zhao's inquiry made Shen Qingyao struggle for a moment, trying to banish from her mind the four words that had occupied her thoughts for most of the afternoon.

'Go together in clouds and rain.'

Her face flushed suddenly, and she thought teaching Gu Ziyan a lesson might not be necessary after all. What if she let Lu Zhao go and Gu Ziyan said more nonsense?

Absolutely no way!

"No need! It's nothing, really! He's just making things up." Shen Qingyao reached out and grabbed Lu Zhao's sleeve, avoiding his gaze. Her attempt to cover up only piqued Lu Zhao's curiosity further. He squinted and chuckled, leaning closer. "If it's nothing, why is Yaoyao blushing?"

With his breath tickling her ear, Shen Qingyao swallowed nervously. Now not only her face but her delicate ears were turning red under the lamp's light. Lu Zhao focused on her earlobe, his expression darkening slightly, his breath growing deeper.

The atmosphere between them suddenly became charged with an inexplicable allure, the temperature rising inch by inch. Even the air around them seemed to thicken. Shen Qingyao buried her head, unable to speak. After a while, she felt a cool touch on her earlobe.

Lu Zhao gently kissed her earlobe. Although they kissed frequently, this was the first time he had kissed her earlobe. Shen Qingyao shivered slightly, and then she heard Lu Zhao's low, pleasant laughter by her ear, "Hmm? Why is that? Yaoyao still hasn't told me."