The Art of Subduing Dragons

Chapter 187

This topic was indeed quite awkward. The concept of affection levels was sweet when it was just her knowing about it, but if Ruan Li also knew, it would turn into a public execution.

Luo Qingci internally regretted her candor. She had been pretty good at keeping up appearances, but she had become careless due to her sudden honesty and had inadvertently exposed herself.

With an awkward expression, she struggled to remain calm and explained, "I just don't want you to be angry. There's nothing else to it."

Ruan Li knew Luo Qingci too well and was familiar with the occasional strange things she said, so she was particularly sensitive. She recalled Luo Qingci's earlier comment about not lowering the affection level.

She understood affection, but what was "affection level"? Was it the degree of liking? Had she ever lowered it?

"Master, are you hiding something from me? What is an affection level?" She looked up at Luo Qingci, feeling that something was off.

Luo Qingci felt helpless and cursed the gleeful system in her mind. She opened her mouth but hesitated, finally saying with resignation, "A Li, you probably don't want to know."

This only piqued Ruan Li's curiosity further.

Luo Qingci clearly saw the familiar curiosity in Ruan Li's eyes and felt more distressed. The little rascal who used to ask a million questions had grown up, but her curiosity remained undiminished.

"A Li, sometimes curiosity can get you into trouble," she said seriously, trying to cover her embarrassment.

Ruan Li smiled at her words, adjusting her belt slowly, "Master, now you've made me even more curious. Also, I'm no longer a little dragon."

Luo Qingci felt exasperated. "If I tell you, you mustn't get angry, doubt me, avoid me, or lower my affection level." She had to navigate the difficulty of transitioning from negative to positive levels.

The four "mustn'ts" made Ruan Li involuntarily tense up. What could be so serious?

Luo Qingci tried to remain calm and explained, "I told you I came here to complete a task, to prevent you from falling into demonic paths. To facilitate my task, I was given some assistance. One of these was a record of your level of affection for me, called affection level."

Ruan Li nodded, confirming her suspicion. However, she didn't fully grasp the true power of this thing and was somewhat puzzled, "It doesn't seem like much."

Luo Qingci cleared her throat and nodded.

But Ruan Li quickly realized something was wrong. She stared at Luo Qingci in disbelief, her face turning from pale to red, and after a while, she stammered, "Master, when you said not to lower the affection level... does that mean that my thoughts directly affect the affection level? Even if I get jealous, it lowers the affection level?"

Luo Qingci didn't dare to look at Ruan Li. This could be both a big deal and a small one.

The two were now very close, and it wasn't a serious matter, but if Ruan Li thought about it deeply, she might not handle it well.

The thought of Ruan Li knowing that every time they practiced together, the affection level constantly reminded her of Ruan Li's feelings and mood, made Luo Qingci worry that Ruan Li might be mortified.

If it was severe, Ruan Li might even lower her affection level completely out of embarrassment.

Luo Qingci's silence was effectively an admission of Ruan Li's guess.