Flower Stealing Master

Ren Yingying burst into laughter out of sheer anger. 

“Fine, I’d like to hear what ‘legitimate purpose’ you have!” She suddenly realized she had fallen entirely into Song Qingshu’s arms. Her face flushed as she discreetly shifted away to lean against the wall.

Song Qingshu made no move to stop her. Instead, he put on a serious expression and said, “Aren’t we supposed to act like a loving couple in front of others? There will inevitably be moments of intimacy. If I accidentally touch your hand and you react as though you’ve been scalded, anyone watching would grow suspicious.”

“Even so… even so, sharing a bed is going too far!” Ren Yingying thought what he said made some sense but still felt something was off. However, she couldn’t pinpoint what it was.

“The reason we should sleep in the same bed is to build our rapport as husband and wife. Think about it—if we can get used to sleeping together, then physical contact in front of others will seem natural, and no one will notice anything unusual.” Seeing the anger on Ren Yingying’s face, Song Qingshu quickly added, “Don’t worry. We’re just sharing a bed. I swear on my honor, I won’t do anything to you.”

“Your honor?” Ren Yingying snorted. “Do you even have any honor?”

“Then what guarantee do you want?” Song Qingshu asked hesitantly.

“Swear on the name of the Song family ancestors,” Ren Yingying said through gritted teeth. In ancient China, swearing by one’s ancestors was considered the most solemn of oaths.

“Fine!” Song Qingshu immediately swore a harsh oath in the name of his ancestors, though he thought to himself, ‘It’s not like I’m truly the original Song Qingshu anyway…’

“Huh?” Ren Yingying was stunned. Only then did she realize she’d fallen into his trap. What was supposed to be a choice between refusing or agreeing had turned into whether or not he was willing to swear.

As she remained lost in thought, a hand suddenly reached out from the covers and pulled her in.

“Hey! Don’t touch me.”

“I’m just holding you. I won’t do anything else.”

“Even holding is not… hey, hey!”

Ren Yingying twisted and turned, but she couldn’t break free. Before long, she heard soft snores beside her. Turning her head slightly, she saw Song Qingshu already fast asleep.

“How can this scoundrel fall asleep so quickly?” Ren Yingying struggled a few more times but still couldn’t free herself from his arms. Now that she knew he was asleep, her sense of danger subsided significantly.

After a night filled with mental and emotional exhaustion—first resisting the ”Cosmic Absorption Technique”, then confronting the arranged marriage—Ren Yingying was utterly drained. Once she relaxed, drowsiness quickly overtook her, and she slowly drifted off to sleep.

Song Qingshu’s snores paused briefly, and the corners of his mouth curled into a faint smile. He tightened his arms around Ren Yingying slightly. Her light, sweet fragrance and youthful, supple b0dy made his thoughts wander, but he refrained from taking any further action. Holding her in his arms, he fell soundly asleep.

***

The next morning, Ren Yingying suddenly opened her eyes and jolted awake. 

‘Oh no, oh no! How could I have fallen asleep last night? That scoundrel must have taken advantage of me…’  

Before she could finish her lament, she froze. Her clothes were intact, and she realized she was curled up in Song Qingshu’s arms like a kitten, her hands clutching his arm.

Turning her head, she saw Song Qingshu still sound asleep. A strange thought crossed her mind: ‘This scoundrel doesn’t look that annoying when he’s asleep.’

Song Qingshu’s eyelashes fluttered. Realizing he was about to wake, Ren Yingying quickly let go of his arm and moved several feet away in an instant.

“How did you sleep last night?” Song Qingshu asked, opening his eyes to see the embarrassed and angry woman before him.

“It was… okay.” For some reason, Ren Yingying hadn’t had the recurring nightmare after falling asleep and had instead slept soundly for several hours. Still, she wasn’t about to admit that, so she gave a vague response.

“See? I told you I wouldn’t do anything to you. I kept my word, didn’t I?” Song Qingshu said, winking playfully at her.

“You did keep your word,” Ren Yingying admitted, her face reddening. Not wanting to stay on the bed any longer, she quickly got up and began grooming herself.

Initially, Ren Yingying considered asking Song Qingshu to step out, but after some thought, she dismissed the idea. After all, they had already shared a bed; what difference did it make? Besides, knowing this scoundrel’s personality, he probably wouldn’t listen even if she asked…

Sitting at her dressing table, Ren Yingying’s long, jet-black hair shimmered like silk under the light. Watching her from behind, Song Qingshu felt as though he were looking at a painting of a graceful lady. He couldn’t help but walk over with a mischievous grin. “Yingying, would you like me to comb your hair for you?”

Ren Yingying immediately stood up and elegantly spun around, evading him. Her face slightly flushed, she firmly replied, “No!”

Seeing her strong reaction, Song Qingshu shrugged helplessly. He thought to himself, ‘Looks like her goodwill toward me still has a long way to go…’

At that moment, a maid’s voice came from outside the door. “Young Miss, Young Master, the Leader has requested your presence.”

It turned out that the two had slept until late morning after the previous night’s events. Ren Woxing, worried about his daughter, had come to check on them early in the morning. When he noticed no activity from Ren Yingying’s room, he had left people to wait outside, instructing them to call the pair as soon as they were awake.

“What? It’s all your fault!” Ren Yingying exclaimed, realizing how late it was. Her sharp voice echoed in the room.

When Ren Yingying followed Song Qingshu to the side hall, she found that, in addition to her father, both Zhao Min and Li Mochou were already waiting. Their strange looks made Ren Yingying wish she could find a hole to crawl into.

Ren Woxing discreetly pulled Song Qingshu aside, his expression turning odd. In a low voice, he asked, “How was last night?”

Seeing the suggestive look on his would-be father-in-law’s face, Song Qingshu was speechless. ‘Is this something a father-in-law should ask?’ But for the sake of solidifying the marriage alliance, he couldn’t tell the truth. Instead, he adopted a nostalgic expression and said, “It was… indescribably wonderful.”

Nearby, Ren Yingying, who had been eavesdropping, turned beet red. She clenched her teeth in anger, wishing she could strangle him on the spot.

“Ahem!” Ren Woxing nearly choked, glaring at Song Qingshu. “I was asking about Yingying’s mood last night!”

Song Qingshu chuckled awkwardly. “Oh, that. She was a bit resistant at first, but after some persuasion, she’s accepted the marriage.”

Not far away, Zhao Min also gritted her teeth in frustration. ‘This scoundrel’s ability to fool women is truly outrageous!’ 

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