She Said That Kisses and Hugs Are Needed for Redemption [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 23

In what capacity?

This was a question Lu Xi had never considered. There are many types of bonds between people, but she had never seriously thought about what kind of relationship existed between her and Fu Lancen.

She had approached Fu Lancen to complete a mission and had helped her with all her heart. Counting it up, they had known each other for a long time and had gained some understanding of one another. But trying to define her role was truly a struggle. Was she a mission-taker? A common friend of several months? Or a woman who harbored some feelings for Fu Lancen?

“What is the matter?” Fu Lancen watched Lu Xi closely, taking in every emotion that flashed across her face. She knew the other woman was hesitating over how to answer, but at this moment, she truly wanted to know what their relationship was in Lu Xi’s heart. “Lu Xi, is this question so difficult to answer?”

The fox, her thoughts a tangled mess, leaned closer to the contemplative woman. They were already extremely close; she could see the fine peach fuzz on the woman’s delicate skin, the striking white teeth revealed by her slightly parted red lips, and the lingering mist swirling in those clear, tea-colored eyes.

“Lu Xi.” The fox raised her hand to tug at the woman’s loose collar, pulling herself even closer. After seeing her own reflection in those eyes, she involuntarily softened her voice and asked in an enticing tone, “Why won’t you answer me?”

Her voice was soft and supple, like a babbling brook brushed by a breeze, clear and cool yet mixed with an undeniable allure that made it impossible to refuse. The sweet breath she exhaled fell entirely upon Lu Xi’s nose. Lu Xi dithered for a moment, and when she saw everything clearly, her breath nearly stopped. She wanted to reach out and push the blushing girl away, but her fingertips touched a warm softness. Looking down, she realized that because of Fu Lancen’s approach, the quilt that had been covering them had fallen away.

This scene was too much for her eyes to handle. Lu Xi froze in place, forgetting even to withdraw her hand.

Whether it was intentional or not, the fox followed Lu Xi’s gaze downward. As an even more brilliant flush spread across her face, she let out a weak, low cry. “You… why are you touching me again?”

Seemingly too embarrassed, the fox hurriedly pulled the quilt over to cover herself. Then she looked up, her eyes misty and vulnerable as she chided softly, “You… why don’t you take your hand away?”

Lu Xi’s mind was in utter chaos. She wanted to withdraw her hand and turn her head away, but the little fox was lightly biting her thin lip, her eyes and brows full of charm. Her smooth hair was draped behind her, with a few strands brushing against her exquisite collarbone. Her snowy skin glowed softly under the warm, suggestive candlelight.

Under these circumstances, Lu Xi remained lost in thought for a long time. She could tell the little fox was intentionally seducing her, yet she truly fell for it; she had no way to reject a fragile beauty’s delicate manner.

While she was in a daze, Fu Lancen bit her lip, draped her jade-white arms over Lu Xi’s shoulders, and threw herself into the woman’s arms. A sweet fragrance firmly enveloped Lu Xi, making her head spin and leaving her unable to extricate herself.

“Lu Xi… Sister…” The little fox looked up, her eyes filled with tiny glimmers of light. “Can I call you that?”

Waves of warm breath hit Lu Xi’s body. Mindful that the little fox was currently wearing nothing, she did not dare move. She nodded vaguely. “You can… call me whatever you like.”

“Then, do you like me?” Fu Lancen enticed her bit by bit, though she did not notice the slight tension in her own voice.

Hearing this, Lu Xi froze, her mind gradually clearing. Did she like her? Was her feeling for Fu Lancen actually “like”? This question seemed even more complicated. She had never experienced the taste of romance before and did not know what liking someone was supposed to feel like.

However, she could clearly perceive that at this moment, she could not bring herself to push away the girl snuggled in her arms. The girl’s body was thin and warm, just like her original fox form, soft and pleasant to the touch. But was this inability to let go the same as “like”? Probably not. At most, it was just her appreciation for beauty, and since Fu Lancen’s appearance suited her tastes, she had developed a good impression of her.

The silence in the room lasted for a long time, long enough for the glimmer in Fu Lancen’s eyes to slowly fade. It seemed it wouldn’t work after all. She had even used the fox clan’s charm techniques, yet she still could not seduce Lu Xi. Since Lu Xi did not like her, it seemed the only reason she treated her so well was truly because she was some legendary Goddess.

So, no one truly cared for her or protected her after all.

But it didn’t matter. It was fine that Lu Xi didn’t like her now; protection was a form of caring, was it not?

“The weather seems very good today. I want to go out for a walk.” Fu Lancen tucked away her affected charm and returned to her usual calm demeanor, sensibly changing the subject.

Ever since they escaped from Bai Youran’s hands, Lu Xi had not let her go outside because of her injuries. Now she felt much better, and hearing the rising clamor of people outside, she wanted to wander and experience the atmosphere of the mortal world.

As the body pressed against her pulled away and wrapped itself in the quilt, Lu Xi felt a moment of absence. “I haven’t answered your question yet,” she said, wanting to continue the previous topic.

But it was clear that Fu Lancen no longer wanted to discuss it. She reached out a slender index finger and placed it over Lu Xi’s mouth. With a slight smile, she spoke. “There is no need to answer. I know what you are going to say.”

Since it wasn’t what she wanted to hear, there was no point in listening.

“We have only known each other for a few months. It is indeed too early to speak of liking.” She was, after all, only a young girl of a few thousand years. The intentional seduction just now had exhausted all her courage, and now she wanted to save some face. She continued nonchalantly, “You have protected me all these days, and I am very grateful. It is normal to have a good impression of you. But if you are talking about true, heartfelt affection, it probably doesn’t reach that level.”

Yes, her feelings for Lu Xi did not reach the level of “like.” She simply wanted to know if there was anyone in this world who sincerely cared about her. Thinking of how her kin had betrayed and harmed her, her heart filled with bitterness.

“I hear someone selling candied haws on the street. I want to go down and buy a skewer to taste.” Pushing down her complex emotions, she waved her hand lightly to put on her dress. Using the excuse of looking down to tidy her sleeves, she swallowed all her bitterness.

In the past, she rarely left Qingqiu, and even more rarely visited the mortal realm. She could only learn about this world through books. Consequently, she had only heard that candied haws were fragrant and sweet, but she had never tasted them for herself.

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