"Rongrong, what are you doing?" Oscar casually shut the door behind him.
Ning Rongrong turned and walked further inside. Oscar certainly didn't look like the unkempt fellow he used to be anymore. His beard was shaved clean, his hair neatly combed, and he wore the standard pale-gold robe of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, which only served to accentuate his handsome features.
Those big eyes of his—so striking that even girls would envy them—made Ning Rongrong unable to hold his gaze.
He caught up to her in a few strides and pulled a bundle of something from inside his robe, setting it on the table.
"I happened to pass by your place just now and saw your light still on, so I came in. It's this late and you're not sleeping yet?"
Ning Rongrong kept her back to Oscar. "I'm going to sleep soon."
After Oscar joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Ning Fengzhi had placed him directly into the inner sect. One had to understand that the vast majority of inner sect members were direct-line disciples of the clan. Only the most exceptional outer Soul Masters ever stood a chance of being admitted.
When Ning Fengzhi had announced in front of the entire clan that Oscar would enter the inner sect directly, who knew how many looks of envy and jealousy had been cast his way.
"You really shouldn't keep staying up this late. It's bad for your health, and besides, sleeping late all the time will make you old." Oscar's tone was teasing.
Ning Rongrong said, "I'm only fourteen—old? What old?"
Hearing her voice, Oscar couldn't help but pause. Ning Rongrong hadn't spoken to him in such a tone in a very long time. Something about her mood today was clearly off.
"Rongrong, what's wrong? Are you upset?" Oscar asked softly.
Ning Rongrong didn't answer. She had mustered up her courage, but the moment she actually saw Oscar in person, that courage had inexplicably drained away. The words sitting on the tip of her tongue simply refused to come out.
Seeing that Ning Rongrong remained silent, Oscar furrowed his brow, let out a soft sigh, and said, "I should head back then. Get some rest early. I brought you some food—eat before you sleep. They're all light pastries, easy to digest."
He raised his hand, wanting to touch Ning Rongrong's long hair, but in the end he restrained himself. He lingered on the view of her graceful silhouette for one last moment before turning to leave.
When Ning Rongrong heard Oscar say he had come specifically to bring her food, the tears brimming in her eyes could no longer be held back.
"Oscar!" she suddenly cried out.
Oscar was startled and stopped in his tracks. The moment he turned around, a fragrant breeze surged toward him, and Ning Rongrong threw herself into his arms like a young swallow returning to its nest, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist.
After a brief moment of shock, Oscar gradually came to his senses. Even though Ning Rongrong had already agreed to date him, in all the days since then, the two of them had never been this close.
Soft warmth filling his embrace—a feeling that defied description. He wrapped his arms around Ning Rongrong's delicate body, and his heartbeat surged uncontrollably.
A lone man and woman, alone in a room. A breathtakingly beautiful girl throwing herself into his arms.
Oscar was no saint, and all manner of wild thoughts immediately sprang to life in his mind.
But soon he sensed something was wrong, because the body nestled against his chest was trembling ever so slightly.