Chapter 405: This... This Isn’t Right, Is It?

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“Zhao Ying, do you know what a girlfriend is?”

“Girlfriend? Hmm... a girlfriend is a girlfriend. Also called tangke, nü piao, or target…”

“What I mean is, the deeper meaning of a girlfriend—what kind of identity does that represent?”

“Oh, that’s what you meant... Makes sense. You don’t really know much about this era, so let me explain it to you. A girlfriend is like a confidante in ancient times—a romantic partner. If it progresses further, she becomes a fiancée or even a wife. But people are way more open now. Back in the day, couples wouldn’t even kiss unless they were married. Now? Boyfriends and girlfriends kiss all the time, even sleep together—blah blah blah…”

Zhao Ying took advantage of Li Qingran’s lack of knowledge about the modern world and made things sound as favorable to the Governor as possible.

Though honestly, she wasn’t that far off.

These days, people play poker at the drop of a hat.

A couple drinks and two complete strangers might end up in a one-night stand.

Even folks in a committed relationship might switch partners—or even add more to the mix.

It’s not like traditional couples don’t exist anymore, but they’re rare.

Zhao Ying was certain someone like Li Qingran—a “person from ancient times”—must be super conservative, the pure and virtuous type.

But being too pure can come off as stiff and boring.

Forget poker. At the very least, it should be fine for her to hold hands or steal a kiss from the Governor, right?

She had to make this power couple happen!

She wasn’t like that unruly Lin Lingling, who just acted on impulse—rich one second, brash the next.

Li Qingran was clearly the kind of sheltered girl with little worldly experience. She probably hadn’t even dated before.

She just seemed mature and wise due to her cultivation level and age.

You know Return of the Condor Heroes?

She’s basically the Little Dragon Girl from that.

Li Qingran spent the entire afternoon learning a wealth of information from Zhao Ying.

Including the full scope of what a boyfriend and girlfriend meant—and how they typically interacted in this world.

Of course, she already knew what a girlfriend was.

Isn’t it the same as a Dao Companion?

Maybe even more intimate than that.

After all, a Dao Companion isn’t necessarily a romantic partner. Two men, two women—it’s about being like-minded cultivators.

In its truest sense, a Dao Companion is someone who shares your path.

It’s just that, in many cases, male-female Dao Companions naturally evolve into lovers.

No wonder Master never mentioned becoming Dao Companions.

His feelings ran deeper and more complicated than that.

He just couldn’t bring himself to say it out loud because of the whole Master-Disciple taboo.

…

Thinking of this, Li Qingran couldn’t help but murmur under her breath, “What a fool.”

“Huh? What did you say?” Chen Huaian had been held in her arms for a while now, and his arms were numb from being locked in place. Even his brain was starting to go fuzzy.

“Nothing.” Li Qingran giggled.

If her Master was too shy to express his feelings...

Then to protect his pride, she’d just go along with it and play dumb!

She let go of Chen Huaian and walked around to face him, hands clasped behind her back, head tilted as she studied him. Her eyes sparkled mischievously.

Was it just his imagination, or did he see a flash of sly cunning in those bright eyes?

Had to be his imagination!

How could his naïve little disciple possibly have any hidden agenda?

Next thing he knew, Li Qingran said suddenly, “Master, I heard that in this world, boyfriends are supposed to kiss their girlfriends on the cheek to greet them. Like a ‘Good Morning Kiss’ when they wake up, a ‘Good Afternoon Kiss’ during the day, and a ‘Good Night Kiss’ at night. It’s meant as a sign of care and affection. Is that true?”

Chen Huaian: “???”

This... this doesn’t seem right?

Where the h*ll did she hear such nonsense?

But thinking about it... it wasn’t completely wrong either.

To avoid getting caught later, he nodded obediently.

“That’s true. It’s one way for couples to show they care, though not absolutely required...”

“Then why hasn’t Master done that with me?” Li Qingran cut him off, suddenly stepping forward until their faces were just inches apart. Her big eyes stared at him seriously.

“Is it because you don’t care about me at all!?”

“N-no, that’s not it!” Chen Huaian frantically waved his hands, but Li Qingran didn’t give him a chance to explain.

“I’m already your girlfriend, yet you’re not even giving me the care I deserve. Clearly, you’re not sincere about this relationship!”

She crossed her arms and turned away from him, her delicate back exuding righteous indignation.

“No, I am sincere! You have to believe me—”

Chen Huaian was panicking, trying to explain.

Li Qingran suddenly turned back, “Then Master, kiss me.”

She pointed to her own cheek, her face flushed but her expression utterly serious.

“A girlfriend deserves proper care and blessings. I want that too.”

Chen Huaian stared blankly at her pretty face just inches away. He gulped hard.

Things had spiraled completely out of his control.

All he wanted was to use her ignorance about modern relationships to gain the upper hand.

Now look—she saw through him in advance and flipped the whole thing on him. Now he was the one being played.

“Qingran, do you really think a kiss on the cheek means care and affection between lovers?”

“Of course. That’s what Zhao Ying said.”

Chen Huaian: “……”

Fine, fine!

Zhao Ying’s desire to be helpful was just too strong.

Looks like he’s going to have to give her a raise.

Chen Huaian shifted his expression into a smile. “Alright. It’s not that I didn’t care, Qingran. It’s just that the rules here are different from Cangyun Realm. There, kissing is something reserved only for deeply intimate lovers. I was afraid it’d come off too forward.”

“Master, you’re too rigid,” Li Qingran pouted with indifference.

“When in Rome, do as the Romans do~”

Well, now that she’d put it that way, he couldn’t back down.

Staring at her delicate face so close to his, Chen Huaian took a deep breath and leaned in.

Even though Li Qingran was the one initiating all this, she still clutched her sleeves nervously.

She saw her Master’s face slowly drawing near.

A mixture of courage and longing helped her push down the bashfulness and stay put.

And maybe it was that moment of boldness and recklessness that gave Chen Huaian the courage to close the gap.

The light from above dimmed, like night falling.

The moment her cheek felt that warm touch, Li Qingran’s heart seemed to stop beating.

Her mind went completely blank as she tumbled into a daze.

Smack.

Chen Huaian kissed her.

He licked his lips.

Li Qingran didn’t wear makeup, so there wasn’t even a trace of powder.

Which meant the flavor was completely pure and natural—letting him savor that soft, bouncy, and dewy texture to the fullest.

It was so good, he was about to lean in for another.

But suddenly, Li Qingran gently pushed him away.

“Master.”

She sat down cross-legged, her expression solemn.

No time for explanation—she left him with just one sentence before closing her eyes.

“I’m about to break through!”

As her words fell, Chen Huaian watched in stunned silence as a wisp of Pure Qi rose from the top of Li Qingran’s head.

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