Douluo Dalu: Qian Renxue's Younger Brother

"Sorry…"

Ye Lingling restrained the slight smile on her face, holding the chilled tea in her hands.

Meeting Qian Renjue's calm gaze, she suddenly felt her previous actions were a bit impulsive and immediately apologized.

"It's okay. I was the one who misspoke first," Qian Renjue said, shaking his head with a smile.

Ye Lingling's subtle aggression made him realize that his lack of response over the past two years had indeed caused her distress.

It was clear that his actions had become a thorn in her heart, and he knew it was his fault.

Qian Renjue stared at Ye Lingling for a moment, then apologized again,

"Actually, I should be the one apologizing. I didn't realize how much my silence would trouble you over these past two years. You were young, and I was worried that you might have been acting impulsively."

Ye Lingling's pink lips moved slightly as she lowered her gaze, not denying his words.

The problem that had plagued the Ye family for generations was suddenly solved with her, so how could she not be emotional?

Impulse certainly played a role, as did her troubles.

However, she hadn't entirely blamed Qian Renjue for them.

He had only helped her out of kindness and had never asked for anything in return.

The root of her distress lay in her own impulsiveness, and the only one who could resolve it was Qian Renjue.

Her long eyelashes fluttered as she lifted her gaze to look at Qian Renjue, her blue eyes rippling with emotion.

From under her veil, she softly whispered, "Actually… I was at fault too."

But before she could finish, Qian Renjue spoke

"But then I realized that might not be the case."

Ye Lingling froze.

"Why?"

Qian Renjue gazed deeply at the girl in front of him, his handsome face smiling.

"Because, over these past two years, you often used Yanyan as a writer and send letters to me."

"You… How do you know that?!" Ye Lingling's eyes flashed with panic.

Qian Renjue shouldn't have noticed.

"Did you forget?" Qian Renjue sipped his tea before explaining, "Yanyan is my subordinate, you've known that for a while."

"So it was Yanyan…"

Ye Lingling suddenly understood and fell silent.

Her face reddened, though she had no intention of blaming her close friend, Dugu Yan.

In fact, she had left subtle hints, hoping that Qian Renjue would notice.

She just hadn't expected her best friend to give her away so soon.

Dugu Yan's feelings for Qian Renjue were well known to her, and now Qian Renjue's words seemed to carry another meaning.

'Yan Yan is his subordinate? What does that mean?' she wondered.

But she realized she wasn't in any position to ask such questions right now.

Her gaze darkened. "So you knew all this, yet still chose to ignore me for two years?"

Qian Renjue nodded slightly, apologizing once again. "Yes, and that's why I need to apologize even more."

"Do you understand what that means?" Ye Lingling gripped her cup tighter, forcing herself to look directly at Qian Renjue, her unease growing as her face blushed even more beneath her veil.

"Of course, I know," Qian Renjue said, his breathing momentarily halting as his gaze shifted away.

If Ye Lingling hadn't acted impulsively, what else could this mean?

This was practically a confession.

The atmosphere in the room became still, and Qian Renjue found himself glancing at Ye Lingling, unsure of how to handle the situation but knowing that this was something he would have to face eventually.

"Miss Ye, I…" Qian Renjue began, trying to speak but hesitated, worried that he might misunderstand her intentions.

"Let me pour you some more tea?"

"Mm."

Ye Lingling's face flushed crimson.

Upon hearing Qian Renjue's offer, she could only nod in response, her eyes no longer filled with numbness but instead overflowing with embarrassment and confusion.

She knew where her words were leading Qian Renjue, and maybe it was happening too fast, but this was the path she had insisted on for the past two years—the path she wanted him to see.

Lowering her head in thought, she glanced at her chest, where the sheer white fabric revealed glimpses of her skin.

She recalled her mother's parting advice and, clutching her red lips, made no move to pass her cup forward.

"Could you sit a little closer?"

"Huh?" Qian Renjue paused, confused by her request.

"What did you say, Miss Ye?"

"Sit here…" Ye Lingling, still looking down, grabbed the chair next to her and pulled it closer, nearly pushing both chairs together.

"…Okay." Qian Renjue regained his composure, nodded, and moved to sit beside her.

Immediately, he was greeted by a subtle, pleasant fragrance.

Ye Lingling's body tensed up, and she bit her red lips.

She could smell the faint scent and feel the warmth next to her.

Without hesitation, she lifted her hand, removed her veil, and turned to look at Qian Renjue beside her.

"Miss Ye, actually, the reason I came this time was to—uh!" Qian Renjue was cut off as he caught sight of her unveiled face.

Her petite, fair face, flushed with red, appeared soft and delicate, not stunningly beautiful, but radiating a pure, innocent charm like the girl next door.

A soft fragrance brushed his face as hurried breath warmed his ear.

Qian Renjue tightened his grip on the teacup, his body stiffening.

"Qian Renjue, Holy Son," Ye Lingling's soft voice sounded by his ear.

"I… I'm here." Qian Renjue responded quietly, attempting to move, but his sleeve was caught by her delicate hand.

"Don't move~!" Ye Lingling's voice carried a hint of sobbing.

Overwhelmed with shame and without time to think, she leaned in even faster.

The warmth of her soft body pressed against him, and her lips softly touched his cheek—gentle, warm, and a bit clumsy.

Qian Renjue froze, unsure of what to do.

Apart from his two family members, this was the first time another woman had kissed him.

It felt different from his experiences with others, like Bibi Dong or Qian Renxue, with his heart racing even faster.

Ye Lingling's eyes shimmered with tears as she looked at Qian Renjue's reddened side profile and the purple glint in his eyes.

The sensation of her lips on his skin was unexpectedly tender and smooth.

Her breath quickened as her lips moved slightly.

Feeling like her heart was about to leap out of her chest, she slowly moved away from his cheek, feeling utterly embarrassed.

Yet, by his ear, she softly whispered, "I just wanted you to understand my feelings."

Ye Lingling bit her lip, her voice firm despite her embarrassment. "Even though I'm still young… I promise, Qian Renjue, you'll always be my first choice."

At the same time as Ye Lingling's words, a system notification sounded in Qian Renjue's mind:

[Congratulations to the host for successfully spreading a great love for the first time! (Recipient: Ye Lingling)]

[Reward received: Replacement card for the first six soul rings! (One available)]

-

Patreon.com/rashta/collections

Be a member so you can read:

- 500 adv ch of Qian Renxue's Younger Brother

- 150 adv ch of Talent System In Naruto

- 270 adv ch of Uchiha Madara's Cousin

- 163 adv ch of WDQK: Divorcing Ling Qingzhu (Complete)