Chapter 33: The First Kiss

Lu Xin told Ailya everything about his time alone with Ruilin, holding nothing back.

After he finished, he looked at Ailya, who was straddling him.

Her eyes were wide open, and she made no other move, just staring at him blankly.

“Then… what about me…?”

Tears glistened at the corners of Ailya’s eyes as she struggled to keep them from falling. She opened her mouth and finally forced out that line, then pressed her red lips together.

‘She had always thought that Ruilin only had some interest in Lu Xin, and that she could tolerate that, believing that Lu Xin would ultimately choose her.’

Lu Xin wanted to say, “You’re both my wings,” but that line got stuck in his throat and he swallowed it back down.

He could joke, but he knew when to read the room.

Ailya was serious about him, so he had to respond to her seriously.

“Ailya, listen to me first…”

Before he could finish, tears streamed down her cheeks, and her delicate body shrank into his arms, trembling uncontrollably.

‘She had waited for him for so long, yet not only had he forgotten her, he was also flirting with others everywhere. Now it was Ruilin, and that Audrey too—there would definitely be more in the future. Why?’

She angrily clenched her fist and swung it at his chest, but just as she was about to strike, she controlled her strength, and in the end, only lightly placed it down.

Lu Xin held Ailya in his arms, gently stroking her trembling body.

Ailya wanted to push him away and reject his embrace, but in the end, she softened and pressed against his chest.

‘Who could blame her for not being able to let go of Lu Xin? She had been searching for him for so long—how could she possibly give up now? If she did, wouldn’t that mean she was even worse than a Dark Elf?’

Lu Xin released [Warm Nurturing] to soothe Ailya’s emotions, reaching up to wipe away her tears from her cheeks.

Ailya enjoyed the brief moment of peace. She opened her reddened eyes and looked up at Lu Xin, saying with grievance:

“So what about me? You don’t want me anymore?”

“I never said I didn’t want you. I’ve been taking care of you all along.”

“Hmph, smooth talker.”

Ailya gave a soft snort, turned her head away, then quietly looked back at Lu Xin, pouting:

“You said ‘I like you’ to that Dark Elf, so say it to me too.”

“You want to hear it?”

“Don’t get too cocky, or else… or else…” Ailya’s face flushed red. She suddenly realized she had no way to threaten Lu Xin.

If she said she wouldn’t talk to him, she’d end up seeking him out anyway. If she said she wouldn’t eat his cooking, what if he agreed?

Just then, Ailya remembered that Lu Xin still owed her a condition from before.

Her eyes lit up, and she smiled foolishly, marveling at her own brilliance.

Lu Xin watched Ailya squint and smile dazedly, starting to worry that something had snapped in her—she seemed even dumber than before.

“Lu Xin.” Ailya burrowed deeper into his arms, giggling as she spoke.

“Mm.”

“I said earlier that I’d protect you, and you had to pay me for it, right?”

“Mm. Want some honey cake? I’ll make it for you tomorrow.”

“Okay—no, wait, I’m being serious now.” Ailya nearly got derailed, quickly straightening her expression.

“Didn’t you still owe me a condition back then?”

Lu Xin was silent for a moment, recalling the scene. It seemed to be true.

“Mm. You want to tell me now?”

“Hehe, kiss me.”

After she said it, Ailya didn’t shyly turn her head away. Though her face was flushed, she still looked at him seriously.

Since Lu Xin had told Ruilin he liked her, she had to win this round. Lu Xin’s first time for something had to be hers.

She originally wanted to say that, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it.

Lu Xin raised an eyebrow slightly. He guessed wrong.

Based on his understanding of Ailya, she definitely wanted to beat Ruilin at something, but he thought the silly Ailya would directly ask for sex.

Well, it seemed he didn’t know her that well after all.

But that was fine. If Ailya had really asked for sex, he would have stopped her immature idea anyway.

Lu Xin looked at Ailya’s frozen face, feeling she was too nervous. But he also found it somewhat hard to do.

When Ailya saw him hesitate, she asked in a small, disappointed voice: “You… don’t want to?”

Lu Xin was taken aback. He moved his hand up to the back of Ailya’s head and gently pressed.

Feeling the motion behind her, Ailya’s disappointed heart grew tense again.

Lu Xin hugged Ailya a little tighter, wrapping one arm around her slender waist while drawing closer.

Their noses touched. Lu Xin could smell the faint fragrance of her body and feel her warm breath.

He could clearly see the texture of her fair skin—beautiful and moving.

Lu Xin paused, then kissed her red lips directly.

Ailya’s eyes shot wide open as she experienced a sensation she’d never felt before. It felt strange.

She felt her consciousness go hazy, and she went limp in his arms, passively enjoying it.

“Mmm… slow…”

Ailya’s eyes grew unfocused, her heart full of happiness.

“I… love you.” She mumbled as she responded to his kiss.

“Okay, I accept.”

“You… idiot.”

Ailya parted slightly from Lu Xin, her body rising and falling from heavy breaths. She looked at him with dissatisfaction, muttering:

“You idiot, big idiot.”

Lu Xin stroked Ailya’s cheek and smiled. “Can you let me off now?”

“No.”

“Hm? Want to kiss again?”

“…Fine, but you have to say what I want to hear.”

Lu Xin pulled Ailya back into his arms and kissed the lovely girl in his embrace again, whispering softly:

“I love you.”

Ailya’s eyes curved into crescents as she happily basked in it. She knew Lu Xin wouldn’t abandon her.

Lu Xin sat alone in the yard. Ailya had gone to sleep after eating the meal he cooked and taking a bath, but instead of returning to her cabin, she slept directly in his bed.

He looked at the starry sky. The Colorful Chicken had come to his side at some point.

He was thinking about what exactly the condition was for his skills to level up.

Ever since he had upgraded two skills to Advanced, there had been no further progress.

If it was about killing medium-rank monsters, he had already slain an Owlbear alone, but that time, aside from gaining [Nest Builder], nothing else happened.

“Cluck cluck, cluck.”

“What’s wrong?”

The Colorful Chicken jumped onto Lu Xin’s head, and then he felt his heart grow calm and steady.

Lu Xin said in surprise, “You sensed I was troubled, so you came to comfort me?”

“Cluck cluck.”

“Alright, you win. I should get some sleep too.”

Yawning, Lu Xin set the Colorful Chicken on the ground. Speaking of sleep, it had been a long time since he’d had a good rest.

Back inside, Lu Xin looked at Ailya, who was already sound asleep. He hesitated a moment, then slipped under the covers.

Unexpectedly, Ailya actively burrowed into his arms. He paused, not bothering to figure out if she was faking or truly asleep, and held her a little tighter.