Scenery outside the car window blurred into circular halos as it rushed past.

Luo Qingchuan moved closer to Chen Yanyu first.

The girl felt awkward, neck stiff as she stared out the window.

“Miss Chen,” Luo Qingchuan called softly.

She stayed silent.

He leaned in slightly closer, let out a soft sigh, and whispered earnestly, “Next time, don’t make gestures like that toward men. It’s… not quite appropriate.”

With nearly zero social experience in the human world, the little dragon girl stirred a quiet protective instinct in Luo Qingchuan.

Chen Yanyu turned, pushed her sunglasses up, and shot him a reproachful glance with golden eyes shimmering like a clear spring. “D-don’t say it anymore! I’ve already realized my mistake!”

Luo Qingchuan nodded, then smiled curiously. “You changed your sunglasses?”

“The last pair… I lost them. All your fault!”

Her eyes were strikingly beautiful—like brilliant sunlight piercing through clouds.

Lost in thought, Luo Qingchuan murmured, “You don’t need to wear them.”

“Why?”

“Because your eyes are lovely.”

Chen Yanyu’s small hand trembled slightly.

He continued gently, “Sunglasses create distance. At school, people might find you odd. Don’t you want friends?”

“But…” She blushed, pressing her lips together. “Everyone else has black eyes.”

“So what?” Leaning back, hands behind his head, Luo Qingchuan grinned. “No one cares. Like your silver hair—nobody bats an eye, right?”

“But it feels like everyone’s staring.”

“That’s ’cause you’re cute and pretty.”

“Oh.”

Chen Yanyu nodded her little head in realization. Then her eyes widened; she quickly turned away, a secretly pleased smirk flickering across her face.

After a quiet moment, she blinked back to attention and stared at him. “Then why doesn’t anyone mind my silver hair?”

“Ah,” Luo Qingchuan waved a hand. “At most, they think you’re from the 2D world.”

“The ‘2D world’?”

Intrigued, she leaned in close, voice hushed. “What’s the ‘2D world’?”

Luo Qingchuan hesitated. “Anime, games, novels… stuff like that. Ever tried any?”

She shook her head, a trace of disappointment. “I don’t watch anime. They don’t feel like real people.”

“Actually,” he said softly, “sometimes they feel *more* human.”

“Really interesting?”

“Very.”

“More than romance dramas…?”

“Depends on your taste.”

“How do I… learn about it?”

“Get into it?”

“Yes, yes!”

*Getting her into the 2D world…* Luo Qingchuan mused. “Easy. I’ll take you to a movie sometime—like *Name of X* or *Shape of X*.”

“Movies? Great!” Her face lit up, long lashes fluttering. “I’ve never been to a cinema!”

“Next time, then. A thank-you for your help.”

And so, a tiny seed took root in Chen Yanyu’s heart.

Seconds later, it hit her—

Going to the cinema together… isn’t that what couples do?! Was that an invitation?! How did I agree so easily?!

I’m not frivolous! He tricked me with that mysterious “2D world”!

She huffed, yanking her sunglasses down to hide her blush. Being near Luo Qingchuan always made her feel warm.

“Why put them back on?” he asked, a hint of helplessness in his tone.

He truly wanted her to belong—to enjoy the vibrant human world.

“Hmph! Dad says my eyes look fierce. Ordinary people get scared!” She lifted her chin.

“I’m not scared.” Luo Qingchuan shrugged.

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Then I’ll scare you to death!”

She shoved her sunglasses onto her forehead, slender fingers curling into tiny claws beside her face, glaring fiercely.

Not scary at all—just explosively cute.

Some say that silly face was poisoned… with cuteness.

Luo Qingchuan froze for a beat, then turned away, hiding a smile. “Is that all?”

Flustered, Chen Yanyu pinched his waist with her soft little hand.

“Ow… What was that for?” He glanced at her.

She instantly regretted it, pouting. “I was just mad.”

This dark arts cultivator always seemed so nonchalant. *He called me beautiful. Called me cute…*

So why did something still feel between them?

She couldn’t figure it out.

Head bowed, her enchanting face clouded with quiet dejection.

Silence filled the rest of the ride. Around 7:30 PM, they reached their destination.

Qinggang Bar sat tucked in a quiet suburban corner. Weathered buildings lined rust-hued streets. A lone streetlamp cast pale light over deserted shops—only the bar’s entrance saw movement.

Its remoteness and scarce cameras made it the chosen hunting ground of the supernatural criminal ‘Peony’.

Luo Qingchuan stepped inside, glancing back. “It’s chaotic in there. Stick close.”

But Chen Yanyu stood frozen.

The bar’s name sounded poetic—but inside? Pure sensory overload.

Strobe lights flashed. Electronic rock pulsed. Young crowds packed the space: dancing, whispering in corners, bolder pairs already touching.

Amid the chaos, Chen Yanyu shrank inward. Head down, eyes locked on the floor, small hands twisting nervously at her stomach.

Tall yet timid, she looked like a withdrawn child.

Luo Qingchuan smiled softly and held out his hand.

“Come.”

She stared at his palm, catching the gentle glimmer in his fox-like eyes.

Slowly, she placed her hand in his.

“Stay close,” he murmured, waiting before guiding her behind him.

Her hand felt smooth and cool—like supple jade.

Cheek nearly brushing his back, she followed passively through the buzzing crowd.

“Sir, this way,” a waiter smiled, glancing between them. “Couple seats are almost gone.”

Luo Qingchuan gave a neutral nod. “Lead on.”

At the word *couple*, he felt Chen Yanyu’s hand tremble violently in his.

A faint pinch bloomed on his waist—light, familiar.