If This Leads to Mastitis, It's Truly an Insult

This resolute, unabashed favoritism was, in Huo Qing'ang's view, beyond a mere alliance between the two. At this point, his furrowed brow and his face, devoid of any frivolity, were cloaked in an icy chill, exuding an unwelcoming aura to outsiders.

Reason dictated that Huo Qing'ang should clearly express his refusal towards this level of intimacy and protection. Yet, deep within a hidden corner of his heart, something unprecedentedly soft was emerging. The sensation of being favored, repeatedly articulated—truth be told, it wasn't all that bad.

Being well-acquainted with human nature, Huo Qing'ang was acutely aware of how such unwavering protection could be enticing initially but could lead to lethal consequences in the long run. To prevent the latter from happening, the best course of action, and the only course of action, was not to begin at all.