Chapter 123 Strength is Respected

Shao Lan's emotions churned uneasily, his previously frozen heart seemingly stirring ever so subtly as he pressed his cold lips tightly together.

"I am not shirking my duties!"

By some mysterious impulse, he uttered these words aloud.

"Ha ha ha!"

The clear, bell-like laughter of the young girl echoed through the chamber, leaving Shao Lan utterly embarrassed.

What was there to laugh at?

Gu Qingli found Shao Lan's childlike retort amusing indeed. Despite his aloof demeanor, he longed for connection, though he repressed it deeply.

This world was rife with vulgar souls who cast disdainful glances upon him, solely for his radiant silver eyes.

It was precisely because Gu Qingli had never shown contempt for those shimmering orbs that Shao Lan found himself speaking to her.

She smiled inwardly—what a stubborn and awkward youth he was!

"You're not shirking duties yet refusing to rise? Soon the sun will be baking your backside!"

Gu Qingli's primary aim that day was to drag Shao Lan from the dim prison he had secluded himself within.

This chamber was a self-imposed cage where he imprisoned not only his body but his heart, shunning all contact.

"You… you…"

Shao Lan's jade-like cheeks flamed crimson.

"What nonsense… No, how can a girl be so uncouth?"

Never before had a girl spoken so bluntly in his presence.

Gu Qingli arched a brow with a mischievous grin. A pure-hearted boy indeed, and though this was an ancient era, on the Divine Continent, strength reigned supreme—no decree confined women indoors.

"There's nothing uncouth about stating facts!"

She swept aside the gauzy curtain and grasped Shao Lan's hand firmly.

His flushed cheeks deepened to a vivid red as his silver eyes stared at her, lacking any force of intimidation.

He felt the delicate, tender warmth of her hand clasping his, like polished jade, seeping gently into his heart.

"You! Let go at once!"

A rich amusement shimmered in Gu Qingli's phoenix-like eyes, and a sly smile curved her lips.

Why did she feel like a villainous mistress to this bashful young lad?

"I refuse to let go. What can you do about it? You can't best me. Get up—the room stifles you. Let me help you break this habit of laziness!"

Though Shao Lan resisted faintly, he allowed Gu Qingli to pull him down from the bed.

His lips pressed together as his star-bright silver eyes glittered.

He didn't understand his own thoughts—only that the warmth of her small hand felt impossible to repel.

Gu Qingli led Shao Lan out into the courtyard just as the sun began to rise.

A tender shaft of light brushed against his pale cheek, the result of long confinement rendering his skin almost translucent. His silver eyes squinted softly against the brightness, vision momentarily blurred.

Hand in hand, they stood beneath the morning sun in the courtyard. The newborn sunlight, faintly intoxicated with warmth, danced gently across their faces on a whispering breeze.

A radiant smile blossomed on her face as she gazed at Shao Lan, laughing freely and unabashedly.

Watching her, Shao Lan found himself smiling involuntarily. His ice-carved face softened with a faint, rare smile, and beneath the sunlight, his silver eyes flickered with a sudden gleam of light.