Douluo: This Legend of the Dragon King is not quite right

Chapter 921 The Reserved Snow Empress

Lu Jun was clearly taken aback by the sudden hug; his body stiffened slightly, and he hadn't fully reacted yet.

The next second, Xue Di raised her head.

The moment Lu Jun turned his head to look at her, her beautiful eyes shimmered with a moist luster amidst the remaining fireworks light.

She tiptoed slightly and, with astonishing speed, pressed her soft, slightly cool red lips, like a dragonfly skimming the water or a snowflake falling, with a barely perceptible tremor, onto Lu Jun's cheek.

Instantly separate.

It was so fast that it seemed like an illusion created by the interplay of light and shadow.

After completing this action, Xue Di quickly retreated to her original position like a startled rabbit, sat up straight again, placed her hands neatly on her knees, and focused her gaze on the reflection of the scattered embers of fireworks on the lake surface, as if her bold act just now had nothing to do with her, and it was all just an illusion brought about by the night wind.

Everything happened in a flash.

Lu Jun could even feel the fleeting, cool, soft touch remaining on his cheek, carrying a hint of the crisp, refreshing scent unique to ice and snow.

He blinked, turned his head somewhat blankly, and looked at Xue Di, who had suddenly attacked him but then pretended to be nonchalant.

"Snow Emperor, you..."

He spoke, his tone clearly filled with doubt and inquiry.

What was that just now...?
Xue Di didn't look at him, but continued to focus on the lake, but her slightly reddened ears and slightly tense profile betrayed her inner turmoil.

Hearing Lu Jun's voice, she seemed to snap out of her daze, slowly turning her head to meet his gaze.

On her exquisitely beautiful face, she tried to put on a seemingly calm smile, but the smile didn't reach her eyes; instead, it revealed an indescribable shyness and unease.

She gently shook her head, her voice softer than usual, carrying a deliberate calmness:

"nothing."

She paused, then turned her gaze back to the night sky, which was nearing its end and was adorned with scattered blossoms, as if to explain her earlier lapse in composure.

"These fireworks... are so beautiful."

Looking at her pretense of composure despite having done something wrong, and noticing her blushing earlobes, Lu Jun understood and couldn't help but chuckle.

He didn't press further or point it out; he simply followed her words, his gaze also turning to the sky, his tone carrying a hint of teasing and tenderness:
"Yes, the fireworks were beautiful."

He paused, turned his head, and looked intently at Xue Di's exquisite profile outlined by the last few sparks of fireworks, then added.

"But I'm just as beautiful as you."

He seemed to think it wasn't quite right, so he smiled and shook his head, correcting himself:

"No, I should say... you are more beautiful than fireworks."

This straightforward and sudden praise caused a blush to spread across Xue Di's face, even tinging her neck with a light pink.

She lowered her eyes, her thick silver eyelashes trembling slightly like the wings of a startled butterfly. She pursed her lips, but ultimately did not utter the words churning in her heart.

So be it……

She said to herself in her heart.

Don't add any more psychological burden to him. He already carries too much on his shoulders.

This is already very, very good. Let's leave it at that.

At that moment, the last firework silently bloomed in the night sky, turning into a few wisps of light and slowly dissipating.

The deafening explosions completely subsided, and the clamor of the crowd gradually calmed down, leaving only the whistling of the night wind blowing across the lake and the faint sounds of laughter in the distance.

The night sky returned to its deep, inky blue, as if the magnificent spectacle just moments before was merely a fleeting and beautiful dream.

The fireworks have faded.

This also seems to foreshadow that this special night is about to come to an end.

When tomorrow arrives, Lu Jun will once again become that busy man who navigates between various forces, works tirelessly for the survival of the continent, and rarely has a moment to catch his breath.

And like tonight, the three of them sat side by side by the lake, enjoying the evening breeze, watching the fireworks, and chatting idly...

When will it be next time?

An indescribable sense of loss and subtle regret, like a cold tide, quietly washed over Xue Di's heart.

She stared blankly at the now calm night sky, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes, unsure of what to do or say.

Hyotei, who had witnessed the entire event, was so anxious she almost jumped up. Her emerald eyes glared at Yuki-tei, as if she were shouting with her gaze:
Just that one sentence?
Gone?

Where is your usual boldness?
Looking at Xue Di's somewhat absent-minded profile, Lu Jun assumed she was still feeling wistful about the end of the fireworks, so he took the initiative to speak, breaking the silence:
"Speaking of which, Snow Empress, you have been my spirit for some time now."

His tone was gentle and concerned:

"How are you feeling? Has the soul contract caused you any discomfort or constraint? If there's anything that's bothering you, be sure to tell me, and we'll see if it can be changed..."

Xue Di snapped back to reality and met Lu Jun's earnest gaze. The slight disappointment in her heart was instantly replaced by a comforting warmth.

She gently shook her head, a genuine smile blooming in her icy blue eyes:
"There's no discomfort whatsoever. On the contrary..."

She paused, her voice growing softer yet incredibly clear:
“I feel extremely honored. To be able to become your spirit, to follow you on your journey, to see a wider world, and to participate in such a magnificent cause... is the most precious encounter I never imagined in my long life.”

She looked at Lu Jun, her eyes filled with an unparalleled tenderness and contentment:

"Being able to latch onto your coattails is the greatest fortune and happiness of my life, Xue Di."

Hearing her sincere yet respectful but distant words, Lu Jun frowned slightly and complained with a hint of helplessness:

"Look at you, here you go again. We've known each other for so long, fought side by side, shared life and death, and even lived under the same roof... Why are you still using such honorifics on me?"

"It sounds a bit awkward. We'll change it in the future. Just be more casual, like Hyotei."

Looking at his slightly reproachful yet affectionate expression, Xue Di felt a warmth in her heart, nodded readily, and the curve of her lips became much more genuine:
"Okay, I've got it. I'll change in the future."

Seeing that the atmosphere had eased again, Lu Jun looked up at the sky. Night had fallen, and the crowds by the lake in the distance were beginning to disperse. He brushed the grass clippings off his clothes and stood up.

"It's getting late, and we've finished watching the fireworks. We... should head back."

That's how today is going to end.

Although the lingering sense of loss from not being able to fully express her feelings still remained, and although there was a moment of regret for her earlier timidity, Xue Di felt that having spent such time with him and receiving such a compliment from him wasn't so bad after all.

She and Hyotei also got up one after the other, and the three of them walked side by side, slowly heading towards the villa along the way they had come.

(End of this chapter)