“Am I?” he challenged, undeterred. “What if I like this dangerous game?”
The unexpected thrill mingled with my irritation, and I couldn’t help but feel a conflicting sense of anticipation. “This isn’t a game to me,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Maybe not to you, but it sure feels like one to me,” Lan Qiye countered, his eyes glinting with mischief. “And I always play to win.”
I narrowed my eyes at him, every instinct telling me I needed to tread carefully. “You may want to reconsider what winning means,” I said warningly, turning to leave once more.
“Leaving so soon?” he called after me, his tone playful yet peculiar.
I paused briefly, contemplating how to respond, before finally shaking my head and walking away, the unresolved tension hanging in the air behind me.
Lan Qiye immediately laughed dismissively: “Then I’d like to see how you’ll do that!”
I’ve never seen anyone more shameless or more annoying. I couldn’t help but grit my teeth and glare at him: “Lan Qiye, are you done yet?”
Lan Qiye couldn’t help but put on a hurt and incomprehensible expression: “I just want to be friends with you, Xiamo. Why do you have to keep me at arm’s length?”
I answered unhappily: “Because we’re not from the same world. The word ‘friend’ is something Xiamo can’t aspire to!” My instinct told me this guy is much more dangerous than he appears, so it’s better to stay away…
Lan Qiye slightly curled his lips: “No way! I think we’re quite compatible. Don’t you think so?”
Me, compatible with this guy? What a joke!
I couldn’t help but put on a stern face, deliberately responding coldly: “Believe me, that’s definitely your illusion. We’re completely incompatible, and we shouldn’t even exist in the same place in this lifetime!”
Lan Qiye raised an eyebrow unconcernedly: “Is that so? But why don’t I feel that way? I actually think we’d make good friends, and maybe I could even help you!”
I couldn’t help but frown in confusion: “Help me with what?”
Lan Qiye blinked, smiling mysteriously: “Help you promote the marriage between the Crown Prince and the Holy Lady! Don’t tell me you’re not here for this!”
