Chapter 154: Gu Ting Flirts Online

Thin wisps of smoke curled from the copper incense burner. Shen Qing stared at it for a few seconds before rising and walking over, catching a faint, delicate fragrance.

"Hm? Do you like this?" Gu Ting asked, having finished tidying up, as he noticed Shen Qing standing by the burner.

Shen Qing withdrew her gaze, returned to the sofa where she had been sitting, and said indifferently, "A little interested."

Gu Ting raised an eyebrow, unable to help but glance at the burner once more.

"Then you should sleep here; this calming incense helps with sleep." Gu Ting sat down beside her, noting that the red veins in the young woman's eyes had become much more prominent.

"No need, I'm heading back."

Seeing that she was truly getting up to leave, Gu Ting hurriedly stood as well. "Wait a moment."

He lifted the copper burner from its tray and carried it. "I'll bring this to your room."

Shen Qing paused, looking at him for a moment. A smile bloomed on the man's gentle, jade-like face as he lowered his voice and asked, "Or would you rather stay here to sleep?"

"I'm not staying." Shen Qing shot him a glare and headed straight for the door.

Watching the young woman’s annoyed expression, Gu Ting couldn't help but laugh out loud. His shoulders shook slightly, causing the incense burner in his hands to tremble.

Shen Qing glanced back at him, and Gu Ting gave a soft cough. "Yes, I'm coming."

He followed the young girl’s pace, carrying the burner into her room. Scanning the space, he walked straight into the bedroom. "I'll put this in the room where you sleep."

"Thanks." Shen Qing opened the door for him to enter.

After placing the burner down, Gu Ting lowered his head to fish a watch from his pocket. He looked at Shen Qing for a second and said, "It's the 31st today."

It was the final day of December.

Shen Qing pulled out a chair, sat down, and crossed her legs. "Oh."

"There are three hours left. Want to ring in the New Year together?" Gu Ting sat on the edge of the bed, locking eyes with her. His reflection was mirrored in her eyes, shining brightly.

Shen Qing arched a brow and clicked her tongue. "I don't really care for such things."

"I see." Gu Ting nodded quite earnestly, then stood up and reached for her arm.

"Neither do I, so let's go set off some fireworks now." Gu Ting finished his sentence before she could get angry.

Shen Qing frowned, glancing at him. So, his idea of "caring" meant midnight, and "not caring" meant setting off fireworks whenever?

"Come on, come on." Gu Ting urged her in a soft, coaxing tone, bordering on playful.

"Have you been possessed by Dongfang Cheng?" The corners of Shen Qing’s mouth twitched slightly as she stared at him blankly.

Dongfang Cheng, who was innocently caught in the crossfire: Excuse me?

A flash of bewilderment crossed Gu Ting's eyes, but he quickly composed himself and smiled at her. "Let's go set off those fireworks."

Without waiting for her reply, he took her arms and lifted her from the chair.

"I'm not..."

"Hm? Do you want me to carry you?" Gu Ting interrupted her, his voice brimming with playful teasing. "I could try."

"Get lost!" Shen Qing shook off his hands, only for him to grab her left wrist the next second.

"Are you sick in the head?" Shen Qing shot him a cold glare and brought her knee up toward his abdomen.

"I don't think so." Gu Ting turned slightly, dodging the strike.

Shen Qing narrowed her eyes, studying him. He had a few tricks up his sleeve.

"That move just now—not bad for dealing with bad guys." Gu Ting commented with a smile, then paused to ask, "Shall we go set off those fireworks?"

"Oh, really?" Shen Qing looked down at the hand on her wrist, then, in a blink, swung a punch toward his face.

Gu Ting’s eyes sharpened. This young girl, capable of taking on ten people at once, was no pushover.

He leaned back, holding her left wrist with one hand and catching her fist with the other. As she kicked, he blocked it with his knee.

"Little one, fighting isn't encouraged," Gu Ting said with a smirk. He suddenly tipped backward, and before Shen Qing could react, she was pulled into his arms.

With a thud, Gu Ting fell onto the large bed, with Shen Qing landing squarely on top of him.

Gu Ting wrapped his arms around her shoulders, his eyes crinkling with amusement, though his tone sounded feignedly weak. "Qingqing, I think I'm sick now."

Shen Qing pressed her lips together, her brow furrowed deeply as she reached out to pinch his waist.

Sensing her move, Gu Ting grabbed her restless hand first and chuckled in a low voice. "There's no need to be in such a hurry."