As soon as he entered the simulated world, Seth's ears were filled with a lively, noisy clamor, while a mix of various food aromas surged into his nostrils, instantly reminding him of strolling through a night market food street.
But soon, Seth's attention was drawn to the female body beside him.
A faint, cold fragrance like night lotus kept entering his nostrils, impossible to mask even with all the food and spice smells—elegant and chilly, so unique.
His left palm covered her slender waist, the skin tender and soft, yet he could faintly sense a hidden immense power.
But now, this power, like its owner, was bound by chains of fiery desire, unable to break free yet constantly burned. She could only helplessly endure the flames of desire and the rising cravings.
"Jingliu, why didn't you invite me when you're strolling Aurum Alley?"
Baiheng's voice broke Jingliu's predicament, while also bringing her new embarrassment.
She was really not in a state to meet acquaintances right now.
"I..."
Jingliu hesitated, not knowing how to answer.
The lively Baiheng then looked at Seth, who was holding her.
"And this is...?"
Baiheng's gaze fell on Seth's hand around Jingliu's waist, a teasing smile on her face.
Without waiting for Jingliu to speak, Seth boldly introduced himself.
"I'm Jingliu's boyfriend, and also her disciple."
Baiheng immediately covered her mouth in shock, and Jingliu's eyes widened, staring at him in disbelief.
Compared to other Xianzhou, Luofu's customs were relatively conservative, and teacher-student romances had always sparked huge reactions and discussions from ancient times to now.
Neither expected Seth to publicly admit he was in a teacher-student romance.
But Baiheng was indeed different; her fluffy tail wagging wildly like a dog's behind her betrayed her.
Compared to shock, her big eyes shone more with excitement and curiosity.
Reacting, Baiheng tried to forcibly change the topic.
"Jingliu, when did you get a boyfriend? That's so unfair—you didn't even tell me!"
Jingliu opened her mouth, about to answer, when suddenly her pretty face flushed with a red glow, and her expression tensed.
It turned out Seth had stealthily slipped his hand into her armor right in front of Baiheng.
This action made Jingliu's whole body stiffen.
If Baiheng discovered how wild they were playing, she'd probably die of embarrassment on the spot.
The awkwardness of being caught by a friend, the tension of fearing discovery... All sorts of emotions made Jingliu's body rigid like ice.
While feeling Jingliu's tender skin, Seth smiled at Baiheng and said:
"My and Master Jingliu's identities are sensitive, so our relationship hasn't been public. Please keep it secret for us, Baiheng."
Baiheng immediately patted her chest and assured.
"Cough cough! You two rest assured! I'm Jingliu's best friend and sister; I'll definitely keep this secret for you!"
Though Baiheng said that, her eyes darted around, glancing back and forth between Jingliu and Seth, with a sly smile on her face, clearly up to no good.
Seth ignored her; even if she spilled it, it wasn't a big deal.
Two people well-matched, talking marriage—what's wrong with that?
"Meeting like this is fate. Jingliu and I were just about to try the Signature Chili Oil Beef Offal Stew in Aurum Alley. Would Miss Baiheng like to join?"
"Ah, me?"
Baiheng originally wanted to refuse; they were clearly on a date, and being a third wheel wasn't good.
Moreover, she noticed Jingliu beside her, though silent, seemed very resistant.
Baiheng was even more convinced she was interrupting their secret rendezvous.
As Baiheng was about to refuse, Seth seemed very enthusiastic.
"Miss Baiheng, please don't be polite. I often hear Jingliu talk about the 'High-Cloud Quintet'; she says Miss Baiheng is her best sister.
I've always wanted a chance to thank you for taking care of her, so please do me the honor this time."
"Is that so..."
With Seth putting it that way, Baiheng couldn't refuse anymore.
"Mm!!"
Jingliu was just about to speak when a strange sensation from her body stopped her words.
Seth gave her a meaningful look, and Jingliu immediately understood the warning in his eyes, swallowing the words on the tip of her tongue.
Plus, the heat from the claw at her waist felt like it was scalding her.
Jingliu's body couldn't help but tremble slightly, the blush on her face deepening.
Baiheng caught all the little interactions between the two.
But in her eyes, it became normal flirting between lovers in heat.
…
The beef offal was soon served.
Seth held chopsticks in one hand and wrapped the other around Jingliu's waist, his hand restlessly moving on her waist.
Taking advantage of Baiheng's blocked view, his fingers slowly slid up and down Jingliu's spine...
Such brazen teasing, right in front of her best friend—Jingliu could only bite her lips tightly, not letting out a single unusual sound.
But the more she endured, the more vigorously Seth teased.
At first, Jingliu tried to distract herself, but as Seth's unhurried, perfectly timed teasing continued, her attention involuntarily followed his mischievous finger.
It started as a slight itch, but over time, as Seth's finger rubbed her skin, the warmth turned to heat, accumulating and spreading throughout her body with his strokes.
This was the flame called desire.
Jingliu soon felt discomfort, her body trembling, legs subconsciously rubbing together, her fair face flushed red, eyes as if about to drip water, body unconsciously issuing invitations.
She barely endured until the meal ended.
The Chili Oil Beef Offal Stew lived up to its reputation as a classic heavy-spicy dish; after one meal, all three were red-faced, sweating profusely, and huffing.
Seth's gaze shifted from Jingliu; her condition was slightly different. Though everyone looked equally flushed and sweaty, only Jingliu's eyes held a hidden, unmelting charm.
Baiheng, sitting opposite Jingliu, didn't notice her abnormality.
On the contrary, in Baiheng's view, Seth's little actions showed their intimate relationship. While eating the offal, Baiheng shipped the couple on the spot, eating her fill.
After the meal, a satisfied Baiheng patted her slightly bulging belly and assured Seth.
"You two rest assured; my lips are sealed. I'll definitely keep it secret!"