The ocean ball rapidly grew larger in Yun Shulian’s vision, and she instinctively closed her eyes.
One second, two seconds, three seconds.
Yun Shulian quietly listened to her own heartbeat, and only after confirming that the ocean ball hadn't hit her did she slowly open her eyes.
The first thing she saw was Mu Qi’s back. Yun Shulian realized Mu Qi had shielded her from the ball.
Only Mu Qi, under any circumstances, would always stand in front of her without hesitation, disregarding any danger. It was as if protecting her had become an instinct for Mu Qi.
"Waa..."
A baby's cry interrupted Yun Shulian's thoughts. She looked towards the source of the sound.
In this direction...
It seemed to be the direction from which he had thrown the ocean ball at her.
But why was he crying? Shouldn't she be the one crying?
"What's wrong, sweetie?" The aunt beside the little boy immediately picked him up and soothed him when he started crying.
The little boy glanced in the direction of Yun Shulian and Mu Qi, then began to cry even harder.
She hadn't done anything?
Yun Shulian frowned, feeling utterly wronged.
Until she turned to look at Mu Qi, Yun Shulian suddenly understood why the little boy was crying.
Mu Qi was staring at the little boy, his phoenix eyes as dark as ink, his menacing aura impossible to conceal.
Yun Shulian finally cracked the case.
Mu Qi, he was indeed a little bit scary like this.
Yun Shulian's eyes flickered, a sudden inspiration striking her. She scooped up a pile of ocean balls and threw them at Mu Qi.
Countless ocean balls hit Mu Qi's body, and his muscles tensed even further.
However, as the ocean balls fell and Yun Shulian appeared before him, the about-to-explode Mu Qi immediately released all his tension.
His phoenix eyes instantly softened into a pool of water.
Yun Shulian realized how rare such gentle eyes were.
Mu Qi was clearly a cold person, yet this Mu Qi reserved all his tenderness for her.
Yun Shulian looked at Mu Qi, her eyes twinkling. She stepped forward, hugged him tightly, and then planted a big kiss on Mu Qi's cheek.
Mu Qi, with Yun Shulian so close, had a hint of bewilderment in his phoenix eyes.
"Mu Qi, I really, really love you." Yun Shulian leaned in, whispering her confession into his ear, then planted another fierce kiss on Mu Qi's other cheek.
The temperature on Mu Qi's neck began to rise, extending upwards to his earlobes.
Yun Shulian watched Mu Qi the entire time, her eyes like a starry sky, with Mu Qi as the brightest star.
Mu Qi placed his hand on the back of Yun Shulian's head, intending to deepen the kiss, but Yun Shulian pushed him away.
"Mu Qi, you scared that child just now. Cooperate with me for a bit, okay?" As soon as Yun Shulian finished speaking, she began walking towards the little boy, her feet sinking and rising with each step through the ocean balls.
Mu Qi watched Yun Shulian's retreating back, then looked at the little boy, a look of disdain in his phoenix eyes.
"Little one, did you want to play with sister just now?" Yun Shulian approached the little boy and gently stroked his head.
The little boy's tears stopped. His pure, unblemished eyes looked at Yun Shulian, though he was still hiccuping.
"Did you want to play with sister?" Yun Shulian crouched down and asked again with a smile.
The little boy nodded slightly.
"Then, were you scared by that big brother just now?" Yun Shulian continued to ask.
At her words, the little boy's shoulders trembled slightly, as if Mu Qi's terrifying appearance was still vivid in his memory.
However, under Yun Shulian's encouraging gaze, the little boy stiffened his neck and nodded.
"Did you see sister throw a bunch of ocean balls at that big brother just now? That was me getting revenge for you," Yun Shulian said softly, stroking the little boy's head.
To her surprise, the little boy shook his head without hesitation.
Yun Shulian: "..."
This had completely stumped her.
After a moment of thought, Yun Shulian said, "That big brother is actually a paper tiger, very easy to bully. How about I take you to throw balls at him again? I promise he won't scare you anymore."
The little boy's lips parted slightly, looking very surprised.
Seeing the little boy didn't speak, Yun Shulian picked up an ocean ball and placed it in his hand. She then picked up one herself and walked towards Mu Qi with the little boy.
Although the fierce glint had disappeared from Mu Qi's eyes, the little boy still stared at him blankly, his little legs trembling on the ocean balls.
When they were close enough, Yun Shulian crouched down and encouraged him, "Come on, don't be afraid, I'm here."
As she spoke, Yun Shulian guided the child's hand and threw the ocean ball he was holding at Mu Qi.
Yun Shulian didn't throw too hard or too lightly, just a gentle toss that landed on Mu Qi.
Mu Qi watched Yun Shulian, allowing the light ocean ball to hit him without reacting.
Yun Shulian felt a little flustered under Mu Qi's gaze, but she still placed her ocean ball in the little boy's hand and had him throw it at Mu Qi. She couldn't leave the child with a psychological shadow.
Mu Qi continued to watch Yun Shulian without speaking.
Next, Yun Shulian leaned down and gently stroked the little boy's head. "How is it, sweetie? Didn't sister tell you?
That big brother is just a paper tiger. He just didn't react in time. He's actually a very nice person."
Paper tiger, didn't react in time, nice person...
The more Yun Shulian spoke, the more she felt a pang of guilt.
Fortunately, this child was easily persuaded. Soon after Yun Shulian finished speaking, the little boy smiled, and the fear in his eyes when he looked at Mu Qi had disappeared.
Yun Shulian was momentarily stunned by the innocent smile. She wondered what their child would be like if she and Mu Qi had one.
Would he also be as innocent and beautiful when he smiled, just like this little boy?
As Yun Shulian lost herself in thought, the little boy suddenly let go of her hand and walked towards Mu Qi.