"Side effect? What side effect?"
Qin Li was about to ask what that meant when he saw Zhou Dage's gaze sweeping over Constable Ning.
Qin Li instantly understood, and his small face began to flush.
He used his Divine Sense to transmit a plea to Zhou Dage, saying that he and Constable Ning were not that familiar yet, and begged Zhou Dage to bear with it this time.
Zhou Fan, however, declared that he couldn't bear it at all. He had been having a good time with his Fairy Master on Yin Yang Peak when he was suddenly summoned by Qin Li halfway through.
If he hadn't been resolute, ignoring Qin Li's mother's pleas to stay, and quickly put on his clothes to teleport here, there's no telling what Constable Ning would have been forced to drink.
Qin Li couldn't win against Zhou Dage, so he could only walk pitifully to Ning Shuying's side. He first asked about Constable Ning's injuries, and seeing that she had almost recovered, he transmitted a message with his Divine Sense.
"Constable Ning, the Instant Space Pearl I used to summon Zhou Dage just now is a Low Grade Magic Treasure. Activating it with my current cultivation indeed has side effects. Can you…"
Ning Shuying, having survived a close call, saw Qin Li, who had shared life and death with her, stammering in his transmission, and immediately asked,
"What's the side effect? Is there anything I can do for you?"
"Constable Ning, could you please accompany Zhou Dage for a bit, just for a bit, and then my side effects will be gone."
After saying this, Qin Li seemed to have used all his strength. His face was flushed, like a fish just out of water.
"You're lying." Ning Shuying's transmission was faint, seeing through Qin Li's lie at a glance.
"Constable Ning, you... I..." Qin Li was exposed and too nervous to speak.
He looked at Ning Shuying with sincere eyes, a mix of pleading and self-reproach, but not a trace of evil intent.
After a moment of eye contact with Qin Li, Ning Shuying transmitted again, "I can do this for you, but you must first answer one question."
Qin Li quickly replied, "Constable Ning, please ask. I will tell you everything I know."
Although Ning Shuying was a Constable, having traveled extensively throughout the Xuanyuan Dynasty for so many years, she was also half a Jianghu person. Therefore, after realizing her feelings, she asked without any hesitation,
"Qin Li, do you like me?"
"Ah? This..." Qin Li was stunned. He didn't know how to answer, as he couldn't quite put into words his feelings for this heroic, calm, and bold female Constable.
But then he remembered what Zhou Dage had told him: if it's unclear between a man and a woman, it's liking. So, he said seriously,
"Constable Ning, I like you."
A blush appeared on Ning Shuying's face, but seeing Qin Li's face even redder than hers, she immediately teased,
"Are you still calling me Constable Ning?"
"Shu... Shuying, I like you. If you are willing, I, Qin Li, will definitely marry you in the future."
"Silly, don't you have a fiancée?"
"I've checked the laws of the Xuanyuan Dynasty; there's no limit on the number of wives and concubines for Cultivators."
Qin Li, for once, was clever and said, "Shuying, I will definitely give you a home. If you are willing to be with me, I can accompany you wherever you want to go, accompany you to ascend Hongming Mountain, accompany you to boat on Kangqing Lake."
"We can walk out of the Xuanyuan Dynasty together and leave our footprints in more majestic and beautiful places in Qingyun State."
"Shuying, we can also walk through spring, summer, autumn, and winter, through all four seasons, until the end of our lives. I hope we can be buried together."
"What are you saying? That's unlucky." Ning Shuying's eyes were already red. She tried hard not to let tears of joy and happiness fall.
Love knows not why it begins, but it deepens with every passing moment.
Ning Shuying didn't know why, she had been single for so many years before, and no matter how talented the young men were, she never took a liking to them.
Now, after only handling one case with Qin Li, she developed feelings for this upright and simple man.
Perhaps it was because he always thought of her, always chatted with her when she needed comfort, reminding her not to overwork herself.
He would silently hide in the shadows when she used herself as bait, protecting her in a unique way.
He would stay with her working late every day, and even enjoyed it.
Ning Shuying felt that she would never forget that first glance in her life.
That day, he was on the window ledge, she was on horseback. It should have been just a fleeting glance, yet she could recall it so clearly every night.
"Qin Li, there's no need to talk about the distant future. Even if you don't marry me, I will be with you for life."
Ning Shuying took Qin Li's hand and, considering him, said, "If your fiancée agrees to us being together openly, then I am very willing to be your wife for life."
"Shuying..."
Qin Li was touched in his heart. He wondered what virtue he possessed to deserve such a wise and gentle wife.
...
After dealing with the case of the ghost-raising demon, the three returned to the Qingshan Luoning Inn.
The superior room in this Luoning Inn had a very large bed, more than enough for three people.
But Qin Li couldn't stay. He didn't dare to look at what was about to happen, so he went to the next room alone and rented a room, his mind full of tangled thoughts.
Ning Shuying had a strong and opinionated personality. After their heartfelt confession just now, Ning Shuying already knew that Qin Li had to improve his cultivation through this method.
Since she had decided to spend her life with Qin Li, Ning Shuying was not going to run away.
...
One day ago.
Ning Shuying went to the training room to practice martial arts. She pressed the wooden dummy to the ground, her slender fingers exploring its entirety, and found that the hardware of this wooden dummy was perfect, completely exceeding the limits of her comprehension.
Feeling the atmosphere in the training room was a bit tense, Ning Shuying immediately went straight to the point and said, "How do you want to do this?"
The wooden dummy looked at Ning Shuying, who clearly had no experience but still put on a queen-like demeanor, remaining silent and motionless.
Seeing that the wooden dummy couldn't be moved with punches, Ning Shuying had no choice but to start stomping on it with her feet.
...
"Ding! Congratulations, Host, for seeing through your good deed, helping the Son of Destiny Qin Li improve his cultivation, and becoming good friends with his girlfriend, Ning Shuying."
"Now, 15,000 Luck points are awarded to the Host. Please continue to work hard and strive to complete the full collection of the Son of Destiny Qin Li's storyline as soon as possible!"
Zhou Fan left feeling refreshed. He planned to act preemptively to nip the threat of the Old Sword Master in the bud, and incidentally, help his conservative fiancée, Li Di, who craved power.
After bidding farewell to Zhou Dage, Qin Li quickly returned to the room.
He looked at Ning Shuying, who was exhausted to the point of unconsciousness, and the messy guest room, and immediately tenderly wiped the sweat from Ning Shuying's brow.
After Ning Shuying woke up, Qin Li served his good girlfriend tea and water, and offered thoughtful comfort, truly showcasing the qualities of a warm man to the fullest.
Under Qin Li's meticulous care, Ning Shuying quickly recovered from the terrifying impact. She looked at Qin Li, who didn't dislike her at all, and was even better to her, and a touch of emotion welled up in her heart again.
After this incident, their relationship grew even stronger.