“Actually, you could have been promoted long ago, right?” Gu Mengmeng pressed her little face into Lea’s chest, listening to his heartbeat.
It was a statement, not a question.
Lea chuckled without denying it.
Gu Mengmeng continued. “I have turned this matter over in mind many times. During the first stray beast attack, although you were being assaulted from both sides, the opponents were also third-level beasts. With your accumulated third-level skills, you could have broken through the boundary and then made use of your higher level to turn the situation around. But you rather get injured than get promoted… I always found it strange. Until last night, when those three stray beasts all attacked you without even the need for any prior agreement, I finally understood your mindset.”
Lea held a doting smile on his face. He had never liked it when others saw through him. Whenever that happened, he would be very resistant and force himself to bury his own emotions and thoughts even deeper.
But he just felt happy and expectant at being seen through by Gu Mengmeng.
It was as if his carefully wrapped present had been opened by his loved one, who instantly saw with just one look how much time he had spent choosing that gift and making it look nice.
This type of feeling, when one’s efforts were being noticed and cherished, felt really good. It was as if a gentle warmth was flowing through his veins, nourishing each and every one of his cells.
“Hmm, tell me.” Lea prompted Gu Mengmeng to elaborate. He liked to hear her explain her thought process, as he was unable to burrow into her mind to see just what she was thinking. Hence, he valued each and every word she spoke. Even more so, he cherished the bright look on her face whenever she talked about matters between them.
Gu Mengmeng didn’t know how Lea was feeling now. He was gazing at her with deep affection, but she was already used to that.
She couldn’t help feeling some heartache at the reason behind why Lea refused to be promoted. “You don’t want to be promoted so that when situations like yesterday’s incident occurs, you can focus all the danger on yourself. You want to use yourself as bait to protect me.”
His heart shivered.
He felt warmth and pride towards Mengmeng’s perceptiveness, but also a sliver of unease.
She was so perceptive, and would never just foolishly accept his goodwill.
Gu Mengmeng looked up and met Lea’s eyes. She said in all seriousness, “You know I am powerful enough now. You don’t need to do this anymore.”
“Silly girl.” Lea stroked Gu Mengmeng’s head. Dappled sunlight fell across his face, infusing even more warmth in his smile. He kissed Gu Mengmeng’s little hand before continuing. “No matter how powerful you are, you will always be my weak spot. My heart would be broken if you sustain any injuries.”
“So you rather get injured or even die, rather than get promoted. This is so you can remain the weakest member of the family—our enemies would then target you as the weakest link and all danger would be focused on you, right?” Gu Mengmeng was rather agitated. Her eyes had turned red and she looked like she was about to cry. “But did you ever consider the fact that my heart would also feel pain?”