Bao Gucheng had just stepped onto the stairs when he saw Zuzi sliding down from the side of the bookshelf.
The usually lively and spirited girl looked somewhat fatigued, her bright eyes slightly closed, her body soft like a clear spring, as if she could slip through his fingers if he held her too tightly.
Without a second thought, Bao Gucheng strode over, his powerful arms swiftly catching her, holding her securely within his embrace.
As if defending his territory.
Sacred and undeniable.
His voice was slightly hoarse, tinged with an urgency that belied his usual calm demeanor.
Zuzi did not respond.
Her soft body nestled into his arms, her small face gently leaning against his firm bicep, her nose lightly touching his rib area.
As if she had fallen asleep.
Bao Gucheng’s heart beat irregularly.
He stood motionless beside the bookshelf, letting the girl rest in his arms, like a royal family prince guarding Sleeping Beauty.
Military, stance, straight and firm.
Bao Gucheng stood there for almost half an hour.
The girl’s delicate body and even breathing brushed against every sensitive spot in his body, causing more and more sweat to bead on his forehead.
His typically strong self-control was reaching its breaking point...
If he continued to hold her, he wasn’t sure if he...
"Miss Zuzi, my apologies, but I have no choice but to administer artificial respiration." His voice grew more hoarse, as he lowered his gaze to the girl in his arms, his tone serious.
"Ancestor, artificial respiration means mouth-to-mouth! Ahhh, don’t you want to try absorbing spiritual energy ? It’s more effective and satisfying!"
The little crow, not averse to stirring up trouble, had long since realized that Ancestor wasn’t really asleep, but rather engrossed in absorbing spiritual energy, unwilling to wake up.
Zuzi murmured, her long lashes fluttering as she lazily opened her eyes a crack: "Xiao Chenger, is that you?"
Unconsciously stunning.
Bao Gucheng’s Adam’s apple bobbed.
The impulse rising in his heart had just been suppressed, almost surging up again: "The air in the library isn’t ventilated, it’s too dangerous for you to read alone. Don’t do that next time."
The tall bookshelves were densely packed, the doors and windows tightly shut, and people were rare.
If another male student had stumbled in and seen her fainted just now, who knows what inappropriate actions they might have taken?
After all, not all men in the world are gentlemen like him.
Zuzi pouted lightly: "Next time... you can accompany me to read, Xiao Chenger."
Bao Gucheng’s body stiffened.
His dark eyes looked at her deeply: "Okay."
Zuzi leaped out of his arms, disdainfully pointing at the pile of books she had picked through: "These books are so uninspiring, Xiao Chenger, they’re not as good as you..."
Ahem, she had to admit, the pure spiritual energy lingering around him was truly indispensable.
When she had trouble breathing just now, falling into his embrace was like a whale returning to the sea, the Kunpeng soaring into the clouds, her whole being rejuvenated, every pore perfectly comfortable to the point of wanting to scream.
She pretended to sleep just to inhale a few more breaths, was that an easy feat?
Bao Gucheng’s dark eyes were profound: "How about I choose for you."
Bao Gucheng, looking very much like a stern tutor pushing her to study: "The bell has rung three times, you’ll be late for the exam. Go back to class first, I’ll pick the books."
Since he had agreed to Mr. Gu’s request, he had to properly fulfill his duties.