Leona could feel Zhang Ye's sincere and fiery heart.
Her lips curled into a sudden smile.
Without a word, she wrapped her arms around Zhang Ye's head and offered her own fiery red lips.
After a long while, they parted, both breathing slightly heavily. Their eyes locked, a glistening thread still connecting their lips, their gazes burning like fire.
“I like you too!” Leona said, looking directly into Zhang Ye's eyes.
She wasn't bashful or reserved like typical girls.
She truly liked the big boy in front of her.
He was clearly three years younger than her, yet in front of others, he acted like a big brother who carefully looked after everyone.
Only when facing her would he behave like a child.
Childish, because of his sincerity.
Every single moment she spent with him, Leona could feel his heart, which was as genuine as could be.
Everything he did for her was done with her best interests in mind, to the absolute best of his ability.
He only wanted to make her happy; he only wanted to see her smile.
He only wanted to hear her say those words with her own lips: “I like you.”
What she loved most was precisely this sincerity.
He was a lovable big boy.
A big boy she never wanted to let go of for the rest of her life.
Hearing Leona say those words herself, Zhang Ye's joy was perfectly displayed on his face.
He burst out laughing.
Yet for some reason, tears began to stream down his cheeks.
They were scalding hot.
Watching Zhang Ye fly around erratically in the sky, weeping with joy, shouting and hollering without a shred of dignity, Leona laughed as well.
But as she laughed, she suddenly felt a pang of heartache.
It was because of Zhang Ye.
He was always optimistic, always wearing a smile.
All he brought to those around him was joy.
But why did simply hearing “I like you” make him cry like this?
Would a truly optimistic person react this way?
At this moment, Leona suddenly realized that perhaps Zhang Ye wasn't as happy-go-lucky as he seemed on the surface.
The weight of those words, “I like you,” in his heart was simply too heavy.
Leona also realized that her place in Zhang Ye's heart had probably already surpassed his own self-worth.
An unprecedentedly strong urge to protect him suddenly surged in her heart. Leona flew up behind Zhang Ye and hugged him from the back, resting her delicate chin on his shoulder and gently nuzzling her warm cheek against his.
Zhang Ye also quieted down, gently holding her hands wrapped around his chest, a look of heartfelt contentment appearing on his face.
The two slowly descended to the ground and sat on the grassy hillside. Leona kept her arms wrapped around him from behind, while he leaned back into her embrace.
“Are you afraid?” Leona asked softly. Zhang Ye could feel her warm breath tickling his ear.
Leaning back further into Leona's embrace, Zhang Ye remained silent for a moment before nodding. “Yeah, I'm afraid.”
“I'm afraid that all of this is just a dream.”
“I'm afraid of losing you...”
As he spoke, Leona could feel his voice trembling violently. Even though he was doing his best to suppress it, he couldn't hide it.
He was plagued by a fear of loss.
He was truly afraid.
Leona's heart softened even further, and she tightened her embrace around Zhang Ye.
“I won't leave you,” she said softly.
“I know, and that's my wish too, but there are too many uncertainties in the future.” Zhang Ye shook his head gently. “I can't be sure, I can't guarantee it, I don't even dare to think about it.”
“There are so many people stronger than me. What if they want to take you away?”
“What if an irresistible force comes one day and you have to leave me?”
“I don't dare to think about it... That's why!”
His voice stopped trembling, becoming increasingly firm and powerful.
“I must become strong!”
“I want to become stronger than everyone else!”
“Only then can I protect you!”
“Only then will no one be able to take you away from me!”
His words, like a heavy hammer, struck the softest spot in Leona's heart.
She couldn't resist kissing his lips once more.
“I believe you.” When their lips parted, Leona looked straight into Zhang Ye's eyes and suddenly grinned. She licked her red lips, her eyes full of sultry allure.
“So, please hurry up and get stronger.”
“I can't wait to devour you.”
Looking at Leona's roguish, dashing, and handsome face, Zhang Ye felt a bit of a dry throat and subconsciously swallowed.
This reaction made Leona burst out laughing.
“The Realm Bridge Secret Realm opens in a couple of days. What are your plans?” Leona rested her chin on Zhang Ye's shoulder again, which felt very comfortable to her.
“Kill Gajeel,” Zhang Ye said bluntly.
Leona was taken aback. “Why?” she asked.
“Because I just want to kill him,” Zhang Ye stated flatly. “I have a feeling that he'll be an obstacle to me in the future. I might as well go all the way and kill him in the secret realm.”
“Aren't you afraid of his empire seeking retribution?”
Zhang Ye smiled and shook his head. “I've already gathered information from various sources and have a general understanding of Gajeel's background and the Black Dragon Empire's imperial family.”
“Gajeel's status in the Black Dragon Empire's imperial family is actually not that high, otherwise he wouldn't have come here to study.”
“He also has an older brother who is only two years older than him but is already a Two-star Saint-tier. So, the focus of the Black Dragon Empire's imperial family is on his brother, not him.”
“If I kill him, the Black Dragon Empire will investigate, but they definitely won't go to extreme lengths.”
“To deal with a little rookie like me who isn't even Tier Ten, they won't make a huge fuss, and their reach doesn't extend that far anyway.”
“The Black Dragon Empire's influence in this region isn't very strong. They have very few Saint-tiers, and not a single one above Five-star Saint-tier, at least on the surface.”
“With you protecting me, I'm not afraid of them at all.”
Hearing this, Leona was amused and couldn't help but playfully pinch his nose. “Aren't you a clever one?”
Zhang Ye hummed proudly. “Call me Zhang the Clever, thank you.”
Leona continued, “After entering the Realm Bridge Secret Realm, we will split into teams for exploration. The main targets of exploration are ruins and dungeons, and there's also an otherworld culture research team. When the time comes, I can arrange for you and Gajeel to be in the same group, and I'll lead you into the secret realm.”
“Exploring the ruins will be the perfect opportunity.”
Hearing this, Zhang Ye said in pleasant surprise, “You're going to help me?”
Leona smiled. “Who else would I help if not you?”
Zhang Ye couldn't help but hug Leona and give her a loud smack on her cheek, absolutely thrilled.
Leona hummed in enjoyment.
“However, the forces of the Black Dragon Empire will also send people to follow. Among the mentors selected this time, one of them is from the Black Dragon Empire. If we want to kill Gajeel, we can't let him notice any clues. The fewer people involved, the better.”
“Even though I can help you, entering the secret realm is a special period. Everyone will be on high alert, both externally and internally. So when the time comes, you'll mostly have to rely on yourself. You must keep this in mind.”
Zhang Ye patted her chest. “Don't worry, leave it to me!”
With a face full of smiles, Leona tapped Zhang Ye's forehead. “Pat your own chest.”
“Hehe.
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