Chapter 248: With You, I Need No Ambition
Hearing her words, a faint smile unexpectedly swept across Gong Moran’s eyes—like a gust of wind stirring ripples across a pool of still water. It was fleeting, yet breathtakingly beautiful.
“Girl, you’ve lost quite a bit of weight lately,” he said, pausing briefly. “You look better with a little more flesh.”
Nan Xun: …
So the big boss had long known she was a glutton?
She felt she really had lost weight recently—she’d never been full these days. Of course she’d slim down.
“From now on, eat as much as you want. No need to be shy,” Gong Moran added.
Nan Xun glanced at him with a bit of hopeful anticipation. Her small face flushed slightly. “My lord, really? It’s okay no matter how much I eat?”
Seeing her bashful little face, Gong Moran shifted his posture and reclined more comfortably against the soft couch, looking even more languid and carefree. His voice grew lazy as well. “Naturally. You don’t need to restrain yourself anymore. There’s nothing lacking in my palace—least of all silver and treasures. No need to save food for me.”
Nan Xun nodded furiously like a pecking chick. “My lord, you’re my food and clothing parent! I like you so, so much!”
Gong Moran let out a soft huff, that lazy sound slipping from his nose, irresistibly alluring. “Girl, look at how unambitious you are.”
Nan Xun beamed. “With you around, why would I need any ambition? You’ll protect me anyway.”
The corners of Gong Moran’s thin lips lifted slightly.
Unlike the chilling smiles Nan Xun had occasionally seen from him before, this was a gentle smile that radiated from within—exceptionally beautiful.
Nan Xun caught it instantly. Her eyes widened as she exclaimed excitedly, “My lord, you smiled just now! You’re unbelievably handsome when you smile—like a living painting. Truly, truly beautiful!”
This time, Gong Moran was so amused that he actually laughed aloud. His low, deep laughter was like a jar of well-aged wine—rich and intoxicating.
“So you can laugh, my lord! You should smile more often. Just seeing you smile could probably add years to my life!” Nan Xun said cheerfully, leaning forward to get a closer look, nearly throwing herself straight at the handsome man.
Gong Moran raised an eyebrow. “I’m not expressionless. Of course I can smile—it’s just that there’s usually nothing worth smiling about.”
Hearing this, Nan Xun was delighted, her grin stretching almost to her ears. “My lord, I’ll make you laugh every day from now on!”
Gong Moran suddenly reached out and lightly patted her head. “Girl, come with me.”
With that, he rose from the couch. His robe slipped askew, hanging loosely, but he didn’t bother to straighten it—still wearing that lazy air as he walked toward the luxurious bed against the inner wall.
Curious, Nan Xun followed and watched as he lifted the bedding and tapped a certain spot at the head of the bed three times.
Suddenly, a snake-head button popped out from beneath the headboard!
Nan Xun’s eyes went wide. A mechanism? A hidden compartment?
Good heavens—so even the godlike State Preceptor did this sort of thing?
Gong Moran twisted the snake-head button three turns left, one turn right, then half a turn left again. Three sharp clicking sounds rang out—clearly the mechanism engaging.
Then, with a thunderous rumble, a square section of the bed sank inward, revealing an underground passage!
Nan Xun had always thought secret mechanisms were exaggerated TV tropes, but seeing one in person—she realized they really weren’t exaggerated at all.
While she was still stunned, her waist suddenly tightened. Gong Moran wrapped an arm around her and leapt down into the hidden opening with her in his arms.
The moment their feet touched the ground, his hand withdrew. His voice echoed through the pitch-dark passage. “Girl, stay close.”
He’d only taken two steps when Nan Xun rushed forward and grabbed his hand, pitifully saying, “My lord, it’s so dark in here. I can’t see—I’m scared.”
The instant her hand closed around his, Gong Moran stiffened.
Nan Xun clung tightly, refusing to let go, then simply used both hands to hold onto his palm.
Gong Moran sighed helplessly. “No need to grip so hard. I’ll hold onto you.”
Nan Xun giggled and released one hand, leaving her left hand holding his.
As promised, Gong Moran clasped her hand and led her forward slowly.
Whether it was to keep her from tripping or for some other reason, he walked very slowly. A short path somehow took them ages to traverse.
When they finally turned a corner, the view suddenly opened up.
Nan Xun let out a cry of astonishment, eyes wide, then dashed forward, shouting and jumping in excitement.
Gong Moran lowered his gaze slightly, looking at his suddenly empty hand. A strange feeling rose in his heart.
He placed his hands behind his back and watched the little girl ahead, eyes shining with excitement. His thin lips parted slightly, a faint smile rippling through his eyes.
Nan Xun was truly, unbelievably excited.
Just moments ago, it had been a pitch-black tunnel—yet after one turn, a grand hall appeared before her!
Both walls were embedded with countless night pearls as large as fists, their eerie green glow pooling together to brightly illuminate the golden, resplendent hall.
In the center lay mountains of gold and silver treasures—jade ruyi, coral, emeralds, carved agate, precious gemstones. Pick any one of them, and it’d be worth a fortune!
Bathed in the green glow of the pearls, the treasures refracted every color imaginable—an eye-blinding world of dazzling brilliance.
Nan Xun exclaimed to Little Eight, “If we could move all these treasures into your Star Space, you’d be rich!”
Little Eight snorted dismissively. “Only mortals care about such junk. Do you really think I’d be interested? I care about divine artifacts, sacred treasures, supreme pills. These things? Vulgar.”
Nan Xun pouted. “You don’t like them, but I do. I’m a vulgar person—this makes me happy.”
Little Eight scoffed. “No matter how good they are, they’re not yours. What are you happy about?”
Hearing that, Nan Xun quickly sucked back the drool she was about to lose, bounced back to Gong Moran’s side, and grabbed his arm with a sweet smile, her voice unconsciously turning soft and coquettish. “My lord, can you reward me with a few of these treasures?”
Gong Moran flicked her forehead with a finger. “Why do you think I opened this passage in front of you and personally brought you here? Even if you eat an absurd amount, I can still afford to raise you. If there’s anything you like here, take it as you wish.”
Nan Xun stared at him blankly—then suddenly wailed and slammed straight into his chest, hugging his waist tightly.
Gong Moran frowned slightly and was about to push her away, but she clung even tighter, crying miserably. “My lord, you’re too good to me! My parents died early. Ever since they passed, no one’s treated me this well—especially letting me eat as much as I want. Everyone says I’m a useless glutton! My lord, I really, really like you. You’re my parents reborn!”
Gong Moran: …
The hand he’d raised to push her away slowly lowered again. After a moment, he reached out and gently patted her back.
