Quick Transmigration: The Sweetheart Everyone Loves Is Stuck in Romantic Chaos Every Day - Chapter 61

He Lian Zijun’s face darkened. “Assassins!”

Gu Cheng listened quietly for a moment, then said in a low, steady voice: “Only one. I’ll go after him. You take your men and protect Miss.”

“If I haven’t returned within fifteen minutes, leave first. We’ll meet at the largest inn in the next town.”

With that, Gu Cheng was about to leap away with his light footwork when Ruan Tang gently tugged at the hem of his robe.

He turned back, only to see the girl’s soft, peach-blossom eyes filled with fear and worry.

“Gu Cheng-gege, be careful.”

A rush of tenderness welled up in the man’s heart. He reached out to ruffle the girl’s silky hair, lips curving faintly.

“Don’t worry, Miss. I’ll be back soon.”

Watching this warm, intimate scene from the side, He Lian Zijun gave a cold snort but said nothing.

Gu Cheng vanished into the distance, and Ruan Tang obediently watched his figure disappear.

A pair of slender fingers suddenly snapped crisply before her eyes.

“Still staring? You’ve gone completely dazed.”

The boy’s bright, youthful voice was thick with jealousy as he grumbled.

“Why don’t you look at me for once? I’m not worse-looking than that big oaf.”

Ruan Tang instinctively turned her head toward He Lian Zijun.

He truly was beautiful.

Dazzling golden hair, fair skin, sapphire-blue cat-like eyes.

At a glance, one could tell he had grown up spoiled like a little prince in a honey jar, doted on endlessly by his family—that’s how he’d developed such a proud, haughty temper.

Yet at this moment, that pampered young prince was kneeling on one knee before her, heedless of soiling his own luxurious robe.

He lowered his head and carefully cupped her little foot, sliding a sock onto it before slipping her shoes back on.

Then he stood, extending his arms toward the dazed girl sitting on the riverbank, his tone awkward.

“Come on. I’ll carry you back.”

Ruan Tang tilted her head slightly, noticing his flushed ears.

“No need. I can walk on my own.”

He Lian Zijun turned his face aside, the tips of his ears completely red, but he still forced himself to retort.

“Let me be clear—I-I’m not carrying you because I want to! It’s just that it rained earlier, and the road ahead is muddy. If your skirt gets dirty, that would be terrible—”

Ruan Tang was about to say she had just walked that way herself and hadn’t noticed any problem—

But He Lian Zijun cut her off. “Hurry up! My arms are getting sore already!”

Thinking he was getting angry, Ruan Tang hastily threw herself into his arms.

He Lian Zijun nearly stumbled backward, but managed to steady himself. His heart instantly began to pound like a drum.

So soft. So fragrant.

What kind of scent was this? Sweet enough to make one’s heart ache.

Thankfully, Ruan Tang’s face was buried in his chest, so she didn’t notice how red his face had turned—down to the base of his neck.

Though slender in build, He Lian Zijun was tall and not lacking in strength.

And since Ruan Tang was light and delicate, he could support her easily with just one arm.

Only…

The prince struggled to ignore the overly soft sensation pressing against his arm, but the heat on his face refused to fade.

To distract himself, he cleared his throat and forced a calm tone.

“Have you thought about where you want to go?”

Ruan Tang looped her arms around his neck. Her long lashes brushed lightly against his skin as she moved, making his entire body stiffen.

“Not really… I just want to wander around.”

After all, this world didn’t require much task completion. She could treat it like sightseeing.

A spark of hope lit in He Lian Zijun’s heart. “Then… do you want to come to my home?”

Ruan Tang blinked her shimmering peach-blossom eyes. “Your home?”

“The scenery in Haixi is very different from here. There’s the sea, sailing ships, and all sorts of strange things you’ve never seen before. You’d like it!”

Ruan Tang’s eyes lit up suddenly. “Do you have lobsters?”

“Of course! Lobsters longer than your arm—eat as many as you want!”

“Wow!!”

Ruan Tang’s small hands clutched at his clothes as she looked up at him, eyes sparkling with excitement.

“I want to go! I want to go!”

“Then it’s a promise. You’re not allowed to go back on it!”

The boy leaned closer to gaze at her, but suddenly something soft and sweet brushed across his lips.

His body froze, breath catching.

Her lips.

She had accidentally… kissed him.

He Lian Zijun’s heart hammered so hard it felt like it would burst from his chest.

Just inches away were the girl’s dazzling, liquid-bright eyes.

Her sweet fragrance lingered at his nose, enough to drive a man insane.

And yet, Ruan Tang was completely oblivious, her gaze innocent and clear—pure enough to be criminal.

“What’s wrong, Prince Zijun?”

Snapping back to himself, He Lian Zijun swallowed down the dangerous urge in his chest, answering hoarsely:

“Call me by my name… no, call me ‘gege.’ Just like you call that bodyguard.”

He had been craving that address for a long time.

Every time he heard Ruan Tang softly calling someone else “gege,” jealousy clawed at his chest.

But Ruan Tang said softly: “Then you can’t bully Gu Cheng-gege anymore.”

He Lian Zijun turned his face away, muttering sullenly.

“He’s your friend. I won’t bully him.”

No matter how jealous he felt, he couldn’t ignore her feelings.

Since Ruan Tang cared for that man, even if He Lian Zijun burned with envy, he wouldn’t truly harm him.

At most… he’d curse him behind his back.

He was the dignified prince of Haixi—surely he had the right to call a lowly bodyguard a toad lusting after swan meat. That damn servant!

Of course, Ruan Tang had no idea what was going on in his head. She thought he had agreed, so she smiled sweetly and whispered softly:

“Zijun-gege.”

Half of the boy’s body went weak on the spot.

Damn that cursed bodyguard! Did he get to hear this sweetness every day?!

Why?!

God, he was so jealous he could die. That damn servant ought to drop dead!

…

The short walk from the stream back to camp was enough for Ruan Tang to fall asleep.

Her little head nestled against He Lian Zijun’s neck, her arms looped around him, warm breaths tickling his ear.

He Lian Zijun unconsciously softened his steps, carefully placing her inside the carriage.

But just as he was about to step down—

They were surrounded by a group of masked men in black.

Each carried a curved blade, tall and fierce-looking, clearly here with ill intent.

“Your Highness, be careful! Get inside the carriage!”

“Protect the Prince!”

The loyal guards immediately engaged the attackers, the clash of steel ringing sharp in the air.

He Lian Zijun’s expression hardened. He drew a finely crafted dagger and moved into the carriage, shielding Ruan Tang with his body.

Awoken by the shouts and clashing blades, Ruan Tang rubbed her sleepy eyes, still half-dazed.

“What’s going on?”

He Lian Zijun turned back to her with a soothing smile.

“It’s nothing. I’ll protect you. Don’t worry.”

Though he wasn’t skilled in killing, he had been trained in self-defense. Even if it cost him his life, he would never let harm come to Ruan Tang.