Chapter 777: Holding Hands, Kissing Lips

"What do you want to say?"

Uchiha Lianyue tilted her head, her face showing confusion as she looked at her friend.

She didn't understand what Tuan Cang wanted to tell her.

"Actually…"

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang saw Lianyue's puzzled expression, and the courage he had barely mustered vanished in an instant.

If Lianyue's feelings for him were only those of a friend.

Saying it like this would mean they couldn't even be friends.

But the thought of her future Arranged marriage to someone else made his chest suddenly tighten.

"Tuan Cang, are you okay?"

Uchiha Lianyue noticed his complexion shifting constantly, as if he had endured great suffering.

Instinctively, she wanted to know his physical condition.

"I... I..."

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang stammered, unable to speak.

Sure enough, he was a useless person!

He didn't even have the courage to confess to a girl he liked.

"If nothing's wrong, I'm going home."

Uchiha Lianyue saw that he didn't look ill, and the worry on her face turned back into a smile.

Seeing the girl's pretty face, Zhi Cun Tuan Zang gritted his teeth and made up his mind.

If his confession were rejected, it might be a momentary regret, but if he didn't confess and watched her marry someone else with his eyes wide open—

He would regret it for the rest of his life!

"Lianyue, I like you!"

He didn't evade any longer; instead, he used it to convey his feelings.

Uchiha Lianyue was stunned by his words.

She gave him a complicated look, staring at the Tuan Cang who seemed ready to die, and the smile on her face froze.

She truly hadn't expected him to confess to her.

For a moment, the two stood face to face, neither saying a word.

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang, seeing Lianyue remain silent, hesitated briefly before continuing his tale.

"Actually, I've liked you for a long time, ever since you took me on missions, protected us when danger came, and invited me to your house for a meal..."

The inarticulate him blurted out a long string of words in one breath.

It was truly hard for him.

"Originally I didn't dare to reveal my feelings to you; I wanted to bury this affection deep inside."

"But when I learned about your Arranged marriage, I suddenly realized I couldn't continue like this. I need to tell you how I feel; regardless of the outcome, at least I won't regret it later!"

Uchiha Lianyue said nothing, simply listening quietly as he spoke.

Damn it.

I treated him as a brother, fearing he would become the Kage from the original work, and kept guiding him onto the right path.

Turns out this guy wants me to be his wife—how can he take everything, even the food!

"Lianyue, will you be my girlfriend!"

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang said, carefully looking at her, afraid to see any joy or disgust in her eyes.

Unfortunately, her face showed no emotion.

It seems his confession has failed.

Never mind, at least he expressed his feelings to the one he likes, leaving no regrets.

As for whether there will be regrets, only the parties involved can know.

"Sorry, just consider that I didn't say it today; I'm sorry for the trouble I caused you."

Just as Zhi Cun Tuan Zang hung his head in dejection and prepared to leave, the girl's cold voice rang out.

"Tuan Cang, do you really like me?"

With those words, Zhi Cun Tuan Zang's deadened heart revived with new life.

"Lianyue, I like you seriously!"

A flush of pink appeared on Uchiha Lianyue's face.

"Then we can try..."

She had some fondness for Tuan Cang; Shuihu Ayi was right.

When a man is of age he marries, when a woman is of age she marries.

Rather than marrying someone in the future without any emotional foundation, it's better to become a couple with Tuan Cang.

The two have known each other since childhood; they can be called childhood sweethearts.

They know each other inside and out.

"What?"

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang's eyes widened, quickly replaced by joy.

"You agreed!"

Lianyue's acceptance of his confession felt like a dream.

If it weren't for him spending all day in the office handling state affairs, never interacting with others.

Otherwise they'd all think he was under Genjutsu.

"Hmm~"

Uchiha Lianyue lowered her head slightly, her face flushed, not daring to look at him.

The two had always been teammates, and the sudden change in status felt a bit unfamiliar.

Moonlight spread over her like a thin veil.

The girl lowered her eyes, her long lashes fluttering lightly, not daring to lift her head to look at him.

Her fair, pretty face took on a hint of pink, and her neck and the base of her ears flushed as well.

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang stared straight at the girl.

It still feels like a dream that the captain actually accepted his confession!

In other words, Lianyue is now his girlfriend!

Uchiha Lianyue felt that steady gaze, lifted her eyes to meet Zhi Cun Tuan Zang's look, then immediately lowered her head again, her voice soft and shy.

"You... could you stop staring at me?"

Being stared at so directly by her boyfriend, even if she had been aloof before, made her feel shy.

"Oh, okay."

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang, after hearing that, finally realized and reacted.

He had just been staring at Lianyue, making her feel embarrassed.

Although their boyfriend‑girlfriend relationship is now established, neither of them has any dating experience.

They stood there foolishly, gazing at each other, and the atmosphere felt a bit awkward.

At this moment, Zhi Cun Tuan Zang finally recalled Xiaochun Zhuanqin's earlier advice.

"【If you can win the captain in the future, you may hold hands and kiss, but only that; before marriage you must not do anything too extreme.】"

"【Hold hands, kiss】"

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang's face flushed instantly.

After a moment of hesitation, he mustered courage and walked up to Lianyue, asking anxiously.

"Um... can we hold hands?"

"Pfft!"

Uchiha Lianyue laughed at his cute demeanor, extending her slender, snow‑white hand with a sweet smile.

"Sure!"

She said, reaching her hand toward Tuan Cang.

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang trembled as he extended his hand, gently clasping the girl's hand.

He could clearly feel her hand's softness and delicacy.

Where their skin touched, a slight warmth rose; her hand trembled a bit but did not pull away, letting him hold it.

Both of their hearts pounded wildly.

Although they had physical contact before because of injuries, today's sensation was especially different, a tingling, numb feeling.

Seems Xiaochun's words were fine!

Holding hands and kissing, Lianyue won't refuse!

Being his first time in love, he took Xiaochun Zhuanqin's words as truth.

In short, listening to her is never wrong!

Looking at the girl's rosy face, Zhi Cun Tuan Zang's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, his gaze landing on her slightly pursed lips, his heart racing uncontrollably.

"Then... can we kiss?"

Uchiha Lianyue's eyes widened in shock, clearly stunned by Tuan Cang's shameless remark.

Who kisses right after establishing a relationship!

Holding hands is one thing, but letting him kiss? No way!

If he dares to kiss today, tomorrow he'll dare to...

"【If a girl doesn't explicitly refuse, it means she doesn't oppose; sometimes being a bit bold is okay.】"

Zhi Cun Tuan Zang recalled Xiaochun Zhuanqin's teaching, seeing that the girl in front of him gave no clear refusal.

Then he lowered his head and leaned in.