Chapter 30: Does This Count as Keeping a Lover?

Chu Tian's heart jolted in alarm. He quickly swam to Wei Qingqiu's side, wrapped an arm around her slender waist, and prepared to take her to the surface.

At that moment, Wei Qingqiu, who had seemed unconscious, suddenly opened her eyes and gazed directly at Chu Tian underwater.

Chu Tian froze, realizing at once that Wei Qingqiu hadn't drowned at all—it was all a ruse to lure him beneath the sea.

The next instant, Wei Qingqiu's arms were around Chu Tian's neck, her long, snowy-white legs locked tightly around his waist, clinging to him like a lazy creature. Her lips pressed sensually against his, initiating a deep kiss.

Beneath the waves, their kiss grew fervent—mouths and tongues entwined, passion intensifying. As they kissed, their bodies slowly rose toward the surface.

After several minutes, the two finally broke through the water, ending their heated embrace.

Chu Tian was still dazed, while Wei Qingqiu breathed heavily, clearly having held her breath to the very limit.

"Why did you pretend to drown?"

Chu Tian raised a finger to touch his lips, feeling the lingering warmth Wei Qingqiu had left there.

"If I hadn't, how else could I draw you to the seabed?"

Wei Qingqiu replied with a flirtatious smile, her tone full of hidden meaning.

"This isn't another prank, is it? Did you and Sister Qingxue conspire to mess with me?"

Chu Tian grew wary, suspicion flickering deep in his eyes.

"What do you think?"

Though Wei Qingqiu's face wore a smile, her voice was utterly serious.

"You're playing with fire!"

Chu Tian could see from her gaze that she meant it—this was no joke.

Wei Qingqiu's smile faded. She countered, "I'm not afraid. Are you worried about getting burned?"

"Let's be serious. I'm talking about something important."

Chu Tian's expression darkened, all the lightheartedness gone.

"Go on."

Wei Qingqiu nodded, locking eyes with him.

"How much dowry would it take to marry you?"

Chu Tian asked, his face earnest, his words striking straight at her heart.

Wei Qingqiu didn't expect such directness; she was momentarily stunned.

Time slipped by as the waves rocked them on the surface, both silent for a while.

At last, Wei Qingqiu parted her lips and spoke softly.

"I'm the jewel of the Wei family. To marry me, you'd need at least ten billion."

Wei Qingqiu grinned mischievously, inventing a figure on the spot.

The amount was clearly exaggerated. Even marrying a princess wouldn't require such an astronomical sum.

She said it because she assumed Chu Tian was joking about marrying her.

Yet Chu Tian's expression never wavered; instead, he nodded firmly.

"Fine. I'll give you ten billion, and you'll belong to me."

Chu Tian chuckled, pulling Wei Qingqiu into his arms.

Their bodies pressed close—feeling both the coolness of the sea and the warmth of each other.

"Are you... are you serious?"

Wei Qingqiu could hardly believe it; she hadn't expected such a response.

She was confident in her beauty, but Chu Tian was surrounded by lovely women.

Just among his senior sisters, their looks rivaled hers.

Was he truly choosing her, not merely teasing?

"You think I'm lying?"

Chu Tian spoke with gravity, his gaze unwaveringly earnest.

Wei Qingqiu blushed, asking, "Where would you get that much money?"

"Ten billion, a hundred billion, even a trillion—if it means bringing you home, it's worth every penny."

Chu Tian wasn't joking. He had already acquired Wu Xingyan's trillion in assets. Money was now just a number to him.

To Chu Tian, Wei Qingqiu was a beauty worth possessing—especially given the kindness she'd shown him in the past.

"If you marry me, won't your senior sisters get jealous?"

Wei Qingqiu drew closer, her nose touching his, her tone laced with intrigue.

"I am worried, so for now, let's keep it a secret. What do you think?"

Chu Tian pondered for a moment, realizing it was indeed a problem.

"A secret?"

"Wouldn't that make me your kept lover?"

Wei Qingqiu wasn't angry; she merely seemed thoughtful.

"If you don't want that, I won't force you."

Chu Tian replied.

"Who says I don't want it? I do!"

Wei Qingqiu tightened her grip around his neck and kissed him again.

Another round of passionate kissing ensued, lasting several minutes, after which Wei Qingqiu, breathless, gently pushed Chu Tian away.

"We should head back to shore before Sister Qingxue gets worried and finds out..."

With that, Wei Qingqiu swam toward the beach, and Chu Tian followed with a quiet laugh.

Ten minutes later, on the shore.

"You shameless thing, pretending to be pure—aren't you just selling yourself?"

A young man seized Liu Qingxue's wrist, his lecherous gaze sweeping over her curvaceous, snowy-white figure.

"Leave."

Liu Qingxue jerked her wrist free, a flash of disgust in her eyes.

"Sister, what's going on?"

Chu Tian had just come ashore and saw his senior sister being harassed by a stranger.

"No wonder you claim you're not for sale—turns out you're here to entertain men."

The young man sneered, his words devoid of any respect.

"Zhao Zishan, watch your tongue. Sister Qingxue is a guest invited by the Wei family. You have no business spouting such nonsense."

Wei Qingqiu's expression was icy; she clearly knew the young man.

"Wei Qingqiu?"

Zhao Zishan's gaze landed on the three, sweeping over them as if reaching a conclusion.

"Two beauties with a pretty boy—what else could it be?"

"I didn't expect you to be so wild, so open-minded. Why not include me as well?"

"My stamina is excellent, and I'm sure I can satisfy you two gorgeous ladies."

Zhao Zishan leered, even thrusting his hips in a vulgar gesture.

In an instant, Chu Tian clenched his fists, a deadly chill flashing in his eyes.

But before he could act, Wei Qingqiu stopped him and stepped forward toward Zhao Zishan.

"You want to satisfy me?"

Wei Qingqiu smiled coldly, striding forward on her long, snowy legs.

"Of course, if you're willing, I can please you every night."

Zhao Zishan was instantly ecstatic.

Wei Qingqiu was not only a rare beauty but the cherished jewel of the Wei family. If he could win her over, it would be beyond his wildest dreams.

At that moment, Zhao Zishan was blinded by desire, his mind filled with indecent fantasies. He failed to notice the subtle danger in Wei Qingqiu's words.

"Very well, I'll give you the chance to satisfy me!"

Wei Qingqiu smiled seductively.