(System: Target’s intimate behavior confirmed (hug, suspected kiss). Sense of security and satisfaction significantly increased. Host, you have successfully occupied the core area of the Iceberg.)
And the only response from Su Tiantian was… zzZZ.
Night deepened, and in the sleeping chamber, only the steady, intertwined breaths of the two remained.
Su Tiantian awoke in an unprecedented sense of warmth and confinement.
She blinked groggily.
Her nose filled with the crisp, familiar scent of him.
She froze for a few seconds before realizing she was being held tightly from behind.
Her back pressed against a warm, solid chest, her waist encircled firmly by an arm.
It was Song Qingzhi!
Memories of last night came rushing back he had naturally slept beside her.
And the soft, dreamlike touches in her sleep…
Boom!
Su Tiantian’s cheeks turned crimson, her heart drumming wildly.
Instinctively, she tried to struggle free.
But the arm around her waist, though not tight, held an undeniable force.
“Awake?”
A low, husky voice, still rough from sleep, sounded above her.
Warm breath brushed through her hair.
Su Tiantian froze, unable to move, and let out a tiny, “Mm,” like a timid whisper.
The hand at her waist shifted slightly.
Its fingertips brushed her side, sending a subtle, tantalizing sensation.
Then, he slowly relaxed his hold.
Su Tiantian immediately reacted like a frightened rabbit.
She rolled toward the inner side of the bed, pulling the quilt tightly around herself.
Only her eyes peeked out, glistening from nervousness and embarrassment.
She timidly looked at Song Qingzhi, who had now sat up.
He observed her wary, shy expression so different from her peaceful, soundly sleeping self in his arms the previous night.
His eyes deepened slightly, but he said nothing.
He simply rose and walked to the vanity, picking up a jade comb and handing it to her.
“Wash up.”
His tone was calm, as if sharing a bed was the most ordinary thing in the world.
Su Tiantian, dazed, took the comb, watching his straight, composed back as he left the room.
She finally exhaled, still feeling her cheeks burning.
(System: A new day begins. Target has automatically entered “intimate partner” mode. Host, please adapt promptly.)
“This… this is way too fast! It’s hard to get used to, system!”
Su Tiantian held her chest, feeling her heart pounding wildly.
At breakfast, the atmosphere was entirely different from usual.
Song Qingzhi no longer sat at the main seat but naturally took the seat beside Su Tiantian.
He didn’t ask, didn’t hesitate.
He picked up his chopsticks and placed several dishes she liked onto her plate.
“Eat more.”
His tone was still calm, but the eyes looking at her were no longer cold and distant.
Instead, they held a quiet focus and gentleness she couldn’t quite describe.
Su Tiantian looked at the small mound of food on her plate, her ears slightly red, and whispered,
“Thank you… Brother Qingzhi.”
The words slipped out naturally, carrying a hint of intimacy and dependence even she hadn’t realized.
Song Qingzhi’s persistent hand paused slightly.
A faint smile flashed in his eyes as he lightly said, “Mm.”
The serving maids standing nearby exchanged glances, astonished.
When has His Majesty ever been this considerate to anyone?
After breakfast, Su Tiantian habitually wanted to take a book to the courtyard, but Song Qingzhi called her back.
“Where are you going?”
He put down the scroll in his hands and looked at her.
“I… I’m going to the courtyard to check on the flowers…”
Su Tiantian felt a little guilty for no reason.
“Mm.”
He acknowledged her, picking up the scroll again, but as she turned, he added casually,
“Don’t go too far.”
Su Tiantian paused, glancing back at him.
He was still focused on the scroll, his side profile sharp and composed.
It was as if the faintly possessive words from earlier hadn’t come from him at all.
Is this… permission to roam? With a set boundary? she thought.
Walking into the small garden, she indeed felt a gentle yet omnipresent awareness constantly enveloping her.
Her every movement seemed perceived by him.
This tightly “protected” (boldly put, monitored!) feeling made her emotions complicated.
On one hand, a secret joy from being cared for.
On the other, the Demon Lord’s task pressed like a heavy stone on her heart, making this sweet confinement almost suffocating.
She had to find a chance to investigate the teleportation array!
In the afternoon, after finishing sect affairs, Song Qingzhi came to the courtyard.
The setting sun stretched his shadow long.
Su Tiantian carried a plate of spirit fruits and offered one to him.
“Brother Qingzhi, want to try?”
He took it but didn’t eat, his gaze falling on her still slightly reddened wrist.
“Still hurts?” he suddenly asked.
Su Tiantian froze, realizing he meant the wrist he had injured yesterday.
She shook her head.
“No, it doesn’t hurt anymore.”
Song Qingzhi was silent for a moment, then extended his hand, summoning a faint, extremely gentle spiritual force at his fingertips.
He brushed her wrist lightly again, as if confirming.
The cool sensation made her fingers curl slightly.
“From now on…”
He lifted his gaze, looking at her deeply.
“It won’t happen again.”
Won’t what?
Won’t lose control and hurt her again?
Or… won’t let her have a chance to avoid him?
Su Tiantian stared at his deep eyes, seemingly able to pull one’s soul in, momentarily forgetting how to react.
(System: Target’s guilt and protective instinct synchronously increase. Intimacy trust +10.)
At that moment, a disciple came to report: a guest had arrived, requesting the Immortal Lord to go to the front hall.
Song Qingzhi’s brow slightly furrowed, clearly displeased at being disturbed.
He glanced at Su Tiantian and said,
“Wait here for me. Don’t wander.”
The tone left no room for disobedience.
Only after his figure disappeared down the corridor did the consciousness that had been shadowing her quietly withdraw.
Su Tiantian looked at the empty courtyard.
Then at the direction of the library, her heart leapt.
The opportunity has come!