Wu Ping’an felt an urge to bury her face in her hands, because she couldn’t tell whether he was genuinely teaching her or not.
It was like a struggling student finally finding a top student to tutor her, only to end up in the absurdity of earnest tutoring turning into a kiss.
“Ping’an?” Not hearing her response for a while, he raised a questioning gaze, his eyes lingering on her lips, recalling the thrill of blocking them earlier.
It felt good. He wanted to do it again.
From his gentle gaze, Wu Ping’an saw curiosity.
He was genuinely teaching, but he was also exploring how couples became intimate. He was innocent—or rather, he was inadvertently sensual.
“Ping’an.” Ji Yuwei called her again, his lips flushed red, panting until tears gathered on his lashes. He looked at her and said, “Open your mouth.”
Wu Ping’an found it hard to resist Ji Yuwei saying this with his beautiful, desire-flushed cheeks. His crimson, alluring eyes seemed to hook her, unintentionally coaxing her to part her lips.
Ji Yuwei did as he pleased, lowering his head again to press against her stunned lips. Like before, he extended his crimson tongue, thoroughly blocking her slightly parted mouth.
He felt comfortable. Wu Ping’an’s mouth was warm and moist, the chaotic pleasure making him glance down, only to see another side of her—a Wu Ping’an entirely different from her usual self.
She tilted her face upward, her chestnut-black almond eyes glistening with moisture, forced to open her lips wide to accommodate him. Her cheeks were distorted by his intrusion, and as saliva seeped from her mouth, she sucked in her cheeks to prevent it from flowing out, yet still couldn’t stop the drool from trickling down the corners of her lips, dampening her chin.
Poor Wu Ping’an.
Ji Yuwei thought, but he didn’t withdraw his tongue. Instead, he cupped her face and pressed it closer to his lips.
Wu Ping’an truly couldn’t breathe. She pushed him away, lowered her head, and covered her mouth, gasping for air.
Ji Yuwei’s slender neck, pushed aside, turned a faint pink. His beautiful, long eyes, slowly turning with his face, shimmered with ripples. His moist lips were bright red, and he stared regretfully at the lips she had covered.
When Wu Ping’an recovered, he spoke softly again, “Ping’an, let me help you clear your meridians.”
Again?
Wu Ping’an hesitated, glancing sideways at the young gentleman sitting properly beside her. He appeared gentle and courteous, wearing a pale blue fine silk robe over a snow-white inner garment. His raven-black hair was tied back with a floral hairpin, revealing his entire beautiful face. His smiling lips were not full but strikingly red, so the mole between his brows, instead of lending an ethereal air, seemed ghostly and eerie, reminiscent of the female ghosts she had encountered before.
Wu Ping’an wavered between continuing and giving up, but ultimately, she couldn’t resist trusting him and her desire to practice spellcraft.
Fortunately, this time, Ji Yuwei was genuinely helping her clear her meridians.
Time passed unnoticed. She practiced so diligently she forgot to eat or sleep. If Ji Yuwei hadn’t grown tired, she could have practiced day and night in the Apricot Grove without feeling weary.
Ji Manor had prepared dinner. While eating, Wu Ping’an noticed Ji Yuwei absentmindedly taking a few bites before setting down his bowl and chopsticks, a faint weariness lingering between his brows.
Wu Ping’an stared at him, sensing he had something on his mind.
Ji Yuwei turned his gaze to her face, noticing she hadn’t eaten either. “Are you finished?”
Wu Ping’an shook her head. He smiled through his troubled expression. “Wei will escort Ping’an home.”
Wu Ping’an said, “No need to trouble yourself. Zhou Wu is outside. I’ll leave with him in a moment.”
“Zhou Wu?” His dark pupils slowly shifted, looking at the man outside. A faint smile touched his thin red lips. “Ping’an is quite familiar with him.”
Wu Ping’an shook her head. “Not very familiar.”
He withdrew his gaze, softening it as it fell upon her candid expression. His clear, gentle voice held no discomforting interrogation, merely sounding like casual curiosity: “If you’re not familiar with Ping’an, how did you come to know his name?”
Wu Ping’an replied, “Because he’s the one who escorts me every time, so I remembered.”
Ji Yuwei nodded. “So that’s how it is.”
He didn’t press further and had Zhou Wu see her home.
The next day, when Wu Ping’an returned, it was no longer Zhou Wu who came to fetch her at dawn, nor was it the same person who had brought her in the morning who escorted her back after the evening meal.
This continued for several days. Curious, she asked the unfamiliar attendants.
They uniformly replied, “Steward Zhou has been busy lately. His adopted son is soon returning to the manor, so the young master granted him a few days’ leave.”
Zhou Wu appeared to be in his forties this year. Unmarried and without children of his own, he had picked up a child a few years ago and adopted him. Now a capable aide to Ji Yuwei, the boy had been working in Jinling for a year or two and was only now being transferred back.
This was what Wu Ping’an heard from them.
That Zhou Wu could be granted leave for his son’s long-awaited return showed Ji Yuwei treated the father and son well.
Wu Ping’an felt relieved. She had initially worried it was because of what she said to Ji Yuwei earlier, making him jealous, that he had reassigned Zhou Wu.
Though she first thought so, as the people escorting her never repeated, Wu Ping’an still felt Ji Yuwei must have some ulterior motive, so she avoided mentioning anyone specifically in front of him alone.
Lately, Wu Ping’an had been diligently studying spellcraft, arriving at daybreak and leaving at dusk each day. At Ji Manor, she inevitably encountered Ji Cizhao.
Perhaps because love extends to all associated, she held little fondness for him in her heart. Each time they met, she would nod in acknowledgment before leaving. Ji Cizhao had a naturally cold demeanor, so she couldn’t tell if he felt the same, but they crossed paths daily nonetheless.
Later, she took detours to avoid Ji Cizhao.
She possessed no great innate talent for spellcraft but made up for it with perseverance. Every day after leaving Ji Yuwei, she would practice further at home.
Finally, as the youth’s finger, slender and pale as jade bamboo, traced along the blocked acupoint, he softly instructed her on how to channel breath for her own use. To her astonishment, Wu Ping’an found she could gradually gather breath.
She clung to this hard-won sensation, repeatedly adjusting and testing. Though not yet able to transform breath into qi immediately, she had at least touched the threshold of entry.
When she told Ji Yuwei, the youth smiled faintly and praised her, “Ping’an is very clever, faster than Wei imagined.”
Wu Ping’an’s heart warmed, finally able to ask him, “When can I be like you?”
Ji Yuwei’s smile remained unchanged. “Ping’an still needs to work harder.”
Wu Ping’an sensed the underlying meaning, knowing she was still far behind.
Just as she intended to practice a few more times, Wu Ping’an felt warm flesh touch her lips. Lifting her lashes, she saw the youth leaning close, hands braced before her like a feline, eyes fixed on her. His long, delicate lashes fluttered like his own, as he licked her lips and whispered, “Ping’an’s lips are very dry.”
Then her cheeks were cupped in his hands.
She raised her eyes to see the youth’s dark lashes lowered over his flushed cheekbones, while the faint haze of intoxication in his eyes tinged his cheeks with the hue of crabapple blossoms in water. His red lips parted, exhaling a warm whisper: “Ping’an.”
This expression and demeanor Wu Ping’an had seen often lately. Though she appeared to practice calligraphy all day, in truth, once the talismans were used up, she practiced no more, instead having her face held and kissed repeatedly by Ji Yuwei.
He was like a child in the oral fixation stage, always wanting to suck on her lips or press into her mouth, and each time he would turn away panting just when it felt good. His hands, however, were more restrained than she had imagined.
Perhaps he simply didn’t know where to place them, nor would he take her hand to touch him recklessly as he had last time. In any case, his panting was sensual, his expression provocative, yet there was an unusual purity about him.
Wu Ping’an had grown accustomed to parting her lips when he murmured drunkenly, letting him in. This time, after a while, as before, a lovely damp flush rose at the corners of his eyes. Panting with a reddened face, he turned away and stopped kissing.
So, his words were no different from saying, “I want to kiss you.”
Wu Ping’an placed her hands behind her, propping herself up, blinked, and murmured with parted lips, about to say they could kiss later—when a slick tongue slipped inside.
This time was different from before. He only entered a little, sweeping her tongue like sipping water.
Wu Ping’an lowered her gaze to look at the youth before her. It was as if he had suddenly grasped the art of deep kissing overnight, his expression utterly intoxicated, lips pursed as if savoring something, so erotic it sent shivers of numbness through her body, her mind blank and buzzing with noise.
Meanwhile, Ji Yuwei was carefully savoring the pleasurable sensation. His damp lashes trembled slightly, and his partly open thin lips slowly hooked her tongue. His beautiful, cool cheeks flushed crimson with increasingly heavy breaths.
The soft, slick tongue that slipped from parted lips.
Two tongues entwined, saliva mingling, the heat that had just subsided rising again with the intimacy between their lips and tongues, making their breaths hot and alternating in light pants.
Just as he was lost in the softness of her lips, he heard her swallow, and another wave of uncontrollable pleasure surged through him.
But before he could kiss for much longer, his body began to falter again.
If only he had a healthy, strong body, he would have long obtained everything he desired.
Ji Yuwei bit her red tongue resentfully, giving it one last fierce twist before pulling away, turning his face aside to catch his breath.
Wu Ping’an was panting too, her head swaying dizzily as if the world were spinning. When she finally regained her senses, she touched her face—it was as hot as a silk handkerchief left under the sun all day.
This was a true, proper kiss. So… this was what it felt like. She couldn’t say she disliked it, nor could she say she particularly enjoyed it. In any case, each time he gently twisted his tongue, her entire body tingled with a swollen ache.
Wu Ping’an covered her face, struggling to cool down. When she turned her head, she saw Ji Yuwei with reddened lips and flushed cheeks, even the tips of his brows radiating a seductive charm. Yet he sat upright with a serious expression and asked her, “Ping’an, do you want to practice more?”
Practice… practice what?
Wu Ping’an’s impure thoughts once again turned lewd because of him. Instinctively, she assumed he meant practicing kissing and hurriedly shook her head and hands, her face flushed. “No more, no more.”
Ji Yuwei resisted the urge to lick his lower lip, instead giving a restrained nod. “Then I’ll take Ping’an to familiarize herself with this place. We’ll come here often in the future.”
As long as it wasn’t more kissing, she nodded faster than anyone.
As they strolled leisurely through the forest, she watched the yellowing leaves on the ground, the small rabbits hopping in the distance, and a few colorful, unnamed birds darting past. Green woods, clear water, secluded orchids in the quiet valley—her chaotic heartbeat gradually settled with the tranquility.
She realized that Ji Yuwei had meant whether she wanted to continue practicing spellcraft, not practicing kissing.
Wu Ping’an glanced sideways at him. Seeing his calm demeanor, clearly having cooled down from their earlier improper kiss, she couldn’t help but let out a long sigh of relief.
Hearing her, Ji Yuwei turned his head and asked gently, “Are you tired?”
Wu Ping’an shook her head. “No, it’s just that it’s so quiet here. It feels like my heart has been cleansed like never before.”
Reflecting carefully, from the time she had crossed over until now, it seemed she had never experienced such tranquility as today—where nothing needed to be thought about. There was no need to worry about daily survival in the slums, to sweat alongside others, or return home each day aching all over from forging iron. There was no need to be chased by monster beasts and Shadow Ghosts, living in constant fear and having nightmares, nor was there any need to practice spellcraft tirelessly, forgetting to eat and sleep.
Wu Ping’an walked through the serene forest, listening to the wind rustling through the leaves and watching the lively creatures among the trees. She truly felt an unprecedented sense of peace, and this peace was brought to her by Ji Yuwei—something she had never imagined before.
Wu Ping’an glanced sideways with a smile, her brows reflecting the relaxed and radiant warmth of basking in the sunlight.
He seemed thoughtful and said softly with a smile, “If Ping’an finds it too quiet, let’s talk about something else.”
Wu Ping’an raised her hand to catch the golden sunlight filtering through the branches. “Alright, what should we talk about?”
Ji Yuwei gazed at the sunlight on her fingertips and said with a smile, “Let’s talk about Ping’an. Wei wants to understand Ping’an more and more each day.”
Wu Ping’an laughed. “But I only have those ordinary, unremarkable experiences. I really can’t think of anything more interesting to tell you.”
She truly was ordinary. From childhood to adulthood, she had taken one step at a time, never making any major mistakes or experiencing dramatic ups and downs. The most noteworthy thing to talk about was what had happened after she crossed over to this world. She didn’t know what Ji Yuwei wanted to learn about.
The young man took her hand and gazed at her with his naturally beautiful, affectionate eyes. “Ping’an is not ordinary.”
Wu Ping’an met his gaze.
He said, “Wei never tires of hearing about everything related to Ping’an.”
In truth, Wu Ping’an didn’t have much to talk about. Her life was like a pre-drawn picture on a blank sheet of paper—if she hadn’t crossed over, she could have seen its end at a glance. So, no matter how hard she racked her brain, she couldn’t think of anything interesting to tell Ji Yuwei. Thus, the young man’s mood visibly darkened.
Unable to bear seeing him disappointed, Wu Ping’an said, “How about I go back and think about it another day? It’s getting late now.”
Ji Yuwei glanced into the distance. Unconsciously, the two of them had walked for a long time, and the sun was showing signs of setting.
“Does Ping’an want to go back?” he asked, looking at her.
Wu Ping’an nodded.
She wanted to go back and practice spellcraft, striving to master it as soon as possible. After a moment of contemplation, Ji Yuwei said, “This place has always been empty. Why doesn’t Ping’an stay here? That way, you won’t have to travel back and forth every day.”
Firstly, this place was quiet. Secondly, very few people came to disturb them. In this beautifully scenic cottage, he could uncover all the memories she had hidden away.
Ji Yuwei looked at her rosy lips and naturally thought of the uninterrupted kiss from earlier in the day, his throat growing slightly dry.
Once Wu Ping’an stayed here, he could also tempt her to fall deeply in love at any time. And he couldn’t think of a more suitable place for Wu Ping’an to stay than Ji Manor.
However, Wu Ping’an tactfully declined the suggestion. “No, I’m not used to living with Dai’er. It’s more comfortable at home.”
Not to mention that a golden nest or a silver nest is never as comfortable as one’s own humble home, but considering how she had been haunted by Shadow Ghosts several times before, living alone was not suitable. Moreover, she was somewhat worried that Ji Yuwei might stay here as well.
Although the two of them were in a relationship, they hadn’t reached the stage of living together.
Wu Ping’an insisted on not staying here. After a moment of silence, Ji Yuwei returned to his usual self. “Wei happens to be free today. How about I drive the sheep-drawn carriage to take Ping’an home?”
Wu Ping’an wanted to refuse, but his gaze was too pure and watery, making it truly difficult for her to decline.
In the end, she rode the sheep-drawn carriage home.
The next day, she returned to Ji Manor again.
In places where no one disturbs them, Ji Yuwei always enjoys kissing. He seems to be in an oral fixation phase, particularly fond of kissing.
As the frequency increased, what began as simple lip-to-lip contact evolved into him pressing his lips to block her tongue. Then, one day, he inexplicably grasped the art of deep, saliva-entwined kisses, leaving Wu Ping’an with much less time to practice her spellcraft. After finishing her practice, she would inevitably be held by him for more kissing.
Wu Ping’an didn’t dislike kissing; on the contrary, she found it quite pleasant, especially when she noticed that even after taking calming pills before each visit, Ji Yuwei would still end up with dazed, half-closed eyes and flushed cheeks during their kisses, panting as he grew increasingly skilled at teasing and entwining.
Once Ji Yuwei felt satisfied from kissing and sensed he was losing control, he would take out a few pills and pop them into his mouth before burying his face against hers to continue kissing.
He took the pills so often that Wu Ping’an frequently wondered whether they were meant to suppress desire or actually to arouse it.
Still, he never lost control like he had in the beginning. Now, he had mastered the art of letting go just as he was about to lose restraint.
Once the medication soothed his restlessness and Ji Yuwei’s urge to kiss faded, he lifted his flushed face from her neck and gazed softly at her swollen lips.
He wondered, why did he always want to kiss Wu Ping’an? He wanted to at all times. Perhaps his dosage was too low, making the effects minimal.
Although the pills could suppress his body, they couldn’t overcome his heart. He dreamed of Wu Ping’an more and more often, and all those lingering gazes turned into dreams of her opening her mouth for him to kiss.
Since he wanted it, he would have it.
Ji Yuwei kissed her cheek again and whispered breathlessly, “Ping’an, Wei wants to live with you.”
He seemed to have asked Wu Ping’an many things, but in reality, after returning last night and carefully analyzing their conversations, he realized that most of what stood out were her stories about her own growth—mundane and uninteresting matters.
In truth, Wu Ping’an was easy to understand, but what he wanted to learn about wasn’t her as a person—it was the other world in her memories. Now, deeply entangled in affection, Wu Ping’an wouldn’t suspect him, so he needed to live with her and fully infiltrate her life.
These words instantly snapped Wu Ping’an out of her dazed, kiss-induced stupor, and her eyes flew open. “What?”
He wanted to live with her?
Wu Ping’an’s mind exploded into chaos, even more turbulent than during their kisses.
Author’s Note:
Mountain Ghost: To gain my wife’s trust faster, I’m going to move in with her. I’ll infiltrate her life. I’ve decided to give up my solitary life, where my empty bed lacks a wife, leaving me to bite the sheets and rub my legs in loneliness.
Ping’an: Something doesn’t seem quite right here (cat shocked o.o)
Chapter drops 15 red envelopes.