Huo Yao slowly opened his eyes and raised his hand to check the time, only to feel his fingers enveloped by a soft, warm palm.
His elbow had bumped against something.
There was someone beside him.
Instinctively alert, his dark eyes flashed with sharp, icy coldness.
But the next moment, his gaze fell upon the girl’s sleeping face.
A translucent, thin facial mask was pressed against her cheeks.
The mask’s essence was still sliding downward.
Without thinking, he reached out and wiped away the droplet that was about to slip into her collar.
Smooth.
This small room had a strange magic—he had slept so deeply that he didn’t even notice when she had come to his side.
Or perhaps it was her magic.
The living room lights were bright, shining on her slightly upturned face.
Smaller than his palm, every feature seemed exquisitely carved.
He remembered the aura of death surrounding her during their first meeting, her dull, dark eyes incapable of holding any light.
He had watched her slowly transform, though only she knew the pain involved.
Over the years, he had encountered all kinds of cases and understood well that one shouldn’t casually interfere or enter others’ lives. He was only human, never considering himself particularly strong, and equally incapable of bearing too much.
From the beginning, he had tried to keep his distance from her.
But he hadn’t succeeded.
Now, sitting peacefully beside him, he felt immense relief welling up inside.
Huo Yao’s thoughts were tangled, creating an illusion of being in a dream.
He tapped the tip of her nose.
Realizing what he was doing, his movements froze, and he quickly withdrew his hand.
But he accidentally brushed against the facial mask on her nose.
He glanced at her closed eyes, her long lashes like tiny fans.
Gently, he pressed the lifted edge of the mask back onto her delicate nose.
However, he then noticed a bubble forming in the mask under her chin.
Again, unable to control his hand, he smoothed the bubble flat.
Huo Yao looked down at his hand stained with mask essence and let out an almost imperceptible sigh.
He actually really liked this feeling of touching her.
The mask essence continued to seep down her neck, so he used the back of his hand to wipe it away.
Perhaps disturbed by his constant “harassment,” her eyelids fluttered, and she suddenly opened her eyes.
She blinked, her gaze shifting from the ceiling to the man beside her.
He looked toward her and asked, “You’re awake?”
“Mmm…”
Shi Xi had only just dozed off, feeling itchy on her cheeks and neck.
She reached up to touch her neck. “Is there a mosquito here?”
Noticing her movement, Huo Yao’s eyes flickered, feeling inexplicably guilty.
He asked calmly, “What’s wrong?”
He absolutely couldn’t bring himself to mention how he had been fiddling with her mask while she slept.
Shi Xi shook her head and checked the time on her phone. “I need to keep it on for five more minutes.”
Through the mask, Huo Yao couldn’t see the skin of her face.
He stared for a while before asking, “Is your face uncomfortable?”
“No, but post-surgery skin is more fragile. Using a mask helps with recovery.”
Huo Yao nodded.
Shi Xi reached up to adjust the mask on her nose bridge.
This medical mask was a bit too large, especially around the nose where it extended too far. To breathe comfortably, she had to fold it.
Somehow, the folded part had drooped down again, blocking her breathing.
Huo Yao watched quietly without saying a word: “…”
If Shi Xi looked at him now, she would definitely notice his reddened ears.
Huo Yao: Stop moving, you.
Shi Xi adjusted her face mask properly and turned her gaze to the scar on his neck. “How did you get this scar?”
Huo Yao’s expression tightened slightly as he recalled the past. “It was from a revenge attack during my first year in the criminal investigation division.”
At the time, everyone thought he was done for, and he felt the same way.
But he was tough and survived.
Only this scar remained.
“Revenge?” She looked curious.
Huo Yao gazed at her and continued, “It was my first case. A construction worker’s wife was assaulted by his coworker, so he slaughtered the coworker’s entire family of seven before going on the run. We eventually caught him.”
As he spoke, a trace of tension appeared in his eyes.
For a period afterward, he couldn’t bear to meet people’s gazes, unwilling to endure that feeling of being judged by their eyes.
She simply listened, her small hand actively grasping his. “Did he injure you while resisting arrest?”
Huo Yao lowered his gaze, his hand tightening slightly around hers.
He shook his head.
Actually, the case had caused quite an uproar. After the murderer fled and was wanted, many people online claimed he hadn’t done anything wrong, with some even helping conceal his whereabouts.
This severely hampered their investigation progress.
After the murderer was captured, his wife sought out Huo Yao, begging him to release the man.
But that was far beyond Huo Yao’s authority.
Moreover, in his view, murder was murder, and the law would deliver the fairest, most just judgment.
Yet some believed he was in the wrong.
Before taking her own life, that woman vehemently condemned society, the legal system, and Huo Yao.
Using her remaining resources, she hired someone to take revenge on him, leaving him with this scar.
The murderer didn’t last long either, committing suicide in prison.
After hearing the story, Shi Xi sighed heavily with a frown. “What a mess…”
She seemed to have forgotten she was still wearing a face mask.
Her expressive movements made the mask wrinkle.
Suppressing the urge to smooth it for her, Huo Yao averted his gaze. “It was so long ago, I’d almost forgotten until you mentioned it.”
How could he forget? Seeing that scar every day inevitably reminded him of death’s scythe swinging toward him.
Of the panic he felt as his soul seemed to leave his body.
He feared death too.
Shi Xi didn’t offer any sentimental words. Pointing at his neck while watching his expression, she said, “I want to touch it.”
Last time she’d asked politely, but he’d firmly refused.
This time, however, he looked down at her and gave a slight nod.
Shi Xi immediately sat up straight in excitement.
Huo Yao: “…”
Anyone unaware might think she was about to do something inappropriate to him.
“What are you so happy about?”
As he asked this, he turned sideways to face her, one arm casually resting on the back of the sofa.
The position almost seemed to cradle her in a half-embrace.
“I thought you’d refuse,” she said with narrowed eyes. “Does this count as an unexpected delight?”
“How is touching a scar an unexpected delight?”
Huo Yao slightly lowered his head, tilting it to expose the scar on his neck.
Even he didn’t notice the hint of laughter in his voice.
“You wouldn’t let me touch it last time, so stingy.”
While bringing up old grievances, she reached out to touch the scar, moving from his collarbone upward until her fingers rested against his neck.
He was tense, the veins on his neck standing out.
His Adam’s apple bobbed.
She could still feel his breath growing scorching and heavy.
So intense.
The words flashed through Shi Xi’s mind as she swallowed hard.
After her hand stilled, he spoke up.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing…”
Yet Huo Yao’s throat felt parched.
When her fingers touched that scar, his body stiffened as if turned to stone, all his senses converging on the side of his neck, acutely aware of the temperature of her fingertips.
Even his tailbone tingled with a numbing sensation.
Suddenly her arms draped over his shoulders, her whole body practically climbing onto his lap.
Afraid she might fall, he didn’t push her away, instead wrapping an arm around her waist.
He surrendered to his thoughts, relinquished control over his body.
With a gentle tug, he pulled her completely onto his lap.
Close enough that lowering his head would bring his face against hers.
Her lips parted, then she suddenly grew urgent.
“Oh no! Time’s up, I need to go wash my face!”
Huo Yao: “…”
While he was still stunned, Shi Xi decisively climbed off his lap.
Without even taking her cane, she stumbled after just two steps.
Huo Yao quickly rose to his feet.
“What’s the rush?”
“I have to wash my face. The face mask is about to dry.”
“…”
Silently, Huo Yao picked her up and carried her to the bathroom.
Their actual time together hadn’t been long, but he’d already grown accustomed to doing this.
He was beginning to believe there really was such a thing as physical attraction.
Otherwise, he couldn’t explain his own behavior.
After setting her down, he didn’t leave but leaned against the doorframe, watching her.
His gaze remained scorching.
Shi Xi moved quickly, using a disposable face towel to wipe away the moisture before starting her skincare routine.
When she picked up a small round bottle, he interjected.
“Is this medicine?”
“Mmhmm, the doctor said it helps prevent melanin formation.”
Huo Yao nodded.
Normally, Shi Xi couldn’t be bothered with skincare.
But having used a face mask today, she went through the entire skincare process.
Huo Yao’s tall frame stood by the doorway, almost completely blocking it. Shi Xi couldn’t possibly not feel the pressure.
His gaze enveloped her constantly.
The pervasive scent of his hormones made her feel like he might devour her whole.
Only after applying her face cream did Shi Xi turn around, opening her arms toward him.
Her porcelain, dewy skin looked soft and tender to the touch. A charming smile bloomed on her lips as she openly asked for a hug.
Huo Yao chuckled lowly, stepped forward, and lifted her up.
The bathroom was cramped. This time he didn’t carry her princess-style, but let her weight rest fully on his arm.
To steady herself, she placed her hands on his shoulders, bringing them nearly face to face. Their eyes met, sparks of electricity seeming to crackle between them.
Suddenly she leaned close to his ear and asked, “Huo Yao, what were you planning to do on the sofa earlier?”
His ear burned from the warmth of her breath.
Before he could respond, she lowered her head, burying her face against his neck.
Huo Yao’s pupils trembled violently. He reacted swiftly, setting her down as if discarding something scalding hot.
“What are you doing?”
Having failed in her attempt, Shi Xi looked at him regretfully. “You know perfectly well. I feel bad for you, wanted to… give you a kiss.”
As she spoke, she made to move closer.
“Don’t even think about it.”
His palm covered her mouth, pushing her head away.
Regardless of whether she truly felt bad for him, how could she so easily say things like “give you a kiss”?
Wasn’t she embarrassed?
In reality, Shi Xi’s words had slipped out without much thought.
If she wanted to touch, she touched. If she wanted to kiss, she kissed.
Muffled beneath his palm, her voice complained, “Why are you always like this…”
He withdrew his hand and told her, “It’s not appropriate.”
“Why isn’t it appropriate?”
“This is something couples do.”
“…” Shi Xi looked into his unfathomable eyes, sensing he was playing games with her. She pressed further, “Does it have to be a couple to do it?”
Huo Yao nodded, “Mm.”
“But I want to kiss right now, what should I do?”
“…”
Huo Yao looked at her without speaking, his gaze burning intensely.
The push and pull, that unspoken understanding between adults, made the air feel like it was about to ignite.
He stepped forward, pressing her against the wall.
He had given up resisting.
The little one had admitted before that she was attracted to him. Now she clearly understood what he meant but was pretending to be clueless again.
He finally understood – though she might look small, her heart was wild. She liked being in control.
“What else can we do?”
Leaning against her slender shoulder, he directly brought his neck close to her.
He was being too obedient.
Shi Xi hadn’t figured out how to proceed.
But with the target delivered right to her lips, everything fell into place naturally, like water flowing downhill.
She leaned forward.
A moist, gentle kiss landed on the scar on Huo Yao’s neck.
Huo Yao suddenly tightened his arms, like a python coiling tightly around its prey, pressing her body against his chest.
“Done.”
Shi Xi hadn’t realized she used a bit too much force, leaving a faint mark on him.
Noticing it, she asked, “I accidentally left a hickey. You won’t blame me, right?”
“Mm.”
He responded deeply.
Gazing at her meaningfully, he asked, “Do you like this kind of mark?”
Shi Xi nodded, then sensing the danger in his eyes, shook her head and emphasized, “I like giving them.”
“Noted.”
Though he answered this way, he clearly wasn’t listening.
He gave her no chance to resist, kissing her neck just as she had done to him.
Long-suppressed emotions finally released, he nearly roughly nipped at the spot.
Shi Xi’s body trembled slightly from the ticklish sensation, pushing against him until he finally pulled back.
Her skin was naturally fair, and his mark stood out much more prominently than hers.
Shi Xi covered her neck, watching as a triumphant smile appeared on his sharp features.
She murmured, “We’re even now.”
This was too much to handle.
His skin was rough and thick – the mark might fade by tomorrow. But hers wouldn’t; she still had a stage performance in a few days.
“We’re not even.”
Huo Yao picked her up again, heading toward her room.
“You… why are we going to the room?”
She patted his shoulder, eyes wide with surprise.
It wasn’t time for this yet!
They’d only kissed – did he want to take things further?
“What do you think?” His voice was hoarse.
Shi Xi was placed on the bed as he leaned over her, easily pinning both her hands above her head with one hand.
At least he knew he was too heavy, not putting his full weight on her.
Shi Xi’s face flushed red – from panic.
This could be deadly!
“Huo Yao…”
“Lin Shi Xi, scared now?”
“Not exactly scared, just think it’s not the right time yet.”
“…”
Huo Yao had only been teasing her, but her response gave him a headache.
As if she would ever be truly afraid.
He said solemnly, “Lin Shi Xi, think it over carefully – be with me.”
“?”
Seeing him being so direct, Shi Xi was momentarily stunned. “…I thought we were already dating.”
“…” Huo Yao was speechless again.
Their relationship had progressed rapidly. Being somewhat traditional, he hadn’t quite adjusted yet.
He lowered his voice and said, “Three days—give me your answer then, alright?”
Shi Xi shook her head. Only when she saw the storm brewing in his dark, profound eyes did she say, “I don’t need to think about it. Let’s confirm our relationship right now.”
His expression softened.
Yet he insisted, “You should think it over.”
Shi Xi: ?
Huo Yao carefully explained, “This way, it seems more solemn.”
Shi Xi nodded in understanding. “I get it. You just like following procedures, right? Do you want to file a report or something too?”
He really knows how to play this game.
Huo Yao: “…”