The room was unlit, with the setting sun casting faint silhouettes through the cracks of the window.
Shi Ying’s limp hand brushed against Yun Jinghe’s temple, only to have her wrist caught abruptly. Her fingers rested on the delicate skin, where she could feel the faint pulse beneath.
“Yingying?” Yun Jinghe’s voice carried a hint of uncertainty.
The Shi Ying before her was clearly not her usual self soft and boneless, clinging to her, arms wrapped around her neck.
Yun Jinghe wasn’t entirely sure what was happening, but she still held Shi Ying’s waist to keep her from slipping down.
Shi Ying struggled to prop herself up, lifting her face to look at Yun Jinghe. Her long lashes veiled her eyes, but her expression lacked its usual clarity.
She grabbed Yun Jinghe’s hand, pressing her cheek into the palm, nuzzling lightly against the calloused skin as she murmured weakly, “A-Jie, A-Jie…”
Yun Jinghe remained silent, making no further move, as if she were still the disciplined disciple who followed the rules. But the restlessness in her eyes betrayed her.
“Where does it hurt?”
Shi Ying didn’t answer. Instead, she straddled Yun Jinghe’s lap, instinctively tightening her legs. Her knees pressed lightly against Yun Jinghe’s waist as she arched her back, rubbing against her erratically.
Frowning, Yun Jinghe lifted Shi Ying’s face and pressed their foreheads together. A faint blue light emanated from where they touched.
After a long moment, Yun Jinghe pulled away. Her earlier examination had confirmed that Shi Ying’s body was unharmed.
Yet, her current state had to have an explanation.
Suddenly, Yun Jinghe thought of something. She pushed up Shi Ying’s pant leg, revealing two crimson-purple puncture wounds on her fair calf.
Snakes were inherently lustful, and some carried venom laced with desire. The black snake that had bitten Shi Ying must have been one such creature.
Yun Jinghe recalled that she still had some antidote left from before. Though she wasn’t sure if it would work, it was worth a try.
She retrieved a medicine bottle from her pouch, but just as she was about to administer it, Shi Ying’s movements made her pause.
The Shi Ying in her lap had long grown impatient with her inaction. Turning her face slightly in Yun Jinghe’s palm, her red lips brushed against the side of her hand.
A drop of wetness landed there, like a ripple spreading across a lake’s surface.
Yun Jinghe watched quietly as her fingertip traced the soft lips, pressing lightly to part them, revealing a tender, pink tongue inside.
Her finger slipped slightly past the seam of Shi Ying’s lips. The tongue recoiled momentarily at the cool touch but soon clung to it, wrapping around Yun Jinghe’s fingertip and licking gently.
When Yun Jinghe pressed down, Shi Ying let out a dissatisfied whimper.
Like a kitten, pitifully endearing.
The medicine bottle slipped from her grasp, rolling silently to the edge of the bed before falling to the floor with a soft thud, disappearing into the shadows.
Yun Jinghe’s breath hitched.
Admit it, Yun Jinghe you’re nothing but a despicable hypocrite.
She craved the warmth of last night, obsessed with the way Shi Ying’s legs had wrapped around her waist, like a blooming flower trembling with dew, droplets trembling into her palm before vanishing into the abyss.
Yun Jinghe held her ankle with one hand, his fingertips aligning perfectly with the faint marks that had yet to fade.
Shi Ying, her face flushed, furrowed her brows and let out a dissatisfied whimper. With her fingers pressed to her lips, she mumbled, “Are you going to help me or not?”
When Shi Ying lifted her gaze, Yun Jinghe saw the shimmering reflections in her eyes, like moonlight dancing on rippling water.
Yun Jinghe leaned down, brushing his lips against hers in a wandering kiss.
His damp fingers withdrew from her tongue, glistening as if coated in a sheen of moisture.
Thick strands of hair cascaded slightly with the movement, veiling the intimacy of their kiss.
Yun Jinghe slowly lowered her onto the bed, their lips meeting in a tender, lingering embrace. Unlike the fierceness of the previous night, his touch now carried a gentle, almost reverent tenderness, savoring every moment.
The dim light outside filtered through the sheer curtains, drifting aimlessly in the quiet space.
Yun Jinghe’s palm slid beneath the loose hem of her robe, his warm skin pressing against hers like a fragile barrier.
Calloused fingers traced delicate flesh with featherlight strokes, his kisses trailing down to her jaw and neck.
He nipped at the hollow of her throat, teeth grazing the thin skin with restrained hunger.
Often, this was how he felt about Shi Ying unwilling to bite down, yet unable to let go.
Shi Ying let out a soft “Mm,” her eyes fluttering open with a brief clarity before she was pulled back under.
The sound of swallowing echoed distinctly in the hushed room.
Suddenly, a faint rustle came from outside the window. Yun Jinghe glanced over just in time to see something fall.
He remembered the fruit tree he had seen earlier in the day, its branches heavy with ripe fruit, swaying precariously as if a mere breeze could send them tumbling. That must have been the sound just now.
The autumn fruit exuded a sweet, fragrant aroma, its flesh so tender that the slightest pressure would release its juices.
A wave of heat spread across Yun Jinghe’s body, his loose clothes now clinging uncomfortably to his back.
He exhaled softly, refocusing on Shi Ying, his fingers curling around the delicate curve of her exposed neck as he leaned in for another kiss. The scent of ripe fruit seemed to linger in the air between them.
Shi Ying collapsed back onto the bed, her chest heaving, her thighs trembling faintly.
Their ragged breaths intertwined, indistinguishable from one another.
A fine sheen of sweat glistened on Yun Jinghe’s pale forehead, his breathing heavy and unsteady, a state even the purest mantra couldn’t cleanse.
As cultivators, they were meant to remain detached, free from excessive desire. Yet here he was, long having abandoned those principles.
He wanted to see the thick, unyielding lust in Shi Ying’s eyes, as if it could mask the resistance and anger she directed at him.
As if it could fool him into believing there was a place for him in her gaze.
“Jiejie, help me take this off, won’t you?” Shi Ying pressed against him, guiding his hand to her throat, her voice breathy and tinged with a pitiful lilt.
Yun Jinghe’s eyes darkened. “Not yet.”
Just as he moved to pull her into his arms and soothe her, Shi Ying planted a foot against his abdomen and shoved him away, turning over as if to sleep.
It made him feel like nothing more than a discarded tool.
Yun Jinghe flipped her back, pressing their bodies together once more.
She lifted her hand, her damp palm still glistening with water droplets, which had also moistened her wrist.
Shi Ying frowned in displeasure. “I don’t need your help anymore.”
That bit of poison hadn’t been much to begin with. She had come to Yun Jinghe with a hidden intention hoping to whisper a few persuasive words in his ear. But now, she’d been rejected.
What persuasive words? Useless!
Besides, after venting her frustration, that uncomfortable feeling had passed, and she no longer wanted to continue.
Yet the moment she finished speaking, Yun Jinghe pressed his lips heavily against hers, kissing her fiercely.
Dusk fell, and moonlight crept into the night sky.
Pale moonlight filtered through the gauzy curtains, casting its glow over the two figures entwined on the bed.
“Stop kissing me!”
Shi Ying, overwhelmed, tried to crawl forward, the back of her neck glistening with a thin layer of sweat.
Yun Jinghe’s gaze lingered there before he leaned down and bit her.
“Yun Jinghe, are you a dog?” Shi Ying wanted to turn her head and scold him, but all she could do was whimper and lower her forehead against the bedding, rubbing it until a faint red mark appeared.
Yun Jinghe held her waist, whispering by her ear, “Yingying, if you cooperate, it’ll be over sooner.”
Every time Shi Ying resisted, it only provoked Yun Jinghe to intensify his actions.
Burdened beyond endurance, Shi Ying closed her eyes, regretting ever provoking this madman.
The next day, as expected, Shi Ying lay in bed until nearly noon. She didn’t actually need sleep, she was simply exhausted.
These days, her energy had been drained faster than replenished. Clutching her empty stomach, she felt a surge of resentment.
“I’m going out. I need to eat.”
“What do you want? I’ll buy it for you.”
Shi Ying sat up abruptly, her face puffed with anger. “I’m a dream demon. What do you think I eat?”
Yun Jinghe didn’t answer immediately, pausing to think before finally agreeing.
“Then let me do your hair.”
These past few days, Shi Ying’s hair had been left loose and untended, cascading down her back. Fortunately, its texture was smooth, free of tangles.
Yun Jinghe harbored a private wish, she had once heard that in folk traditions, newlyweds would comb each other’s hair as a symbol of lifelong unity. She wanted to mimic this gesture for Shi Ying, even if just once.
Eager to go out, Shi Ying didn’t care about such trivialities and only urged her to hurry.
Traditionally, married women would pin their hair up, but Yun Jinghe thought Shi Ying looked more delicate and beautiful with it down. After styling it loosely, she removed the white jade hairpin from her own hair and fastened it into Shi Ying’s.
“This is a piece of jade I came across by chance. It’s not the finest quality, but, it’s nice for everyday wear.”
Yun Jinghe had originally wanted to say she had carved the pin herself, but she held back, afraid Shi Ying would reject it if she knew.
Shi Ying glanced briefly at the hairpin in the bronze mirror, showing little interest. Her mind was too preoccupied with the joy of finally being able to leave.
Seeing that Shi Ying made no move to remove the pin, Yun Jinghe sighed in relief, thinking that at least she didn’t despise her enough to refuse everything.
But in the next moment, a pang of sorrow struck her was this all she dared hope for?
As the thought crossed her mind, a sharp pain pierced her chest without warning. She gripped the wooden comb tightly, and with a snap, it broke in her hand.
Shi Ying turned her head toward the sound, but Yun Jinghe immediately pressed a hand on her shoulder, stepping slightly to the side to avoid appearing in the bronze mirror’s reflection before her.
“Take another look. Is there anything you’re not satisfied with?” Yun Jinghe kept her voice as steady as possible.
Shi Ying studied her reflection in the mirror. “No, nothing’s wrong. Let’s just hurry and leave.”
She had truly had enough of this place. Only once they were outside would she have a chance to contact Wu Feng though she had no idea how much scolding she’d receive once Wu Feng found out.
“Mm.” Yun Jinghe acknowledged but didn’t release her grip on Shi Ying’s shoulder, waiting until the sudden pain from her unstable Dao heart had subsided before letting go.
“Once we’re outside, don’t leave my side,” Yun Jinghe warned before they stepped out.
Shi Ying gave a soft hum, neither agreeing nor refusing.
Their current location was a private villa outside the city. Now that both knew each other’s true identities, there was no need to walk into town as they had before.
Shi Ying had wanted to go to a familiar haunt, but Yun Jinghe’s expression instantly darkened in refusal, leading her instead to an inn.
At least it was a crowded place.
Shi Ying, “living under someone else’s roof,” naturally had no choice but to follow.
To prevent a repeat of last time, Yun Jinghe silenced Shi Ying again, infuriating her so much that she refused to even glance at her the entire way.
They booked a superior room on the second floor. Once Yun Jinghe led her inside and closed the door.
From the farthest end of the corridor, the door to another room creaked open, and a woman in red robes, Wen Yi, hurried out.
As she passed one of the rooms, she happened to overhear two women arguing.
“Why do you always have to restrain me?”
“Yingying, I just don’t want you running off.”
“Look at what you’ve done to me, how could I even run away?”
Wen Yi couldn’t help but eavesdrop, intrigued by the melodramatic script playing out. She deliberately softened her footsteps as she neared the door.
But the moment she leaned in closer, a sharp voice rang out,
“Who’s there?!”
Caught off guard, Wen Yi panicked and accidentally pushed the door open, stumbling inside.
Six eyes met in an instant.
Wen Yi staggered a couple of steps before steadying herself, offering an awkward wave and a sheepish smile at the two women before her.
“…Hi.”