Lan Ningzhen was playing with his hair, but unexpectedly, Xie Jue suddenly turned around. She hurriedly let go of his hair, afraid he might get suspicious. In the darkness, she spoke with an air of composure, "I’m curious—what kind of person could captivate soone as ethereal as you?"
"Don’t be curious. It’s none of your business!"
"If you don’t deny it, that ans soone has indeed moved your heart." Lan Ningzhen clasped her hands together and rested them against her cheek, gazing at him infatuatedly in the faint glow of the darkness, "Mr. Helian is decisive, unwavering, and stubborn. If you were to love soone, you’d press forward without hesitation. Then why did it end so incompletely?"
"Do you know so well?" Xie Jue scoffed. "And how do you know it ended incompletely?"
"You said you’ve never loved anyone, but you’ve been moved by soone. Being moved but stopping there is what ’ending incompletely’ ans. Though my ti spent with Mr. Helian has been short, I feel I’ve co to understand you well." Lan Ningzhen said, "Is there so hidden burden you’re keeping to yourself?"
Xie Jue fell silent, choosing not to follow along with Lan Ningzhen’s words. The more said, the more mistakes there could be. Lan Ningzhen liked him, so it was understandable for her to be curious and want to probe into his past, but he couldn’t say much—any hint of suspicion would not bode well.
Closing his eyes, Xie Jue refused to engage further. For a mont, the only sounds that remained were their breaths and the wind and snow outside the house.
Lan Ningzhen didn’t disturb him. Softening her breathing, she drew out a small jade vial from her waist, unscrewing its cap. Xie Jue detected an unusual fragrance. He’d never shared a bed with a woman before and thought it might simply be the scent of a young lady. Without a word, he turned his body away, avoiding the aroma. Yet sohow, he felt a drowsy haze overtaking him, and in re monts, he had succumbed to sleep.
"Mr. Helian? Mr. Helian..." Lan Ningzhen propped herself up, whispering his na. Xie Jue was utterly unconscious. Carefully, Lan Ningzhen tucked the jade vial away and delicately turned Xie Jue’s body, removing the hand covering his face. Slowly, she cradled him in her arms, their limbs entwined together. Warmth filled the space as she pressed Xie Jue’s cold palms against her own. Leaning over, she kissed his hairline softly, "You bastard—when we get ho, you’ll answer for this!"
Though deep in slumber, the stinging pain on Xie Jue’s cheeks and the itchiness were unbearable—he was instinctively compelled to scratch them. Lan Ningzhen restrained his hands against herself, refusing to let him touch his face. She devotedly blew on his wounds to soothe the irritation, ensuring he wouldn’t scratch his face raw overnight if left unchecked.
It was a last resort, indeed!
To ensure Xie Jue didn’t harm his own skin, she resolved to stay awake and vigilantly accompany him through the night. She couldn’t afford to close her eyes—even a brief lapse might spell disaster.
Within her arms was his familiar warmth and scent. Lan Ningzhen closed her eyes slightly, wishing that, in this stormy, snow-stricken night, ti could freeze forever—allowing them to hold each other amidst the snowbound foreign land without concern for the years ahead, bound together for eternity. This small room could beco their entire world.
But she knew it was impossible!
"Helian Feng... Ha!" Lan Ningzhen chuckled softly, her gaze landing on Xie Jue’s tightly shut eyes. "So you’ve resorted to using that na."
Her hand slid into his, interlacing their fingers. Pressing her face against his unmarred cheek, Lan Ningzhen murmured, "Sleep well. Have you ever had even one truly restful night here?"
Xie Jue’s dark circles and pallor revealed the toll of sleepless nights.
Indeed, sleeping alone in a wolf’s den—who could afford to rest soundly?
The night in Beiman was truly long. The wind and snow raged well into the early morning, the pale glow of snow outside the window casting a faint light. Xie Jue stirred awake, the blanket cocooning him in soothing warmth. The long sleep had relieved his ntal strain and physical exhaustion, leaving him feeling refreshed—but also weighed down. Soone clung to him, wrapping around him like vines entwining a branch.
Lan Ningzhen slept behind him, her legs loosely entangled with his own, her arms embracing him around the chest in a tender and intimate posture. Feeling a chill run over him, Xie Jue realized how deeply he’d slept—how did they end up in such a position? They’d been lying reasonably far from each other; how had they co into such closeness?
Lan Ningzhen seed to awaken as well, rolling over and shifting her position awkwardly. Tugging the blanket with her, she rolled to the side, finally untangling herself from him. Xie Jue’s nerves were rattled, and his gaze lingered on her figure with conflicted emotions.
Lan Ningzhen hadn’t removed her makeup, and now it seed she hadn’t even bothered to take off her hairpins while sleeping.
Wasn’t she uncomfortable?
"Good morning, Mr. Helian!" Lan Ningzhen greeted him groggily, yawning. "If you’re up, go on back to sleep. There’s no harm in sleeping longer."
Her tone was decadently casual, much like an emperor indulging in carnal pleasures.
Thinking of the intimate and ambiguous sleeping posture they’d shared all night, Xie Jue felt utterly uneasy. No matter what happened, he couldn’t allow himself to sleep like this beside Lan Ningzhen ever again.
"I’ve had enough sleep. You should rest more!"
Lan Ningzhen looked like she hadn’t slept enough, her voice drowsy as she spoke, "Your face can’t be exposed to the wind. Food will be delivered to the door; don’t go outside and catch a cold." With a pause, she pulled the blanket snugly around herself, "I’m exhausted—I won’t be eating. Don’t bother calling ."
Xie Jue, "..."
The scene was incredibly strange... yet strangely familiar!
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