Chapter 74: A Steamy Reunion and a Bold Confession

At the edge of the mist-shrouded, dreamlike barrier, a delicate face, softened to a pale pink by the warm steam, emerged with the stunning brilliance of dawn breaking through morning fog.

Crystal beads of water clung to her hair, like nimble spirits embarking on a clandestine escape.

Two or three playful droplets shattered against the graceful hollow of her collarbone, scattering minuscule splashes.

More, however, accelerated their descent along the elegant curve of her swan-like neck, reflecting a magnificent, agate-like luster upon skin gently tinted by the evening sun.

As a slender index finger delicately hooked the intricate lace of a towel, gently wiping behind her ear, it inadvertently disturbed two damp strands of hair curled upon her shoulder.

The swaying dark strands cast a shimmering, web-like projection of water marks onto the pristine white wall, an ethereal, dreamlike sight.

With light steps, the hem of her bathrobe softly brushed against her calves, creating a rustling sound, like a gentle melody.

Simultaneously, three pristine gardenia petals swayed gracefully with her lithe movements, seemingly clinging to this beautiful moment, on the verge of falling.

The air was permeated with warm, soap-scented particles, a veritable feast for the senses.

The top notes offered the herbaceous bitterness of crushed camellia seeds, carrying a hint of primal wildness.

The middle notes diffused the sweet freshness of soapberry pulp, like a refreshing breeze on a summer day, invigorating to the heart.

The lingering base notes blended with the faint, persistent scent of daffodil bath salts from his nape, delicate and enduring.

As his curled toes inadvertently brushed against the indentations in the oak floor, the fine texture felt like the gentle imprint of time itself.

‘Indeed, after exercise, a bath is truly the most pleasant thing.’

****

Upon his return, Ouyang Xiyue immediately settled Chi Congyu onto his own bed, then promptly contacted His Holiness, the Pope.

The Pope swiftly dispatched individuals to meticulously treat Chi Congyu’s injuries.

Now, Chi Congyu’s injuries had largely improved, requiring only a few more days of peaceful recuperation to fully restore her former vitality.

Having finished his bath, Ouyang Xiyue emerged gracefully from the bathroom.

Before him, Chi Congyu lay sprawled in a wide ‘starfish’ shape on the bed, the duvet precariously positioned as if it might slide to the floor at any moment.

Ouyang Xiyue shook his head gently, a trace of resignation in his expression.

What was meant to be a spacious double bed now seemed to offer him no room, compelling him to consider the sofa for his rest, all thanks to Chi Congyu’s unrestrained sleeping posture.

After all, since returning from the Land of the Undead, Chi Congyu had remained unconscious for a full day.

As dusk settled, she still showed no sign of waking.

However, her complexion had regained its rosy hue, her blood returning, suggesting no serious harm.

Ouyang Xiyue slowly approached the bed, gently retrieving the slipping duvet, and carefully covered Chi Congyu.

He gazed quietly at Chi Congyu’s peaceful sleeping face, then, unable to resist, slowly knelt down, extending a hand to softly caress her cheek, her nose, before finally resting on her lips, giving them a gentle squeeze.

‘This Chi Congyu, always so reckless in her daily life, looks quite adorable when she’s asleep, like a sleeping beauty from a fairy tale.

I don’t mean to take advantage of you while you’re sleeping; I just wanted to confirm you were still breathing… yes, that’s right, precisely.’

Yet, no sooner had these self-deceiving words left his lips, and as Ouyang Xiyue prepared to withdraw his hand, Chi Congyu, who had been sleeping with her eyes tightly closed, had imperceptibly opened them.

Chi Congyu swiftly reached out, seizing Ouyang Xiyue’s still-extended hand, and with a sudden pull, the unsuspecting Ouyang Xiyue tumbled directly into her warm embrace.

“Xier… thank you… without you, I might have already… though my consciousness was hazy at the time, I could truly feel your presence…” Chi Congyu held Ouyang Xiyue tightly, with a force that seemed to wish to meld him into her very being.

“Xier, I heard you say, ‘If they dared to touch my person, they must leave their lives as compensation.’ In that moment, you were incredibly dashing, filling me with a complete sense of security.

Initially, when grandfather mentioned that I should marry someone, I resisted a thousand times over, using every possible excuse to refuse.

But for some reason, grandfather was unusually resolute this time, insisting that I meet you before making a decision.

I had thought that meeting once wouldn’t hurt, as I was absolutely not going to marry.

However, when I first saw you, your pure and beautiful appearance, like a white lotus, instantly captured my heart.

In that moment, my heart and mind both cried out that you were the one I was destined to protect, to cherish and accompany for an entire lifetime.

Until now, after enduring many twists and turns, during this mission, I was unfortunately ambushed by the son of the Lord of the Undead Realm…”

“When I thought I might perish there, my mind was filled with your image.

I was consumed by unwillingness, for I worried that if I truly couldn’t return, and you were to marry another in the future, I would never rest in peace… Xier, truly, thank you.”

Upon hearing Chi Congyu’s heartfelt words, Ouyang Xiyue’s cheeks flushed crimson, his shyness palpable.

“Alright, now, be good; there’s no need for thanks.

As your fiancée, this is naturally what I should do.

Now that we’re safe and sound, I’ll handle everything.

Don’t speak such muddled words; at that time, you could barely protect yourself, yet instead of focusing on your own safety, you were worrying about whether I would marry someone else.

What on earth were you thinking?”

Ouyang Xiyue gently interrupted Chi Congyu, softly patting her back with his hand, then slowly raised his head.

To his astonishment, he discovered that Chi Congyu’s eyes were shimmering with crystalline tears.

Ouyang Xiyue quickly reached out, gently wiping away the tears that were about to fall, his heart filled with a sudden panic, wondering if he had said something wrong, for why else would she suddenly be crying?

“Xier… I feel… like I’ve completely broken down… because right now, my mind, my heart, are entirely filled with you!”

With tears glistening in her eyes, Chi Congyu uttered these pitiable words, and seizing Ouyang Xiyue’s moment of愣神, she suddenly cupped his face in her hands and kissed him passionately.

By the time Ouyang Xiyue regained his senses, it was already too late.

He stared wide-eyed at Chi Congyu, who was once again forcefully kissing him, utterly bewildered.

How could she be so bold now, after looking so fragile just moments ago?

This scenario seemed different from what he had imagined; he should be the one being cherished and protected, shouldn’t he?

Ugh, he was almost out of breath!

After a long while, Ouyang Xiyue, feeling weak all over from the brief lack of oxygen, his head still swimming, suddenly felt a chill upon his body…

Ouyang Xiyue immediately sensed something amiss and cried out.

“Where are my clothes!?”

In mere seconds, the agile Chi Congyu had made the pajamas Ouyang Xiyue was wearing vanish.

“Wait… wait…! What are you doing… you can’t… not yet… Chi… Chi Congyu!” Ouyang Xiyue weakly protested.

But at this moment, Chi Congyu, seeing Ouyang Xiyue in such a fluster, felt the flames in her heart burn even hotter.

She slowly extended a hand, gently caressing the porcelain-smooth skin on Ouyang Xiyue’s leg…

In an instant, Ouyang Xiyue felt a jolt of electricity surge through his body, leaving him tingling all over and instantly filled with strength.

He quickly sat up, grabbed the duvet, and wrapped himself tightly in it, like a startled fawn, his eyes full of wariness as he looked at the still-unsatisfied Chi Congyu.

“You! No! Wait… let’s talk about it after we’re married… Go take a shower; you smell… I’m tired, I’m going to sleep.”

Ouyang Xiyue, his face flushed scarlet with embarrassment, shooed Chi Congyu into the bathroom, then swiftly closed the bathroom door.

He then scurried back into bed, wrapping himself securely in the covers.

Listening to the rustling sound of water from the bathroom, Ouyang Xiyue gradually relaxed, unconsciously drifting into slumber.

In that ethereal dream, he seemed to see his distant and unreachable mother…

Emerging from the bathroom after her shower, Chi Congyu looked at the already sleeping Ouyang Xiyue, couldn’t help but swallow, and gently licked her lips.

She slowly got into bed, lying down beside Ouyang Xiyue, preparing to sleep peacefully.

“Mo… Mother… Mother…”

Chi Congyu, who had just closed her eyes, slowly opened them again.

She gently pulled up a corner of the duvet, carefully snuggled in, then tenderly embraced Ouyang Xiyue, who was murmuring in his sleep.

“Good boy, Xier, I’m here… I’m always here.”

For some unknown reason, perhaps hearing that warm response, Ouyang Xiyue’s tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed, and his breathing became even and steady.

“Was he having a nightmare…? Xier, no matter what happens, I will always be by your side…”

Chi Congyu, her face full of affection, held Ouyang Xiyue tightly, inhaling his subtle fragrance, and slowly drifted into a sweet dream herself.