Zhu Xian: They've all been reborn

Sunlight filtered through the window paper, creating a hazy, gradually brightening atmosphere.

There was a smell in the room, hard to describe, a mixture of the cool night air, the warmth of the blankets after a night's sleep, and...

A faint, cool fragrance, like pine needles after a snowfall, or the scent of a cold plum blossom.

Jiang Xiaochuan opened his eyes groggily.

My eyelids are heavy, and my head feels heavy too, like I haven't woken up from a hangover, but my mind is completely blank, and I can't remember anything.

He instinctively tried to turn over, but as soon as he moved his arm, he bumped into something.

It was warm and soft; through the thin fabric, I could feel the smoothness and...astonishing elasticity of the skin beneath.

An arm lay across his chest; it wasn't heavy, but its presence was frighteningly strong, making it difficult for him to breathe.

Not only on my arms, but also on my legs, it felt like something was draped over them, heavy and warm.

He stiffened abruptly, his sleepiness vanishing instantly. His neck, as if rusted, twisted to the left, one strand at a time, extremely slowly.

The first thing that catches the eye is his jet-black hair, spread out like ink, covering the entire pillow, with strands of hair, some even tucked into the nape of his neck, tickling him.

Then, there was that face.

They were so close, you could hear their breathing.

Her long, thick eyelashes were closed quietly, casting two faint blue shadows under her eyes. Her skin was as white as the finest mutton fat jade, gleaming with a delicate and warm luster in the morning light. Her nose was straight, and her lips were a pale pink, slightly pursed, indicating that she was fast asleep.

Lu Xueqi.

She lay on her side, facing him, the collar of her moon-white undergarment slightly open, revealing a slender and graceful collarbone and a small patch of snow-white skin.

One of her hands was tightly wrapped around his waist, while her other leg was bent perfectly, with her knee pressed against his side. Her calf was unceremoniously draped over his body, her ankle slender, her bare foot with rounded, slightly curled toes, pressing against his leg.

This pose... is a bit too intimate.

Tightly, intertwined, leaving no gaps, like vines entwining a tree trunk, like water melting into sand.

Her breathing was even and long, carrying a warm breath that gently brushed against the skin of his cheek and neck, carrying her unique cool fragrance, which now felt warm and cozy, seeping into every pore of his body.

Jiang Xiaochuan's mind went completely blank with a "buzz".

Blood seemed to rush to my head instantly, my face was so hot I could fry an egg on it, and all I could hear was the deafening pounding of my own heart, thumping so loudly it made my eardrums ache.

Fragments of memories from last night are now rushing to the surface.

An unnamed mountain peak, sunset, confession, a forceful kiss, chaos, falling asleep on her shoulder... and then what?

So how did he get back?

What's Lu Xueqi doing here?

Still...still sleeping while holding him like this?

Not a dream.

It's not a dream at all.

Lu Xueqi really said "I love you", really kissed him forcefully, and now, she actually held him and slept through the night.

He lay frozen on the bed like a wooden puppet with its pressure points ablated, not daring to move an inch.

His eyes were wide open, staring intently at the stunningly beautiful sleeping face so close to his, his mind a complete mess.

What should I do?

What should we do now?

Should I push her away?

Should I wake her up?

Or... should I continue to play dead?

He tried, very slightly, to move the arm that was being pressed down.

Lu Xueqi seemed to sense it. Instead of loosening her grip, she hugged him even tighter, unconsciously rubbing her cheek against the pillow. Her lips moved slightly, letting out a barely audible whimper, like that of a kitten.

Time crawls by, little by little.

The sunlight outside the window grew brighter, and the outlines of the old furniture in the room gradually became clearer.

Dust particles danced in the beam of light.

The faint chirping of early birds could be heard in the distance, crisp and clear, making the room seem eerily quiet.

He could hear his own thunderous heartbeat, Lu Xueqi's gentle breathing, and even the roar of blood rushing through his ears.

Just when he felt he was about to suffocate, or be driven mad by the eerie and agonizing silence, the person in his arms trembled slightly.

Jiang Xiaochuan's heart jumped into his throat.

Lu Xueqi slowly opened her eyes.

Her eyes, just awakened, were veiled with a thin layer of mist, unlike their usual clear and sharp gaze; they appeared somewhat hazy and soft.

She blinked, seemingly taking a moment to focus, before her gaze met Jiang Xiaochuan's wide, apprehensive eyes, which were so close to hers.

The air freezes.

The two lay face to face, their noses almost touching, their breaths mingling, creating small, ambiguous wisps of white mist in the cool morning air.

Lu Xueqi's gaze shifted from initial confusion upon waking, to a moment of stunned relief upon seeing him clearly, before quickly returning to its usual calm.

She showed no surprise, no shyness, and did not immediately let go of him. She simply looked at him quietly, her gaze tracing his face, from his panicked eyes to his burning cheeks, and then to his slightly pursed lips due to nervousness.

Then, very naturally, she leaned forward, her forehead gently touching his, her nose brushing against his, like some affectionate little animal confirming each other's presence.

The cool fragrance emanating from her body, mixed with the warmth of sleep, enveloped her even more intensely.

"Good morning," she said, her voice slightly hoarse from just waking up, deep but with an indescribable gentleness and...satisfaction.

Jiang Xiaochuan: "..."

He opened his mouth, but his throat was so dry and painful that he couldn't utter a single word.

Good morning? What's so good about it? Is it even appropriate to say "good morning" in this situation?!

Lu Xueqi didn't seem to be expecting his answer.

She maintained the position of forehead to forehead, looked at him quietly for a few more seconds, and then stepped back slightly, but the arms around his waist and the legs draped over him still showed no sign of moving away.

She even adjusted her posture to make herself more comfortable, with almost half of her body pressed against him.

"Did you sleep well?" she asked again, her tone as casual as if she were asking about the weather.

Jiang Xiaochuan finally found his voice, dry and hoarse, trembling: "Junior Sister Lu... how... how did you get here? And... and..."

I carried you home last night.

Lu Xueqi stated calmly, her fingers unconsciously tracing lightly across the fabric of his undergarment at his waist.

"You're sleeping too soundly to be woken up. This is my place, so naturally I'm here."

Your place?

Jiang Xiaochuan's mind went blank again.

When did his room become hers?

And, bring him back?

and then?

Did we just...sleep together like that all night?

"But...but...like this..." He stammered, his face burning hot, wanting to move but not daring to, his body's reaction making him feel so ashamed he wanted to die.

"What's wrong?" Lu Xueqi raised her eyebrows slightly, her eyes bright and clear, with a hint of barely perceptible inquiry.

The light landed on his flushed face, then slowly moved down, sweeping over his stiff body before pausing.

Jiang Xiaochuan felt his scalp tingle from her gaze and wished he could disappear on the spot.

Lu Xueqi's lips curved almost imperceptibly, a slight curve that softened her otherwise aloof face like a spring breeze ruffling an icy lake.

She didn't say anything, but buried her face in his neck again, took a deep breath, as if drawing in his scent, and then, in a voice only the two of them could hear, whispered:

"Don't be afraid. I'm not going to eat you." He paused, then added, "At least not now."

These words did not relax Jiang Xiaochuan; instead, they made him even more tense.

What do you mean by "can't do it now"?

What about after that?!

The pale white inner garment slipped down with the movement, revealing a beautiful, fair neck and shoulders.

She sat on the edge of the bed, her back to him, and began to tidy her slightly disheveled long hair and clothes, her fingers moving skillfully and gracefully through her dark hair.

The morning light outlined her slender yet upright back, the smooth and graceful lines of her neck, the faint outline of her butterfly bones visible beneath her collar, and her incredibly thin waist.

Jiang Xiaochuan looked at her, his mind a complete mess, his heart was still pounding like crazy, and his body's reaction wouldn't subside for a long time. He could only awkwardly turn to the side, curl up, and pretend to tidy up the blankets.

The only sounds in the room were the rustling of clothes and the uneven breathing of the two people.

"Time to get up." Lu Xueqi tidied herself up, stood up, walked to the window, and opened it.

A chilly morning breeze suddenly rushed in, carrying the dampness of bamboo leaves and soil, dispelling the warm, ambiguous atmosphere of the night.

She turned around, glanced at Jiang Xiaochuan who was still curled up on the bed, her eyes calm. "Wash up and have breakfast. I'll wait for you outside."

After saying that, she pushed open the door and walked out, her pale figure disappearing into the gradually brightening daylight outside.

Jiang Xiaochuan finally let out a long, trembling breath, then collapsed onto the bed as if all his strength had been drained, pulling the blanket over his head and letting out a suppressed, painful groan.

What kind of mess is this?!

The atmosphere in the dining room was a bit strange.