Time Travel: I'm a Flower Thief

The sky was just beginning to brighten, and the bonfire that had burned so brightly last night had long since turned into a pile of ashes.

Murong Shishi nestled in Xie Xiaoyi's arms, as if she had found the warmest place to stay, her body pressed tightly against his.

His steady heartbeat traveled through her chest, each beat bringing her a sense of peace.

This was the first time she had snuggled up to a man like this, and the first time she had experienced what it was like to be a woman.

The feeling was warm and soft, spreading from the bottom of my heart to every part of my body, even my bones felt a little tingly and sweet.

She couldn't bear to move; even if she stayed in one position for a long time, she just wanted to stay curled up like that.

However, Xie Mo seemed particularly obsessed with this part of her body, always holding it tightly in his palm and gently pressing it against her, making her afraid to even breathe heavily.

Her body had been stiff for so long that the soreness was getting stronger. She couldn't help but move slightly, trying to quietly change her position, but he woke up.

Xie Xiaoyi didn't open his eyes, his palms unconsciously tightening, and with a languid air of just waking up, he breathed into her ear, "Awake?"

Murong Shishi didn't speak, but snuggled closer into his arms and nodded gently.

Xie Xiaoyi chuckled softly, waved his palm in the same spot for a moment, and then reluctantly moved it away.

He got up, stretched, and let out a lazy sigh: "This sleep was more comfortable than at the inn."

Murong Shishi hurriedly put on his black coat, but her eyes secretly swept over him.

He has broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and strong chest muscles. His muscles are well-proportioned and neat, but not rough.

He is much more handsome than her husband Su Muqing and her uncle Su Mubai. He must be the kind of young hero that all the women of the martial arts world would admire.

Xie Xiaoyi suddenly stopped in his tracks, as if he had eyes in the back of his head.

"Shishi, if you keep staring like this, I might not be able to handle it."

"Who, who's looking at you? Don't be so presumptuous!"

Xie Xiaoyi smiled but didn't refute, quickly put on her inner garment, and turned to look at her.

"I'm planning to head to the East China Sea, do you want to come with me?"

"I...I have to go back to the Su family in Jiangnan."

"Aren't you coming with me?"

Murong Shishi lowered her eyes, turned her back to him, and spoke with a hint of helplessness in her voice.

"The marriage alliance between the Su family and the Murong family is based on considerations between powerful families. If I were to go with you like this, both families would lose face. I cannot do that."

Xie Xiaoyi was stunned for a moment, then quickly returned to normal.

As a notorious womanizer, he could leave without a trace, and he could also pass through a sea of ​​flowers without getting any makeup on him.

"Alright, I understand. So it's the Su family of Jiangnan, right? Then I'll take you back!"

But remember, if you ever encounter any insurmountable difficulties in the future, remember to let me know...

I will definitely take the knife for you!

Murong Shishi was moved. She turned around and hugged Xie Xiaoyi tightly around the waist, pressing her cheek against his chest muscles and holding him close.

Xie Xiaoyi stiffened and patted her on the back: "What's wrong? Have you changed your mind?"

Murong Shishi gently shook her head, her nose brushing against his chest.

"No, I still want to go back to the Su family in Jiangnan. Will you take me back?"

"Okay, I'll take you."

Murong Shishi released him, raised her hand to take off the sachet hanging from her neck, and handed it to Xie Xiaoyi.

"Here, is this...is it okay?"

"A token of love?"

"No, it's just a keepsake."

"Alright!"

When Xie Xiaoyi was making love to her yesterday, he noticed that she was wearing this item, but he just thought it was something that ordinary girls would wear and didn't pay much attention to it.

He reached out and took it, opened it, and was shocked to see what was inside.

"This is... Qilin marrow?"

Seeing his expression, Murong Shishi frowned slightly and asked, "You recognize this thing? Judging from your surprised look, is it very powerful?"

Xie Xiaoyi held the translucent, white marrow bead with a faint halo in his palm and said in a deep voice:

"I was once a disciple of Hua Tianyi, the peerless physician, and I read countless medical books from him."

I once read a description of Qilin Marrow in a book; it is a supreme treasure on par with Dragon Essence and Phoenix Blood, formed from the essence of the Qilin.

As he spoke, he raised his hand and handed it back to Murong Shishi: "This thing is incredibly valuable, you can keep it for yourself."

It is rumored that after taking it, one's marrow and meridians will be cleansed, potentially extending one's lifespan by half a century—this is not impossible.

Murong Shishi didn't take it, swaying slightly, her eyes churning with a myriad of emotions:

"What about a lifespan of half a century?"

If one cannot be with the one they love, to admire the mountain mist together at dawn, and to drink wine under the moon at dusk, even if one lives past a hundred, one is nothing more than a walking corpse.

These words are both heartbreaking and poignant.

Xie Xiaoyi felt a sudden tightness in his chest, and the carefree look in his eyes shattered. He even had a sudden urge to take her away from everything and venture into the world.

But this idea can only remain a thought.

He raised his hand to stroke his chin, changing the subject: "How did a young lady from a prominent family like you come to possess such a treasure?"

After composing herself, Murong Shishi smiled gently, lightly brushing a stray hair behind her ear, and said softly:

"This doesn't belong to the Murong family; it belongs to my mother."

Although she was an illegitimate daughter of the Duanmu family, her maternal grandfather doted on her and said that wearing this item could nourish her health, so he passed it on to her.

My mother later gave it to me, but I never saw my maternal grandfather value it much. Was it that valuable?

What a sin!

No wonder 99% of the masters in the martial arts world come from prestigious families, while the poor can't even get a decent opportunity.

The difference is outrageous!

If this thing were to circulate in the martial arts world, people below the ninth rank would fight tooth and nail for it, and swallowing it would at least allow them to break through one or two ranks!

Seeing that she wouldn't accept it, Xie Xiaoyi decided to respectfully comply and put the Qilin marrow into the sachet and then into his pocket.

"I will keep this with me at all times, and I will take it out to look at it whenever I think of you. Since you want to return to the Su family in Jiangnan, then I will act as your 'protector' for once."

A protector of flowers?

Murong Shishi was slightly taken aback. Did he mean to treat her like a flower and protect her?

With that thought, Xie Xiaoyi took a step forward. She composed herself and walked alongside him.

......

The two traveled to a village, where Xie Xiaoyi went into a cloth shop, threw some silver in, and picked out a well-fitting dress for Murong Shishi.

After she changed, he changed back into the coat she had "possessed" for so long, and then hired a carriage to travel with her.

As they traveled to a fork in the official road in the Jiangnan region, they suddenly heard the thunderous sound of horses' hooves and a cloud of dust billowing into the sky.

Murong Shishi looked in the direction of the voice and exclaimed in surprise, "It's someone from my Su family!"

Looking into the distance, Xie Xiaoyi saw dozens of tall horses marching in formation ahead, a truly magnificent and imposing sight.

The leader rode up at full speed. Upon seeing Murong Shishi, his brows instantly relaxed, and his eyes filled with anxious concern. He quickly dismounted and hurried forward.

"Shishi, I'm so glad you're alright! The people we sent earlier sent word that the butler and guards were in trouble. I was worried about you..."