Chapter Sixty-Nine: Loving and Cherishing Him for a Lifetime

Chapter Sixty-Nine: Loving and Cherishing Him for a Lifetime

After marriage, Lu Nian pursued a freelance career, spending most of her time at home. Apart from drawing drafts, she began to dabble in cooking and floristry, exploring various hobbies that piqued her interest.

Anyway, whatever she wished to do, Qin Si would support it wholeheartedly.

She managed the household meticulously while he was busy at the company.

Lu Nian felt sympathy for his past toil and endeavored to handle the miscellaneous tasks of daily life, sparing him any additional stress.

Qin Si was accustomed to self-sufficiency in the past, returning home to a cold and desolate atmosphere.

Now, each time he returned, the home was illuminated, warm and welcoming, with someone caring for him, eagerly waiting for his return.

Over the years, Qin Si had never experienced this kind of life.

Moreover, the person waiting for him was the one he cherished dearly, someone he had loved for many years.

As days passed, his love for her deepened.

Contrary to fading after marriage, his affection intensified day by day, growing more fervent and passionate.

Having wandered for too long, he finally found his heart's refuge by her side.

However, since their marriage up until now, the couple hadn't had children.

With no elders pressuring them from either side, they enjoyed the freedom to make decisions about having children on their own terms.

Several of Lu Nian's college friends had married and quickly become pregnant. Seeing Lu Nian with no such news, they grew curious, "You and your husband seem to be so in love, why haven't you planned for a child yet?"

Given their favorable circumstances, it wasn't a matter of financial constraints.

In reality, Lu Nian didn't harbor any particular longing for children. Although Qin Si remained silent on the matter, it was evident that he was constantly finding ways to nurture her frail health.

The doctor mentioned that due to her weak constitution, while she could bear children, the risk would undoubtedly be greater than average.

The weather began to heat up gradually, marking the cusp of spring ending and summer beginning, the season to indulge in strawberries.

At home, a generous early delivery of several large boxes filled with fresh strawberries awaited.

Lu Nian washed them bright and early, and noticing him getting ready to leave for work, she trotted over with a light patter.

Having just woken up and with no plans to go out today, Lu Nian didn't bother to dress up after her morning routine. She was still in her nightgown, its hem soft and flowing, as she held a fresh strawberry in her mouth.

"This one is really sweet," Lu Nian exclaimed with delight, savoring the juice, "You must try it!"

The man had just finished tying his tie when he looked up to see her. Lu Nian was already on her tiptoes, nudging him gently towards the dining table, leaning in to kiss him.

A good morning kiss.

He cooperated skillfully with the tender gesture.

Lu Nian rubbed her lips against his, asking, "Is it tasty?"

"Mm," he responded, embracing her, his breathing slightly uneven as he earnestly savored the strawberry flavor.

After a while, Lu Nian finally let him go.

"Your younger brother is coming over this afternoon," Qin Si informed her before leaving.

Lu Nian wasn't overly surprised, questioning, "Business matters?"

Currently, Qiu Li had essentially taken over the Lu family business, establishing closer collaborations with Zhao Yayuan and Ning Sheng, gradually steering everything onto a smoother path.

He nodded in agreement.

Qiu Li and Zhao Yayuan were scheduled to discuss collaboration matters with Qin Si later that afternoon.

They arrived an hour earlier than planned. Unexpectedly, Qin Si, always punctual, was still tending to other matters at Ning Sheng, leaving Lu Nian alone at home.

"Please wait a little," Lu Nian said cheerfully, "He'll be back shortly."

It had been a long time since she last saw them. Observing that they seemed to be doing well, with Qiu Li successfully managing the Lu family business, albeit not as prosperous as before but certainly on an upward trajectory, brought her comfort.

Qiu Li appeared to be in a relationship, but Lu Nian, always confident in his judgement, did not probe further.

However, Zhao Yayuan remained single. Despite several nudges from Jiang Wenyan and others, the precedent set by Zhao Tingyuan left them wary of intervening too much. Hence, they respected Zhao Yayuan's decision to remain unmarried.

Unexpectedly, this time, besides the two of them, Lu Nian encountered a very surprising little individual.

"I had no choice, he's quite clingy and insisted on coming along," Zhao Yayuan explained with a shrug.

A little boy, around three years old and exceedingly adorable, clung to Zhao Yayuan's clothes, sucking on his finger and looking at Lu Nian with timid eyes.

"Xiu Yi?" Although Lu Nian had been aware of the child's existence, this was their first meeting face-to-face.

Zhao Yayuan confirmed, "Yes. My mother went on a vacation, and he adamantly refused to stay with the nanny when I was leaving. I figured since I was coming to your place, I brought him along."

Zhao Xiuyi evidently inherited more traits from the Zhao family, as it's hard to see much resemblance to Su Qingyou on his face. When standing next to Zhao Yayuan, it's clearly apparent that they share an uncle-nephew relationship.

Perhaps because he has been without his parents since a young age, Zhao Xiuyi is somewhat timid, bearing a resemblance to Zhao Yayuan with his amber-hued large eyes, cherubic rosy lips, and a complexion as pale and tender as mochi, portraying a sweet and well-behaved little munchkin.

Lu Nian squats down to tease him, "It's said that children tend to grow to resemble the person they see daily."

She picked some fruits that children adore for him, with the strawberries looking particularly bright and tempting. Zhao Xiuyi, being very well-behaved, only timidly accepted them from her hand after receiving a nod of approval from Zhao Yayuan.

Qiu Li also chuckled, "He indeed resembles a young Xiaoya, though his temperament seems to be much more gentle."

Zhao Yayuan shrugged, "He's just too introverted. When I take him out, people often mistake him for a little girl."

Zhao Xiuyi has begun to speak, uttering words in a somewhat unclear manner. He is very attached to Zhao Yayuan. However, this is his first encounter with Lu Nian, and he examines her with a child's curious gaze.

In his living environment, young women of her age are rather scarce.

Lu Nian holds his small hand, gently wiping away the strawberry juice at the corner of his mouth.

Zhao Xiuyi finds her hands to be soft and her scent comforting, which is quite different from the uncle who usually takes care of him.

"Call her auntie," Zhao Yayuan casually instructs him.

Nestled in her arms, Zhao Xiuyi suddenly lifts his small face and utters crisply, "Mommy."

He has been without a mother since infancy.

Jiang Wenyan taught him to recognize words, naturally explaining that 'mommy' corresponds to 'daddy'. Sometimes he would whimsically call Zhao Yayuan 'daddy' in private. Given Zhao Yayuan's laid-back and indifferent nature, as long as no one else heard, he would generally let it slide.

However, this shocking utterance left all three adults stunned.

Coincidentally, the door was being pushed open at that very moment.

Qin Si returns home, stepping through the door only to witness Lu Nian intimately caring for the child, wiping his mouth, with Zhao Yayuan leaning over to watch them, followed by that crisp call of "mommy".

His expression couldn't be more unpleasant.

Now, a profound silence enveloped everyone in the room.

Zhao Yayuan was somewhat in despair, "She's not your mom."

Can the title of 'mother' be arbitrarily assigned? Was this a blatant attempt to cuckold Qin Si?

Being of such a tender age, Zhao Xiuyi could only sense that the atmosphere in the room had become distorted following his remark. He pursed his lips, his large amber eyes welling up with tears, appearing exceptionally pitiable.

Lu Nian's heart softened, "Don't cry, don't cry. Auntie will take you out to enjoy some strawberries."

"You guys continue chatting," she said, leading Zhao Xiuyi out the door, while stealing a glance at Qin Si's expression.

This man is quite easy to appease.

Even though she felt a bit upset now, a little closeness later when they both were home would smooth things over.

Zhao Ya was quite embarrassed.

Qin Si showed no emotion on his face, not mentioning the incident again as if it never happened, which gave him a sigh of relief.

Having known Qin Si for so long, he understood that despite his reserved demeanor, Qin Si had a very extreme and quirky personality, capable of anything if truly provoked.

After finishing discussing work, Qiu Li lingered a step behind and asked Qin Si in a low voice, "Are you and your sister really not planning to have children?"

"Focus on setting your own wedding date first," Qin Si replied without looking up.

Qiu Li, "..."

"Her health is not good," Qin Si added after a long pause, "Having a child would be too risky."

He never wanted children in the first place, and this only solidified his stance.

"If you both are agreeable, then it's fine not to have them," Qiu Li said with a noticeably relaxed tone, "It's for the best for Nian Nian."

He was worried that Qin Si might be fixated on the idea of having children, and would have other thoughts considering Lu Nian's frail health. It seemed now that they were on the same page.

Lu Nian had no idea what the two men inside were discussing.

She genuinely enjoyed spending time with Zhao Xiu Yi, having amused herself with him for half of the afternoon.

A child who is adorable, beautiful, and well-behaved, who wouldn't like?

She couldn't help but imagine for a moment what their child would look like if she and Qin Si had one.

If the child took after him, they probably wouldn't be very cute as a young child, perhaps aloof, reticent, and solitary.

However, she reconsidered, realizing that Qin Si's demeanor was shaped by his childhood experiences. Had he been nurtured with affection since young, he might have been different. She wondered what his original personality might have been.

After the three visitors left, only the two of them remained in the room.

"You're not angry, are you?" Lu Nian asked him with a beaming smile.

He looked down, remaining silent.

She sat on his lap, sighed, and smiled sweetly, "You won't have a child with me, so I have no choice but to pamper others, don't I?"

Qin Si hugged her waist and kissed her gently, without saying a word.

Lu Nian didn't actually have a strong desire to have children. The doctor had mentioned the significant risks involved due to her poor health. She knew that Qin Si was terrified of her falling ill, so she avoided bringing up the topic to prevent making him unhappy.

Suddenly, Lu Nian remembered another matter.

Over the years, she had been sponsoring the orphanage where Qin Si had once stayed. Keeping a strict account of the finances, she supervised the spending to ensure every penny was utilized for the children's benefit. It was visibly evident how the facility and the food there had improved year by year.

The children adored her. Every time she visited, they would flock around her, affectionately calling her "sister", their words sweet as honey.

"What if we adopt one?" Lu Nian suggested, seeking his opinion. "There are many abandoned babies out there, or children in welfare institutions who are not adopted by anyone."

Perhaps because of Qin Si, she has always had a soft spot for those children, harboring an extra ounce of compassion.

Qin Si had never returned to that orphanage.

Although it had changed greatly, the memories it left him - the beatings, the humiliations, the verbal abuses - were indelible, pains embedded deeply in his childhood memory, reaching into the marrow of his bones.

Lu Nian had deliberately avoided these topics, never discussing with him the matters of the orphanage.

"Do you truly desire this?" he couldn't help but ask at last.

He had his selfish reasons.

Indeed, worrying about her physical wellbeing was the primary reason.

Adoption could potentially solve this issue.

However, he wanted her to focus solely on him, not wanting her attention diverted by anyone else, or allowing anyone else to intervene in their relationship.

It was another significant reason he found hard to vocalize.

Lu Nian kissed him gently, her voice soft, "Haven't I said before, I will follow your lead on this matter. If you wish for it, we will, if not, we won't."

His slender fingers slightly tightened.

Even after being married for this period, hearing her straightforward confession quickened his pulse, unable to prevent the heat that would reach the tips of his ears.

Lu Nian cherished him the most in this state, unable to resist the urge to shower him with more affection.

"Actually, I am not of this world," Lu Nian suddenly spoke, her gaze drifting towards a distant place.

After being here for a long time, she finally uttered these words.

She spoke swiftly and softly, if the listener wasn't attentive, they wouldn't catch it, dismissing it as nonsensical murmurs.

"I know."

He was not surprised at all, greedily inhaling her scent.

Lu Nian was completely taken aback.

He said, "You two are entirely different."

"I'm not so naive as to be unable to distinguish between the two of you."

To him, she was herself, impossible to be confused with anyone else.

Having been mature and sensitive since childhood, it was naturally impossible for him not to notice the changes in her.

When he was younger, having realized the nature of her deeds, he always regarded her as a gift from heaven, or perhaps a benevolent fairy from fairy tales.

During the initial period, amusingly, he constantly worried that she might suddenly revert back to her mystical form and vanish entirely from this world.

Later on, as he grew up, those thoughts matured, and he seriously began contemplating how to keep her by his side forever.

"I'm Lu Nian." Her nose suddenly felt sour as she carefully wrote out her name on paper - that's why she had tried using the pen name Yu Lu.

Since dying at fourteen until now, this was still the first time she had written out her own name in front of someone else.

"Who knows, maybe one day lightning will strike and I'll suddenly return." Lu Nian said.

"If that happens..."

She whimsically continued before glancing up and seeing his expression.

Lu Nian, "...Just kidding."

It was the first time she had seen such a terrifying look on Qin Si's face.

"If you left," he maintained his embrace, long lashes lowered, tone calm, "I wouldn't let your corpse go either."

"I would commit suicide, and my soul would still chase after you." He tilted up her chin, speaking softly. For the first time, his grip was almost painful from losing control.

The man's beautiful, tranquil phoenix eyes belied his mad words, his face still perfectly serene.

Afraid she would have an accident during childbirth, afraid she would silently leave him, afraid she would stop loving him, afraid all this now was just a fantasy that would wake to reality.

He cherished their present life too much.

Not wanting even the slightest change, so any factors that could impact this life had to be eliminated.

This man was usually restrained and composed. His emotions were the same, as were his words. But today, the intensity of his shifting emotions made itself unusually clear to her for the first time.

Lu Nian's heart ached for him all of a sudden.

She thought of his painful youth in the original story, the despairing mad end...as well as all those years he had endured such despairing, crazy devotion to her.

"I won't leave," Lu Nian said earnestly. "I promise."

"No more, only pamper you." She embraced him back, sighing softly and kissing his eyelid. "Until you're satisfied, alright?"

Until the time came she could give him enough love and security.

Provoking him in this life, she had to see it through and be responsible - love and indulge him for life until the very end.

Western Fantasy Spinoff

Chapter Seventy: The Infected Demon Hunter Knight x The Little Witch

This town lies at the frontier where the western and eastern continents converge. Not far away is a forest, the territory of the bloodline race, where werewolves, spiders, and various wild beasts reside. It is rumored that deep within the forest, there is a cottage where a witch lives, though no one has ever ventured there.

The city's economy is relatively prosperous, attracting many travelers who are en route to the Eastern Lands to choose it as a resting point.

However, the number of long-term residents is not substantial, primarily due to its close proximity to the territory where the blood clans dwell. During their hunting seasons, every night the town witnesses inexplicable disappearances, or worse, finds individuals reduced to shriveled husks of skin.

Thus, every year during the winter, as the sun sets at eight in the evening, every household in the town promptly shuts their doors. Apart from the patrolling knight guards, no one is permitted to venture outside.

At the fringe of the town, in a narrow lane, there resides a young man living alone.

Qin Si grew up in this town, allegedly the illegitimate child of a wayward merchant from the east who left after a brief romance, leaving him orphaned and forced to wander the streets as he grew up.

From a young age, he was a striking child, but as he grew, his exotic heritage became increasingly apparent, characterized by deep black hair and eyes, setting him apart from the others. Combined with his icy and isolated demeanor, being bullied and ostracized in his youth was inevitable.

However, everything changed when he turned ten. According to tradition, all eligible youngsters in the city were brought to participate in a selection ceremony. Surprisingly, he was chosen, joining the knight's corps for training in the northern capital.

It is said that his talents were exceptional, distinguishing him from his peers at every step.

When the town faced another attack from the blood clans, he was temporarily stationed back in his hometown.

The young man remained reticent, with a demeanor even colder than his childhood self.

At this time, many young women in the town attempted to curry his favor. Despite his background and bloodline being less than desirable, his status as a demon-hunting knight, coupled with his handsome face and graceful physique, was more than enough to overshadow these shortcomings, making him a coveted lover, even if only for a fleeting moment.

Knights dispatched from the capital were, by rule, supposed to adhere to strict conduct, avoiding the allure of women. However, rules were just rules, and amidst the chaotic times and liberal attitudes, few were bothered to enforce these codes strictly, particularly against those skilled in swordsmanship and magic.

Qin Si maintained a distance from all these entanglements.

The most beautiful girl in town was rejected, even the rumored young daughter of the town lord experienced rejection, as if he was resolutely determined to adhere to the vow, which many considered mere paperwork.

These affairs seemed to be entirely insulated from him.

Numerous rumors and gossip circulated about him, describing him as cold, overly arrogant, and discussing his tumultuous background and legendary growth, becoming popular topics of conversation over meals.

As winter approached, it signaled the period of heightened activity for the blood clans.

Their patrols became more frequent, working in groups of five. Despite being the most reclusive, Qin Si was also the most skilled among them. His training scores topped in every category, unequivocally marking him as the most distinguished in the group.

During what seemed like a routine patrol, they encountered three vampires, with the last one apparently holding some rank. After being defeated, it desperately begged Qin Si for mercy.

The young man looked at it with a hint of disdain, raising his blade swiftly, severing the vampire's head with a silver-edged weapon.

The vampire's head rolled a few times on the ground, its mouth agape and voice raspy, it cursed, "I curse you, arrogant knight, to fall from grace, becoming a creature like us, condemned to dwell in darkness for all eternity, surviving only on blood, like the vermin you so despise..."

Before the vampire could finish its curse, its head turned to charred remains, and its body disintegrated under the sunlight.

The young man lowered his eyes, calmly wiping the blood off his blade, having completed all necessary procedures.

Upon returning home, he removed his gloves, gazing emotionlessly at the sudden small wound that appeared on his finger.

A very minor wound.

He could be absolutely certain that he hadn't been bitten by a vampire; yet, this wound had undeniably manifested.

He found himself unable to ascertain the true nature of the situation unfolding before him.

Winter enveloped the city in heavy snow, preventing anyone from leaving. Communications between the town and the imperial capital were severed, leaving him unable to report the anomaly to his superiors.

After a vampire infection, there exists a fortnight of grace—if no mutation occurs within this period, one is deemed safe.

He requested a leave of absence, intending to isolate himself within his home.

He pondered that if mutation did occur, he would simply meet his end in the same manner as the countless vampires he had dispatched before.

A blizzard seemed to be on the horizon, leaving the town increasingly silent.

He made a final trip to the store to procure enough provisions for the upcoming half-month.

The gale howled, bringing darkness even earlier in the winter days.

By the entrance of the alley, a small figure crouched beside a pile of garbage.

As he passed by, he noticed the figure but continued walking without pausing.

Unexpectedly, the figure suddenly rose and stumbled after him.

"I have no home, no parents. Sir, could you shelter me temporarily?" the young girl asked timidly, her fair ankles peeking out from beneath a white gauze skirt, reddening slightly in the cold wind.

She possessed a thick mane of deep auburn hair, lustrous and almost reaching her knees, cascading freely down her back. Her eyes were amber, reminiscent of honey candy, lending a palpably sweet aura to her demeanor.

The town was no stranger to orphans and street children, and neither was he.

Surprisingly, the girl followed him all the way to his doorstep, seemingly earnest in her desire to accompany him home.

Without a second thought, Qin Si rejected her request.

It was impossible for him to allow a woman to stay at his residence, regardless of her young age.

"Find a hostel for yourself." His voice, low and seldom used, held a pleasing timbre, albeit tinged with a slight huskiness.

The door closed in her face.

Lu Nian, "…"

She was a witch, a seductress amongst her kind, venturing out from the forest to bewitch men.

This was her first foray into such endeavors, utterly devoid of experience.

However, rumors had it that enchanting men required engaging in intimate acts, a compromise she was unwilling to make.

Having been out for several days, her eyes grew weary from the search, yet she found not a single person appealing.

Either too tall or too short, too fat or too thin, unattractive or bearing an unpleasant odor—in short, not a single one met her standards.

As she rested by the roadside, completely drained, her eyes suddenly lit up.

The young man with black hair, dressed in a uniform, had strikingly handsome features, a tall and straight figure, slender waist, and long legs. However, his demeanor was excessively cold, which diminished his charm and made him seem somewhat inaccessible.

He emanated a clean and fresh scent, which also carried a hint of magical fragrance.

She couldn't resist the urge to approach him.

She was enamored with his beautiful black eyes.

Witches are known for their collecting habits, and with naive purity, she contemplated that if he refused to return with her or to engage in intimacy, she would kill him or use a magical potion to strip those proud, beautiful eyes of their soul, binding him as a loyal servant under her skirt, never to leave her side in this lifetime.

She knocked at the door from outside, her knocking pitifully soft.

Qin Si had no experience interacting with girls.

To be precise, he seldom engaged in conversation with others; apart from necessary communications with colleagues, he hardly spoke a few words throughout the day.

He took a step back, his expression indifferent, "It's not convenient for me to harbor you."

Moreover, the status of his current physical condition remained unclear. If he indeed became infected later, harboring a defenseless girl in his house would be akin to sending her to her death.

He lifted her up, threw her outside, and closed the door.

The gentleman knight seems to have a heart of stone, doesn't he?

After nightfall, he took his temperature, detecting a slight fever - an ominous sign.

At night, with doors and windows firmly shut and the time of the curfew seemingly approaching, a sudden shriek from a girl accompanied by the coarse laughter of men echoed from outside.

The young man's handsome brows furrowed, recalling the girl from earlier in the day.

He was aware of the numerous rogues and hooligans in the area, yet he hadn't expected trouble to find her so quickly.

Indeed, with her demeanor, she resembled a pure, helpless little lamb thrown amidst a pack of wolves.

Nonetheless, he opened the door.

Fortunately, it seemed the trio of ruffians hadn't inflicted any substantial harm yet, although her white gauze skirt was torn at a corner, her hair a messy disarray, making her appear even more pitiable.

She clearly noticed him, sniffled, her eyes rimmed red.

"Can I stay with you? It's really cold outside, I think I might freeze to death," Lu Nian said, "Aren't you a noble knight?"

She seemed exceptionally innocent and pitiful.

"Just for one night, I will leave tomorrow," she pleaded pitifully, her amber eyes sparkling with unshed tears.

"I can do anything," she spoke with naive innocence, "I can help you with laundry, cook meals for you."

He wanted to shut the door again.

However, the bells announcing the curfew rang at that moment, darkening his expression; the winter nights were when these demonic creatures appeared most frequently.

Everyone kept their doors and windows tightly shut, staying inside their homes; at this time, leaving a frail girl like her outside would be tantamount to sentencing her to death.

Ultimately, the door opened.

The interior of the house wasn't adorned with any special furnishings, just a living room and a bedroom.

"Don't come in," he said, leaving her alone in the living room as he closed the bedroom door behind him.

The house was still warm from the fire that had been burning earlier, the embers not yet fully extinguished.

Lu Nian stretched her legs, curiously inspecting her surroundings.

It was clearly the dwelling of a young man living alone, clean and orderly, yet furnished simply, with well-maintained weapons and books adorning the living room.

The bedroom door remained firmly closed, sealing him inside.

Was she forbidden from entering?

The young girl propped her cheek on her hand, stood up, shook her skirt, and suddenly disappeared.

Then, she materialized inside the bedroom.

The young man had already fallen asleep.

His complexion was somewhat pale; in sleep, he seemed less aggressive than when awake, his black hair softer, his straight and delicate nose, thin lips — perpetually slightly pursed even in sleep — portraying a cold, restrained, and distant demeanor, every detail about him strikingly handsome.

She sat at the head of his bed, scrutinizing her prey bit by bit, her focus intensifying, and her affection growing as she looked on.

Suddenly, she sensed an unusual presence.

Huh.

It seemed he really had been left with the curse of the bloodline.

She thought exuberantly, this was even better.

She wasn't fond of taking the initiative.

Once he became completely infected, the tables would likely turn regarding who was pleading.

She could offer him her blood to feed on, but naturally, it would come at a price.

She found herself growing increasingly fond of this man, finding him more and more to her liking.

Qin Si awakened in the middle of the night, feeling an indescribable strangeness, as a mix of rain and snow pattered against the window panes.

The fire in the living room had gone out; recalling the young girl, he opened the door to check the living room.

The girl huddled in a corner of the room, sitting atop a pile of hay. Layers of her gossamer skirt spread out around her, and he caught a faint whiff of a metallic scent, reminiscent of blood.

"I was hurt by them," the young girl murmured, her voice tinged with vulnerability, awakening without him noticing when.

Naturally, he knew how to tend to wounds.

The girl lifted her skirt, revealing a glimpse of her delicate, porcelain-like ankle and slender, flawless leg. Aside from the injury, her skin was unblemished.

He spared it only a glance before abruptly tossing the bandages and antiseptic aside, instructing, "Do it yourself."

Lu Nian replied, her voice tinged with distress, "I don't know how to."

She attempted to rise, clumsily intending to follow him, but nearly stumbled and fell to the ground again.

Qin Si remained silent, his expression unreadable.

Her ankle was seized roughly, yet the young man's elongated, warm hand showed no gentleness as he hastily attended to her wound.

Lu Nian took the opportunity to lean in closer, once again catching that refreshing scent emanating from him, which delighted her senses.

It smelled so good — cold yet clean. She wondered if he would taste the same.

His home accommodated only a single bed.

Beyond that was the living room, devoid of carpets or sofas, with the only viable sleeping spot being a mound of hay.

"Leave tomorrow," he suddenly commanded, "once the snow ceases."

Lu Nian replied obediently, a soft "Mhm" escaping her lips.

She curled into herself, her lips pale from the cold, accentuating her frail and pitiable appearance.

The young man hesitated momentarily before reigniting the hearth. The door remained closed as he retrieved a blanket and tossed it over her.

The next day, the blizzard intensified.

Forced to venture outside, Qin Si received news of a city-wide lockdown for the week.

Upon his return, he found the living room transformed — a fire burning brightly with fresh wood, and meals seemingly prepared, with aromatic soup wafting from the table.

The girl still lay on the hay, wrapped snugly in the blanket, deeply asleep.

She rubbed her eyes and greeted him brightly, "You're back?"

"You'll leave next week," he replied, more verbose than usual, explaining, "The entire city is on lockdown this week."

Lu Nian nodded obediently, her agreement embodied in a simple, "Mhm."

The gossamer dress she wore that day had indeed become sullied, now appearing dusty and grey. Her wounded ankle, the hem stained with a mixture of blood and mud, presented a dirty, pitiable sight.

"I wish to take a bath," Lu Nian articulated.

The girl seemed utterly naive about the ways of the world. After her bath, she had initially intended to step out bare, yet ultimately donned one of his old, oversized garments that hung loosely on her. Her damp hair cascaded to her knees, exposing a glimpse of her porcelain shoulder.

The heat emanating from him seemed unusually heightened.

Could the infection be commencing? He wondered.

"I don't reside here because my family intends to marry me off in exchange for several hundred silver coins," Lu Nian confessed, her nose crinkled in disdain. "I couldn't bear the thought of being sold to that man, so I fled."

He recognized the surname, one associated with a prominent noble family.

Lu Nian nodded, affirming, "I don't favor him."

Had the young mistress fled from a pending nuptial?

It suddenly made sense.

"The snow has ceased, I'll arrange for someone to escort you home," the young man declared, rising to his feet. His handsome features appeared even colder, harboring an enhanced sense of detachment than before.

Lu Nian remained silent, her expression a canvas of bewilderment.

According to the narratives she'd read, shouldn't a backstory like hers evoke a man's compassion and affection?

Where had she erred? Hadn't she concocted her story precisely as described in those books?

Was this the consequence of dozing off during her witch theory exams, failing to absorb the requisite knowledge?

That night, unable to resist, Lu Nian cast a spell and stealthily infiltrated his bedroom.

She simply couldn't contain herself any longer.

A little advance indulgence wouldn't hurt, she presumed.

With her heart hammering in her chest, Lu Nian tenderly approached, pressing her lips to his. Before she could even savor the moment, he stirred suddenly, flipping over with fluid grace to pin her beneath him.