The night air was crisp, carrying with it the faint fragrance of plum blossoms. The Li family estate, usually bustling with activity, had fallen into a serene silence. Yet, within this silence, Li Tian sat in his courtyard, sipping wine as the moonlight spilled across his features. His thoughts wandered between cultivation, the system's strange interventions, and the increasingly entangled relationships around him.
He leaned back, resting one hand behind his head, while his other swirled the wine in his cup. His lips curled into a faint smirk. "Life really is different this time… not bound by endless struggle, but full of pleasures waiting to be claimed."
Just as he closed his eyes to bask in the night's tranquility, he sensed a soft presence approaching. Familiar. Gentle. And hesitant.
He didn't need to turn his head to know who it was. "Sneaking into my courtyard again, Xue'er?" His voice carried a teasing warmth.
From behind a row of blossoming shrubs, Li Xue stepped into view, her delicate frame cloaked in a thin robe. The moonlight highlighted her fair skin, and her nervous expression made her seem even more endearing. She held a small tray in her hands, with a teapot and two cups balanced atop it.
"I thought… you might like some tea before resting," she whispered, lowering her gaze as a pink hue colored her cheeks.
Li Tian chuckled softly, setting his wine aside. "Tea at this hour? Or is it an excuse to spend time with me?"
Her lips parted, but she couldn't form words. Instead, she lowered the tray onto the table and sat beside him. Her heartbeat raced so loud she feared he might hear it. For days now, ever since that night she had confessed her feelings, she couldn't stop thinking about him. Her dreams were filled with his voice, his smile, his touch.
Li Tian poured the tea, the rising steam filling the air between them. He handed her a cup, watching her with a knowing gaze. "Tell me, Xue'er, what is it you truly want tonight?"
Her fingers trembled as she took the cup, but she didn't drink. Instead, she bit her lip and raised her eyes to his. "I… I don't just want to be your sister, Tian-ge. I don't care about the world or what others might say. I only want to be by your side." Her voice quivered, but her eyes were resolute.
The honesty in her words stirred something within him. He leaned closer, brushing a stray lock of hair from her cheek. "I already told you, didn't I? Your feelings aren't one-sided."
Her heart leapt, and before she realized it, tears welled up in her eyes. Not of sadness, but relief and overwhelming joy.
Li Tian's thumb gently wiped away the moisture at the corner of her eye. "Don't cry, silly girl. If you want me, then stay by my side. But understand this—my path isn't ordinary. It will be filled with power, conflict, and many women. Can you accept that?"
Li Xue's lips trembled as she nodded quickly. "As long as I'm by your side, nothing else matters. Even if I have to share you, I won't let go."
His gaze softened. He leaned closer, their breaths mingling beneath the moonlight, until his lips finally brushed against hers. At first, it was a tender kiss, hesitant and gentle. But as her arms wrapped around his neck and she melted into him, the kiss deepened, filled with all the affection and longing they had suppressed.
Her teacup slipped from her grasp, forgotten as it clattered onto the table. The only thing that mattered now was him—the warmth of his embrace, the certainty in his voice, and the bond they were finally allowing themselves to embrace.
For Li Tian, it wasn't just about desire. It was about claiming what was his, about indulging in the life he had promised himself after reincarnation. And Li Xue, despite being his sister, had chosen this path willingly, her love for him unshaken.
The night grew late, and the tea went cold, but neither of them cared. They spoke in whispers, sharing secrets, dreams, and desires. Their laughter occasionally echoed in the courtyard, carried away by the night breeze.
And somewhere in the shadows, a pair of eyes watched silently, their gaze flickering with a mixture of shock, envy, and something darker…