"Can we… go back to the room now?"
Qian Renxue murmured, face burning as she lightly tapped his chest—without force.
"Mm…"
Dai Chengfeng stopped teasing, sweeping her into his arms and striding out of the spring.
The night breeze made her shiver. Instinctively, she burrowed deeper into his chest.
He kissed her forehead, walking swiftly toward the main chamber.
Qian Renxue held her breath the entire way.
Water droplets trailed from her golden hair, leaving glistening marks on the stone path—and on Dai Chengfeng's chest, tracing paths down his skin.
She hid her face in his neck, too shy to look up.
Pushing open the door, warm candlelight enveloped them.
The room was a masterpiece of intimacy.
A vast bed draped in snow-white silk, sheer gauze curtains hanging from four corners. Tiny crystal beads adorned the canopy, swaying gently to cast starry reflections.
A gilded incense burner by the headboard filled the air with sandalwood and floral sweetness.
But what made Qian Renxue flush crimson was the bottle of warmed petal wine beside the bed—with two white jade cups.
Dai Chengfeng laid her gently on the bed but didn't pounce. Instead, he stood at the edge, surveying the scene with a smirk.
"Seems the owner of Linghua Pavilion knows how to run a business."
Qian Renxue curled into the downy comforter, revealing only half her face—flushed scarlet, even her earlobes dyed pink.
Her heart hammered; fingers clenched the sheets beneath the covers.
Even prepared, nerves still clawed at her.
"Dai Chengfeng, we… we should leave. Grandfather might—"
"He's waiting for us…"
Before she finished, Dai Chengfeng loomed over her.
Fast. Unyielding.
One hand braced beside her ear; the other captured her chin.
Cool fingers against her feverish skin made her tremble.
"Regretting it now?"
"Too late."
His grip tightened just enough to hold her gaze.
Qian Renxue's pulse raced—but his lips crashed down before she could speak.
This kiss was fiercer than the spring's—possessive, undeniable…
---
Two hours later…
Dai Chengfeng lounged against the headboard, refreshed. He lazily pulled her into his lap, cradling her against his arm.
Kissing her damp forehead, he chuckled: "Finally…"
"Avenged my brother properly."
Qian Renxue blinked awake—then froze.
Brother?
Memory struck: their first meeting.
As Heavenly Dou's "Crown Prince" Xue Qinghe, she'd led troops against Xing Luo's border towns.
Dai Chengfeng, then Xing Luo's young general, had crushed her forces.
Their first true clash—her defeat.
Understanding dawned. She bit his arm—hard, but not enough to break skin.
"No talking nonsense!"
Dai Chengfeng laughed, pinching her cheek. "Still won't admit it? You were so arrogant back then. Today… I've collected interest and principal."
"You're still holding a grudge?" she huffed.
"Of course." He nipped her lip. "Unforgettable."
She opened her mouth to retort—when his expression shifted.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
A wicked glint flashed in his eyes. Leaning close, voice rough:
"Once wasn't enough… I need to avenge myself properly."
Qian Renxue jolted awake, scrambling toward the bed's edge.
"Dai Chengfeng, you—!"
Her ankle was snatched mid-escape. He yanked her back effortlessly.
"Running?"
He pinned her beneath him, eyes dark. "Angel Princess… the vengeance isn't complete."
---
Another hour passed.
Qian Renxue lay utterly spent—a thoroughly ruffled kitten in his arms, voice trembling:
"You're… a monster…"
Dai Chengfeng kissed her nape, soothingly stroking her sweat-damp back.
"Alright, no more."
His voice softened. "Sleep."
She hummed, nestling into his chest as her breathing steadied.
Watching her sleep, Dai Chengfeng's eyes glowed with tenderness.
He extinguished the candles.
In darkness, only the canopy's crystals shimmered—like scattered stars.
---
Dawn.
Sunlight streamed through the crystal roof, gilding the rumpled sheets.
Qian Renxue woke first.
Moving made her gasp—every muscle ached.
She turned to the man beside her.
Dai Chengfeng slept restlessly—one arm possessively around her waist, the other draped over her thigh.
Morning light carved his sharp features, lashes casting soft shadows. For once, he looked peaceful.
Qian Renxue stared, emotions swirling—shyness, sweetness, lingering fear… and quiet certainty.
Her fingertip brushed his brow.
His lashes fluttered open.
Their eyes met.
His lips curved slowly.
He kissed her—soft, lingering.
"Morning."
Voice rough with sleep.
Qian Renxue's cheeks flamed. She ducked her head. "…Morning."
Dai Chengfeng pulled her closer, chin atop her hair. "Sleep more."
"Mm…"
She closed her eyes, burying her face in his chest.
Sunlight warmed the room; gauze curtains swayed.
"We should get up…"
After an age, Qian Renxue murmured.
"Mmm~"
Dai Chengfeng agreed—but didn't move. Instead, he tugged her onto his lap.
"What are you doing?"
Qian Renxue stiffened, eyes wide.
"What do you think I'm doing?" Dai Chengfeng grinned, mischief dancing in his eyes.
"How would I—Wait?!"
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