The next morning, the soft, golden light of dawn filtered gently through the grand, floor-to-ceiling balcony windows of the master bedroom, casting a warm glow across the elegant silk sheets.
Zhu Ziyan groggily opened her eyes, a heavy, uncharacteristic drowsiness weighing down her eyelids.
For a few bewildered moments, she stared blankly at the intricately carved canopy above, completely disoriented.
She found herself in an unfamiliar room, surrounded by the faint, masculine scent of premium cedarwood and raw spiritual energy, and she couldn't help but wonder with a small spike of panic if she had accidentally slept in.
She instinctively turned her head to the side, her feline ears twitching as she fully expected to see her chaotic friend, Huo Yue, looming over her with a mischievous grin, holding a bucket of freezing mountain water or preparing some other ridiculous prank to violently startle her awake.
