But now it was different; his reason was still intact.
She was his wife.
And she was carrying his child.
He wished he could be infinitely gentle, protecting every part of her.
Thus, restraining himself, his movements were so awkward he seemed almost at a loss, yet incredibly devout. With slightly trembling fingertips, he gripped her waist, pulling her tighter into his embrace.
Their breaths intertwined, the temperature rising. The young man whose ear tips had just been red now had eyes dyed with a scalding moisture.
When the kiss ended, he still rested his forehead against hers, panting slightly, the deep light in his eyes entirely filled with her.
Mu Ran realized that she had indeed become bad.
Facing a young man who was like a blank sheet of paper in matters of love, she surprisingly felt no guilt.
Her breath was still entangled with his. With a slight movement, she could brush past the corner of his lips again. She began to laugh.
"Jinzhi, do you want more?"
He did not answer.
Mu Ran leaned in teasingly, lightly touching his lips. "Jinzhi, do you want more or not?"
His body was unbelievably tense, and finally, under her repeated coaxing, he completely surrendered.
"... Yes."
"Then call my name."
"Mu Ran."
She shook her head, brushing past his lips a few more times. "That's not how you call me."
He gently pursed his lips, his breath exhaling softly. "Ranran."
Mu Ran's eyes lit up. Finally satisfied, she raised her head and leaned in again, firmly kissing his slightly parted lips once more. Neither encountered any resistance; their warmth ground against each other, tangling with heated breaths.
In this cave where the sound of water echoed continuously, a damp heat permeated the air.
Han Yu stayed at the cave entrance playing with water droplets. Smelling the wave of passion spreading out, it clicked its tongue in dissatisfaction.
Its master was so sinister and cunning, yet he could actually find a wife to have children with.
It was so elegant, dashing, and beautiful, so why didn't any little female fish take a fancy to it?
Only faint points of light remained inside the cave, merging their shadows into one.
Messy clothes were scattered on the ground, temporarily serving as a soft cushion. The thin, light fabrics tangled together, like inseparable threads of love.
She slept peacefully, loosely covered only by his green robe. The loose garment wrapped around her slender figure, still carrying his crisp yet warm scent.
Shu Qingyi gently embraced her from behind, his chest pressed tightly against her back, feeling the soft warmth and steady breathing of the person in his arms.
At the thought that once they left this secret realm, she might dissipate like a phantom, his chest tightened in waves, and even his fingertips trembled.
He didn't dare to use force, only carefully gathering his arms. His palm rested against her slightly bulging abdomen as he slowly curled his body, enclosing her tighter in his embrace, as if doing so could lock her by his side, lock her in this undisturbed secret realm.
The moon set and the sun rose; morning and evening alternated.
He only wanted to stay here, spending year after year with her, never leaving, never parting.
However, Mu Ran was dead set on helping him find what he had initially wanted to find.
Just as the sky was getting light and a faint daylight filtered in from outside the waterfall, she regained her energy and quietly got up.
Shu Qingyi silently got up as well, unable to hide the low spirits in his eyes. Yet he wordlessly picked up the clothes he had taken off her last night, and with downcast eyes, clumsily tried to dress her.
At this moment, his own clothes were messy. His fingertips trembled slightly as he pinched the soft fabric, making several attempts on her but frequently making mistakes.
Mu Ran said, "Jinzhi, how about I do it myself?"
He shook his head exceptionally stubbornly. "I can do it."
The ties got tangled, the lapels were misaligned, and the cuffs were turned inside out. The more anxious he was, the more flustered he became. His ear tips reddened uncontrollably, and even his breathing became extremely light.
He didn't dare to look into her eyes, only keeping his head down and focusing on adjusting the clothes. His movements were cautious, carrying an almost fawning gentleness.
It was as if as long as he could touch her inch by inch like this, doing these trivial things for her, he could keep her for a moment longer.
Mu Ran simply let him fuss over her.
She suddenly remembered the time when they were newly married. She often lingered in bed, not wanting to get up, and he was just like this—with clumsy hands, slowly trying to put on her beautiful women's clothes, which were exceptionally complicated to him.
Shu Qingyi finally tied the last ribbon for her. His fingertips lingered at her waist, tightening slightly for a moment, as if greedy for this brief touch.
He looked up at her, his voice as light as the wind. "Done."
Mu Ran smiled. "Mm, thank you, Jinzhi."
He couldn't help but raise the corners of his lips as well. Catching sight of the marks on her neck, his ears grew hot again, and he hastily adjusted her collar, covering the reckless marks he had left behind.
Then, his hand gently covered her lower abdomen. "Is he okay?"
Mu Ran smiled brightly. "He is very well."
She leaned into his embrace again, looking up at him. "Don't worry, I know my limits."
Thinking of her limits, he felt his face grow hot again. He uncomfortably turned his face away, avoiding her gaze.
But Mu Ran was particularly mischievous. Finding his shy appearance very attractive, she wanted to chase after his gaze to see his expression, but he had already cast a cleaning spell on her and then effortlessly picked her up in his arms.
She instinctively reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck, still looking up at him, but she had to give up on teasing him.
Shu Qingyi lowered his eyes and whispered, "You need to replenish your energy."
"I don't feel tired."
He kissed the corner of her lips. "No, you are tired."
Mu Ran wanted to insist that she wasn't tired, but seeing the young man's serious eyes and realizing that he was probably eager to prove himself, her mood suddenly brightened. She went along with his words and smiled, "Mm, I am a bit tired."
Han Yu had played at the cave entrance all night. Seeing its master walk out carrying the mistress, it clicked its tongue in disdain again.
The forest was gloomy and cold, but at the highest peak, a ray of sunlight could be felt.
Mu Ran sat on the edge of the cliff, her feet dangling and swinging gently. The mountain breeze brushed past the tips of her hair, carrying the fresh scent of vegetation from the secret realm. It wasn't cold; instead, it was comfortably relaxing.
Her gaze pierced through layers of mist, landing on the fierce battle taking place at the bottom of the valley.
Flashes of swords and shadows of blades, blood splattering—everyone was going mad for fortuitous encounters.
Her gaze casually shifted and landed on the woman in red who was killing the most fiercely and dazzlingly, pausing for a moment.
A cleanly peeled spirit fruit was suddenly brought to her lips. The flesh was lustrous, carrying a sweet and fresh fragrance.
Mu Ran instinctively opened her mouth and took a bite. It was crisp and sweet, a hundred times sweeter than the wild fruits he had picked to fill her stomach last time.
She raised her eyes, her gaze instantly brightening as if scattered with starlight.
Shu Qingyi was sitting right beside her. Seeing her like this, the coldness in his eyes seemed to melt away instantly, revealing tenderness.
He gently offered the rest of the spirit fruit to her lips again, waiting patiently. Seeing her eating with small, satisfied bites, a low chuckle softly escaped his throat.
Mu Ran said indistinctly, "Jinzhi, let's follow them."
Shu Qingyi asked, "Why?"
"By following them, you'll be able to find the opportunity you're looking for."
The smile in Shu Qingyi's eyes slightly faded.
Mu Ran didn't notice the change in his expression. She was full, so she shook her head. "I can't eat anymore."
Shu Qingyi lowered his eyes and ate the rest of the fruit she had left over cleanly.
"Opportunities are determined by heaven, they cannot be forced."
Hearing this, Mu Ran looked at him with a magical gaze, almost doubting if she was hallucinating.
Getting to where he was today, which step hadn't been forced?
Mu Ran held his hand. "Jinzhi, you've worked so hard to get to this point, you can't give up now. Finding the Poluo Flower will help you break through your realm, and then no one in the world will be able to bully you as they please."
He looked at her quietly, not saying a word.
Mu Ran didn't know what was wrong with him. She thought she understood him; he wasn't the type to give up on his goals halfway. Once he set a goal, he would achieve it by any means necessary.
Worry surfaced in her eyes. She turned to face him, propped herself up, stroked his cheek, and asked softly, "Jinzhi, what's wrong? We're about to achieve your heart's desire, aren't you happy?"
She was worried about him.
The youth's eyes were obscure, and when he lowered his brows, he hid the dark currents in his eyes.
He kissed the corner of her lips and murmured softly, "Alright, let's go achieve my heart's desire together."
Mu Ran smiled brightly.
The youth gazed at her smiling face and slowly curled his lips, as if pulling out a trace of a smile, sharing in her joy.
However, this smile didn't reach his eyes, and was soon swallowed by his hidden paranoia.
