To be honest, while wandering around Song City with Cangshu Bai, Muran was still a little worried about running into people from Biyun Mountain. But then she thought, she had been practically invisible back at Biyun Mountain anyway. Now that two years had passed, even fewer people would remember her.
Even if someone from Biyun Mountain saw her, they'd probably treat her like a stranger.
Muran had also thought about telling Cangshu Bai about her former identity. But Cangshu Bai was just an ordinary doctor; those major cultivation sects were so distant from his world. She didn't want to scare him.
Back when they were still getting to know each other, Muran had cautiously asked, "Jinzhi, have you ever joined a cultivation sect? Have you practiced?"
Cangshu Bai had replied calmly at the time, "I joined a minor sect once, but I was kicked out because my spiritual roots were poor."
Muran, not knowing what came over her, followed up by saying, "Right, that happened to me too."
Back then, Cangshu Bai had taken her hand and said, "So, Ranran and I share the same misfortune."
Muran had smiled, "Then Jinzhi and I are truly fated!"
Thinking back on it now, Muran felt a pang of guilt.
Cangshu Bai was so good to her, always putting her first. She shouldn't be keeping things from him.
On the way back, the two walked in the glow of the setting sun. They were physically close, yet somehow felt strangely distant.
Unconsciously, Muran's steps grew slower and slower, creating more and more distance between them.
But as he reached out, took her hand, and firmly pulled her back to his side, that distance vanished.
Cangshu Bai looked at her distracted face. "What are you thinking about?"
Muran said softly, "Do you remember what we talked about before? You told me you were also kicked out of a minor sect because of poor spiritual roots, and I said the same thing happened to me."
Cangshu Bai gave a quiet "Mmm," his grip on her hand tightening slightly. "Why bring this up suddenly?"
Muran stared at their shadows on the ground, not daring to look up at him. "I just feel that you're so good, I shouldn't have..."
She couldn't voice the last few words.
Cangshu Bai asked quietly, "Shouldn't have what?"
Muran lifted her face. "I shouldn't let you accommodate me in everything. I should be better to you!"
Seeing the sincere light in her eyes, a trace of conflict flickered in Cangshu Bai's expression. He said, "It is I who should be better to you."
Muran hugged his arm. "Jinzhi, we should both be better to each other."
Cangshu Bai chuckled softly. "Mmm, you're right."
In the warm light of the sunset, the married couple's eyes met, each feeling a twinge of guilt toward the other. They silently averted their gazes slightly, unable to look directly at one another.
But their tightly clasped hands never let go.
That night, as usual, Cangshu Bai finished the household chores before entering their room.
Unexpectedly, Muran wasn't lying down yet. Dressed in a thin gauze robe, she sat upright on the bed facing the door, holding the book they had bought that day.
Seeing the person enter, she hugged the book, looking as if she wanted to speak but hesitated. She lowered her head, a faint blush quietly spreading across her cheeks. She clutched the hem of her skirt, seeming too shy to face him.
Cangshu Bai's throat tightened slightly. He walked over unhurriedly, his hand touching her shoulder. Through the thin layer of gauze, he could faintly sense the warmth of her skin.
He asked, "Aren't you cold?"
Muran, still looking down, shook her head.
Cangshu Bai cupped her chin and lifted it. The girl's lotus-like face, illuminated by candlelight, held his gaze captive for a moment. His thumb gently stroked her smooth, delicate skin, his eyes darkening slightly.
"We walked around the city for so long today. Are your feet sore?"
Muran nodded. "Sore."
"Let me massage them."
Cangshu Bai lifted her into his lap, then leaned down to take her foot. He first kneaded the sole, then moved up to her calf.
Muran felt a bit ticklish. Her shyness lessened, replaced by a touch of delight, and a soft laugh escaped her lips.
Cangshu Bai looked at her. "Do you want to read the story to me?"
Muran fidgeted, lacking the courage to say it, so he said it openly for her.
Muran leaned against his chest, the book covering most of her face, only her watery eyes visible. She softly breathed out one word: "Yes."
Cangshu Bai massaged her other foot. "Read then."
Muran opened to the first page.
"'No more, I can't take it.' Lady Zhang San lay over the desk, her breath like orchids, fragrant and sweet.
The demonic cultivator's hands were strong; Lady Zhang San had absolutely no chance to refuse or resist.
'Be good, you still have strength. See, you're holding me very tightly.'"
Muran suddenly let out a soft gasp.
It was because the young man's hand had been moving higher and higher, just like the demonic cultivator in the story.
But unlike the story, Muran made no attempt to resist.
Cangshu Bai's demeanor was cool and aloof, his conduct as proper as ever, yet his hand had already slipped beneath her skirt.
He spoke with his usual seriousness, "Keep reading."
Muran gave a soft "Oh," her ear tips reddening, and looked back at the book.
"The man's low chuckle, laced with sinister demonic energy, brushed past her ear. Lady Zhang San wanted to flee, but he held her firmly in his embrace, leaving her unable to move an inch.
She was originally a proper young woman from the mortal world, but by mistake had wandered into this demonic abyss, becoming a plaything captured by a demonic cultivator.
'Let me go... you evil, unorthodox fiend, condemned by heaven and earth!'
The woman cried out hoarsely, only to be met with deeper mockery.
The demonic cultivator's fingertips brushed the stray hairs at her temple, his tone flippant yet carrying an intimidating pressure. 'Heaven and earth? In this demonic abyss, I am heaven and earth. Since you have stumbled into my sight, in this life, in this world, don't think of escaping even half a step.'"
Muran also felt the young man's embrace growing tighter and tighter. Now it was she who couldn't move an inch.
Her fingers trembled, the book falling onto the bed, only to be picked up by his hand.
He kissed her earlobe. "Ranran has no strength left. Let your husband take over the reading, alright?"
Muran tried hard to control her ragged breathing and slowly nodded. "Alright."
"'Tears and fear brimmed in Lady Zhang San's eyes, yet her limbs disobeyed her, leaving her at his mercy in his arms.
The demonic cultivator's thumb stroked the corner of her teary eye, his voice low and somewhat mesmerizing. 'What are you afraid of? I'm not going to eat you.'
She wept, 'You are already eating me.'"
Cangshu Bai kissed his wife's cheek in his arms. "Ranran, do you want me to eat you?"
Muran had long lost all resistance, having melted into a soft, pliant heap in his embrace. She instinctively tried to kick away his hand, but he only held her tighter.
All she could say was, "Yes."
Finally, the book fell to the floor.
Their silhouettes toppled over, then seemed to merge into one, indistinguishable from each other.
The bed curtains fell, veiling the spring scene within the room.
