In the quiet study, curling incense smoke mixed with the scent of ink and books, possessing an inexplicably calming effect.
Yuan Shu, holding the guest token, came up the mountain and was led to the study.
She had originally been sitting in the guest seat, but Yuan Shu was never one to follow the rules, so she took a leisurely stroll over to the desk and wandered around.
Touching this, looking at that, she then lazily leaned back on the wooden lounge chair by the window.
The sunlight filtered in through the window, a bit dazzling.
Yuan Shu stretched her body, her back pressing tightly against the arched backrest of the lounge chair, fully displaying her exquisite and curvy figure.
Ji Qingyan walked to the door. His hand had just rested on the door panel, not yet having time to push, when he saw this scene through the unclosed crack of the door.
The warm sunlight from outside the window fell upon that lazy and beautiful figure. The contrast between her snow-white skin and crimson long dress was striking.
Like a piece of warm jade within a flame.
Seeming to feel uncomfortable lying like this, she took off her shoes and crossed her legs.
A pair of plump, pale, and small feet gave off a warm halo in the lingering sunlight.
Her feet were very petite, her toes round and full, and her toenails were painted with a polish as bright red as her dress.
It made those small feet look incredibly white and tender.
Ji Qingyan's gaze froze. The hand holding the door paused slightly, his Adam's apple bobbed uncontrollably, and his face instantly flushed hot.
He looked away, but only for a moment, before he was inexplicably drawn to turn his head back, his gaze falling through the crack onto those small feet.
Such tiny feet, merely half the length of his palm. His hand could completely envelop them, leaving no room!
No, what nonsense was he thinking?
How could he think of Yuan Shu like this?
Ji Qingyan snapped back to his senses, took a deep breath, and quickly averted his eyes.
Yet, when his gaze touched upon the prominent, snow-peak-like presence in the sunlight, his throat tightened.
Yuan Shu's figure was... very good!
Above her flat and slender abdomen was an overly exaggerated curve.
Because her back was pressed against the lounge chair, her body was stretched open, making those curves seem even more magnificent.
The thin crimson gauze dress draped over her snow-white undergarments. Illuminated by the sunlight, it revealed the hazy silhouette of her curves.
Ji Qingyan heard his own clear heartbeat.
Thump, thump, thump.
Further up were Yuan Shu's arms under her sleeves, as delicate and white as lotus roots, peeking out from the red clothing.
They looked very slender, yet the skin was full, not appearing frail at all.
At this moment, Yuan Shu was holding an alchemy recipe, holding it up against the sun, looking at who knows what.
The glow of the warm sun fell upon that beautiful and stunning little face, making her look even more like a fairy untouched by the mortal world.
Ji Qingyan stared blankly, unable to recover his senses for a long time, until she casually turned her head and met his gaze.
"Senior Brother Ji?"
Seeing him, Yuan Shu's eyes lit up. She quickly sat up from the lounge chair and slipped her pretty little feet back into her shoes.
Then, as if not noticing the flash of darkness in Ji Qingyan's eyes, she walked briskly toward the door.
Perhaps she was walking too fast; as she neared the door, Yuan Shu accidentally tripped over her skirt hem and fell forward uncontrollably.
Seeing that she was about to intimately meet the floor, Ji Qingyan took a step into the room and grabbed Yuan Shu's arms to support her.
Through the thin gauze, their skin touched.
Ji Qingyan could almost feel the excessively smooth texture of her skin beneath the sheer fabric.
"Be careful, miss."
His cheeks burned. He spoke with a hint of embarrassment, exerted some force to help Yuan Shu stand steady, and then let go.
"Ouch!"
With a low cry, Yuan Shu's expression changed slightly, and unable to stand firm, she fell toward the ground again.
Ji Qingyan's heart tightened. He quickly reached out again and scooped her into his arms.
Unlike the distant support from just now, at this moment, Yuan Shu was completely enveloped in his embrace.
The faint scent of pear blossoms drifted into his nose, fresh and elegant, reminding Ji Qingyan of the kiss in the bamboo forest that day.
That kiss had also tasted of pear blossoms!
"Miss Yuan, are... are you alright?"
"Hiss," came the sound of Yuan Shu drawing in a sharp breath by his ear.
Yuan Shu bent her knee slightly, keeping her right foot lifted and afraid to touch the ground. She looked up, speaking with a pitiful expression.
"Senior Brother Ji, I think I sprained my ankle. I don't dare to put any weight on it, it hurts so much!"
Saying this, Yuan Shu had no choice but to lean against him, entrusting all her body weight to Ji Qingyan.
Ji Qingyan steadily supported her arms.
Looking at the red and swollen little foot she was holding up, he frowned. He simply bent down, picked her up directly, and took large strides toward the inner room of the study.
The inner room of the study was a small partition, meant for his usual rest and cultivation.
There was a soft small couch, separated by a wide folding screen.
Yuan Shu was carefully placed onto the small couch by him.
Then, Ji Qingyan supported her injured foot with both hands. Looking closely, he frowned. "It is sprained. It's a bit red and swollen."
He touched it lightly, immediately drawing a low cry of pain from Yuan Shu.
"It hurts!"
"I have a medicinal liquid here for injuries. Shall I... rub it in for you?"
Ji Qingyan asked with some hesitation.
Although he was kindly offering help, for him, a grown man, to closely touch a woman's foot was already somewhat crossing the line.
"If... if you mind, then..."
"Can you?"
The words "forget it" had not yet left his mouth before Yuan Shu looked up and interrupted him.
Those bright, ink-black eyes held a glimmer of starlight, as if possessing a magic that could suck a person in.
Ji Qingyan swallowed hard and nodded. "I can!"
"Then thank you, Senior Brother Ji."
Yuan Shu's face showed a relieved expression, and she stretched her leg straight out in front of him.
Ji Qingyan quickly grasped it.
The slender calf was effortlessly held in his palm.
The delicate and smooth touch made him involuntarily move his thumb, gently caressing it twice.
Realizing what he was doing, Ji Qingyan quickly looked up, glancing at Yuan Shu in a slight panic.
Seeing that the latter was distracted by the pain in her ankle and had not noticed his subtle movement, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Ji Qingyan helped her take off her shoe and sock.
The pale, petite foot he had seen in the sunlight earlier was now held in his palm.
Just as he had thought, it was so small, probably only half the size of his hand!
Looking up close, those plump and pale toes seemed even prettier, slender and smooth, with a hint of fleshiness.
Ji Qingyan's Adam's apple couldn't help but bob again.
Fortunately, he looked away in time, focusing his attention on her red and swollen ankle.
After a careful inspection, Ji Qingyan retrieved the medicinal liquid, poured it into his palm, and began to gently massage the injured area for her.
The force he used was extremely light and gentle, caring for it carefully, afraid that the pain would make Yuan Shu uncomfortable.
At first, Yuan Shu would still suck in breaths of cold air from the pain.
Gradually, as the redness and swelling slowly subsided under the effect of the medicinal liquid, she was able to bear it better.
Ji Qingyan massaged very seriously. His eyes were slightly lowered, staring unblinkingly at that exquisite little foot.
His fingertips gradually grew hot from the friction.
Because they were so close, that faint scent of pear blossoms drifted over unreservedly again, lingering at the tip of his nose and tugging at his heartstrings.
Driven by some inexplicable impulse, the hand massaging her injured ankle shifted slightly to the side.
