Shang Mian slept peacefully, his long eyelashes casting a shadow like raven’s wings. Ruan Ning thought he looked youthful, recalling his teenage years—famous in battle at fifteen, spending over a decade fighting. For someone who had faced countless battlefields, what was this minor wound?
Unconsciously, she touched his hair. He was twenty-eight now, yet looked barely twenty. Beautiful people truly were heaven’s favorites.
Seemingly sensing her touch, Shang Mian reached out and held her hand. Ruan Ning thought he had awakened, but he remained asleep. This intimacy surprised her, as she recalled a time when being grabbed by the neck would threaten her. Today, when she yelled at him in public, he said nothing.
This won’t do; she wanted him to die. His quick change would soften her resolve and hinder her ability to act.
Ruan Ning leaned against a tree, her thoughts chaotic as she drifted into a dream.
When she woke, dawn had not yet arrived, and the team had already set out. Shang Yan was holding her on horseback. As soon as he noticed she was awake, he asked, “Are you cold?”
“No,” she replied hoarsely, touching his back, “Are you still bleeding?”
“The method you mentioned worked. There’s no more bleeding, and it’s scabbed over,” Shang Yan said, rubbing his lips on her forehead. He then kissed her lips, his eyes bright with laughter, “No wonder you didn’t let me kiss, turns out you have bad breath.”
The playful atmosphere vanished. Ruan Ning said, “Who doesn’t have morning breath? I don’t mind you, and you’re complaining about me?”
“Brushing teeth?” Shang Yan pondered. “You mean rinsing? Another new word.”
Ruan Ning remained silent, letting it go.
“Let’s go,” Shang Yan said, rubbing her head. “I’ll show you how I fight. Believe me, it’ll be interesting.”
Author’s note: Have you noticed that Teddy Essence has been forced to abstain recently? Hehe, I have such a wicked taste.
He wouldn’t bite her anymore; if he couldn’t control himself in the future, he’d bite himself. How could he bear to hurt her? He took her hand and gently kissed it, trailing kisses to her soft lips.
Her small hand blocked him. Ruan Ning’s eyelashes fluttered coyly: “No, my breath is bad.”
