It was still that bone-chilling ice cellar, cold enough to make hearts tremble, and still the same “Jade Bed,” where the two figures cuddled together so enviably. The ambiguous atmosphere flowed between them, as if even the millennia-old ice would melt… Happiness was evident on his face; in the past, holding her like this was a luxury. Following her, watching her every move and word, finally brought a bit of warmth to his heart. Xiaotu opened her eyes, her golden pupils meeting his tender gaze with surprise. “Rabbit, are you awake? Are you feeling unwell?” A flash of panic and an urgent inquiry followed. “How did I end up here?” Her voice was hoarse, her face pale, her golden eyes filled with confusion, meeting his stern face with a hint of joy she herself didn’t notice. “Have you forgotten?” Catching that hint of joy in her eyes, his heart finally settled; there was no disgust, no disdain. Memories flooded back, of the seductive man, the unbearable desire, it was Wang Xie who saved her, sleeping together on the Jade Bed, enduring the bone-chilling cold, remembering the continuous warmth entering her body during sleep, countering the cold poison. “He is Liu Qing.” That seductive woman was Liu Qing in disguise. Clenching her fists, suppressing her anger, it was he who sold Shui Shui into a brothel, now harming her like this. “Desire to Death”… a charm drug, the most potent from the demon realm, produced by the fox clan. She was grateful, grateful that Wang Xie saved her, grateful that he didn’t use that method to cure her poison, even more grateful for him enduring the extreme cold with her on the ice bed. “Thank you.” A heartfelt smile, a thousand words condensed into one “Thank you,” that sweet smile, just as it was half a year ago, making his heart drunk. He smiled too, this smile filled with the joy of overcoming hardship. That night’s indulgence was just a dream, a shattered dream, where she left him… The endurance of this night was also a dream, a fulfilled dream, where she began to approach him… “Rabbit, can you forgive me?” Deep guilt. “I’ve already forgiven you.” If she hadn’t forgiven him, how could she let him follow her all this way? She had known for a long time. “Really forgive me? Don’t drive me away again.” Trembling slightly, not daring to believe, confirming once more. “Really, I forgive you.” There was no debt between them, wasn’t it? Half a year ago, they were already even. Now, let her repay his love, this seemingly arrogant yet fragile man. Though it was early morning, the streets were already bustling. The pair with extraordinary grace attracted everyone’s attention, the stunning girl in a pale yellow dress, stopping at various snack stalls like a sprite fallen to earth. The man’s face showed doting smiles, handsome and not lacking in dominance, enough to captivate many young women, but his cold aura kept people at bay. “Wang Xie, try this, it’s delicious.” She ate candied hawthorns eagerly, the red sugar coating all over her mouth, the sweet and sour taste of the hawthorn mixed with the sugar, a wonderful experience. “Okay.” He affectionately wiped away the residue from her mouth, biting into a sweet hawthorn, though he didn’t like sweets, it was fed by her, even if it were poison, he would eat it. “Hehe, isn’t it good? Look, there’s red bean cake over there, let’s go see.” Smelling the scent of pastries, she hurriedly pulled Wang Xie towards the stall, as if the red bean cake would fly away if they were late. “Auntie, four pieces of red bean cake, please.” She drooled, staring at the steaming red bean cakes in the steamer. “Alright, this young lady, as you’re my first customer today, I’ll give you an extra piece.” The old woman’s wrinkled face beamed with joy, deftly wrapping the pastries in paper. “Here, take it, this red bean cake has a special meaning, red beans are also known as love beans, try it, does it taste of longing?” Saying so, she got busy making more red bean cakes, the sticky dough forming into round cakes in her hands, soon placed in the steamer, emitting a cloud of steam. “Wang Xie, try it, does it taste of longing? Hehe.” She said, playfully sticking out her tongue. He had already tasted longing, now, this sticky, sweet red bean cake was just as sweet, just as delicious, sweet but not cloying. He bit into the cake, smiled contentedly, his eyes exaggeratedly wide, then squinted in satisfaction. “Wow, so delicious, hehe, it’s all mine.” She hid the pastries in her embrace like a child, making Wang Xie laugh and cry. Just like that, simply eating a few pieces of pastry, tasting her favorite snacks, swept away all the unhappiness, her sweet face filled with satisfaction. She tugged at his sleeve like a spoiled child. “Hehe, Wang Xie, there’s a pastry shop over there, it’s good, can we go?” Her eyes looked up at the god-like handsome man with anticipation. “Okay.” Still that word, probably more times this morning than he had said in tens of thousands of years before. “Yeah.” She smiled again, content like a child who had just gotten what they wanted. This was a renowned dim sum house called “Ting Shui Lou Tai.” Early in the morning, many distinguished families would come here for breakfast. While the dim sum was undeniably delicious, the elegant decor was equally beloved. Streams flowed artificially through the restaurant, with beautiful pebbles at the bottom and small fish frolicking in the water. Though not entirely natural, it was still pleasing to the eye. On the walls hung works of art by famous artists, each piece priceless, representing an entire year’s income for an average family. However, Ai Xiaotu didn’t care about these “messy” paintings or the flowing streams; her interest lay solely in the dim sum.
Upon entering the shop, the striking appearance of the two of them instantly captured everyone’s attention, whether out of admiration or envy. The young ladies from wealthy families, who had been eagerly waiting, were now at a loss upon seeing such an outstanding man. They adjusted their posture, their eyes filled with shy glances, delicately eating the dim sum with their cherry lips. There were also young masters from affluent families in the shop, keen to make an impression on such a beauty, but they hesitated at the sight of the man beside her, whose aura was as formidable as that of Asura. The beauty was already taken, and the man was clearly not one to be trifled with, his presence exuding a chilling, lethal air.
They ordered a full table of dim sum, Xiaotu’s eyes gleaming at the sight of the sweet-smelling treats. “Night, this dim sum is really good,” she said in a soft voice, like a gentle breeze in March brushing against one’s face. Xiaotu, who was eating, paused. The name “Night” felt so familiar; she wondered how he was doing. “No need, I like Plum Blossom Cake,” came the reply, the voice as pleasant and soft as hers. That familiar voice, Plum Blossom Cake… Night… she couldn’t help but turn her head. There he was, in white robes as pure as snow, with silver hair cascading like a waterfall, and on his forehead, the mark of the “Blood Lotus,” his demeanor both enchanting and otherworldly. It was none other than her “Night Brother.”
Beside him sat a refined and beautiful woman, looking blissful, her skin even fairer against her orange robe, her eyes full of shy sweetness, leaning close to him. “Try some,” she insisted, not willing to give up, and fed him a piece of dim sum with her own hands. He smiled indulgently, his thin lips parting to accept the sweet morsel. The scene was harmonious, reminiscent of times long past, but now with different people and settings. The dim sum should have been Plum Blossom Cake.
Tea spilled, forming a puddle on the pale yellow dress, spreading and dissolving…
“Night Brother,” she couldn’t help but call out to him with the familiar name.
