Chapter 27 (2/2)
When Liu Qianxiu returned home, it was already eleven.
Only the table lamp in the living room was still on. Beneath that single pool of light, a woman was curled over the low table.
Her slim body had folded into a small circle, and yet somehow seemed to fill the entire room.
She was sleeping deeply, her face pillowed on her arms, turned toward the living room—almost as though she had been staring toward the door while waiting for him, only to finally succumb to sleep.
Her hair draped over her shoulders.
Her small face beneath it was vivid and beautiful even in sleep. Her eyes were closed, her lashes casting a faint shadow along the lower lids, her whole expression peaceful and still.
Even from where he stood, Liu Qianxiu felt as though he could hear her breathing, even and slow.
She had really been waiting for him all this time.
And now that he had returned, he walked over to her.
Sleeping on the low table was not comfortable.
Mu Wan had only dozed lightly after waiting too long for him. She had not fallen fully asleep. From that shallow sleep, she sensed someone approaching. Her mind gradually cleared, and she opened her eyes.
The man stood by the table, looking down at her.
Mu Wan lifted her eyes and met the dark, limpid gaze fixed on her.
“You’re back.”
Her voice came out slightly hoarse. She closed her eyes briefly, rubbing her cheek against her arm once before lifting her head.
“Why didn’t you go back to the room?” Liu Qianxiu asked.
As he spoke, she rubbed her neck. Her pale fingers pressed into her dark hair. Her head tipped back slightly, exposing the elegant line of her throat in the shadow of the lamplight.
“I said I’d wait for you.”
Mu Wan shrugged lightly. Her shoulders were thin and straight, the hollow at her throat clear, her eyes still black and bright.
She smiled, planting a hand on the table as she pushed herself upright.
“Now that you’re back, I’ll go to the guest roo—”
Before she finished, she braced a hand against the table and tried to stand.
But her legs had gone numb. The pins-and-needles sensation shot up from the soles of her feet and through the whole lower half of her body.
Mu Wan stumbled.
The instant her body tilted toward the low table, she reached out for the man in front of her.
Before her hand could find him, he had already caught her.
His hand landed on her waist.
Mu Wan stiffened all over.
His palm was large, dry, and cool. Through the thin fabric of her clothes, the sensation pressed straight into her skin. It felt cool, but it made her hot.
Her jaw trembled faintly.
Looking up at him, she said, “My leg’s asleep…”
She did not even finish the sentence.
Her body wavered again.
Mu Wan’s heart skipped. She gave a small cry of surprise as her body lifted clear off the ground.
Liu Qianxiu had bent and picked her up in his arms.
To keep from falling, Mu Wan threw both arms around his neck, her eyes widening.
“Liu Qianxiu.”
The living room was so quiet that all she could hear was her own heartbeat. She was very close to him. He looked down at her, listening to her say his name.
“Mm.”
Liu Qianxiu answered softly and carried her into the guest room.
He had brought her here once before, so he knew the way easily.
After laying her on the bed, he turned on the night lamp.
Under the light, the two of them looked at one another.
It seemed as if each of them had something to say.
And yet it also seemed as if neither of them did.
Mu Wan lay under the blanket, her body slowly relaxing.
She looked into Liu Qianxiu’s eyes.
Her thoughts were starting to drift.
“Liu Qianxiu, why did you agree to let me go to the Taoist temple with you?”
Liu Qianxiu looked at her.
Her voice was growing softer, and her eyes were slowly closing.
“I wanted to confirm whether the environment would affect my state of mind.”
“Will the environment affect it?”
Mu Wan’s small face turned to the side against the pillow. Her eyes had already closed.
Liu Qianxiu’s throat moved lightly.
Listening to the woman’s breathing gradually even out, he answered in a low voice,
“No. Only people do.”
Thanks for the chapter and stay safe!
ReplyDeletewhat a good call back
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