Incurable Chapter 29 The Third Time (2)

The Third Time

Liu Qianxiu walked into the main hall.

Tall and straight, his shadow stretched across the doorway beneath the light.

Mu Wan tilted her face up toward him.

Only from this angle could she fit all of him into her eyes.

“That’s wine.”

Liu Qianxiu looked at the jar in her hand.

It was small, sealed with a red cloth stopper.

Its dark-brown surface was rough.

Mu Wan’s pale, slender fingers curved around it.

She had found the jar beneath the low table and picked it up out of boredom.

The cloth stopper was thick enough to trap the scent inside.

When she shook it lightly, liquid moved within.

There was still plenty left.

Mu Wan stretched out her legs.

She was sitting barefoot on a meditation cushion, her feet resting on the cotton-linen rug beneath it.

The rug was clean enough to sit on directly.

But the mountain floor turned cold at night, so the cushions were usually more comfortable.

Liu Qianxiu sat down.

Mu Wan pulled out the stopper.

A sweet fragrance immediately escaped.

She leaned closer and sniffed.

Then looked up at him.

“Bayberry wine.”

Xuanqingzi enjoyed drinking.

All the wine at the temple had been brewed by him personally.

He had been making it for years and had become exceptionally skilled.

His bayberry wine preserved the sweetness of the fruit while retaining the mellow strength of the alcohol.

Mu Wan placed the jar in front of herself.

Both arms rested on the low table, her chin on the backs of her hands.

She stared at the jar for a moment.

Then tilted her head.

“Can I drink a little?”

The air at the summit was cool after nightfall.

But Li Nan’s phone call had left frustration burning inside her.

A little wine followed by a good sleep might make her feel better.

The moment she asked, Liu Qianxiu looked over.

Mu Wan watched him.

Her pupils were dark.

A slight crease remained between her brows.

“This wine has a strong aftereffect.”

His expression remained calm.

As Mu Wan’s face immediately brightened, he added,

“Don’t drink too much.”

“Okay.”

Her eyes lit up.

She nodded obediently.

“Then I’ll drink here.”

Mu Wan went to the kitchen and returned with a small cup.

She sat cross-legged on the meditation cushion and poured herself some wine.

The bayberry wine was red.

It streamed into the cup with a crisp sound, carrying a clean, sweet fragrance.

Mu Wan lifted it.

Beyond the open temple doors, a crescent moon hung high in the sky.

Thin clouds drifted around it.

The moonlight was pale and cool.

The night sky pure black.

Clean.

Untouched.

“So beautiful.”

Mu Wan took a sip.

The wine was not harsh.

Its sweetness almost completely concealed the taste of alcohol.

Only when she swallowed did a faint warmth reveal itself.

Liu Qianxiu held a book in his hands.

He glanced toward the night sky.

The fragrance of bayberry wine drifted through the air.

When he looked back, Mu Wan was already pouring herself a second cup.

His lips pressed together faintly.

His gaze lowered.

The white porcelain cup touched Mu Wan’s red lips.

The contrast was vivid.

Almost bewitching.

Sensing his eyes on her, Mu Wan looked back.

Her lips left the rim.

The tip of her tongue lightly swept a trace of wine from the corner of her mouth.

Then she held the cup toward him.

“It’s good.”

She smiled.

“Want some?”

Her eyes shimmered.

The fingers holding the white porcelain cup were smooth and slender.

Liu Qianxiu’s gaze rested on the wine.

Transparent red liquid reflected the lamplight from the main hall.

Clear.

Without a trace of impurity.

He shook his head.

“No.”

Mu Wan withdrew the cup.

Then drank it herself.

Liu Qianxiu’s gaze remained on her face.

Mu Wan seemed to be playing with the wine.

Her cheeks puffed slightly as she held it in her mouth, letting the sweetness fill her tongue.

Only after savoring it did she swallow.

Heat gradually spread through her body.

Mu Wan looked toward the distant moon.

Then poured herself another cup.

“My mother liked looking at the night sky.”

She continued watching the moon.

Perhaps alcohol loosened memories.

The past gradually overlapped with the night before her.

Her words came without context.

Life in the Mu household had not been entirely unhappy.

The Mu family had always treated her coldly.

But while her mother was alive, Mu Wan had still lived freely enough.

Mu Qijun had not possessed much power.

But what little strength she had had been enough to protect her daughter.

In the blink of an eye, ten years had passed since her death.

For ten years, Mu Wan had lived without either parent.

Growing wildly like grass.

Something cold touched the corner of her eye.

Mu Wan emptied the cup again.

There was no one left to protect her now.

But there was someone beside her.

Her face was beginning to feel hot.

Mu Wan lowered herself over the table and turned her head toward Liu Qianxiu.

He was no longer reading.

He watched the flush slowly deepen across her cheeks.

Then he placed his book on the table.

“You should go rest.”

“No.”

Even Mu Wan’s breath was warm.

She raised one finger and waved it.

“I’ll stay with you.”

Liu Qianxiu did not pick his book up again.

He was watching her.

Mu Wan set down the white porcelain cup.

The base touched the table with a soft click.

She propped her cheek on one hand.

Then narrowed her glistening eyes at Liu Qianxiu.

“You can’t calm your mind anymore.”

“Mm.”

Liu Qianxiu looked at her.

He admitted it.

Mu Wan’s eyes shifted.

Her lashes trembled.

And suddenly, the thin paper covering her memory tore apart.

Everything from last night came rushing back.

Mu Wan placed both hands flat on the table.

Her gaze locked onto Liu Qianxiu.

Light flickered in her eyes.

“You said last night that the environment wouldn’t affect your state of mind.”

She pressed against the table and leaned toward him.

The corners of her eyes were flushed.

Her pupils were black.

Her voice low and husky.

“You said people would.”

The distance between them narrowed.

Liu Qianxiu lowered his gaze.

Mu Wan kept leaning closer.

Then she caught both of his arms.

The moment her hands closed around him, the delayed force of the alcohol finally hit.

Her head turned heavy.

Her balance disappeared.

Mu Wan fell directly into his chest.

The clean scent of sandalwood diluted the sweetness of the wine.

She rested against him and lifted her face.

Her lips trembled faintly.

“Liu Qianxiu.”

She stared at him.

“Who is that person?”

The woman in his arms had skin white as snow.

A soft body.

Black hair.

She looked like some newly formed spirit that had wandered before his seat to ask him about his Dao.

Innocent.

Curious.

Unaware of her own limits.

She clung to him.

Both arms circled his waist.

Her long fingers crossed behind him, drawing their bodies closer.

When he lowered his head, he could smell the wine on her.

When she lifted hers, she could smell the sandalwood on him.

“The third time.”

His voice was low.

Liu Qianxiu’s lips tightened.

He reached for the wine jar.

Clear bayberry wine streamed into the white porcelain cup.

He picked it up.

And drank it in one swallow.

His throat moved.

Something seemed to stir within those cool, silent eyes.

He set down the cup.

Then both hands closed around Mu Wan’s waist.

Liu Qianxiu lifted her until she was directly before him.

Now the scent of wine clung to his body too.

Stronger than before.

His dark eyes rested on the woman in his arms.

When he spoke, his voice was low.

Slightly hoarse.

Unhurried.

“Do you really think I have no feelings, no desire?”

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— End of Chapter 29 —

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