Instead of the humiliation and scolding he expected, Ning Ning's hand clumsily explored the bed, from his shoulder down to finally grasp Pei Ji's hand in hers. A sensation he had never experienced before slowly flowed into his body. She was touching him. The gentle and clear spiritual power brushed away the surging dark energy within him without a sound. Pei Ji felt her warmth and for a moment forgot to tremble. As the pain subsided slightly, he heard Ning Ning softly say, "Come out, okay?" It was an irresistible tone. The beige blanket moved slightly, and the boy bit his lower lip, lowering his head to uncover the tightly curled body, exposing it to the open. Pei Ji dared not look at her, but Ning Ning approached bit by bit. Through layers of frightening black mist, Ning Ning embraced him. "I'm sorry." Pei Ji trembled all over, his voice also shaking uncontrollably, "I am..." He was a descendant of the demon race. His current appearance must be hideous, with bloodshot eyes, surrounded by dark energy, veins bulging, terrifying. In the past, in the cellar, outbreaks of dark energy would occur sporadically. Every time that happened, his mother would fly into a rage, coldly watching his unbearable suffering, while spewing out merciless sarcasm and curses.
The demon race, the offspring of sin, monsters, and more unspeakable terms. It was rare for someone to smile at him and embrace him carefully. He didn't want Ning Ning to feel disgusted touching him like his mother did. The force embracing him gradually intensified. The candle flickered, and he heard his own labored breaths and sobs, along with Ning Ning's sigh, "Why apologize? 'I'm sorry' isn't used like this." "It's just dark energy, nothing serious." Her palm stroked Pei Ji's back repeatedly until his trembling grew lighter. "Just like sword energy, Tao energy, and all sorts of other energies, dark energy itself is neither good nor bad. The real issue should be those who misuse it to follow the wrong path— even sword energy, once in the hands of a villain, becomes detestable." How could Ning Ning not understand his thoughts? In his past experience, Pei Ji relied solely on his mother as the only source of knowledge about dark energy. That woman could never say anything good. With a sour and bitter heart, her tone was unusually serious, "You're not a bad person... I don't dislike anything about you." Pei Ji's back stiffened. A continuous stream of spiritual power flowed up from his spine, through his veins, gradually circulating throughout his body. Ning Ning reassured him, "I'm here, nothing will happen, don't be afraid." A warm and gentle flow enveloped the boy completely. Despite his young age, Pei Ji had already learned to disguise his tender heart with a tough exterior, which should have been strong and unbreakable but was shattered effortlessly, revealing the vulnerable heart hidden in the corner. The humble and timid wishes that only manifested in dreams suddenly came true, his eyes burning with tears, a single drop rolling down. Pei Ji had endured countless beatings and struggles with dark energy, accustomed to pain; no matter how unbearable, he could grit his teeth and endure it silently, even if unconscious, he wouldn't cry out in pain. Except this time, Pei Ji shed tears. Gentleness always had more power than pain. When the dark energy receded, Pei Ji was utterly exhausted, with little strength left. Ning Ning wiped away the tears at the corner of his eyes, "Are you sleepy?" This time he didn't nod or shake his head. The weak and pale boy was disheveled, cold sweat on his forehead, his eyes damply fixed on hers, suddenly reaching out, grabbing Ning Ning's sleeve. Pei Ji remained silent in his shyness, but Ning Ning quickly understood his meaning, "You want me to stay... and accompany you?" He wanted to nod. Yet before he could react, the slender boy was once again wrapped in her embrace, and in just a blink of an eye, he was lying on the bed.
Ning Ning carried a faint and sweet fragrance after bathing, very different from the bloody scent Pei Ji was accustomed to in the cellar. It was unbelievable how her body was even softer than the blanket. Subconsciously, Pei Ji snuggled closer, hearing Ning Ning's light laugh, "Go to sleep." She said, "Pei Ji, have sweet dreams." The boy closed his eyes, leaning close to her. Pei Ji never told her that all the dreams he had ever had couldn't compare to the present moment.
*
Ning Ning slept lightly and was suddenly awakened by a slight movement in the middle of the night. The candle had gone out, and in the moonlight, she saw Pei Ji's face, a face she was more familiar with, belonging to a handsome young man. He spoke softly, with an apologetic tone, "Did I wake you up?" Ning Ning was held by him, half-asleep, "When did you wake up?" As she had done before, Pei Ji patted her head, "Not long ago." Compared to his body, Pei Ji's memories recovered first. When Ning Ning fell asleep, he, with his lost memories, kept his eyes closed but didn't sleep— in his childhood, he had never been held to sleep, let alone the lingering sound of her voice in his ears, every moment of it precious, Pei Ji was reluctant to fall asleep. Then, as his memory returned, he felt the flow of spiritual power in his body, got out of bed, undressed, and put on his original robe. Today's events were vividly stored in his mind. He carefully concealed the flower petal in the cabinet and couldn't help but stroke it for a long time, pondering how different life would have been if he had met her earlier. But fortunately, he had met Ning Ning in his youth. In his childhood, all he had was endless suffering, unable to offer her anything. Pei Ji didn't want to live under someone's protection; he wanted to protect the girl in his heart. On the Moon-Viewing Peak, Ning Ning had only guessed half of it. Despite having power surpassing mountains and seas, he would always willingly surrender to her gentleness. "Ning Ning." There was still a hint of hoarseness in his voice from earlier tears, once clear and pristine, now with a soft and playful tone, "I really like you." "I've known for a long time." Pei Ji's chest quivered slightly when he spoke, and even the smallest tremor could be keenly felt by Ning Ning. She was gradually falling asleep, jokingly whispering, "What, did you just realize today how much you like me?" "No." Pei Ji lowered his head, leaning back slightly so he could see Ning Ning's face. In the long silent night, her eyes seemed to glow. "I like you every day." He pressed his lips to her forehead, slowly moving downward. In the cold and dark winter night, the warmth on his thin lips passed through her skin, the touch feeling incredibly real and intense. Eventually, their lips met. Pei Ji's touch was gentle; intentionally brushing against her lips and withdrawing, like a gentle spring rain, tantalizing and intriguing. There was an indescribable desire in his tone, "Tonight is different." The rain suddenly poured down heavily. Their breaths intertwined, unable to discern whose was whose. Pei Ji heard Ning Ning's long breaths in the night, and she held onto his collar tightly. The overwhelming urge was almost uncontrollable. He wanted to be close to her, to kiss her, to convey his deep affection, thoughts flooding out of him. After the kiss, Ning Ning's face was flushed. She was getting used to kisses, although her heart still raced, she didn't freeze up like before, silently adjusting her breath, wondering what was different about tonight. Suddenly, she heard Pei Ji breathing heavily and calling out, "Ning Ning." He liked saying her name; the simple sound of it carried a gentle nasal tone. Pei Ji planted kisses on her forehead one by one, feeling that the forthcoming words were so straightforward they bordered on frivolous, speaking in a solemn and serious tone unique to sword practitioners, "Tonight... I can't control myself." For reasons unknown, his actions suddenly halted. In the moonlight, a bright red blush appeared on the boy's cheeks. Pei Ji smirked, emitting a low and chuckling breath from his throat, his lips brushing against hers, speaking in a hoarse voice. It sounded like a whisper, teasingly and jokingly, he softly uttered those two words, with a teasing tone, "Sister." It was clearly a small act of retaliation, but who was actually gaining advantage remained unknown. The ears and blood pounded heavily, and Ning Ning shamefully curled her toes, almost melting from the heat radiating from her flushed face.
