Fortune Across the World

Chapter 70: Hearts United in a Warm Cave Night (Part One)

Knowing that Ding Qiyu was about to undress, Lu Weixi, despite understanding that a man baring his upper body wasn't a big deal, turned her head and tightly shut her eyes, lips pressed together in embarrassment.

Ding Qiyu, having crossed that mental hurdle, knew that due to Xie Bian's spells and herbs, there was nothing distinctive about her upper body now. She removed her lined inner garment, revealing an upper body that was indeed no different from that of an ordinary man. Her unique blood and long-term training had endowed her with a tall and well-built figure, though a one-inch umbrella-shaped black-purple mark on her chest stood out. However, Weixi, the only spectator, had her eyes shut tight, missing the view.

After hanging her clothes on the rack to dry, Ding Qiyu shivered in the cold air, yet this chill was still more bearable than the bone-chilling dampness of wet clothes. Weixi couldn't stay bare like this, though; she would have to wait for Ding Qiyu's clothes to dry. Noticing Weixi with her head turned and eyes closed, looking adorably shy, Ding Qiyu didn't feel self-conscious about being bare anymore.

Estimating the firewood supply, Ding Qiyu realized they might not have enough for the whole night. With the sky not yet dark, it was best to gather more wood now. She crouched in front of Lu Weixi, gently touching her chin, making Weixi shrink back slightly. Ding Qiyu couldn't resist teasing, "Hehe, I'm the one who's bare. What are you embarrassed about seeing?" Then, more seriously, she added, "I think we might be short on firewood, so I'm going to gather some more while it's still light. Wait here for me."

Hearing that Qiyu intended to leave her alone, Lu Weixi opened her eyes and grabbed Ding Qiyu's hand urgently, "I'll go with you!"

Ding Qiyu shook her head decisively, "No, it's warm here. Stay put, and I'll move faster alone. I'll just be nearby and will be back soon."

Realizing there was no room for negotiation in Qiyu's tone, Lu Weixi abandoned the idea of accompanying her. Though she avoided looking directly, she couldn't help but notice Qiyu's bare upper body. She lowered her head and softly asked, "But won't you be cold like this?"

"I'll run, keep active, and I won't feel cold. I'll be right back. Remember to dry your hair, too," Ding Qiyu reassured, gently shaking the hand that held hers.

Lu Weixi tightened her grip instead, "Come back quickly..." Her tone carried a hint of unease. She probably never imagined that one day, she'd rely so much on someone.

Ding Qiyu cherished the feeling of being relied upon by her beloved. She leaned in to place a gentle kiss on Weixi's cheek, promising, "I will. I'll be back soon. I can't bear to leave you on your own for long." With that, she extracted her hand, picked up a new blade, and walked to the cave entrance. She hesitated, touching her flat chest briefly before venturing out.

Lu Weixi touched her flushed cheek with cold fingers, a shy yet sweet smile on her lips, her eyes fixed on the cave entrance, eagerly awaiting Qiyu's return.

Moving swiftly, Ding Qiyu kept her hands busy and her pace quick, finding that the activity kept the chill at bay. However, the discomfort of being shirtless was hard to ignore. Was she inadvertently achieving a level of carefree abandon akin to the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove, living with nature as her garment?

Determined to put Weixi at ease, Ding Qiyu efficiently made several trips to bring back firewood. Once confident there was enough to last the night, and with darkness settling outside, she placed the blade aside and checked her drying clothes—they were still damp. She returned to Weixi's side, suggesting, "Let's dry this outer robe too."