Fortune Across the World

Chapter 71: Hearts United in a Warm Cave Night (Part Two)

Lu Weixi shook her head, "Not hungry. I drank so much water in the river that it feels like I've had my fill." She released her embrace from Ding Qiyu's waist, pulling back slightly to gaze at her with concern, her small hand gently pressing against Qiyu's stomach, "You must be hungry, though. You've been doing so much and using up a lot of energy..."

Ding Qiyu, already feeling a bit restless, froze at her touch, a spark of desire flaring within. She quickly caught the mischievous hand, intertwining their fingers, and joked lightly, "I'm not hungry either. Haven't you heard of 'feasting on beauty'? With Xi'er here, I could go ten days without eating, haha."

"Nonsense..." Lu Weixi murmured, seeing that Ding Qiyu still had the energy to tease her, she decided to stop worrying about her hunger. She nestled back into Qiyu's embrace, her lips curving into a smile at the sweet words.

Their soft whispers filled the cave, the night having fallen outside, and the forest was silent. They could only hear each other's voices and see each other's faces, so close. In this moment, the world consisted only of them.

"Xi'er, are you still cold?" Ding Qiyu held both of Weixi's small hands, which were no longer icy.

"Not with you holding me," Lu Weixi shook her head.

"Your clothes are still damp. Even if you're not cold, it must be uncomfortable," Ding Qiyu noted, checking the clothes drying on the rack and finding them mostly dry, "Xi'er, these are dry now. You should change into them."

"I'm not cold. Your back is cold; you should wear it," Lu Weixi insisted with concern.

Ding Qiyu grinned mischievously, "I'm not cold anymore. Your clothes need drying. Would Xi'er prefer to stay bare like me? Haha, I wouldn't mind..."

"You!" Lu Weixi playfully covered her mouth, scolding in mock anger, "What are you saying?"

Ding Qiyu laughed, "Alright, alright, I won't say anything more. Xi'er, change into the dry clothes." Her voice buzzed out from behind Weixi's hand. She moved Weixi onto a thin grass mat nearby, stood up, and took down the clothes for her, "Change, and I'll check the cave entrance. Let me know when you're done."

Lu Weixi glanced at the entrance, hesitating, "You... you can stay by the fire... just turn your back to me. It'll be cold at the entrance..." Her cheeks warmed as she added quietly, "I trust you." She trusted her Qiyu completely, knowing he was always a gentleman.

Ding Qiyu paused, understanding the entrance would indeed be cold, and nodded, "Alright, I'll wait here. Let me know when you're ready." She moved to the other side of the fire, sitting cross-legged with her back to Lu Weixi. Not wanting Weixi to feel embarrassed or stay in damp clothes, she reminded her, "Make sure to change all your wet clothes, or you'll catch a chill." She gazed at the cave entrance, her mind inadvertently conjuring images that quickened her heartbeat.

Lu Weixi peeked at her back before turning away to change into Qiyu's clothes, blushing.

Ding Qiyu, true to her word, faced the entrance, respecting Weixi's trust by not peeking. Yet, amidst the crackling fire, the sound of fabric rustling was starkly noticeable, and the vague images in her mind made her restless. The sparks in her heart threatened to ignite into a flame, prompting her to silently recite calming mantras, her grip on her knees tightening as sweat formed on her brow.

Lu Weixi, enduring her embarrassment, hung her own clothes and the embroidered undergarment on the rack, moving it further from where they had been sitting. She then called out to Ding Qiyu, "Qiyu, I'm ready. You can come back."

Ding Qiyu, pulled from her musings, replied, "Oh, alright!" Using one hand to push herself up, she turned and approached Lu Weixi. Now dressed in oversized clothes, her hair cascading over her shoulders, her cheeks flushed by the fire, Weixi appeared soft and alluring.

Swallowing hard, Ding Qiyu settled into her previous spot. An idea popped into her mind, and instead of immediately embracing Weixi, she patted her lap and said, "Come, Xi'er." She wondered if Xi'er would actually indulge her playful notion.

Shy and hesitant, Lu Weixi grappled with her decision before finally gathering her courage. To Ding Qiyu's surprise, Lu Weixi placed her hands on Qiyu's shoulders and sat sideways on her lap. Overcome with shyness, she wrapped her arms around Qiyu's neck, whispering in her ear, "You said you'd hold me and not let go..." Then, burying her face in Qiyu's neck, she hid her embarrassment.

Ding Qiyu, still reeling from shock, felt her heart pounding like a drum, her blood seemingly ignited. This blend of shyness and boldness from Xi'er overwhelmed her, leaving her unsure of where to place her hands, regretting her own instigation.

As Lu Weixi calmed, she noticed Qiyu's stillness and pulled away slightly, peering at her face. Qiyu seemed lost, staring into the fire. "Qiyu, what's wrong?" she asked.

Her voice brought Ding Qiyu back. She adjusted her emotions and turned to respond, but her gaze inadvertently landed on Weixi's collar. Following the line of her fair neck to her collarbone and downward, she glimpsed faint curves, her breath catching, words freezing in her throat. The simmering restlessness surged anew.

Seeing Qiyu's speechless gaze, Lu Weixi followed it down, realizing the loose clothes exposed more than intended. Startled, she quickly pulled her collar shut, retreating into Qiyu's embrace, wishing she could vanish from embarrassment.

Ding Qiyu placed her hands on Weixi's waist and back, softly calling, "Xi'er." Her voice was slightly hoarse.

Weixi stiffened at her touch, finally responding with a quiet, "Mm."

"Xi'er," Ding Qiyu repeated gently.

"Mm..." Weixi's reply was even softer.

"Xi'er," Ding Qiyu persisted, determined to draw her out.

"Yes?" Weixi finally lifted her head.

"Xi'er..." Ding Qiyu gazed lovingly at her cherished one, her senses filled with Weixi's gentle fragrance. Her gaze deepened, her emotions intensifying as she slowly leaned towards Weixi's tender lips.

Realizing what Qiyu intended, Lu Weixi's heart raced. Enveloped in such a devoted gaze, she found herself unable to look away. She didn't want to evade, so she obediently closed her eyes. When Qiyu's cool lips met her soft ones, her eyelids fluttered.

Ding Qiyu feared startling Weixi, so her kiss was tender, her eyes tracing Weixi's delicate lashes, her lips outlining their gentle shape before melding together.

Their breaths mingled, and with her eyes closed, Lu Weixi was completely attuned to the person kissing her. Her heartbeat and breath were all for this person so close. Unconsciously, she released her grip on her collar and wrapped her arms around Qiyu's neck.

Moonlight streamed into the cave, overflowing with tender emotion. The dancing flames cast their shadows on the cave walls, merging into one, inseparable.