Shen Qianying's heart raced. She could feel it pounding in her chest as Ye Xian's hand rested gently on her forehead.
His touch was so light, almost hesitant—yet it sent ripples through her, stirring feelings she didn't know how to control.
She didn't dare look him in the eyes. She could feel his gaze, calm and steady, watching her like he already understood what she was feeling.
The part of her she tried so hard to hide—the part that longed for something more.
"Qianying," he said softly, his voice almost a whisper. "You've always been kind to me… always the only warmth in this cold and distant house."
She blinked. The way he said her name—it was different. Not 'aunt.' Not 'stepmother.' Just… her. Her name, spoken like it mattered.
She felt her heart flutter in her chest, and she didn't know what to do with it.
"I…" she started, but her voice faded. Nothing else came.
Ye Xian stepped closer. He was so near now, she could feel the heat from his body. He took her hand again, slow and gentle, and placed it on his chest. Right over his heart.
Under her palm, his heartbeat was strong, making her own heart pound.
"Do you feel it?" he asked, his eyes never leaving hers. "It's not the scar. It's everything, the feelings that I held for you."
His voice… it was filled with something she hadn't heard before. Not just pain—but longing. She couldn't look away.
Then, quietly, he pulled her into his arms.
For a moment, Qianying froze. Her body stiffened, her mind shouting at her to stop this. But the warmth of his embrace, the steady rhythm of his breath, the gentle flow of the Blissful Ki in the air—it all made her feel like she was sinking into something soft. Something she had missed for far too long.
She didn't even realize her arms had moved—slow, unsure—until they rested against his back. Her fingers curled slightly, and she felt his hold tighten.
"I shouldn't…" she whispered, trying to hold onto reason, but her voice shook. Her hands pushed at his chest, weakly, but it was like her strength had vanished.
"I know," Ye Xian said quietly. "I know he's neglected you. For over ten years."
Her eyes widened. "How… how do you know that?"
Her face burned. Her skin felt hot, and it wasn't just from the Blissful Ki. She could feel something spreading inside her—a heat that made her legs tremble.
The Blissful ki that was spreading into the room from Ye Xian, was now directly absorb into Sheng Qianying .
"It wasn't hard to figure out," he said. "After the fight with the Lu Clan, his injuries were far more severe than anyone had realized—physicians warned that even a single act of intimacy could cost him his life, draining the last of his vitality. To survive, he chose solitude and devoted himself to cultivation, relying on medicine and herbs to preserve his dwindling strength and extend what little time he had left."
Qianying lowered her gaze. She felt her breath catch.
It made sense. It explained everything. But still…
"It's wrong," she whispered. That was all she could say. It was the only thing left holding her back.
"But you don't want to stop," Ye Xian said gently. His lips were near her ear, his breath warm. "You want this. I see it in your eyes. I feel it."
Her heart throb. How long had she been lonely? How long had she been pretending to be strong?
"I love you, Qianying," he said. "Stay with me."
She opened her mouth to speak—but no sound came. Her head was spinning, her body growing weak, as if the warmth in the air had stolen all her thoughts. Then, before she could stop it, his lips met hers.
A shock ran through her, sharp and deep, like lightning touching water. Her whole body shivered.
For one second, she thought she might pull away.
But she didn't.
She leaned in.
Ye Xian's lips were still pressed to hers when he suddenly lifted her into his arms. Qianying gasped, her hands instinctively clutching his shoulders as he carried her to the bed.
Her body felt weightless, her mind hazy from the Blissful Ki swirling between them. The moment her back touched the soft sheets, his hands were already at the ties of her robe, fingers working with slow, deliberate movements.
I should stop this…
Her thoughts scattered as the robe slid down her shoulders, leaving only the thin silk of her dudou clinging to her curves. His fingers caught on the ties—one tug, and the delicate fabric loosened revealing, milky skin that glowed in the dim light.
Ye Xian's breath hitched.
Even half-clothed, she was exquisite.
The silk dudou clung tight to her curves, stretched thin over her heavy breasts. As the ties came undone, the fabric slid down—inch by torturous inch—until the rosy peaks of her nipples appeared, hardening under his hungry stare.
Ye Xian gulped.
Her waist was so narrow his hands could nearly span it, leading down to the gentle flare of her hips, still wrapped in layers of translucent underskirts.
Then his fingers found the final knot. One pull.
Her breasts spilled free, heavy and perfect, the nipples pebbled tight. She gasped, crossing her arms instinctively—but he caught her wrists, drinking in the sight.
"Don't," he murmured, thumb brushing a peaked nipple. "Let me see you."
His fingers traced her collarbone, then lower, brushing over one taut nipple—her body trembled.
Qianying whimpered.
A shudder ran through her as he leaned down, his hot mouth closing over the peak, tongue swirling in slow, teasing circles. Her back arched, her fingers tangling in his hair as pleasure shot straight to her core.
"Ah—!"
Blissful Ki heightened her sensitivity, magnifying every pleasurable touch that coursed through her body.
His hands roamed lower, slipping between her thighs, feel the milky skin and soft flesh he reached where she was already wet.