The solitary moon in the night sky would occasionally dip into the clouds and then shine upon the earth, the silence around as profound and inscrutable as the depths of a woman’s heart.
Lin Jinyu took a deep breath, staring at the man before her, her jade-like hand clenched into a tight fist.
"You just won’t give it back, will you!?"
Su Bei remained silent. "..."
It wasn’t that she absolutely needed that belly band back, but, after all, it was her intimate personal belonging.
With unshed tears in his eyes but sincerity in his gaze, Su Bei looked at her, a bitter expression on his face. "It’s really gone..."
I don’t have any peculiar fetishes; why would I collect other women’s belly bands when I have nothing better to do?
Is that something a proper person would do!?
He seemed to recall that time with the large wooden barrel, when he had carelessly tossed a belly band from his Storage Ring to his spendthrift disciple.
And I had always thought it was one of the belly bands the system gave me, meant for Immortals.
Lin Jinyu’s voice was icy. "Very well. Very good indeed."
Su Bei said nothing. "..."
Lin Jinyu’s eyes flickered as she stared at the man she now saw as utterly greedy. She clenched her teeth, her voice trembling slightly.
What is he trying to do?
Indulge in both men and women?
Yet, I have an extraordinarily perceptive heart, and I can truly see that he isn’t lying. Could it really be as he said—gone?
What else could a belly band be used for? Could he actually wear it?
Suddenly, a particularly perverse idea came to mind! Her phoenix eyes widened incredulously at Su Bei as her delicate fingers gently covered her lips.
Her ample bosom trembled softly, and her red silken dress seemed especially vibrant under the moonlight.
If he isn’t wearing it, could the person wearing it be Ji Nanjue!?
After all, I’ve suspected for a while that their relationship is more than just a fleeting affair.
Could it really be as I imagined?
Su Bei felt somewhat apologetic. If this continues, how can I, such a bright, upright, and thoroughly honorable person, bear being misunderstood as a sleazy character?
I am the most upright of men!
He couldn’t help but straighten up, his expression earnest as he patted his chest, loudly promising, "Next time... I will return it to the Empress next time!"
He quickly added, "Yes, definitely next time."
Su Bei watched Lin Jinyu, who merely scoffed and stared back at him without a word.
My heart is full of grievances, but what can I do now? Lin Jinyu thought.
She turned, stated, "I will come looking for you at this time tomorrow," and then hastily departed.
Su Bei swallowed nervously, stepped forward to close the back door, and then stood there in a daze.
His distraction wasn’t solely because of the belly band taken by Xiao Ruoching, but also largely due to Wenren Pingxin’s attitude.
"Not let me ascend the Ascension Platform?" he muttered to himself.
Is this really for my own protection?
A bitter smile touched Su Bei’s lips as he looked out at the moon.
A cloud drifted past, obscuring the cold, dim light, and Lin Jinyu’s departing figure cast a large shadow, dimming the surroundings.
"You still don’t understand, Junior Brother..." Su Bei murmured to himself.
The things they tried so hard to keep from him had still, somehow, come to his attention. Perhaps it was fate.
Indeed, such was fate.
People today cannot see the moon of ancient times, yet this very moon once shone upon the ancients.
Tonight, he was destined for a sleepless night.
Of course, Su Bei wasn’t the only one facing a sleepless night. In her room, the Eastern Emperor also tossed and turned, unable to find sleep, her mind wandering.
Her face flushed unexpectedly. She recalled the delight of sharing a drink with Su Bei at Han Hai, his embrace, and the odd, stirring sensation of his somewhat coarse hand gently stroking her waist. Her heart wavered between anticipation and anxiety.
With an expression full of allure, she bit her lip in the moonlight, looking stubborn.
"Why does it have to be you..." she murmured.
Getting up, she opened the window. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on noᴠelfire.net
He hasn’t yet revealed his true form, but now I’m so conflicted.
On the day we meet at Dongting Stream, in what identity should I present myself to him?
As the Eastern Emperor, or as Nan Ji?
Should I reveal my identity? Could he accept it?
Her heart grew frantic at this thought, uneasy at the prospect of such a scene.
I, the dignified Eastern Emperor, would have to... just like that, let him mount me?
"Absolutely impossible!"
Even if it came to that, it would never be me beneath him!!
In the cold moonlight, her dark eyes held a faint melancholy, making her appear even more beautiful.
The night had deepened considerably, and dawn was drawing near.
Ji Nanjue sighed. Somewhat inexplicably, she donned a robe and headed towards the Empress’s room, wanting to see her.
I owe her an apology.
But Su Bei is the Supreme Yang I have searched for so long; letting go now is impossible.
She sighed. Oh well, I’ll just go with the flow.
Even if Su Bei rejects me, I will still abduct him.
When did I become so sentimental? She regained her confidence. At that moment, the unease in her heart seemed to find an anchor, and the worries of the past few days were gradually soothed by the cool moonlight.
The moonlight pierced the clouds once more, casting a silver glow, and a soft luster flowed across her forehead.
Then, Ji Nanjue gazed at the empty bed, lost in thought.
The Empress isn’t here?
Suddenly, her nostrils quivered as if she had caught a scent. Her brow furrowed as she tried to identify the particular aroma.
Her nose finally led her to a low table in the room. A dish of incense emitted wisps of smoke, and on it rested a red, embroidered Phoenix Belly Band.