Xie Sangning moved the small seal aside, revealing the neat, crimson characters beneath—her name.
Her lashes fluttered slightly before she finally curved her lips in satisfaction.
As she withdrew the seal and prepared to stand, her gaze lifted—only to collide with a pair of deep, obsidian eyes.
She froze. "You’re not asleep?"
He Siyu studied her, his tone unreadable. "I was. Then you woke me."
She swallowed. "Oh. Then go back to sleep."
With that, she stood to leave.
But the moment she rose, a large hand clamped around her wrist, pulling her back effortlessly. She lost her balance and tumbled onto the bed, collapsing against his chest with a soft gasp.
Her palms braced against him to steady herself, while his expression remained unchanged, those inscrutable dark eyes locked onto her.
"Xie Sangning," he murmured. "What were you doing sneaking around while I slept?"
Her eyes flickered, but she met his gaze with feigned innocence. "Nothing."
A smirk tugged at his lips. "You stripped me half-naked and claim it was nothing?"
She stiffened. The way he phrased it made her sound like some kind of predator.
"I just—"
Before she could finish, his right hand drifted to his left pectoral, where the crimson seal still lingered. He dragged out his words. "And then you branded me. What’s the meaning of this?"
Under the weight of his gaze, her scalp prickled. She averted her eyes. "It was an accident."
"Was it?"
Her brows knitted. Why was he making such a fuss over something so trivial?
"I’m going to bathe," she deflected, tugging at her wrist.
His grip didn’t budge. The smirk deepened. "Ah, an accident? You ‘accidentally’ undressed me, ‘accidentally’ grabbed your seal, and ‘accidentally’ stamped me? Xie Sangning, you’re remarkably careless."
The sarcasm made her head throb. Regret coiled in her chest—why had she acted on impulse and stirred up this mess?
She clenched her jaw, silent.
His amusement only grew. "What was it you said before? That you only stamp the things you like. Do you like me that much?"
Heat rushed to her cheeks. His dark, teasing eyes made her breath hitch, trapped in her throat.
Through gritted teeth, she muttered, "I don’t—"
He arched a brow. "Fine. Let’s pretend you don’t."
Xie Sangning: "…?"
Her eyes widened slightly.
He pushed himself up from the bed, glancing down at the vivid mark on his chest. A lazy grin spread across his face. "You’re shy. Maybe I shouldn’t have woken up."
Xie Sangning: "…"
The frustration in her chest swelled. She inhaled sharply. "I’m going to bathe."
He leaned in, lips brushing toward hers. "Let me help—"
"Get lost," she deadpanned.
He Siyu: "…"
She wrenched her hand free and strode straight to the bathing chamber.
He rubbed his nose, about to follow—when the door slammed shut with a bang, followed by the decisive click of the lock.
"…"
His temple twitched. She’d locked him out again?
Sinking back onto the bed, his gaze landed on the small seal she’d left behind. A slow smirk curled his lips as he picked it up, thumb grazing its surface.
His fingers drifted to his chest, where the crimson imprint still burned. It pulsed like a second heartbeat—like hers.
A silent confession.
———
Half an hour later, Xie Sangning emerged, her temper cooled by the long soak.
As she stepped out, she found He Siyu lounging in the armchair by her desk, idly flipping through one of her books.
At the sound of her footsteps, he glanced up and rose. "Done?"
Ignoring him, she seated herself at the vanity and began unpinning her hair.
He moved behind her, deftly removing the remaining hairpins. Silken strands spilled like ink through his fingers.
His throat bobbed. A large hand cradled her face as he bent to kiss her cheek, voice rough with affection. "Yangyang."
She turned away, impassive. "You should sleep, Third Master. Wouldn’t want me disturbing you again."
He nuzzled into her hair, inhaling the lingering scent of jasmine.
As if he could’ve slept when she wasn’t even here.
She’d left him waiting for hours. He’d been on the verge of hunting her down when she finally returned.
Irritated by her indifference, he’d pretended to sleep—only for her to start branding him like some prized possession.
Her soft hands had traced his skin, lighting fires everywhere they touched. Any pretense of sleep had evaporated.
His eyes darkened further. "I’m not tired."
"I am," she said flatly.
Without warning, he scooped her up and deposited her atop the vanity.
The sudden height left her unsteady. Her hands flew to his arms, gripping tight.
The vanity was tall—seated there, she towered over him by a head.
A flicker of unease crossed her calm expression as her fingers twisted into his robes. "What are you—?"
He caged her between his arms, palms braced against the table’s edge. Tilting his head up, his obsidian eyes burned like bottomless pits.
"Yangyang," he said, unwavering. "I’m yours."
Her lashes trembled. The fingers clutching his robes curled slightly, satisfaction glimmering in her gaze.
When his lips brushed hers, his whisper was a caress. "Hold onto me."
Her pulse raced. She tightened her grip on his collar, then suddenly bit his lower lip.
The sharp pain sent his mind blanking with white-hot desire.
With a growl, his hands slid to her waist, yanking her against him as he kissed her like a man starved.
———
The night stretched long.
Candlelight flickered, painting the room in gold as their shadows tangled.
His hands spanned her waist, his gaze frenzied as he worshiped her mouth, murmuring against her skin between kisses.
"I’m yours. In this life and every one after."
Beneath the feverish haze, fragmented images flashed through her mind—unfamiliar yet achingly familiar.
A floor-to-ceiling window. A tall figure standing before her, half-dressed, the same crimson seal blazing over his heart.
His lips on hers, voice dripping with tenderness.
"Yangyang, I’m yours."