The morning bell tolls in the mountains, startling the birds resting overnight.
Accompanying the bell’s sound is the chanting of monks, their clear and sacred voices continuously echoing in the tranquil mountain ridges, as if they could cleanse all worldly impurities and dispel darkness.
Yet Shang Ruyi finds herself unable to wake from the darkness.
It’s not that she doesn’t want to wake, but she’s utterly exhausted. At this moment, even in the deepest dream, she feels as though her bones have been completely disassembled and reassembled, and her body no longer feels her own. She can’t even muster the strength to move her fingertip.
However, despite her exhaustion, someone refuses to let her rest in peace.
A pair of strong and scorching hands—the very hands keeping her from sleep—now hold her shoulders, turning her over and pulling her into a firm embrace. Feeling the warmth of his hands, Shang Ruyi can’t help but gently push away.
As she utters these two words, she slowly opens her eyes.
Though the temple bell has sounded, the room remains dim. Amidst the haze, she can only see a robust figure before her. As she wakes more fully, his bright eyes slowly become clearer in the muted light, and more distinctly so, is the almost satisfied and joyous smile in his gaze.
Upon seeing she is awake, Yu Wenye’s lips curl slightly as he lowers his head to gently nibble her.
Shang Ruyi cries out softly from the pain and attempts to push him away, but this time, not only does she fail to push him off, Yu Wenye leans in once more for a deep kiss.
The cool mountain air seems to turn warm.
When Yu Wenye finally releases her after he’s satisfied, Shang Ruyi’s cheeks are flushed, and she’s out of breath, her eyes filled with mist as she dazedly looks at the person before her.
After a while, she softly asks, "Aren’t you tired?"
Yu Wenye furrows his brow as though displeased, yet with a hint of amusement. After a while, he bends to whisper in her ear, "Not tired. But, I can be even more tired..."
After yesterday, if she fails to understand his meaning, then she’s truly a fool.
She never knew men could be so frightening; she feels weak all over, lacking even the strength to move a finger, while this man shows no signs of exhaustion, instead appearing more energetic than even yesterday. His chest remains as warm as ever when he holds her tight.
She can only softly say, "Truly... I can’t anymore."
Yu Wenye looks at her for a while, seemingly understanding that the little woman is truly exhausted and finally decides to stop. He pulls up the quilt wrapped around her, gently covering her, takes deep breaths to calm himself, then rolls off the bed.
A gust of cold wind blows through the spot he just vacated.
Shang Ruyi is a bit bewildered, not expecting him to leave so swiftly, and lets out a soft murmur, "Hmm?"
Yu Wenye dresses by the bed and, hearing her voice, glances back, smiling in his eyes.
"What? Don’t want me to leave?"
Shang Ruyi immediately turns her face to the side.
Actually, even if she doesn’t reject him, they couldn’t continue. It’s already past 5 AM; he needs to get ready to leave Ban Yan Temple and return to the city.
Shang Ruyi certainly knows this too. She listens to him dress before turning to rise slowly.
Her body still feels terribly weak.
She’s embarrassed to call for help, so she reluctantly picks up her clothes and dresses herself—when they sleep in separate beds, they pretend to have slept together in the morning; but last night, clearly having been together, she now has to avoid others. Her face remains flushed, lucky that there’s no dressing mirror in the monks’ quarters to reveal her embarrassed state. She simply tidies her hair and attire, waiting for Tushere to come assist.
Yu Wenye turns his head and sees her disheveled hair, looking as if she hasn’t slept enough.
Unable to resist, he smiles and says, "Come over."
Although she feels he might have ulterior motives, Shang Ruyi obediently steps to him. Yu Wenye reaches out to smooth the messy strands by her temple, though not much improved, but as his palm passes her ear, touches her chin gently tilting her face upwards, he can’t resist planting a kiss.
At this moment, Tushere’s voice sounds from outside the door: "Miss? Master? Have you awakened?"
It’s time to separate.
Yet somehow, Shang Ruyi feels reluctant to leave. Looking up at Yu Wenye’s bright eyes, she stands on tiptoes, wraps her arms around his neck and kisses him hard.
This leaves Yu Wenye stunned.
But in the next moment, Shang Ruyi releases him, catching her breath and stepping back, then says, "Come in."
Outside, Tushere immediately pushes the door open and enters.
Yu Wenye can’t help but grit his teeth, feeling somewhat fooled. But with someone already inside, there’s nothing he can do but shoot a deep glare at Shang Ruyi, then turn away.
As for Shang Ruyi, her face still flushed, she sits aside and instructs, "Quickly, come and do my hair."
Tushere enters, slightly bewildered.
For some reason, though it’s a routine to serve them early in the morning, today feels different.
Their demeanor is cold, especially the master, who looks at the lady with eyes seemingly ablaze, as if they quarreled last night. Yet the monks’ quiet quarters exude a strange atmosphere, almost tenderly affectionate.
But she doesn’t dare ask more, only bringing hot water and towels to assist them in freshening up, then does Shang Ruyi’s hair anew, and they go for a vegetarian meal.
Yu Wenye leaves first, Shang Ruyi still feeling weak, so Tushere supports her out the door.
As the two walk behind, Tushere quietly asks, "Miss, did you two quarrel again?"
Shang Ruyi remains silent.
Tushere continues, "Fighting again?"
... ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novel✦fire.net
Shang Ruyi gives her an exasperated look, thinking—yes, we fought, I still have aches all over.