Liyu replied hesitantly, her voice uncertain.
> "I… I know, because we already have enough food and other things… but we were out of material, so I just guessed."
Her answer did not satisfy me. Suspicion lingered in my heart, though I chose not to voice it. Instead, I rose to my feet calmly and said—
> "Let's go to Bao Lai first."
....
Yilin's POV
Knock, knock.
From outside my chamber, Lei Zi's voice carried warmth.
> "Yilin, look what I bought for you."
I answered softly, > "Come in."
He entered, and his steps faltered the moment he saw me. I wore a flowing hanfu, delicate as morning mist, and his eyes froze.
> "Heavens… you look like an angel descended from the skies. So beautiful…"
A shy smile tugged at my lips. His words warmed me in a way I could not conceal.
> "Turn around," he said gently.
I obeyed, turning my back to him. Suddenly, I felt his arms wrap around me from behind. My heart fluttered wildly, butterflies rising in my chest as he rested his chin upon my shoulder.
> "Yilin… Yilin… you're so beautiful."
I could only blush, unable to find words.
Then, in a hesitant whisper, he asked—
> "Yilin… can we… do something tonight?"
I quickly turned my head slightly, my cheeks burning.
> "We cannot cross our lines, Lei Zi. Do not even think of such things—understand?"
He nodded, though a faint smile lingered on his lips.
> "Alright. But… at least give me permission to call you mine. Mine, Aiwei."
Confused, I blinked.
> "Aiwei? What does that mean?"
He tilted his head, almost teasing.
> "Mine Aiwei… are you truly this innocent, or just pretending?"
I frowned and struggled lightly against his embrace.
> "If you don't want to tell me, then don't talk to me!"
His grip tightened suddenly, pulling me back into his arms. My breath caught.
> "Fine," he whispered, "let's make a deal. If I tell you the meaning, then you… you must kiss me."
My face flushed crimson.
> "Are you mad?"
He only smiled, stepping around to face me. His eyes glimmered with a softness that shook my heart.
> "Mine Aiwei… do you accept?"
Though shy, though trembling, I found myself nodding. Deep inside, I wanted it too.
Then his voice grew solemn, carrying a vow that felt carved in eternity.
> "Out of the whole world, my heart will never waver. Because you are the only one it will ever choose.
It carries a promise—no matter time or distance, there is only one person, one love, one forever."
I froze, my breath stolen. My arms lifted on their own, wrapping around him in a desperate embrace.
> "Mine Aiwei… now you should fulfill our deal," he murmured.
I closed my eyes and pressed my lips to his. It was as if heaven opened—his kiss was intoxicating, sweet like aged wine, and I felt myself drowning.
But suddenly he pulled away, finger to his lips.
> "Shh."
We both froze. Footsteps. Many of them. Approaching our door.
In the next breath, armed men burst inside. My heart leapt in terror, but Lei Zi pulled me swiftly under the bed, hiding us in the shadows. His gaze met mine—it was steady, fierce. Enemies.
He pressed a sharp knife into my hand, his touch trembling for the first time.
> "Defend yourself… if anything happens."
But before we could escape, Lei Zi lunged back into the fray. Steel clashed, cries echoed—he fought with ruthless skill, cutting down one after another. Just as he was about to strike their leader, a shout cut the air—
> "Release him, or I will kill this girl!"
Cold dread spread through me. Rough hands had seized me, a knife now biting against my throat. I struggled, furious at my own weakness.
Lei Zi halted instantly, his eyes blazing.
The man tightened his grip, covering my mouth. I forced muffled words past his palm, staring desperately at Lei Zi.
> "Don't… worry about me. Kill them all. That's all I want…"
The man's hold grew harsher, pressing the blade closer.
> "Step back, Lei Zi! One more step and she dies!"
Lei Zi's hands shook with rage. His voice cut like steel.
> "Are you proud of yourself? Catching a girl just to control me?
Tell me… after this, how will you still call yourself a man?"
The man's grip tightened around me, his breath foul against my ear.
> "You care for her too much. That makes you weak. And weakness…"
His words cut deeper than the blade. Weak. Was that all I was? A chain around Lei Zi's strength?
No. I refused to be just that.
And then I remembered — the knife Lei Zi had slipped into my hand earlier, the faint weight against my palm. My fingers curled around it, trembling, but I forced my breath steady.
I glanced at him. Just once. His eyes caught mine, fierce yet steady, and in them I read his silent command: Trust me.
My heart thundered as I made my choice.
I stomped down hard on the man's foot. His hiss of pain loosened his grip, just enough. Before fear could stop me, I twisted and slashed the blade across his arm.
His scream tore through the air. The knife clattered from my hand as he shoved me away — and then, Lei Zi moved.
Like lightning. Like vengeance.
His sword flashed, cutting down the men who tried to close in. The clang of steel, the shouts, the sudden silence.
When it was over, the leader was gone, blood trailing after him. The room smelled of iron and smoke. My knees gave way, the world tilting — but strong arms caught me.
Lei Zi.
He held me so tightly, I could hardly breathe. His voice was hoarse, broken in a way I had never heard.
> "Aiwei… don't ever do that again. You could have died."
I wanted to laugh, to cry. My chest ached, but I lifted my face and whispered against him,
> "If it's for you, I don't fear death."
His body stiffened. For a moment, he said nothing — then his arms tightened, as if he could lock me into his soul.
> "No," he whispered, his voice trembling against my hair. "I'd rather die a thousand times than see you hurt once."
I closed my eyes, sinking into the warmth of him. For the first time, fear left me — replaced by something far more dangerous.