Xueli's consciousness returned in waves, like a tide rolling back onto a shore of soft silk as rhe agonizing compression of the 999th step had vanished, replaced by a warmth that seeped into her very soul.
She groaned softly, expecting her muscles to tear, but the pain was gone—replaced by a profound, hollow exhaustion that felt almost peaceful.
"You're awake?" A gentle voice sounded.
She blinked and found herself looking up at a sharp, regal jawline, and only then did she realise that she was lying on Haoran's lap as he sat cross-legged on the cold obsidian of the summit, his fingers moving through her hair with a rhythmic, almost hypnotic gentleness.
She offered him a weak, trembling grin. "I didn't disappoint you... did I?"
Haoran's gaze shifted down to her, and for the first time, his smile was genuinely gentle, not the gentle but indifferent smile he always wore to everyone. "No. You exceeded my expectations, Xueli."
