The stormy night had been one of tender passion, filled with soft whispers and breathless sighs, as if all that had happened before was but a dream.
Her long lashes trembled a few times before Zhu Qing slowly opened her eyes, only to find herself gazing into a pair of eyes brimming with amusement.
The man from her dreams lay on the grass, head pillowed on his arms, a smile playing on his lips as he looked at her. His gaze held an indescribable warmth. And she—she was draped across his body, unaware of how long she had been asleep.
Completely naked, feeling the heat of his skin against her own, Zhu Qing let out a small shriek and tried to sit up.
The moment her body moved, a sharp pain lanced through her lower abdomen, making her collapse back down with a gasp, her forehead beading with sweat as she instinctively clutched at her stomach.
"Don't move!" Yang Kai reached out an arm, circling her waist, his large hand roaming freely over her smooth back and slender hips.
Zhu Qing let out a soft moan, a fiery blush creeping up her cheeks like two banks of rosy clouds. The intimate touch and caress from the opposite sex made her instantly lose all strength, her entire body going limp and powerless.
"What did you do to me?" she asked through gritted teeth, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Hey..." Yang Kai's hand paused in its movement, landing—whether by accident or design—right on the rounded curve of her buttocks. He wore a look of mock grievance. "That's not the right question, is it? Do you really not remember what *you* did?"
"I..." Zhu Qing opened her mouth, her expression shifting rapidly. The scenes from the dream gradually became clear, and the color drained from her face, leaving her delicate frame trembling slightly.
It was all coming back to her, slowly but surely.
She had come to the Frozen Earth, found that lost shard of the Dragon Source. But when she tried to claim it, something went wrong. For reasons unknown, the Ice Dragon Source refused to cooperate and fled deep into the Frozen Earth. She had chased it through countless hardships, and just as she was about to subdue it again, the source had burst into her body, clashing violently with her own Dragon Source.
With no other choice, she had to find a quiet place to resolve the crisis. Had she not been disturbed, she likely would have been fine.
But a sudden disaster had ruined her plans. She sensed a force approaching, and before she could escape, she was plunged into darkness.
And then came the events from the dream.
"Your blood!" Zhu Qing finally understood everything.
"What about it?" Yang Kai asked.
Biting her lip, tears rolled down Zhu Qing's cheeks. "Why is your blood filled with such... wicked thoughts? What do you think about all day?" If she hadn't drunk his blood and been influenced by those lewd thoughts, how could she possibly have done such shameless things in her dream?
"Blame me?" Yang Kai looked utterly exasperated. "I never asked you to drink it. You were the one who clung on and wouldn't let go. Back then I..."
"I'll kill you!" Zhu Qing tried to move, but a slight shift sent a wave of pain from her lower abdomen, completely sapping her strength.
Yesterday had been a bit too wild, it seemed...
Yang Kai chuckled. "Done and dusted, and now you want to pretend it never happened? You even want to kill me? Women like you are a first for me."
As he spoke, he applied a bit of force, rolling her off him and propping himself up on one arm, settling beside her.
Zhu Qing eyed him nervously, her voice trembling. "What... what are you doing?" This dominant posture made her feel utterly uncomfortable, her usual dragon pride completely absent.
Yang Kai placed a hand on her stomach, gently rubbing it. Emperor Qi flowed from his palm into her body, soothing her discomfort.
"It was our first time for both of us. It's natural we didn't know our limits. We'll get used to it gradually. Hmm, I don't know what you're thinking, but since things have turned out this way, there's no point in complaining. Look at me—even though I'm human, I'm not that bad, right? I've looked at myself for decades, and I think I'm getting more handsome by the day. And you... your temper might not be great, but you're passable enough. Can't we just make do with each other? Everything should have a proper beginning and end."
The earnest look on his face left Zhu Qing a bit dazed.
From the moment she'd met Yang Kai until now, this was the first time she had seen him wear such an expression. His large hand, massaging her stomach, seemed to possess a strange magic capable of crumbling any strong defense, sending ripples through the calm pool of her heart, making it impossible to think clearly.
"You... want to take responsibility?" Zhu Qing didn't know why the anger had completely vanished from her heart, and her voice was soft.
"No, no—you have to take responsibility for me!" Yang Kai said seriously.
Zhu Qing found his words both infuriating and amusing. She forced a cold expression onto her face. "Why should I take responsibility for you? Who do you think you are?"
Instead of answering, Yang Kai asked, "Feeling better?"
"Much better," Zhu Qing nodded, then suddenly realized the topic had been diverted and shot him a glare.
Yang Kai continued, "Do you want to... do it again?"
The subject change was rather abrupt, but the momentum Zhu Qing had just gathered instantly dissipated. The warm feeling in her lower abdomen spread like wildfire, making her entire body feel flushed and restless.
Her long lashes trembled once. Before Zhu Qing could even respond, Yang Kai let out a low growl, mounted his steed, and charged into battle, laying siege to her fortress and conquering it anew until the enemy surrendered, begging for mercy again and again.
...
Half a day later, Zhu Qing lay on the ground, looking utterly spent and soulless, like a walking corpse. Her hair was a complete mess. In a weak, breathless voice, she pleaded, "Please, let me put on some clothes."
"I'll help you!" Yang Kai grinned, looking entirely too pleased with himself.
"No. You said that last time, too. I'll never trust you again."
"This time I mean it."
"Don't try to trick me again."
"I absolutely won't."
...
One day later, Zhu Qing curled up in Yang Kai's arms, as quiet and still as a sleeping kitten, her breathing soft and even. Suddenly, she spoke. "There's plenty of time in the future. Let's stop here for today."
"Mm," Yang Kai murmured in response.