Li Xin naturally agreed, carefully lifting Mu Xi into her arms.
Mu Xi’s body was light as a feather, almost weightless in her embrace, exuding a faint, sweet fragrance blending cream and milk that made Li Xin’s heart flutter.
The Garden was bright with sunlight, flowers blooming in full splendor, the air thick with rich floral scents.
The fountain gushed water, producing a crisp, clear sound; the surroundings were tranquil and beautiful.
Cradling Mu Xi, Li Xin strolled along the cobblestone path.
Mu Xi lazily leaned against Li Xin’s chest, her breathing steady and slow, until eventually, she fell asleep.
Li Xin found a spot by a flowerbed and sat down, gently adjusting her hold to make Mu Xi more comfortable.
She looked down at the sleeping Mu Xi, whose serene expression was peaceful; long lashes cast soft shadows on her eyelids, and her rosy lips curled slightly, silently inviting.
A strong impulse surged in Li Xin’s heart—she wanted to kiss Mu Xi, to taste that alluring softness.
Since the time she bathed with the medicinal water infused by Mu Xi, this craving had grown like a spark turning into wildfire, uncontrollable.
She slowly lowered her head, her gaze greedily tracing the shape of Mu Xi’s lips, her breathing growing rapid.
Just a little closer, and she could touch that dreamlike softness.
Yet, at the last moment, reason pulled her back.
No.
She couldn’t do this.
She reminded herself: Mu Xi was the Master’s pet; she must not cross the line.
Li Xin froze there, body tense, as if caught in a fierce tug-of-war.
The desire to kiss tangled with the restraint of reason, causing her pain and inner struggle.
She hugged Mu Xi tightly, fingertips trembling slightly, but ultimately, she held herself back.
Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes, trying to calm the storm within.
She knew her feelings for Mu Xi were like a seed buried in darkness—unable to see the light, unable to bloom or bear fruit.
She could only bury this love deep in her heart, forever guarding Mu Xi as a protector.
But… a kiss was forbidden, right?
Just touching her cheek couldn’t hurt, could it?
Once that thought surfaced, it grew wildly, impossible to suppress.
Merely restraining the urge to kiss had already drained all her willpower; trying to stop herself from touching Mu Xi was an even greater challenge.
Just touching her face—surely that wouldn’t count as crossing the line?
Li Xin kept asking herself this, as if searching for a justification to ease her conscience.
She knew well this behavior was still inappropriate, but the yearning surged like a flood breaking through a dam, with reason’s barrier wavering dangerously.
Her trembling fingertip slowly reached toward Mu Xi’s cheek.
The moment of contact was electric, an indescribable sensation coursing through her entire body.
Mu Xi’s skin was delicate and smooth, like the finest silk, soft as a baby’s; the warmth beneath Li Xin’s fingertip made her dizzy.
She carefully caressed from cheek to earlobe, then down the curve of the jaw—every inch of skin irresistible to her touch.
Just by touching Mu Xi’s face, Li Xin felt a burning heat rising within her body.
A strange sensation bloomed in her lower abdomen, making her suddenly aware that merely stroking Mu Xi’s cheek was already stirring a reaction.
This realization shocked her, while also clarifying just how madly obsessed she had become.
Instinctively, she pressed her thighs together, trying to ease the mingled shame and excitement.
Her fingertips lingered reluctantly on Mu Xi’s cheek; Li Xin closed her eyes, savoring this fleeting moment of bliss.
She knew she was playing with fire—once she indulged in this tenderness, she might never return.
Yet, in that moment, she was like a moth drawn to flame—aware of the danger but powerless to resist the fatal attraction.
She greedily inhaled the sweet scent drifting from Mu Xi’s body, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath her palm, as if trying to imprint this beauty deep into her soul.
In truth, Mu Xi had long since awakened—after all, with Li Xin’s gentle touch, how could she not feel it?
But she didn’t open her eyes.
Waking now would only add awkwardness.
Besides, letting Li Xin touch her face didn’t seem to cause any harm.
Might as well play asleep and see what Li Xin intended.
The warmth of Li Xin’s fingertip passed through her skin, trembling faintly as it gently stroked her cheek.
From the side of her face to the earlobe, then down to the jaw, the touch was delicate and slow, like handling a fragile treasure.
Mu Xi could feel the gentleness in Li Xin’s fingertips, mingled with a hint of cautious exploration.
A ticklish, tingling sensation spread across her cheek, reaching deep into her heart.
She forced herself not to open her eyes, controlling her expression tightly for fear of revealing she was awake.
The fingertip paused on her earlobe, softly kneading it with a tenderness as light as a feather.
Mu Xi felt heat rising at the root of her ear; her body grew stiff.
This intimate gesture left her somewhat unsettled, yet strangely… expectant?
‘How odd.’
Mu Xi silently mocked herself—why would she feel anticipation at Li Xin’s touch?
Had her long captivity erased even her most basic caution?
The fingertip slid down her neck, finally resting beneath her chin, gently lifting it.
Mu Xi held her breath; her heart rate quickened.
What was Li Xin about to do? Could it be—
Unease and anticipation intertwined like an invisible net, wrapping Mu Xi tightly.
She could feel Li Xin’s breath drawing closer, warm and soft, brushing her cheek with a faint sweetness.
Mu Xi’s heart nearly leapt out of her chest; she squeezed her eyes shut, eyelashes trembling, waiting for what was to come.
Yet, the expected kiss never arrived.
Li Xin’s movement suddenly stopped; after a brief pause, her fingertips slowly withdrew.
Mu Xi exhaled softly, then felt a sudden, inexplicable loss.
She didn’t know what she had been hoping for—perhaps just to test Li Xin’s limits, or maybe to see how this cold woman would react when facing her.
“Miss Mu Xi…” Li Xin’s voice sounded beside her ear, tinged with an indistinct hoarseness.
Her tone remained calm but seemed to harbor a suppressed emotion.
“Sleeping soundly?”
Mu Xi continued pretending to sleep, offering no reply.
She felt Li Xin’s gaze linger on her face, as if studying her reaction.
“Miss Mu Xi,” Li Xin called again softly, her voice gentler this time, like soothing a sleeping child.
Mu Xi still didn’t move, maintaining the appearance of deep slumber.
She wanted to see what Li Xin would do next.
Silence stretched between them, broken only by the fountain’s splash and occasional birdsong in the Garden.
Time ticked by, second after second.
Just as Mu Xi thought Li Xin might give up, she suddenly spoke again.
“Miss Mu Xi, I…” Li Xin’s voice faltered, seeming to hesitate, then continued after a moment, “I really like you.”
The words were soft but clear, striking Mu Xi’s ears like thunder, exploding in her mind.
Mu Xi snapped her eyes open, locking with Li Xin’s deep, intense gaze.
Their eyes met, and the air seemed to freeze.