Ye Lan kissed Mu Xi’s lips.
It was no longer the tentative, gentle touch from before; instead, it carried a long-awaited hunger and possessiveness.
The tip of her tongue forcefully invaded Mu Xi’s mouth, licking every inch of sensitive membrane and entwining with her tongue as if she wanted to swallow her whole.
Mu Xi’s mind went completely blank.
She could only respond instinctively, her hands tightening around Ye Lan’s wet black hair, her fingertips sinking into the strands.
Oxygen became thin between the two of them, and their lungs began to protest, yet neither was willing to take the first step back.
Black spots began to flicker at the edges of Mu Xi’s vision, and her heart beat frantically in her chest.
Yet, she stubbornly catered to Ye Lan’s aggression until her consciousness began to blur.
When Ye Lan finally released her, Mu Xi gasped for air almost greedily, her chest heaving violently.
Blood rushed back to her brain, bringing a strange sense of dizziness and pleasure.
Her lips were swollen, wet, and aching slightly, yet she craved more.
“You’re beautiful,” Ye Lan said, her voice husky and low.
Her thumb lightly brushed over Mu Xi’s reddened lips, her gaze resembling that of a predator staring at its prey.
Under this gaze, Mu Xi felt a strange urge rise from the base of her spine and sweep through her entire body.
‘I wish she would be rougher,’ she thought.
She wanted Ye Lan to take control, to punish her, and especially… to spank her.
The moment that thought surfaced, a wave of heat immediately rushed to her cheeks, even spreading to her ears and neck, becoming unbearably scorching.
She opened her mouth and closed it again, the words she wanted to say getting stuck in her throat.
That shameful request lingered on the tip of her tongue, yet she could not bring herself to say it.
Mu Xi lowered her head, trying her best to hide her abnormal reaction, not realizing that doing so only made her more conspicuous.
“What’s wrong, Little Xi?” Ye Lan keenly sensed her unease.
Her slender fingers lifted Mu Xi’s chin, forcing the girl to look her in the eye.
“Is there something you want to tell me?”
Mu Xi bit her lower lip, her heart thundering against her ribs.
She longed to confess, yet she was afraid of being rejected, and even more afraid that Ye Lan would see her as a pervert.
‘This desire is absolutely absurd,’ her logic told her.
However, she could not deny the craving screaming from the depths of her body.
“It’s… it’s nothing,” Mu Xi said, looking away, her voice barely audible, “Continue. Don’t stop.”
Ye Lan’s gaze searched her face, seemingly able to see through her every lie.
A flash of realization crossed those deep, phoenix eyes, but she chose not to expose her for the time being.
Amidst their overlapping breaths, she leaned down again.
This time, the kiss was saturated with the heat of desire.
Water washed over their tangled bodies.
In the steam-filled space, Mu Xi became completely lost in Ye Lan’s skillful teasing.
Those fair, slender fingers ignited one fire after another on her body.
Every touch sent shivers through her; waves of pleasure, both familiar and strange, washed over her nerves time and again.
Mu Xi’s shame and desire waged a tug-of-war within her.
The urge to be controlled grew stronger, yet she remained unable to speak.
She could only vent these misplaced emotions through an even more fervent response until both of them were exhausted, their limbs weak and their breathing ragged.
Ye Lan brushed back her soaked black hair, revealing the elegant curve of her neck while her chest heaved.
“As expected, your body remembers me better than your brain does.”
Mu Xi leaned against the edge of the bathtub, her body limp and her eyes blurred.
She felt a wonderful sense of satisfaction, but deep down, a corner remained unfulfilled.
That unspeakable longing was still faintly acting up.
Eventually, they washed the sweat and traces from each other’s bodies and stepped out of the bathroom.
The warm steam dissipated, taking with it the heat of that impulse, but the afterglow still echoed in Mu Xi’s heart.
The wardrobe in the bedroom caught Mu Xi by surprise.
It was filled with exquisite, beautiful clothes, each piece radiating an air of luxury.
Satin, lace, and velvet—the various fabrics shimmered softly under the lights, their colors rich enough to be dazzling.
“Who do these… belong to?” Mu Xi reached out to touch a pale blue nightgown; the fabric was as smooth as water.
Ye Lan wrapped her arms around her from behind, resting her chin on top of Mu Xi’s head.
She remained quiet for a moment before answering in a low voice, “They are all yours.”
Mu Xi took out the pale blue nightgown and put it on.
The soft fabric clung to her petite frame.
Ye Lan chose a black silk pajama set, the collar slightly open to reveal a section of her beautiful collarbone.
They lay on the large bed, Mu Xi curled up in Ye Lan’s arms, feeling the other woman’s steady heartbeat.
That unvoiced longing still lingered in her heart, making it difficult for her to fall asleep peacefully.
“This is wonderful,” Ye Lan suddenly spoke, her voice carrying a hint of a sob.
“That at this moment, in a place like this, I can still be with you.”
Her fingers gently combed through Mu Xi’s long silver hair, her movements tender as if she were handling the most precious treasure in the world.
“You don’t hate me, and you don’t love me. Just being with me like this is enough.”
The pain and satisfaction contained in those words confused Mu Xi.
She wanted to ask Ye Lan why she was saying these things.
She wanted to ask what kind of past they shared and why she had forgotten everything despite having such a strong reaction to her.
However, the tenderness of this moment was too precious; she did not want to break it.
Mu Xi’s consciousness began to blur.
That shameful desire became misty and distant in her sleepiness.
Perhaps next time, she would have the courage to say it.
Perhaps not.
But for now, on the wasteland of the apocalypse, within this haven isolated from the outside world, she had obtained a brief moment of peace.
She heard Ye Lan whisper in her ear, “Sleep, my Little Xi. I will protect you.”
Mu Xi’s only response was to subconsciously nuzzle deeper into Ye Lan’s embrace before sinking into a sweet dream.
On the edge of the dream, she seemed to see those blurred memory fragments again, intertwined with Ye Lan’s figure—both familiar and distant.
***
Mu Xi slept until dawn.
When she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Ye Lan’s flawless face.
As their eyes met, their lips curved into a faint smile simultaneously.
An indescribable warmth welled up in Mu Xi’s heart, though it was still tinged with confusion.
‘I don’t understand why I feel such a strong sense of intimacy with this stranger.’
Ye Lan reached out to stroke Mu Xi’s cheek.
The sensation from her fingertips made Mu Xi tremble involuntarily.
“Good morning, Little Xi,” Ye Lan said, her deep voice full of tenderness, “Did you sleep well last night?”
Mu Xi nodded instinctively, but then suddenly realized her reaction was too intimate.
She backed away slightly, attempting to create some distance.
“Yes, I slept quite well,” she replied softly, her gaze shifting uncertainly.
Ye Lan keenly noticed Mu Xi’s withdrawal.
A flash of pain crossed her eyes, but she quickly returned to normal.
She got out of bed, her movements elegant and fluid.
“I’ll go prepare breakfast. You rest for a while.”
Mu Xi watched Ye Lan’s departing back, her heart full of contradictions.
She longed to be close to this mysterious and charming woman, yet she instinctively felt a trace of wariness.
She forced herself to focus on her surroundings, trying to find some familiar traces.
The furnishings in the room were exquisite and luxurious; every item emitted an aura that did not belong to this post-apocalyptic world.
Mu Xi reached out to touch the bedsheets.
The silky texture made her remember something in a daze, but the thought quickly vanished.
She shook her head and walked toward the bathroom.
Warm water washed over her body, yet Mu Xi could not wash away her inner confusion.
She stared at herself in the mirror—long silver hair, delicate features, and fair skin.
Everything was so strange, yet so familiar.
She tried to recall the past, but she could only grasp at a vast void.
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