Mu Xi’s breathing was even and long, her long eyelashes casting two faint shadows beneath her eyelids.
Ye Lan leaned in close to Mu Xi’s ear and whispered, “Little Xi, give me your foot. I’m going to put something on you.”
Mu Xi seemed to hear her, yet perhaps she didn’t, only her lips twitching slightly in her sleep.
Ye Lan lifted Mu Xi’s slender right ankle, the skin she touched feels soft and warm.
She carefully spread the opening of a white stocking and slowly slid it over Mu Xi’s toes.
The stocking gently wrapped around Mu Xi’s toes, extending inch by inch along her slender arch and delicate ankle.
Ye Lan’s movements were extremely gentle, as if she were handling the most precious treasure in the world.
Her fingertips traced the edges of the silk, softly smoothing out every possible wrinkle.
“So beautiful,” Ye Lan whispered, her gaze lingering on the sharp contrast between the fair skin and the snow-white stocking.
She just as carefully put the other stocking on Mu Xi, then stepped back half a pace to admire the scene.
Mu Xi’s bare skin contrasted sharply with the pair of pure white stockings.
The contradictory beauty of purity and temptation coexisting made Ye Lan involuntarily hold her breath.
The desert wind struck the white exterior of the RV, letting out a low wail that seemed to echo the surging emotions in Ye Lan’s heart.
Ye Lan felt a warm current spread through her body.
She leaned down, her fingers lightly brushing against Mu Xi’s stocking-clad calf; the touch was silky and warm.
Her gaze gradually grew heated, and her breathing inadvertently became heavier.
In this shelter within the Desert, facing the person she had always protected, the desire in her heart surged like a tide.
“My Little Xi,” Ye Lan murmured, her eyes shimmering with emotion that was difficult to suppress.
At this moment, she wanted so much to pull this girl into her arms and express her love and possessiveness in the most intimate way.
But she only leaned down and pressed a light kiss on Mu Xi’s forehead.
Mu Xi frowned slightly in her sleep as if she had felt something, but then her expression relaxed again.
A faint smile even touched the corners of her mouth.
Ye Lan sat quietly by the sofa, admiring the beautiful sight and enjoying this moment of peace and beauty, as if the dangers and hardships beyond the desert had already faded away.
Suddenly, three regular knocks sounded on the RV door, breaking the silence inside.
“Your Highness, is it convenient for you to come out for a moment?” A deep, male voice came from outside.
Ye Lan’s gaze turned cold.
Her figure flashed like lightning as she stood before Mu Xi, her slender fingers already resting quietly on the weapon at her waist.
“What is it?” her voice was icy, every word carrying an inviolable warning.
The man outside seemed to sense Ye Lan’s hostility, and his tone immediately became a bit more respectful.
“The wind and sand have temporarily weakened; it is a good time for Your Highness to exercise. According to our leader’s wishes, Your Highness needs to maintain appropriate movement to recover your physical strength.”
Mu Xi, on the sofa, was awakened by the voice.
She rubbed her bleary eyes and looked down at her legs, discovering that she had somehow been dressed in a pair of pure white stockings.
She tilted her head slightly, her long silver hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall as a flash of confusion crossed her eyes.
“I understand. I’ll be out once I’ve changed,” Mu Xi’s voice was soft as a breeze, yet it carried an unquestionable authority.
Ye Lan’s phoenix eyes were full of doting affection.
“Come, let me help you.” She leaned down to lift Mu Xi, her movements gentle but firm.
Mu Xi’s body was incredibly light, falling into Ye Lan’s arms like a feather.
She instinctively leaned her head against Ye Lan’s shoulder, her every breath filled with Ye Lan’s familiar, reassuring scent.
Ye Lan carried her toward the wardrobe and took out a set of simple yet noble-looking sportswear.
“Raise your arms,” Ye Lan ordered, though her tone was softer than it had ever been.
Mu Xi obediently raised her arms, allowing Ye Lan to put on her intimate undergarments followed by a light gray athletic top.
As Ye Lan’s fingers buttoned the shirt, they inadvertently brushed against Mu Xi’s collarbone, causing the girl to tremble slightly.
“Are you cold?” Ye Lan asked immediately, a flash of worry in her eyes.
Mu Xi shook her head, a faint blush appearing on her fair cheeks.
Ye Lan then put the matching athletic pants on her, her movements gentle and skilled, as if she had done this countless times before.
She intentionally did not remove the white stockings, carefully pulling the pant legs over them.
Finally, Ye Lan put a pair of light sneakers on Mu Xi.
After tying the laces, she looked up at Mu Xi, her eyes full of admiration.
At this moment, Mu Xi’s long silver hair was tied into a simple ponytail.
Her exquisite face was devoid of makeup, yet she was still breathtakingly beautiful.
Those gem-like eyes were bright and pure, her long eyelashes casting faint shadows on her eyelids.
She was petite but perfectly proportioned; even simple sportswear could not hide her innate noble aura.
“I’ll go with you,” Ye Lan said, her tone brook no argument.
Mu Xi nodded, the corners of her mouth turning up slightly, “Okay.”
This simple sentence made Ye Lan’s heart feel warm.
She could see from Mu Xi’s eyes that this girl, who had lost her memories, relied on and trusted her completely.
***
Ye Lan pushed open the RV door, and the dry desert air immediately rushed in.
She vigilantly scanned the surroundings and only let Mu Xi follow after confirming it was safe.
The desert sun was piercing and scorching, and the distant dunes distorted and deformed in the heat waves.
The few low buildings of the Temporary Base stood like lonely islands amidst the yellow sands, with several fully armed soldiers patrolling the perimeter.
“We’ll run a few laps around that building.”
Ye Lan pointed toward a square building not far away.
At the same time, she quietly adjusted her position to keep Mu Xi between herself and the building, ensuring the girl wouldn’t be exposed to any potential danger.
Mu Xi nodded and started jogging.
Before she had even finished half a lap, Mu Xi’s breathing became hurried, and an unnatural flush appeared on her pale cheeks.
Ye Lan immediately slowed her pace to walk beside her.
“Slower. Breathe evenly. Inhale for 3 seconds, exhale for 3 seconds.”
Mu Xi adjusted her breathing according to Ye Lan’s guidance, but her slender body was still struggling.
“Don’t push yourself,” Ye Lan’s voice softened, “We can walk for a bit.”
Mu Xi shook her head, stubbornly continuing to run.
“I can do it.”
Ye Lan looked at her determined profile, her heart feeling both distressed and proud.
This was her Little Xi; even if she had lost her memories, the resilience in her bones remained.
“Fine. We’ll run one more lap, then rest,” Ye Lan compromised, though her gaze never stopped vigilantly scanning their surroundings.
When Mu Xi finished the last lap, her slender legs finally gave out, and she collapsed directly onto the scorching sand.
Her chest heaved violently, and her silver hair was soaked with sweat, clinging to her pale cheeks.
Those gem-like eyes were slightly glazed from exhaustion.
Ye Lan stood to the side, her gaze scanning the area like a hawk to ensure no threats approached her Little Xi.
“That’s enough. Don’t push yourself,” Ye Lan’s voice was still stern, but her eyes betrayed an irrepressible heartache.
Mu Xi looked up, a stubborn smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.
“I can run one more lap.”
“No.” Ye Lan knelt down, her slender fingers gently brushing the sweat from Mu Xi’s face.
Her tone was firm, “Your physical condition doesn’t allow for excessive exercise.”
Mu Xi panted, her small face flushed unnaturally from the exertion, her small, fair hands resting limply on her knees.
Seeing her like this, Ye Lan felt both pained and proud.
“Wait for me.” Ye Lan stood up and quickly headed toward the off-road RV.
Her figure cast a long shadow under the desert sun.
In less than 30 seconds, Ye Lan returned to Mu Xi’s side, holding a bottle of crystal-clear mineral water.