Just as Xiao Zhan's thoughts were wandering, Ye Youlong's voice suddenly came.
Hearing these words.
Xiao Zhan's heart skipped a beat, and his blood boiled even more.
Good grief, he hadn't expected his ice-queen wife to be so supportive, not vague at all.
Pretentiousness kept at bay, sensible understanding welcomed, oh what joy!
He had thought that a high-and-mighty lady like this would play the cliché drama of you sleeping on the bed and I on the floor.
Or at the very least, set some sort of rules.
But none of that happened, hey.
Happiness came so unexpectedly that Xiao Zhan felt somewhat unaccustomed to it in his heart!
He didn't know what to do.
Ye Youlong had been watching Xiao Zhan's expression the whole time. Seeing the excitement on his face, her expression remained calm.
But upon closer inspection, one could see that her calmness was excessive, alienating, as if she was discussing something unrelated to herself.
Xiao Zhan caught this hint of alienation, and the heat rushing to his head suddenly felt like it was doused with cold water, making him much more sober and calm.
Looking at Ye Youlong's stunning face and perfect figure, he suddenly understood.
Ye Youlong's consent to share a bed with him wasn't because she truly wanted to, but rather because of the peculiarity of the Life and Death Contract, she had come to accept this reality that would eventually happen.
He was about to say something.
But at this moment, Ye Youlong's voice came again.
She stared into Xiao Zhan's eyes, the estrangement in her gaze disappeared, and at this moment, they were clear and moving.
"As someone who, no matter what happens, will spend a lifetime with you, there are some personal thoughts I must share. In fact, compared to taking the final step tonight, I'd prefer it to happen on a night when we both share a beautiful mutual understanding."
First she built him up, then she let him down.
Heh.
Xiao Zhan understood, it was still the same old pattern.
Ye Youlong continued, "Of course, this is just my own thought. Although we have signed the Life and Death Contract, we are both independent individuals, and in matters of emotion, we are equals."
"If you want it, I will agree. If you understand me, I will be very happy."
These words were spoken very sincerely, and Xiao Zhan found himself genuinely moved.
She was indeed communicating with Xiao Zhan on an equal footing, and even her stance was actually a bit more yielding. She expressed her own thoughts, and Xiao Zhan expressed his.
If their thoughts aligned, then their emotional bond would deepen.
If there was disagreement in thought, she would choose to accept Xiao Zhan's, turning the divergence into concord.
Outwardly aloof, but inwardly delicate.
Her peaceful words cooled Xiao Zhan's fervor not by quenching it, but by letting it simmer down on its own.
He said jokingly, "Although I feel like you're trying to emotionally manipulate me, as your lifelong partner, I understand you and respect you."
"I'm not trying to manipulate you emotionally; I'm just sharing what's in my heart. Although the Life and Death Contract binds us together for a lifetime, what I hope for is that within this contract, we can also experience the impulses of affection," Ye Youlong explained seriously.
A Life and Death Contract is not omnipotent. When two strangers sign the contract, it only grants the most basic sentiment between a man and a woman.
What is the most basic sentiment?
Simply put, it's the lack of aversion.
Like when a man and woman meet for the first time on a blind date, both feeling that the other person is okay. There's no particular attraction, but at the same time, there's nothing they dislike about each other. It's ordinary, not aversive, and they can continue the relationship.
That's the extent of this very basic emotional bond.
Therefore, it's not the case that all who have signed the Life and Death Contract will reach perfect compatibility.
In fact, nearly ninety percent of contractors regret signing the Life and Death Contract.
Because compatibility requires nurturing, and faced with various obstacles, many people cannot bear the strain and end up regretting.
Moreover, and most crucially, compatibility is not a progress bar that only increases. Compatibility can decrease, and if it isn't appropriately addressed in time, leading to an irretrievable situation, then the relationship will truly be worse than death.
Hence, the 'life and death' aspects in the Life and Death Contract carry profound meaning.
This is also why many people know that the Life and Death Contract is good, but very few actually sign it.
Because fundamentally, the Life and Death Contract goes against human nature.
Seeing her explain so earnestly, Xiao Zhan put away his jokes and responded seriously, "I agree with your view. Compared to a superficial, fleeting excitement, I prefer this lifelong companionship and adjustment."
Hearing Xiao Zhan's words, the indifference vanished from Ye Youlong's eyes, and her clear pupils could not help but ripple slightly.
Her 'Perception' was not wrong.
She did not choose the Life and Death Contract with Xiao Zhan simply because of Xiao Zhan's powerful Talent Skills.
Ye Youlong said again, "Actually, by signing the contract with me, I'm the one at an advantage. Your Bloodline Talent Skills allow you to contract multiple Artifact Spirits, which would greatly increase your strength, and you could enjoy the privileges of an emperor."
"But because of me, you can only contract with me alone. And I'm still saying all these 'high-sounding' words."
"I am being selfish... But I really can't bear the thought of sharing my husband with other women."
Hearing this, Xiao Zhan was slightly stunned; he hadn't expected Ye Youlong to be so perceptive.
A smile crept onto his lips. He was finding himself liking this wife more and more.
Seeing her express such genuine emotions, Xiao Zhan couldn't resist the urge to tease her a bit.
"You're right, if I hadn't contracted with you, I would certainly contract with many Artifact Spirits and enjoy the treatment of having several wives."
As he spoke, his face showed a hint of regret.
Almost as if he was thumping his chest and stamping his feet in frustration.
Ye Youlong, upon witnessing this, felt her heart tense and her brows instinctively furrowed.
Is that really what he thinks?
A tinge of sadness.
Sensing keenly, Xiao Zhan knew his wife had a bit of an obsessive personality and shouldn't be teased too much; he quickly changed his tone.
"But..."
Xiao Zhan grinned and suddenly moved closer to Ye Youlong, staring into her eyes as brilliant as a starry sky, he articulated, "But, had I contracted with them, I wouldn't have met you."
"Women are easy to find, but a wife is hard to come by, especially one like you with high talents, beautiful looks, and most importantly, such an understanding heart."
Of course, Xiao Zhan would also like to contract with a few more, but with things as they are now, what else could he do?
Moreover, if he really contracted with several at once, he would probably end up sliced up by the Federation, wouldn't he?
After saying this, Xiao Zhan lifted a corner of the blanket and crawled into bed, settling next to Ye Youlong.
Looking at her tenderly.
There was only one bed in this room. Xiao Zhan was definitely not going to sleep outside or on the floor. As a husband, it was only natural for him to share a bed with his wife.