Chen Fan gazed at the sleeping Wang Yue, his expression unreadable. The moment she collapsed, he had carried her to her room without hesitation. Now, as he sat beside her, he pressed two fingers lightly against her wrist, checking her pulse. The steady rhythm, though weak, indicated nothing more than exhaustion, allowing him to release a small sigh of relief.
"Her constitution is truly absurd," Ao Xue murmured, his sharp eyes lingering on Wang Yue's unconscious form. "To think that a body could transform entirely into Qi itself…"
To an ordinary observer, Wang Yue appeared unchanged, but through eyes attuned to magic, the transformation was unmistakable. Her very body structure was shifting—an eerie yet mesmerizing sight.
"But this doesn't seem like normal mana," Chen Fan remarked, narrowing his eyes as he examined her closely. "It feels… purer. Even compared to the Qi found within a cultivator's dantian, this is on an entirely different level."
"That might explain why it repels external mana," Ao Xue mused. "But this will be dangerous if the wrong people find out. Cultivators will assume she's a mass of conscious energy, or worse, they might attempt to refine her, absorb her into their own bodies, or use her as nothing more than an experiment. Regardless, we need to find a way to conceal this. A high-level cultivator would be able to sense her unique constitution immediately."
"Thankfully, this world lacks openly acknowledged high-level cultivators," Chen Fan agreed, though his tone held a hint of uncertainty. Even if none had revealed themselves, it didn't mean they weren't lurking in the shadows. Wang Yue's body was nothing short of a priceless treasure to those who pursued cultivation beyond mortal limits.
Ao Xue suddenly smirked, her gaze playful yet knowing. "And what about you? Aren't you tempted?" she teased. "Who knows what kind of transformation you'd undergo if you devoured her?"
Chen Fan shot her a flat look. "There's no need to ask something you already know the answer to." His voice was firm, leaving no room for doubt. Lowering himself to such a despicable level was out of the question.
Before he could dwell on the matter further, Wang Yue's eyelashes fluttered slightly. Moments later, her eyes cracked open, still hazy with exhaustion.
"Ah, you're awake," Chen Fan said casually, his tone betraying none of his earlier concern. "I brought food and water." With a flick of his hand, an array of dishes materialized from his phone, neatly arranged before her.
Wang Yue let out a soft chuckle at his attentiveness. "How long was I asleep?" she asked, stretching weakly.
"Two hours."
She blinked at him. "And you've been watching me the entire time?"
"Yes." Chen Fan nodded without hesitation, completely unbothered by her scrutiny. "Admiring something beautiful is natural, isn't it?"
A faint blush crept up Wang Yue's cheeks at the unexpected compliment. Flustered, she turned her face away and muttered, "Pervert…" Yet, despite her words, a small, involuntary smile tugged at her lips.
Chen Fan, unfazed, continued preparing the meal. "So, can you tell me what happened earlier?" he asked, his tone gentle but curious.
Wang Yue furrowed her brows, recalling the sensation. "I just felt my entire body suddenly wracked with pain… and then I lost consciousness."
"And now?" Chen Fan asked, observing her closely.
"It doesn't hurt anymore," she replied, slowly flexing her fingers. "But I can feel something different… My connection to the Qi around me feels stronger than before." She hesitated, her senses picking up on the surrounding energy. Not only could she feel the flow of mana in the air—she could guide it.
Chen Fan's gaze deepened as he watched strands of mana naturally gravitate toward her, as if drawn to her presence, as if welcoming her. He had already grown accustomed to her abnormalities, but every time something new surfaced, it never failed to amaze him.
After a brief silence, he exhaled and gave her a slightly awkward look. "I should apologize… This was probably my fault." He then carefully explained his abilities to her, his expression unreadable.
Wang Yue listened attentively before shaking her head. "Well, you didn't know, right? So it's not your fault," she reassured him. She attempted to push herself up, but the moment she tried, an unexpected heaviness settled over her limbs.
"Huh?" She frowned, struggling to lift her arms.
"It seems like exhaustion is still weighing down your body," Chen Fan remarked, having anticipated this outcome. "It's similar to when someone has been bedridden for too long—your muscles are too weak to function properly." Without another word, he effortlessly scooped her up, summoning a soft cushion to support her as he adjusted her into a sitting position.
"Wh-What are you doing?!" Wang Yue stammered, feeling his careful yet firm grip as he repositioned her.
"Well, since this was caused by me, I'll take care of you until you can move normally again," he stated matter-of-factly, his tone leaving no room for argument. Without hesitation, he picked up the spoon and lifted it toward her.
Seeing the food presented to her, Wang Yue's face turned several shades redder. "I—I can do it myself!" she protested, attempting to raise her hand, only for it to tremble weakly.
"Don't be stubborn. Open your mouth," Chen Fan said, his voice serious.
Wang Yue hesitated, glancing between him and the food. Realizing she truly had no strength left, she begrudgingly accepted reality and slowly opened her mouth, allowing him to feed her.
Chen Fan watched her eat, his lips curving into a small smile. The sight of her flushed face amused him far more than he cared to admit. Wang Yue, at first mortified, soon found herself growing accustomed to the arrangement.
As he continued to feed her, he occasionally wiped the corners of her lips with a napkin, as if waiting for her to fluster again. Though she still glared at him with what she likely thought was a "fierce" expression, he could tell she was no longer as embarrassed.
Once she finished eating, she observed Chen Fan as he meticulously cleaned up the area. A playful thought suddenly crossed her mind.
"I want pudding," she declared with a perfectly straight face.
Chen Fan paused, his eyebrows raising slightly before amusement flickered across his features. "Didn't you just say you were full?"
"That was before," Wang Yue replied, completely unfazed. "Now it's different. Normally, I'd get it myself, but for some reason, I can't move from this bed." She shot him a sideways glance, watching as his smile deepened.
"Alright, alright. I'll get it for you," Chen Fan said, shaking his head in amusement. Without hesitation, he headed toward the kitchen, indulging her whim without complaint.
"I want to open the window."
"I want to use my smartphone."
"I want to drink some juice."
"I want…"
Wang Yue's continuous string of demands made Chen Fan smile, though there was something deeper hidden within his expression. He observed her with an amused glint in his eyes, yet beneath that amusement lay an unspoken thought. Wang Yue, noticing his gaze, met it head-on with a defiant look as if silently challenging him—What are you going to do about it? Her expression only deepened his amusement, making him chuckle softly.
"I want to read that book." Wang Yue finally shifted her focus toward a tome resting on the nearby shelf, its cover depicting the intricate symbols of elemental magic.
Without hesitation, Chen Fan got up, retrieved the book, and handed it to her with a gentle smile. Wang Yue had expected him to simply use a spell to make the book float in front of her so she could read it comfortably. However, just as she was about to reach for it, her prediction was shattered entirely.
Instead of using magic to suspend the book, Chen Fan lifted her using his Qi—an act still possible since it didn't enter her body directly. Before she could react, she felt herself being effortlessly hoisted into the air, only for her movement to come to an abrupt stop as she landed securely on Chen Fan's lap.
"Wh-What are you doing?! L-Let go of me!" Wang Yue's face instantly turned crimson at the unexpected intimacy. This… This… Wasn't this the kind of position lovers would sit in while reading together?!
Her flustered thoughts scattered further when Chen Fan, without the slightest hesitation, wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting the book in front of them. His voice was calm, as if entirely unaffected by their close proximity.
"You wanted to read, didn't you?" he said, his tone laced with quiet amusement.
"I-I get it! I won't make any more requests, so just put me back in bed!" Wang Yue stammered, her entire body tensing. She could feel the warmth of his breath near her ear, the firm press of his chest against her back—it was too much. How was she supposed to focus on a book like this?!
"That would be inefficient," Chen Fan replied smoothly. "Besides, I want to read it too." His tone was serious, as if this was the most logical decision.
"B-But—"
"I've been running around fulfilling your every request," he interrupted, his voice carrying a hint of playfulness. "I'm a little tired too. I'll put you back on the bed later, alright?"
Wang Yue clenched her jaw, realizing that arguing any further was pointless. This was his way of getting back at her for testing his patience earlier. She had pushed him too far, and now she had to suffer the consequences. Accepting her fate, she sighed and gave up resisting.
At first, she was painfully aware of his presence, her mind unable to focus on anything but the sensation of being enveloped in his warmth. However, as her gaze fell upon the open pages of the book, its contents quickly captured her attention. Slowly but surely, she found herself engrossed in the intricate knowledge of elemental magic, her earlier embarrassment fading into the background.
"Next page," she muttered absentmindedly, eyes locked onto the text.
Chen Fan silently complied, flipping the page for her. He observed her intently, noting how all traces of her initial fluster had completely disappeared. Now, she was entirely absorbed in the book, her mind so fixated on its contents that she had seemingly forgotten all about him.
Yet, for some reason, no matter how many times he glanced at the pages, he saw nothing but blank sheets. Even when he asked Wang Yue to read aloud, the moment her voice reached his ears, it was as if his thoughts became clouded, unable to connect the words into coherent meaning.
Eventually, he gave up, resigning himself to simply watching her read.
Still, something about the way she was utterly immersed in the book made him feel slightly uncomfortable. She had been completely engrossed for quite some time now, not once sparing him a glance.
What am I thinking? He shook his head with a soft smile, amused by his own thoughts. Perhaps he was being ridiculous, but a small part of him found it mildly frustrating that she could forget all about him so easily.
As he sat there, her scent lingered in the air, subtle yet distinct. Her hair, soft and fragrant, brushed against his cheek, and her warmth seeped through his clothes, wrapping around him like an invisible embrace. It was… comforting.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
The sudden knocking on the door did nothing to break Wang Yue's concentration. She remained utterly oblivious, her attention wholly fixated on the book in her hands.
A familiar voice rang from the other side. "It's me. Can I come in?" Celestia's voice carried through the room.
Chen Fan furrowed his brows slightly but, after a brief moment of consideration, decided against disturbing Wang Yue. Instead, he used his Qi to open the door.
As Celestia stepped inside, her gaze immediately landed on the scene before her. Her eyes widened in surprise.
There, in the soft glow of the setting sun, was Wang Yue, comfortably nestled in Chen Fan's lap, his arms loosely encircling her as they shared a book. The picture they painted was undeniably intimate.
"I-I'll come back later," Celestia stammered, hastily turning on her heel and closing the door behind her before Chen Fan could even respond.
His eye twitched slightly at her reaction, but after a brief sigh, he decided to let it go. Instead, his gaze drifted back to Wang Yue, who remained blissfully unaware of the entire exchange, completely lost in her reading.
Chen Fan couldn't help but chuckle softly at the sight.
Well… spending time like this once in a while isn't so bad.
For so long, his life had been filled with constant movement, one event after another pulling him forward without rest. Ever since he descended from the mountain, there had always been something demanding his attention, something requiring action. But right now, at this moment, there was nothing urgent—nothing he had to do.
No battles, no schemes, no looming threats.
Just this peaceful, fleeting moment.
Letting out a quiet breath, he rested his chin gently against Wang Yue's shoulder. Even then, she didn't react, her attention still fixated on the book. He wasn't sure whether to feel amused or a little disappointed.
Still, the warmth of her presence was more than enough.
Closing his eyes, he allowed himself to simply exist in this quiet stillness, savoring it to his heart's content.