Thud.
Wang Yue's focus shattered as the book she had been reading slipped from her hands and tumbled to the floor. A wave of exhaustion suddenly washed over her, making her body feel heavier than before. It seemed that her condition had yet to return to its peak.
"Hmm?"
A warm sensation pressed against her back, especially around her shoulders. Blinking in surprise, she slowly turned her head to the side, only to find Chen Fan fast asleep—his head resting against her shoulder.
"Eh? Wh—Wha—Eh?"
Her mind scrambled to process the situation. As her memories gradually pieced themselves together, the present sensation—their current position—began to seep into her awareness.
"!!"
She stiffened when she felt Chen Fan's arms tighten slightly around her waist. The warmth of his touch sent a flutter through her heart, catching her completely off guard. Instinctively, she tried to move, but her body refused to obey. Her muscles were still stiff, making it difficult to gather her strength. Letting out a slow breath, she calmed herself and shifted her gaze toward Chen Fan's face.
Strands of his hair fell over his eyes, partially obscuring them, but she could still make out the delicate curve of his eyelashes. Compared to his usual infuriating smugness whenever he teased her—or the sharp, serious expression he wore when focused—this side of him was entirely unfamiliar. Unguarded, vulnerable, utterly at peace. She had never seen him like this before.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Her heartbeat pounded against her ribs.
She found herself drawn to him, unable to look away. His steady, soft breathing brushed against her ear, as if whispering secrets only she could hear. And yet, above all else, she realized something undeniable—she didn't dislike this. No, she felt… comfortable. Warm. As if, in this fleeting moment, nothing else mattered.
Her mind drifted back to their first meeting—the wariness she had harbored, the hesitation in their first conversation. How, little by little, she had come to understand different sides of him, each one surprising in its own way.
The frustration she felt whenever he ignored her.The discomfort that stirred in her chest whenever she heard him with another girl.The joy she felt when he finally opened up to her.And the peacefulness she now experienced simply by being close to him.
A warmth spread across her cheeks as her heartbeat grew louder.
Ah. I can't deny it anymore.
I like him.I want to spend more time with him.I want to know more about him.I want to keep talking to him.I want him to care for me.I want him to look at only me.
Her breath hitched slightly as she hesitated, then cautiously tilted her head to look at him once more. A nervous gulp followed as her heart pounded against her ribs. Summoning all her courage, she leaned in ever so slightly, her entire face burning with embarrassment.
And yet, as her head gently pressed against his, a quiet sense of satisfaction bloomed in her chest.
A soft, contented smile graced her lips as she closed her eyes.
Slowly, she drifted into slumber, wrapped in the warmth of his presence.
---
Chen Fan's eyes slowly fluttered open, greeted by the sight of the darkened sky. The only source of illumination was the gentle glow of the moonlight, casting a pale silver hue over everything around him. As his awareness returned, he noticed something peculiar—his current position felt a little... off.
A warm, soft sensation enveloped his arms, and something pressed lightly against his head. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, he turned slightly, only to be met with the sight of golden strands of hair brushing softly against his face.
For a brief moment, he was stunned.
Then, realization dawned.
A soft smile curled at the corners of his lips as he took in their situation.
Carefully, he lifted Wang Yue into his arms, ensuring that she remained undisturbed as he carried her to the bed. He adjusted the blanket over her sleeping form, his movements gentle and deliberate. Even now, he could faintly detect the lingering scent of something fresh mixing with his own, a subtle reminder of their shared warmth just moments ago.
After tidying the room, he quietly stepped out, closing the door behind him without making a sound.
As he made his way through the dimly lit corridor, his gaze instinctively drifted toward the night sky. The moon overhead was noticeably larger than the one from his own world, glowing brilliantly amidst a sea of countless stars. A sense of nostalgia settled in his chest.
The sight reminded him of a habit he had developed during his years in the mountains—stargazing at night, letting the vast expanse of the sky soothe his mind. It was a source of comfort, a rare moment of peace in a world that often demanded so much from him. But ever since he had left the mountains for the city, such moments had become rare. The city sky was always shrouded in darkness, devoid of the stars he had once admired.
Feeling the urge to relish this moment, he stepped outside, allowing the cool night air to wash over him. Finding a quiet spot, he settled down, his gaze locked onto the celestial display above.
The sky here was nothing short of breathtaking. The aurora painted waves of ethereal color across the heavens, mingling with the shimmering starlight to create a sight unlike anything he had seen before. Compared to the blank, light-polluted sky of his previous world, this place was a masterpiece—one he intended to savor while he could.
"Sir Chen?"
A surprised voice interrupted his thoughts.
Chen Fan turned to see Celestia standing nearby, her expression laced with mild astonishment. It was clear that she hadn't expected to find him outside at this hour.
"Oh, Princess," he greeted casually, noting the formal attire she still wore. "Seems like it's been a busy day, huh?"
"Well, that's normal, I suppose. Ever since the Demon King's invasion, a long rest has become a luxury." Celestia let out a small sigh before taking a seat beside him, though she maintained a respectable distance. "But I didn't think you would be the type to enjoy stargazing."
Chen Fan didn't respond immediately. His eyes remained fixed on the mesmerizing sky above.
"Well, the sky from my world is like a blank canvas compared to this," he finally said, voice calm and contemplative. "It would be a shame not to appreciate it while I have the chance."
Celestia observed him for a moment before letting out a soft chuckle. "I didn't expect you to have this kind of hobby."
"Oh?" Chen Fan finally turned his head slightly, a small smile tugging at his lips. "And what kind of hobbies did you think I had, Princess?"
"Well…" Celestia hesitated before laughing awkwardly. "Gazing at the stars?"
Chen Fan chuckled at her response, shaking his head slightly before returning his attention to the sky.
Silence settled between them.
Celestia, too, turned her gaze upwards. She had seen this sky countless times before, yet its beauty never faded. Still, unlike Chen Fan, she didn't find anything particularly special about it. Perhaps she had simply grown too accustomed to the view.
The quiet between them stretched on, and she contemplated excusing herself when—
"Why don't you join us?"
Chen Fan's sudden words snapped Celestia out of her thoughts, a look of confusion crossing her face.
Before she could ask what he meant, his gaze sharpened.
"Hmph. It's strange, isn't it?" Chen Fan murmured, his tone carrying an edge of amusement. "Sending a deaf man for reconnaissance… or assassination. That's not very practical, don't you think?"
His eyes flickered toward a distant tree, then subtly scanned the area. He could feel it—three separate presences surrounding them.
A crimson glow erupted in the air.
A triangular barrier of red energy formed around them, sealing their exit.
Three figures clad in knight uniforms stepped forward from the shadows, their silhouettes now fully revealed.
Chen Fan activated his magic-enhanced vision, his eyes instantly picking up the dark aura shrouding their bodies.
"…Demons?" His voice carried intrigue rather than alarm.
His reaction made the intruders pause for a brief second before one of them let out a low chuckle.
"Heh. As expected of the Hero," one of the demons sneered, removing his helmet to reveal a sharp-toothed grin. "To think the kingdom actually succeeded in summoning after a year. Good thing we held back instead of acting sooner." His eyes raked over Chen Fan, sizing him up.
Celestia stiffened, her body tensing for battle. Recognition flashed across her face.
These knights… She knew them.
They had served in the palace for over three years.
Her mind reeled with countless questions. How far had the demons infiltrated? How long had this gone unnoticed? Who else had been compromised?
The realization struck like a dagger to the chest, but she had no time to dwell on it.
"S-Sir Chen," Celestia called, steadying herself. "I'll hold them off. Go alert the others—"
"Hahaha. Do you really think we wouldn't account for that, Princess?"
The demon's mocking tone sent a chill down Celestia's spine.
Before she could react, the ground beneath Chen Fan cracked open, and jagged rocks imbued with mana surged upward, locking his arms and legs in place.
"Earth Golem…" Celestia muttered, her expression grim. Before she could move to free him, a blade came swinging toward her.
"If possible, take them alive," one of the demons ordered his subordinates. "The King is quite curious about this 'otherworldly' visitor."
The moment those words left his mouth, the remaining two demons lunged toward her, weapons aimed for a swift takedown.
Celestia wasted no time. Summoning her sword, she enveloped it in flames and met their assault head-on. Sparks flew as steel clashed against steel.
"Tch. To think they'd move this efficiently…"
Trapped within the enchanted stone restraints, Chen Fan smirked in amusement. He had expected them to monologue longer, to gloat about their plans—but no, they had acted without hesitation. That alone proved their competence.
But it was too bad.
They had underestimated him.
Crack.
The jagged rocks shattered in an instant.
A stunned silence followed.
Even Celestia, mid-battle, faltered in shock. The Earth Golem's bindings weren't something just anyone could break—it typically required a three-star warrior. Yet Chen Fan had done so effortlessly.
"Wha—"
One of the demons barely had time to react before his world turned upside down.
Or rather—his head did.
With blinding speed, Chen Fan struck, sending the man's severed head tumbling to the ground.
The remaining two demons recoiled in horror.
"You—"
Before the next could finish his sentence, he, too, was dead.
Chen Fan didn't slow.
The last demon slashed wildly in desperation, but Chen Fan dodged with fluid precision, slicing through the man's leg and arms in one swift motion before grabbing his face and slamming him into the earth.
"Well then," Chen Fan murmured, crouching down. "Shall we talk?"
But before he could extract any information, he felt it—an ominous swell of energy.
"Shit."
Without hesitation, he grabbed Celestia and bolted toward the barrier, channeling Annihilation Qi into his foot.
Boom.
A hole tore through the barrier just as the explosion erupted behind them.