You're awake," he said quietly as he turned from the window.
His voice carried that familiar husky depth, but there was something steadier beneath it now, something grounded, powerful.
Su Ning pushed herself up slowly from the bed, the duvet sliding down her shoulders as she sat upright. For a brief second she simply stared at him, confirming that he was truly conscious, truly standing there, sunlight spilling over his broad shoulders and tracing the sharp lines of his back.
Relief flooded her chest so suddenly it almost made her dizzy.
She rose to her feet, her bare toes brushing the cool floor as she stepped around the bed. He began walking toward her at the same time, unhurried, confident.
His tall frame closed the distance easily, until he stood directly in front of her, easily towering over her figure.
The air between them felt charged, heavy with unspoken thoughts.
His gaze softened in a way she had never seen before. Slowly, deliberately, he lifted his hand and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers brushing her temple with disarming gentleness.
"Did you sleep well?" he asked, his voice low and husky, carrying an unexpected tenderness.
Su Ning's breath caught.
She had never stood this close to a man before.
Not to one who looked so dangerously attractive while shirtless and completely at ease.
She could see every defined line of muscle on his chest, the smooth stretch of skin where scars used to be, the dark ink of his tattoo curling over his shoulder.
Her thoughts scrambled in all directions.
She quickly shook her head, as if physically trying to scatter them. A faint flush crept up her cheeks. She cleared her throat, forcing her expression into something neutral—clueless, almost innocent.
"Mnn," she murmured softly, avoiding his eyes for half a second before looking back up at him. "Are you okay? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere? Dizzy? Weak?"
Her voice held genuine concern despite her attempt at composure.
Qi Xiyue chuckled lowly, clearly amused. The sound vibrated deep in his chest.
Her red cheeks and forced calm made her look unexpectedly cute.
He had to admit, she looked quite different from when they last met. She looked so beautiful it was unreal, he could not help but watch her for hours after she fell asleep.
She had stayed by his side the entire night.
No one had ever done that for him.
No one had ever looked at him with such unfiltered panic when he was hurt.
She was the first person who had shown real concern for him since he was born.
Somewhere along the way, she had slipped into his heart without permission.
Su Ning felt the intensity of his gaze lingering on her. Her heart began pounding wildly against her ribs. She was losing composure, and she knew it.
"Qi Xiyue…" she called gently, trying to anchor herself.
He leaned closer instead of answering directly, amusement dancing in his eyes.
"Still Qi Xiyue?" he murmured softly, lowering his head slightly so his voice brushed across her senses. "I thought we had already passed that stage."
His breath fanned against her cheek.
Too close.
Her heart thundered so loudly she was convinced he could hear it. She instinctively tried to step back, but before she could create distance, a powerful arm wrapped around her lower back, firm and unyielding, drawing her closer instead.
"You—" she began, but the words dissolved under his proximity.
He studied her face closely. There wasn't a single blemish. Her skin looked unreal, porcelain smooth. Her long, curled lashes cast faint shadows over her eyes. For a brief second, he had to restrain himself from leaning down and pressing a kiss against them.
"Call me Xiyue," he said quietly.
She looked up at him, hesitating for a heartbeat.
"Xiyue…" she finally said softly, the name rolling awkwardly yet naturally from her lips. "How are you feeling now?"
She changed the topic quickly, almost too quickly.
He smiled in response, and a dimple appeared on his right cheek.
Su Ning's mouth fell open slightly in surprise.
She blinked as though questioning reality.
Wait, he had—
A dimple?
Her mouth formed a small "o" without her realizing it.
He noticed immediately.
"What?" he asked with amusement. "Have you never seen a man smile before?"
She blinked rapidly and closed her mouth, flustered. "I have," she muttered defensively. "I just didn't expect you to have a dimple."
He laughed softly.
"Well, I do," he replied lightly. "And apparently it surprises you."
Seeing him look so relaxed, so carefree made her chest loosen. She found herself smiling without realizing it.
"Well, I feel perfectly fine," he said calmly.
"In fact, I feel… stronger. Lighter."
He paused before adding, "There are just a few unusual things."
He turned and walked toward a nearby stool where a decorative lamp rested.
Su Ning suddenly realized how strange this must look to him. A bullet wound had vanished overnight without leaving a scar.
"For one," he began, glancing down at himself, "I have no wounds. Not even the old scars."
He extended his hand toward the lamp, calmly.
"And this…"
His fingers made contact.
Or rather—
They didn't.
His hand passed straight through the solid base of the lamp as if it were nothing more than air.
Su Ning gasped sharply and hurried toward him, her eyes wide as she stared at his hand moving effortlessly through the object.
"System?" she called silently in her mind, barely containing her astonishment.
The system responded immediately.
[Replying to Host. Subject's body has successfully upgraded. His high-grade physique displayed natural compatibility with the Mystical Pearl. He has awakened with two innate abilities. Cultivation not required.]
Her mouth dropped open even further.
Two innate abilities.
Without cultivation.
She stared at Qi Xiyue in disbelief.
How absurdly lucky was he?
She had spent effort cultivating step by step, yet he gained abilities instantly.
"What abilities?" she asked internally.
[Phasing and Rebound. Phasing allows the user to pass through solid objects. Attacks can also pass through him without harm. Rebound allows the user to redirect an opponent's attack back at them.]
Su Ning felt both stunned and relieved.
If he possessed abilities like that, he would be far less vulnerable in the future.
She wouldn't have to worry about him—
She froze.
Why was she thinking that way?
Her cheeks flushed again.
She looked up and realized he was watching her with a knowing expression.
"What?" he asked lightly. "Thinking about me?"
"Who—who's thinking about you? Tsk," she retorted quickly, folding her arms slightly as if offended.
He laughed softly, clearly unconvinced.
"Well… about that… I," she began, preparing to explain everything.
He interrupted gently.
"You don't have to explain anything to me," he said, his voice softer now, more sincere. "You saved my life for the second time, Ning. That's something I won't forget. And it's something I will repay."
"You don't need to," she replied quickly, her tone firm but warm.
She took a breath and decided to give him a modified explanation.
"Actually I gave you a special pill," she began carefully. "It has powerful healing properties. It can reconstruct the body completely. But it's risky. It could be dangerous If the person's physique isn't strong enough,"
He listened calmly without interrupting.
"You survived because your physique is naturally compatible," she continued. "And because of that… you gained abilities."
She then explained Phasing and Rebound in simple terms, watching his reaction closely.
He didn't look overly excited.
He didn't question where the pill came from.
Instead, he reached out suddenly and cupped her jaw gently, tilting her face upward so she had no choice but to look directly into his eyes.
"Why did you waste something so valuable on me?" he asked quietly, genuine concern etched into his expression. "You could have used it on yourself."
She blinked.
She had expected curiosity, excitement, Interrogation but not concern.
"Xiyue," she said softly, her voice steady now. "It's fine. I can protect myself."
He studied her for a few more seconds before finally nodding.
A small smile curved his lips.
Just then, his phone began to ring.
The sharp sound broke the intimacy of the moment.
He released her gently and answered the call.
Even without trying, Su Ning could hear the conversation clearly with her enhanced senses.
Two of his men had arrived at the shore of the island.
After ending the call, he turned back to her.
"My men are here," he informed her calmly. "I had them bring clothes last night while you were asleep."
She nodded quickly, stepping back slightly to create space.
"Then you should get dressed," she said, regaining composure. "Come find me afterward."
With that, she turned and walked toward the door.
But she could still feel his gaze following her as she left the room.