"Xiyue, what's wrong?" Su Ning asked softly, her voice filled with concern as she stepped closer to him.
The cold air that had settled around him seemed to break the moment her voice reached his ears. Qi Xiyue lifted his head slowly, as if pulled back from dark thoughts.
His sharp gaze, which had been hard and distant, softened the instant it fell on her face. The tightness in his jaw eased. The tension in his shoulders lowered. It was as if her presence alone reminded him where he was.
He let out a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair, the movement restless and slightly frustrated. Then he walked toward her with steady steps.
When he stopped in front of her, he reached out gently and tucked the loose strands of hair behind her ear, his fingers brushing her skin in a careful, almost reverent way.
"I'm sorry, Ning," he said quietly. His voice was no longer cold. It was low and unusually gentle. "Did I startle you?"
Su Ning felt warmth rush up her cheeks immediately. Her heart skipped, and she almost cursed herself internally. Why did he always affect her so easily?
She quickly circulated her Qi through her body, calming her racing pulse, steadying her breathing. The warmth faded from her face as she forced herself to remain composed.
"No, it's fine," she answered, trying to sound calm and mature. Then her eyes searched his face more carefully. "Are you okay?"
Before she could react, he suddenly pulled her into his chest.
His strong arms wrapped tightly around her waist and back, intimate and protective, as he leaned his head against her shoulder, facing her neck. He inhaled her scent deeply.
Su Ning froze for a brief second, surprised by the sudden closeness. Then she slowly relaxed and lifted her arms, hugging him back.
Her hand moved to his hair, her fingers gently stroking through it in a soothing rhythm. She could feel that his body had been tense, coiled like a spring, trying to calm down.
A low, satisfied sound vibrated from his chest at her touch.
Su Ning blinked.
Was he… purring?
She almost laughed. Why did it feel like she was petting a large, dangerous wolf that had suddenly decided to become docile and obedient only in front of her?
The thought amused her, and a small smile appeared on her lips. She continued stroking his hair slowly, enjoying the way his body relaxed under her hands.
For that moment, Qi Xiyue felt something he had not felt in years.
Peace.
His mind, which was usually filled with strategies, threats, calculations, and blood-stained memories, went silent. He did not have to think about power. He did not have to think about enemies. He did not have to be the Monarch — his other deadly side which was the cold, ruthless leader feared by so many.
With her, he could simply be himself.
He let out a quiet sigh and buried his face slightly deeper into her hair.
"I'm sorry I put you in danger, Ning," he said softly.
Su Ning stopped stroking for a moment and pulled back slightly to look at him. Confusion filled her eyes.
"Xiyue, what do you mean?" she asked.
He slowly withdrew from the embrace, though his hands remained on her arms as if he was reluctant to let her go. He ran his fingers through his hair again, this time more roughly.
"My men caught the sniper," he said, his voice turning darker. "Turns out he's an Egyptian assassin."
Su Ning's brows knit together.
"I was in Egypt two days ago," he continued, jaw tightening. "They must have targeted you to get to me."
The thought alone made his eyes flash with restrained fury. His hands clenched unconsciously. The idea that they dared to lay a hand on her because of him ignited a violent anger in his chest.
For a brief moment, his mind filled with ruthless and muderous solutions. If it were up to him, he would wipe out every threat before it even had the chance to breathe.
Su Ning noticed the storm building in his eyes.
Without hesitation, she squeezed his hand gently.
"Xiyue," she said softly.
Her touch made him look at her again.
"I'm fine," she reassured him, her tone firm yet warm. "You don't have to worry about me. I can protect myself."
He didn't look convinced.
His gaze traveled over her face, as if afraid she could disappear suddenly.
Su Ning sighed softly.
If words were not enough, she would show him. She stretched out her hand calmly.
In the next second, a sleek rifle appeared in her palm.
Qi Xiyue's eyes widened slightly.
The weapon had not been brought out from anywhere. It had simply appeared.
He stared at her hand, then at the rifle, then back at her.
"See?" she said gently, a small proud smile forming on her lips.
Before he could ask anything, she lifted the rifle and pointed it toward a distant training dummy across the gym. She pulled the trigger without hesitation.
The gunshot echoed loudly through the room.
The bullet shot forward at high speed.
But just before it could hit its target, something shifted.
Su Ning's eyes sharpened.
A faint ripple of energy surrounded the bullet midair. Its speed slowed. Its direction changed.
It turned.
The bullet came flying back toward her.
Qi Xiyue's muscles tensed automatically, but he did not move. He watched.
The bullet slowed again just before reaching her, hovering briefly in front of her hand.
She reached out calmly and caught it between her fingers.
Then she held it up for him to see, her expression was light, almost playful.
"Look," she said. "I'm not as fragile as you think."
Qi Xiyue stared at her for a long moment.
Then slowly, a grin spread across his face.
There was pride in his eyes.
Deep pride.
Perhaps only she could stand beside him like this. Not behind him. But next to him.
In his world.
His gaze softened as he looked at her smiling face. His eyes slowly drifted downward to her plump lips again, red, soft, curved in quiet confidence.
Without thinking too much, he leaned closer.
His arms slid around her waist again, pulling her gently toward him.
The distance between them disappeared slowly, Su Ning's breath caught, she did not move.
Their faces drew closer.
Her heart began to race again despite her Qi.
Just before their lips touched, she lifted a single finger and pressed it gently against his lips.
Her eyes sparkled with teasing amusement.
"You still haven't won my heart, Mr. Qi," she said lightly.
He paused.
Then his eyes darkened slightly in playful challenge.
Without warning, he gently bit her finger.
"Ah!" she squealed softly, pulling her hand back in surprise.
He chuckled and instead of kissing her lips, he leaned forward and kissed her forehead slowly and gently.
"Fair enough," he murmured.
Then he looked at her with a confident grin.
"Then I better get to work immediately."
She giggled, unable to stop herself.
Before she could say anything else, his phone rang.
The shift in his expression was immediate.
The lightness in his eyes faded slightly as he answered the call. His voice became calm, controlled, and serious. His other arm still circled around her waist. He spoke only a few words in a language she didn't understand but she guessed it was egyptian, and whatever he heard made his gaze sharpen.
When he ended the call, he turned to look at her.
His eyes softened again the moment they met hers.
She understood without needing an explanation.
"Go," she said quietly.
"I'll be right back as soon as I'm done," he promised.
He leaned down and kissed her forehead once more, this time lingering just a little longer.
She nodded.
"Mm."
He looked at her one last time, as if memorizing her face, then turned and walked out of the gym with steady steps.
A few moments later, the distant sound of helicopter blades filled the air.
Su Ning walked toward the large glass wall of the gym and looked outside.
She watched as the helicopter descended onto the helipad. The wind from the blades stirred the air, whipping lightly around the landing area.
Qi Xiyue stepped inside without hesitation.
The helicopter slowly lifted again, rising into the sky.
She stood there, watching until it became smaller and smaller, until it disappeared into the distance.
A soft smile appeared on her face.
Then she turned and walked out of the gym quietly, her steps light but her thoughts deep.