Chapter 35: Stay Away!
"You're awake?" Xiao Yan stopped chatting with the maid Qingcui as soon as he noticed Cao Ying slowly opening her enchanting eyes. His gaze shifted to her face a direct and unreserved look, yet devoid of any trace of desire. Instead, it was as if he was admiring a piece of exquisite art.
Just meeting his eyes for a moment, Cao Ying felt an unexplainable wave of panic in her heart.
"Why are you here?" Cao Ying's eyes darted around, confirming this was indeed her room. She then directed a cold tone toward Xiao Yan.
"This was your teacher's and your grandfather's idea. I only came to check on you, but those two old folks decided to have me stay and take care of you," Xiao Yan replied casually, weaving a believable lie without a hint of hesitation.
"Why are you staring at me? Did you come to gloat over my defeat?" Cao Ying sneered coldly, her youthful face already showing traces of a bewitching charm.
"A natural born enchantress, huh?" Xiao Yan marveled inwardly before replying aloud, "You don't need to feel inferior for losing to me. After all, geniuses like me only appear once in a thousand years."
"You !" Cao Ying's recovering complexion paled again from frustration.
"I'm joking! Don't get mad," Xiao Yan quickly defused the tension, chuckling. From his storage ring, he took out a sixth grade Heart Nurturing Pill and naturally extended his hand under Cao Ying's swan like neck, gently helping her sit up.
The warmth of his palm pressed against her neck, moving slightly to support her back. Cao Ying's body stiffened momentarily before relaxing again when she noticed the clarity in Xiao Yan's eyes. He seemed to be acting with pure intention, which put her somewhat at ease.
Of course, Xiao Yan was anything but innocent. He was deliberately creating light physical contact to narrow the distance between them. A small yet natural gesture was enough to break barriers. This was a skill he had mastered a seasoned hand in navigating relationships.
"Take this pill," Xiao Yan said, offering the Heart Nurturing Pill.
"I don't need it. I just need rest," Cao Ying shook her head gently. A sixth grade pill wasn't overly precious to the Cao Family, but it wasn't cheap either. For such minor injuries, it wasn't worth wasting.
Before she could finish her refusal, Xiao Yan's firm hand pinched her cheek lightly, tilting her head toward him.
The softness of her smooth skin surprised him, but he didn't hold back. With enough pressure, her pink lips parted slightly, and he swiftly popped the pill into her mouth.
The Heart Nurturing Pill dissolved instantly, leaving Cao Ying no time to protest as its effects began to spread.
"You... you're so rough!" Cao Ying glared at him, her beautiful eyes wide with indignation. Xiao Yan's seemingly refined exterior belied an audacious demeanor.
"Sorry, I've always been like this at home," Xiao Yan said, feigning remorse, though his face showed not a hint of regret.
"Barbarian!" Cao Ying muttered, but the warmth rising in her abdomen silenced her complaints. The pill's medicinal energy quickly worked through her, alleviating her fatigue.
"I'm feeling a bit tired now. Thank you for the pill. You can leave," she said, waving him off, but Xiao Yan didn't move.
"Why are you still here?"
"I'll leave once you're asleep."
"With you staring at me like that, how am I supposed to sleep?" Cao Ying retorted, visibly annoyed by his unwavering gaze.
"If you can't sleep, I can tell you a story," Xiao Yan suggested with a purposefully casual tone.
"Only children need bedtime stories," Cao Ying scoffed.
"A thousand years ago, there was a legendary figure known as the Purifying Lotus Demon Saint…" Xiao Yan began, ignoring her mockery.
Hearing the name, Cao Ying's attention piqued. This figure was one of the most iconic legends in the continent's history, a pinnacle existence of his time.
"…In his youth, the Demon Saint encountered a gravely injured Holy Maiden from the Youhai Sect during one of his adventures," Xiao Yan continued, his steady voice weaving an intriguing tale.
Cao Ying's tiredness faded as curiosity took over.
"What happened? Did the Holy Maiden survive?" she asked without realizing it, her cold demeanor melting away.
"Ah, a true fourteen year old girl at heart," Xiao Yan thought with amusement but kept his expression serious as he prepared to continue.
Before he could, a timid voice sounded from outside the room.
"Big Sister Cao Ying… are you inside?"
Cao Ying instinctively tried to sit up, but Xiao Yan pressed her back down.
"You should rest now," he said firmly.
"But the story's not finished…"
"The story is long, and we have a lifetime to finish it. For now, you need to sleep," Xiao Yan replied, gently covering her with a blanket.
"But Dan Chen is outside…" Cao Ying protested weakly, only to stop when Xiao Yan leaned in closer, their faces mere inches apart.
"What… what are you doing?" Cao Ying stammered, her heart racing as she felt his warm breath on her face.
Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson, making her already alluring features even more captivating. Xiao Yan had to fight the urge to lean in further.
"What am I doing?" Xiao Yan whispered devilishly, his lips brushing her ear. "You wouldn't want Dan Chen to see you like this, would you?"
His warm breath tickled her delicate earlobe, making her shiver involuntarily. Before she could respond, Xiao Yan's hand gently covered her eyes.
"Sleep," he commanded softly. "If you open your eyes again, I'll spank you. Got it?"
Cao Ying wanted to retort but hesitated. The memory of his earlier boldness made her reconsider. For the first time, she obeyed a peer's words, nodding lightly.
"Good girl. I'll visit you again," Xiao Yan said, his voice warm yet playful. He stood up, his footsteps growing distant.
"Dan Chen! What brings you here?" Xiao Yan's mischievous tone echoed at the doorway.
Cao Ying's eyes flew open.
Outside the room, Dan Chen, who had timidly peeked inside to check on Cao Ying, froze. Seeing Xiao Yan's face suddenly appear before her, she let out a small cry.
"Y you… don't come any closer!" Dan Chen stammered, her voice trembling.
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