Lin Tian pushed the door open with his shoulder, holding Bai Xueya tightly against him. Her breath trembled against his neck, warm and unsteady, and her fingers stayed curled in his robe like she feared slipping from his arms. The moment he stepped inside, her legs weakened again.
"I—I can walk…" she whispered.
He lowered his head slightly. "You tried twice. You nearly fell both times."
She didn't argue this time. Her cheek pressed to his shoulder, her breathing quick but softer now that she was held.
Lin Tian carried her to the bed and lowered her carefully onto the sheets. The moment he pulled back, her robe slipped from her right shoulder. The pale skin revealed beneath it made her inhale sharply and grab at the fabric.
"S-Sorry—" Her voice cracked from the strain of trying to hide herself.
"It's fine," Lin Tian murmured, gently fixing the blanket under her back so it wouldn't keep slipping. "You're safe here."
Xueya's lips parted at his tone—so steady, so close, so unlike the distant calm he always wore. She drew a slow breath, eyes shifting up to him with a fragile look she rarely let anyone see.
"Tian…" She swallowed. "I didn't want you to see me… this weak."
He sat beside her, careful but close. "I don't think you're weak."
Her gaze flickered, uncertain.
"The way you fight," he said softly, "the way you stand for your decisions… weak is the last word I'd ever use."
Her fingers loosened around the blanket.
For a moment, they simply looked at each other. The air between them felt charged, quiet but thick, like something they had held back for years finally found a place to rest.
A tremor ran through her arm. She gripped the sheets again.
"I'm… scared," she whispered.
Lin Tian leaned closer. "Of what?"
She closed her eyes. "Of losing control again. My body—when it reacts like that—I can't stop it. But when you held me, I could finally breathe again…" She hesitated, voice thinning. "Only when you held me."
He felt something melt inside his chest.
Xueya looked away. "And I'm scared you'll think… I'm using you."
"I don't think that." His hand moved before he thought, resting lightly over hers. "You're not alone in this. I'm here."
Her hand tightened under his, holding him back.
"Tian…" Her voice trembled in a quieter and warmer way now. "Last night… and tonight… I realized something."
He waited.
"You're the only one I can open myself to. The only one I trust. The only one I—" She stopped herself, breath shaking. "The only one I want close."
Her forehead lowered to his chest, her hands gripping his robe.
Lin Tian's chin brushed her hair as he whispered, "Xueya…"
He didn't push her away. He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her gently into him. Her body softened with relief, settling against him like she had been holding her breath all day.
When she finally lifted her head, her cheeks were flushed, her lips slightly parted. "Tian… I can't breathe properly in this robe. It's too… tight."
He swallowed. "Do you want me to loosen it?"
A tiny nod. "Please."
He moved slowly, giving her time to refuse. His fingers brushed the knot at her collar. The moment he tugged, the robe loosened with a soft rustle and slid open at the top, revealing the smooth line of her collarbone… the gentle swell of her chest… the soft curve of the side of her breast.
She gasped and caught the fabric, but her hands stayed trembling.
"Don't look too much…" she whispered.
"I won't."
She released a shaky breath, then reached toward him. Her fingertips touched the edge of his robe.
"Tian… let me… do it too."
He hesitated only a moment before lifting his arm, letting her undo the tie. His robe slipped from his shoulders, exposing his chest. Her eyes softened—surprised, almost admiring.
"I didn't think your body would already feel like this," she murmured.
He looked down. The light bruising from carrying her had faded. His muscles felt tighter and warmer. "I think… the breakthrough changed more than just my meridians."
She touched his shoulder—and flinched at her own boldness.
"S-Sorry—"
"It's alright," he whispered.
Their hands brushed again.
They froze.
Then Xueya moved first—slowly, carefully—lifting the blanket and slipping closer until her bare shoulder touched his chest. Her knee brushed the side of his thigh. Her breath warmed the line of his neck.
"Tian…" she whispered.
His hand rose to her waist, resting lightly where her robe had fallen open. Her skin was warm, smooth, trembling under his touch.
She inhaled sharply. "Ah—Tian…"
He stilled. "Did I hurt you?"
"No," she breathed. "It just… feels different."
Their lips met. Her hand rose to his chest. His fingers slid up her back. Their bodies pressed together beneath the single blanket, skin to skin.
Xueya let out a soft sound against his mouth—
"Hnn… Tian…"
Her thigh moved over his, rubbing lightly in the heat of the moment. Her chest pressed to his, bare, soft, trembling.
He nearly lost control.
She broke the kiss first, gasping softly, forehead against his. Her lips brushed his cheek as she whispered.
"If this is the only path… then I want to choose it."
"I choose you."
His breath caught.
"Xueya… are you sure?"
Her fingers lifted his chin so their eyes met.
Her face was crimson. Her lips were wet from kissing. Her chest rose and fell against him.
"I want this," she whispered. "With you."
A silent chime echoed in Lin Tian's mind.
[ Dual Cultivation Conditions Met ]
He closed his eyes, steadying himself. When he opened them, she was already pulling him closer, her lips brushing his ear.
"Tian…"
"…don't stop."
The blanket slipped further, skin warming against skin.
End of Chapter 17