(T/N: This chapter may contain explicit scenes; reader discretion advised)
In the courtyard, the first light of dawn shimmered faintly.
Fang Xuan sat by the low table near the window, brewing tea.
His movements were not particularly skilled, but they possessed a certain calm grace.
Last night... well, after a long and strenuous session, he really should have stopped.
But at the final moment, because of the special circumstances regarding his senior sister's impending breakthrough, he had no choice but to continue.
It was mostly because of Ning Xian's voice, trembling with a hint of a sob, pleading, "Don't... don't stop, okay?"
It made it impossible for him to harden his heart and simply walk away.
So this morning, he could clearly feel that his senior sister had broken through; she was now in the Nascent Soul Realm.
Yes, she had truly made the breakthrough.
Although the process of helping her stabilize her realm last night had been very comfortable, as he watched the curling tea steam, a trace of panic began to rise in his heart.
Because of the lingering hidden injuries in his body, he had never dared to fully open his meridians for cultivation. His cultivation level had been stuck at the middle-stage Nascent Soul Realm for some time now.
His senior sister's talent was terrifying, and her progress in re-cultivation was simply incredible.
More importantly, she was exceptionally diligent.
He always felt that he could manage her because, besides his thick skin and numerous tricks, she had a lower cultivation realm, a weaker constitution, and was particularly sensitive.
With just a few of his methods, she would melt like water, leaving him to do as he pleased.
But if her cultivation realm continued to soar, her physical constitution and even her endurance would skyrocket along with it.
In his mind, he began to involuntarily imagine some rather unfortunate scenarios.
Instead of nights of bliss, they would be nights of grueling cultivation.
She would be glowing with vitality, while he would be clutching his waist with weak, trembling steps.
This reminded him of that previous nightmare where she had pulled him into bed to practice seven times in a single night.
No, it was too frightening. Just thinking about it made his lower back feel a faint ache.
Fortunately, he still had the help of the system.
For now, he should still be able to maintain his position of leadership.
......
As his thoughts wandered, the sound of light footsteps approached.
Ning Xian walked in.
She had changed into a long dress, her long hair unpinned and flowing softly over her shoulders, making her small face appear even fairer and more delicate.
However, the faint dark circles under her eyes seemed a sliver deeper than yesterday, appearing particularly noticeable in the morning light.
Yet her complexion remained radiant, her skin lustrous, her eyes clear, and a gentle, satisfied smile played on her lips.
Seeing Fang Xuan brewing tea, she naturally walked to his side and sat down next to him.
"Morning."
"Morning, Senior Sister." Fang Xuan poured her a cup of freshly brewed tea.
"Careful, it's hot."
Ning Xian took the cup and held the warm porcelain with both hands, taking small sips.
Last night... it really felt wonderful.
Although she hadn't been able to fully enjoy herself at the very end because the breakthrough happened too early, everything before that was enough for her to reminisce for a long time.
It was just that she had put her junior brother through a lot.
She knew that during dual cultivation, she would unconsciously absorb his pure yang qi to harmonize her own yin essence.
But he never complained and always found new ways to make her feel more comfortable.
He was so good to her.
Ning Xian's heart softened completely, and the gaze she directed at Fang Xuan’s profile was tender enough to melt ice.
Fang Xuan felt her gaze, especially as she smiled so warmly despite those obvious dark circles.
That bit of panic rose again, mixed with some self-reproach.
Fang Xuan, look at her; she even has dark circles from the exhaustion.
And here you are worrying about being worn out in the future. Are you even human?
But... it really was possible to be drained dry.
Whatever, he would accept being a beast.
......
Fang Xuan coughed lightly to change the subject. "Senior Sister, are we heading back today?"
"Yes, we're going back today."
Ning Xian nodded. They had already obtained the mystic spirit stone. Although the palace was nice, it was not a place to stay forever.
She still preferred their small courtyard where it was just the two of them.
As she spoke, she unconsciously leaned a bit closer to him.
He felt so warm, and she couldn't help but crave that closeness.
Fang Xuan took the opportunity to gently wrap his arm around her waist.
Her waist was slender, and even through her dress, he could feel its soft warmth.
He couldn't help but tighten his arm, pulling her more firmly into his embrace.
Ning Xian simply adjusted her posture, nestling into his arms with her chin resting on his shoulder, rubbing against him comfortably.
.......
A light breeze brushed through the courtyard, carrying the fragrance of distant flowers and trees.
The sunlight grew brighter and pleasantly warm.
Ning Xian enjoyed this quiet intimacy, and suddenly remembered the heated words he had whispered while her consciousness was blurred. Her face began to feel slightly hot again.
She was the senior sister... how could she be so shameless?
But leaning in his arms felt so good.
What if she was the senior sister? Could a senior sister not cling to her junior brother?
She justified it to herself righteously and buried her head further into the crook of his neck, continuing to nuzzle him comfortably.
Feeling her soft, fragrant body in his arms, Fang Xuan teased, "Has Senior Sister gained some weight?"
"Have I?" Hearing this, Ning Xian lifted her head, instinctively wanting to pull away to check herself.
"Don't move," Fang Xuan said, applying pressure with his arm to keep her from leaving. He said with a serious face, "Let me measure you."
Ning Xian blinked, and seeing his earnest expression, she let him have his way, relaxing her body back into his arms.
Fang Xuan suppressed a smile, his palm meticulously measuring her waist.
.......
The spring breeze was just right, blowing their hair until the strands intertwined.
Leaning in his arms, Ning Xian felt a bit ticklish from his measuring.
She recalled the words he had said before.
"Senior Sister has always been my only one... the only person I love most."
She had been lost in passion then, but now, recalling it in the quiet warmth of the morning, every word made her heart tremble and her ears turn red with shyness.
She hesitated for a moment, summoned her courage, and leaned in to whisper into his ear.
Her voice was very soft, sincere and bashful. "Junior Brother..."
"Hmm?" Fang Xuan turned his head.
Ning Xian's face turned even redder, but she persisted. "Junior Brother is also..."
"Also Senior Sister's only and most beloved person."
After saying this, she buried her crimson face back into his chest, refusing to look up again.
It was truly too embarrassing.
Her dignity and her cold persona as a senior sister were completely gone.
She really couldn't face anyone now.
......
Fang Xuan said nothing, only swallowing hard.
Looking at the small, blushing head in his arms, his throat felt parched.
She was simply too adorable.
Who could possibly resist this?
At that moment, only one thought filled his mind: he had to capture those sweet, soft lips.
Thinking this, he acted upon it.
He lowered his head, precisely finding that enticing redness and kissing her without a word.
"Mmh..."
Caught off guard, Ning Xian was kissed squarely on the lips.
She was already shy, and now her mind went completely blank.
......
Fang Xuan parted her pearly teeth, easily capturing her sweet and tender tongue.
Her taste was the most intoxicating thing he had ever known.
.......
Ning Xian initially offered a token resistance, but she soon surrendered completely to the deep kiss.
Her arms unconsciously wound around his neck as she began to respond clumsily.
.......
Sunlight filled the courtyard as the breeze swayed the flower branches.
On the stone table, the cup of tea gradually grew cold, releasing its final traces of fragrance.
While deeply kissing the girl who had melted into his arms, Fang Xuan made a silent vow to himself.
Just for a little while.
He would just kiss her.
He definitely wouldn't take it any further.
He had to exercise restraint... he had to be considerate since she had just broken through and needed to stabilize her realm.
But the person in his arms was so fragrant and so soft.
......
Damn it, he was almost tempted to break his resolve.
Why were her sashes tied so tightly?
Rate on N.U.
