With a trembling sigh, Xiao Ning'er hugged him tighter, responding to the kiss with an intensity that surprised them both.
Their lips moved together, inexperienced but full of long-held desire. His hand, which had been resting on her buttocks, began to squeeze and explore more boldly, sliding under her short skirt and climbing dangerously up her thigh.
"Nnnh..."
His touch on her bare skin sent an electric shock wave through her entire body. He was going too far, too fast. With a soft, muffled moan, she gathered what remained of her willpower and gently pushed him, parting their lips.
"Brother Qingtian..." she murmured.
Her face was completely flushed, eyes bright with tears and desire, her breath coming in gasps.
She stood there, her lips red and slightly swollen from the kiss, her heavy breathing making her breasts rise and fall quickly beneath the thin fabric. With a blushed face and misty eyes, she looked both like an innocent maiden and an enchanting fairy—a sight that left Ye Qingtian utterly hypnotized.
Ye Qingtian finally seemed to come back to himself, blinking as if waking from a dream. He saw her embarrassed expression and was hit by a wave of guilt. "Ning'er... I'm sorry," he said, his voice a little softer. "I... for a moment, I couldn't resist."
Xiao Ning'er buried her face in his chest, the warmth of his skin comforting her. She shook her head, her voice muffled by the fabric of their clothes. "No... it's not that..." she murmured, feeling even more embarrassed. "I don't mind... but... this isn't the ideal place to... go any further."
Ye Qingtian's heart skipped at her words. He embraced her tenderly, gently stroking her hair. "It's alright," he whispered, a genuine, relieved smile forming on his lips.
Hearing that, Xiao Ning'er's face lit up with a sincere and radiant smile. Without hesitation, she hugged him tightly as well, burying her face in his chest.
As he held her, she lifted her face, cheeks still red but with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes. "Big Brother Qingtian... and Ziyun?" she asked quietly. "I always see you two together... have you ever...?" Her voice lowered with each phrase until it was almost a whisper.
Ye Qingtian narrowed his eyes. That question really caught him off guard, causing a slight dizziness. He hadn't expected her to bring it up, especially now. Calming his mind, he took a deep breath, organizing his thoughts before answering honestly. "Ziyun and I... could still be considered siblings, in a way. We haven't taken the next step, nor clarified our relationship openly, so... it's ambiguous for now."
Hearing this, Xiao Ning'er's face lit up with a genuine and radiant smile. A wave of relief and happiness flooded her. Without hesitation, she hugged him even tighter, smiling genuinely.
"Actually..." she began, with short words and a teasing tone, "Ziyun and I made an agreement a long time ago. When one of us married or chose a man to marry... the other would follow as her sister, becoming Sister-Wives."
Ye Qingtian looked visibly surprised. He didn't remember such an agreement in the Canon. His eyes widened for a moment before an uncontrollable wide smile spread across his face. He wouldn't refuse that. No way. His feelings for Ye Ziyun had long surpassed a sibling relationship, and having both in his arms... was a dream coming true.
"Are you serious?" he asked, just to be sure.
Xiao Ning'er nodded, happy to see his reaction. A huge weight seemed lifted from her shoulders. Finally, she felt she could face Ye Ziyun again—not just as a friend who felt guilty for abandoning their friendship in the past, but now as a sister, united by someone they both would love equally.
______
(A few minutes later)
Arriving at Xiao Ning'er's residence—a small charming courtyard adorned with a little flower garden—the atmosphere between them still carried the electricity of their earlier moments. The soft light of late afternoon painted the sky in gentle tones, creating a romantic and melancholic setting for their farewell.
Standing in front of the gate, a comfortable silence hung between them for a few moments. Xiao Ning'er looked at Ye Qingtian with a soft glow in her eyes, a mix of expectation and shyness dancing in her gaze.
"Ning'er..."
Slowly, Ye Qingtian brought his hands to her delicate waist, his fingers resting gently on her back.
Nnh~
Xiao Ning'er sighed softly at the touch, her arms instinctively seeking his chest. He pulled her closer, their bodies brushing lightly, reigniting the spark that had been lit moments before.
At that moment, their lips met again.
This time, the kiss was different. There was no urgency or inexperience like before, but rather a sweet, hesitant tenderness. Their lips met softly, a light brushing that conveyed affection and trust. It was a gentle gesture—a promise that something special was now blossoming between them.
They slowly parted, eyes still locked. Xiao Ning'er's cheeks were once again flushed, but there was a radiant smile on her lips. "See you soon, Brother Qingtian," she whispered, her voice filled with a sweetness that touched his heart.
"See you soon, Ning'er," he replied, his voice a bit hoarse from emotion. He reluctantly released her waist and watched her enter her courtyard, her smile the last image before the door softly closed.
Ye Qingtian stood still for a moment, his mind still processing the afternoon's events.
He was sure Xiao Ning'er wouldn't have objected if he had insisted on staying. He felt her surrender, the latent desire in her eyes. But the image of Ye Ziyun appeared in his mind—the serene face as she cultivated, the explicit trust in those eyes.
It wouldn't be fair.
Not to either of them.
He needed to resolve the ambiguity between him and Ziyun, define the terms of their relationship before fully surrendering to the feelings he nurtured for Xiao Ning'er. He didn't want the happiness he glimpsed to turn into resentment and conflict between the two people he cherished most.
With renewed determination, he turned and began walking back toward the Lord of the City's Mansion. The cool night breeze brushed his face as he quickened his pace, eager to resolve the pending issues.
Upon arriving at his residence, the mansion was immersed in tranquil silence. He climbed the stairs to his room, his heart beating a little faster. When he opened the door, the scene instantly calmed him.
Ye Ziyun sat in the center of the room on a cushion, legs crossed in the lotus position. Her eyes were closed, and a soft aura of spiritual energy surrounded her, making her purple hair flutter with soul energy. Moonlight entering through the window bathed her figure in a silver glow, highlighting the serene beauty of her face.
The moment he crossed the threshold, Ye Ziyun seemed to sense his presence. Her long lashes slowly lifted, revealing her clear, shining eyes. A soft smile blossomed on her lips at the sight of him—a smile that always warmed Ye Qingtian's heart.
"You're back," she said in a soft tone, her voice a sweet murmur echoing through the quiet room. She rose with natural grace, her bare legs gliding smoothly across the floor as she walked toward him. Only a thin silk nightgown covered her slender body, moonlight outlining her delicate curves.
As she approached, Ye Ziyun frowned slightly, as if a sudden thought had struck her. She stopped a few steps away, eyes fixed on his face, inhaling deeply, her nose slightly wrinkled.
"Qing-ge..." she began, her voice now tinged with slight hesitation, her eyes studying him intently. "…you were with Ning'er, weren't you?"