“What are you doing?”
Nangaka Akiyama was startled by Ye Qiu’s actions, her face flushing as she tried to push him away, but Ye Qiu held on tightly.
Holding her waist, Ye Qiu said softly, “Nange, you’re terrible at lying.”
“You went to Huguo Temple just to get me a peace talisman. Why won’t you admit it?”
“You’re so good to me, I don’t even know how to repay you.”
Ye Qiu was deeply touched.
Though the peace talisman was of little practical use to him, and he could easily create a better one in an instant, Nangaka Akiyama had travelled three thousand li just to get it for him. Her gesture was profoundly meaningful.
“I don’t need repayment. I just want you to stay safe,” Nangaka Akiyama said. “Besides, I took the high-speed train both ways, so it wasn’t tiring.”
Ye Qiu chuckled, “Look at you, all exhausted, and you say it’s not tiring?”
“Come, sit down.”
“Let me massage your legs.”
Without waiting for her response, Ye Qiu lifted Nangaka Akiyama onto the bed, crouched down, and removed her shoes and socks, gently holding her delicate feet in his hands.
Ye Qiu froze for a moment.
Nangaka Akiyama’s feet were stunningly beautiful, small and exquisite, as pale and smooth as freshly peeled eggs.
Seeing Ye Qiu staring at her feet, Nangaka Akiyama’s ears turned red with embarrassment. “Let go, quickly,” she said shyly.
Snapping out of it, Ye Qiu smiled and said, “Let me give you a massage.”
Nangaka Akiyama refused again, “Ye Qiu, don’t. In Dadong, women serve men; men don’t do this. Let go.”
Ye Qiu replied, “Huaguo men are different from Dadong men. We Huaguo men cherish our women.”
What did that mean?
Did he already consider her his woman?
Nangaka Akiyama was stunned.
At that moment, Ye Qiu began gently massaging the Yongquan acupoint on the sole of her foot.
At first, Nangaka Akiyama felt awkward, but Ye Qiu’s technique was so skilled that soon her fatigue began to melt away.
As he massaged, Ye Qiu said, “Nange, I’ve taught Xiaoxue the Killing Technique. I told her to pass it on to you later.”
“I likely won’t return to Dadong anytime soon.”
“Xiaoxue is pregnant, so please take care of her.”
Nangaka Akiyama replied, “Don’t worry, even if you hadn’t asked, I’d look after Xiaoxue.”
“You need to take care of yourself too,” Ye Qiu said, looking up at her. “You’re already so slim; you can’t get any thinner.”
“Eat on time, sleep on time, and rest when you’re tired.”
“Wear more clothes when it’s cold, and soak your feet in hot water before bed—it helps with sleep.”
“In short, take good care of yourself.”
A wave of warmth surged through Nangaka Akiyama’s heart.
It was the first time in her life a man had shown such concern for her.
Lowering his head, Ye Qiu continued massaging her feet, saying, “My enemies are the old monsters of the Forbidden City. Soon, I’ll face them in a life-or-death battle.”
“You know how formidable they are. As things stand, my chances of winning are slim.”
“I may never return to Shuiyue Sect. Nange, if I’m gone, I hope you’ll help look after my daughter with Xiaoxue.”
“I’ve named her Ye Ruyi, hoping she’ll grow up with everything going her way.”
“Nange, I…”
“Stop!” Nangaka Akiyama interrupted sharply.
Ye Qiu looked up to see tears streaming down her beautiful face.
“Nange, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
Ye Qiu reached for a tissue to wipe her tears, but suddenly, Nangaka Akiyama pulled him up and threw herself into his arms.
“Ye Qiu, I won’t let you talk like that.”
“I’m not going to help you look after your daughter.”
“I don’t care—you’re not allowed to die.”
Nangaka Akiyama sobbed uncontrollably.
Though one of Dadong’s three martial arts grandmasters, she now seemed like a lovesick young girl, far from her usual composure.
“I’m not confident about the battle…” Ye Qiu began, but Nangaka Akiyama’s lips silenced him, his eyes widening in shock.
When had Nange become so bold?
After a moment of surprise, Ye Qiu responded passionately, their embrace tightening as the room’s temperature soared.
In the heat of the moment—
*Knock knock!*
A sudden knock at the door interrupted them.
Nangaka Akiyama nearly jumped out of her skin, panicking, “It must be Xiaoxue! What do we do?”
“Hide!” Ye Qiu pointed to the bedcovers.
Nangaka Akiyama dove under them, instantly catching a familiar scent.
Xiaoxue’s scent!
Looking at the crumpled sheets, she understood immediately, fuming with indignation.
“That rascal, he did this on purpose.”
Then, Ye Qiu said, “Xiaoxue, I heard footsteps outside earlier. It was probably your master returning.”
“Really? I’ll go look again,” Qianshan Xue said, leaving.
Nangaka Akiyama breathed a sigh of relief, about to emerge from the covers, when Ye Qiu slipped in beside her.
“Xiaoxue’s gone. Shall we continue?” he said.
Nangaka Akiyama didn’t dare. She knew if Qianshan Xue couldn’t find her, she’d soon return to Ye Qiu’s room, and being caught would be disastrous.
“I’m not ready.”
Her words were like a bucket of cold water, dousing Ye Qiu’s enthusiasm.
Seeing his disappointment, Nangaka Akiyama explained, “Xiaoxue will be back soon. It wouldn’t be good if she saw us.”
“Then I’ll come to your room later,” Ye Qiu said.
“No,” Nangaka Akiyama replied. “I’m really not ready.”
“Ye Qiu, when you’ve defeated your enemies and return to Shuiyue Sect, I’ll give you what you want.”
Ye Qiu said, “I’m just afraid I won’t come back…”
“Don’t think like that. You have to live,” Nangaka Akiyama said firmly.
“Alright, I’ll wait until I return to Shuiyue Sect,” Ye Qiu said, kissing her forehead. “Nange, I’d like something from you as a keepsake.”
“What do you want?” Nangaka Akiyama asked.
“That,” Ye Qiu said, pointing to her purple undergarment with a mischievous grin.
