This woman was very mysterious. He could not fathom her identity. If he wanted to know who she was, he would probably have to return to Qingmi Mountain and ask. Ye Chu pushed the emotions from his mind and dragged his weary, injured body towards Bai Xuan’s residence.
Though the woman had used only a fraction of her strength, that palm strike had landed on him. Ye Chu would need several days of rest to recover.
By the time Ye Chu returned to Bai Xuan’s residence, it was very late. As he entered the door, he saw a figure standing in his room. He jumped in fright, thinking a thief had broken in. But stepping closer and borrowing the moonlight, he realised it was Bai Xuan standing there.
Bai Xuan wore a loose nightgown. In the darkness, her eyes sparkled brightly, her red lips vivid and alluring. She stood with a tall, graceful figure, utterly captivating.
“Sister Bai Xuan hasn’t slept yet?” Ye Chu asked in surprise, facing the stunning woman before him. He had deliberately moved quietly when entering, afraid of waking Bai Xuan and the others. Moreover, why was Bai Xuan in his room?
“I saw you hadn’t returned so late and thought you might not come back. I was going to close the windows for you.” Bai Xuan explained. She feared Xu Feng might misunderstand. Of course, she would not voice her true thoughts.
These days, Ye Chu had returned to the residence every night. Today, seeing no sign of him, Bai Xuan had feared he had reverted to his old depraved ways, perhaps tangled in some woman’s bed like Pang Shao. She did not want to see Ye Chu’s life descend into such debauchery again. Now, seeing him return, a trace of joy unexpectedly rose in her heart.
“Since you’re back, get some rest soon.” Bai Xuan’s cheeks flushed with a delicate peach pink, exceptionally charming. She was about to leave when she noticed Ye Chu’s pallid face and the blood at the corner of his mouth.
This startled Bai Xuan. “What happened to you? Why do you look so pale? You’ve even spat blood?”
Seeing her panic, Ye Chu waved a hand, not wanting her to worry. “It’s nothing. Just a minor injury. It will be fine after a few days’ rest.”
Bai Xuan stepped forward to support him, scolding gently. “You’re not young anymore. Why do you still love showing off? You went to stand up for Pang Shao, didn’t you?”
Bai Xuan had heard about Pang Shao asking Ye Chu to act on his behalf. Seeing Ye Chu like this, she assumed it was because of Pang Shao’s matter.
Ye Chu smiled without answering. The smile, against his pale face, looked rather bleak.
“Pang Shao fighting over a maid, and you went to help him?” Bai Xuan glared at Ye Chu, dipping a towel in water to wipe the blood from his mouth. Her movements were very gentle. Her small hand occasionally brushed his face, soft and smooth. Bai Xuan was close to him. He could smell the faint fragrance from her body.
Enjoying Bai Xuan wiping his face, Ye Chu’s gaze fell on her. What he could not control was: through the loose neckline of her nightgown, he saw the raised buds. Clearly, Bai Xuan wore nothing underneath.
Bai Xuan did not notice this, still lecturing him. “Stay away from Pang Shao in future. He’ll lead you astray!”
If Pang Shao heard this now, he would surely have nowhere to cry. Did Ye Chu need him to lead him astray? And who was leading whom astray?
“Oh, yes, stay away from him. Otherwise, he really will lead me astray.” Seeing Bai Xuan look up at him, Ye Chu naturally shifted his gaze and nodded seriously.
“All the medicinal herbs at home have been used by Father. Whatever you need, I’ll have him ask his friends for some.” Bai Xuan stood, preparing to call her father.
“Sister Bai Xuan!” Ye Chu reached out and grasped her small hand, soft to the touch. “Don’t disturb Uncle Bai. It’s just a minor injury. I’ll be fine. A few days’ rest will do.”
Her hand held by Ye Chu, Bai Xuan felt a touch of shyness. But seeing his clear gaze and natural manner, she could not struggle.
“You’re really alright?” Bai Xuan asked, her eyes fixed on Ye Chu, even brighter in the darkness.
“Really alright.” Ye Chu replied. “Sleep tonight, and tomorrow I’ll be full of life again.”
“Very well. Rest early, then.” Bai Xuan pressed Ye Chu onto the bed, pulled the quilt from the headboard, and helped cover him.
Bai Xuan bent to tuck him in. The loose neckline gaped wider. Ye Chu glanced down it, catching sight of a pair of jade-white, snow-tender peaks swaying freely within the nightgown. His soul stirred. His eyes lingered involuntarily.
Noticing Ye Chu’s change, Bai Xuan instantly realised she had exposed herself. She clutched the neckline fiercely, her cheeks burning, flushed with crimson.
Ye Chu naturally turned his gaze away, feigning ease. “Sister Bai Xuan, don’t worry about me. Go to bed soon.”
Bai Xuan forgot how to respond to Ye Chu. Flustered, she finished tucking him in and fled the room as if escaping.
Emerging from the room, her heart still pounded fiercely. Her pretty face remained flushed. Thinking of Ye Chu having seen her, Bai Xuan felt indescribable shyness.
But soon she thought how, after seeing her, Ye Chu could act as if nothing happened, while she herself had been flustered. She could not help a bitter smile. This fellow truly was a rogue among flowers. Compared to others, she seemed the little girl.
Exhaling lightly, Bai Xuan tried to calm her emotions. She glanced towards Ye Chu’s room before preparing to return to her own.
…
Ye Chu was equally unsettled. Though only a fleeting glimpse, the jade-like snow-white fullness and firmness replayed in his mind. Involuntarily, visions of Bai Xuan’s enchanting, boundless allure flashed through his thoughts.
He had to admit Bai Xuan was fatally attractive to men. No man could resist such ripe charm.
…
The next morning, Bai Bao saw both Ye Chu and Bai Xuan looking sleep-deprived, with dark circles under their eyes. He asked puzzled, “What happened to you two?”
“Ah…” Ye Chu and Bai Xuan exchanged a glance, then said in unison, “Nothing?”
“Hm?” Bai Bao looked doubtful, turning to Ye Chu. “You don’t look well either. Is something wrong?”
“Oh, just a minor injury. Nothing serious.” Ye Chu smiled, not wanting to say more. His gaze, however, could not help drifting to Bai Xuan.
Bai Xuan was vivid and charming, her long lashes fluttering enticingly, revealing touches of captivating allure. Her black, tight-fitting leather dress cinched her soft waist tightly. Below the hem, the pure black fabric hugged her slender, long legs. The glimpse of snow-white beneath stirred the heart. The constricting outfit accentuated the proud swell of her chest, making Ye Chu involuntarily recall the unrestrained, pert fullness from last night in the nightgown.
Stared at with such heated intensity by Ye Chu, Bai Xuan turned away uncomfortably. Sometimes she truly struggled to believe Ye Chu was merely a youth. Such mature, burning gazes made her ill at ease.
Though Bai Xuan tried hard to forget last night’s scene, that startling glimpse had left its mark in her heart. She felt somewhat flustered by Ye Chu’s eyes.
“I’ll go buy some medicinal stones for Ye Chu.” Bai Xuan said, then fled as if escaping.
