When the morning light fell on the carved bed, Xie Yun was looking at Zheng Wanqing in his arms. The woman in his arms was curled up with her back pressed against his chest, and her black hair was scattered all over his arms, making him feel itchy. He lifted the strand of hair that was stuck to her neck and played with it around his fingertips, leaning on his elbows and staring at her, his eyes moving from her eyelashes that were trembling slightly like butterfly wings to the mottled red marks under her collarbone, which were all marks left by his sexual control last night.

"Hmm..." Zheng Wanqing hummed softly in her dream and unconsciously snuggled into his arms.

Xie Yun's Adam's apple rolled unconsciously. He stretched out his hand to help her close her clothes, but his fingertips were suspended in the air. Last night, her voice crying "Yumin" suddenly hit his ears, which made the veins on the back of his hand tingle. He suddenly withdrew his hand and gently pulled the quilt that had slipped off to her shoulders.

Zheng Wanqing's eyelashes trembled slightly, and the pain in her body came like a tide, especially her waist, which felt like being pricked by thousands of needles, causing her to frown slightly. She slowly opened her eyes with sleepy eyes and met Xie Yun's eyes. The room was so quiet that only the sound of each other's gentle breathing could be heard.

She suddenly felt something hot against her leg and froze. "Beast," she murmured in a low voice and subconsciously curled up her sore legs. Memories of last night came flooding back to her and her cheeks suddenly turned red. She glared at him with red eyes.

Zheng Wanqing's coquettish words were like a hook that hooked Xie Yun's breathing. The impulse unique to the morning was like a turbulent undercurrent, forcing him to no longer sit still. He suddenly sat up from the bed, his voice hoarse: "I... go wash up first."

He stepped barefoot over the messy clothes on the floor and hurried to the bathroom. The bathroom was soon filled with mist, and the sound of dripping water mixed with a few suppressed groans could be heard.

Zheng Wanqing snorted softly, a little bit cute, and then couldn't resist the invasion of sleepiness, and soon fell asleep again. Until her ankle was suddenly grasped by a steamy hand, she raised her leg and kicked it reflexively. The touch of firm and tight muscles came from the soles of her feet, with water droplets that had not been wiped off.

She was fully awake at this moment, and met Xie Yun's smiling eyes. He held her ankle and said, "Don't move." He slowly pushed his palm, which was soaked in medicated oil, up along her calf. "This is the technique taught by the military medical officer to activate the meridians."

His knuckles were covered with calluses, and he used his strength to precisely massage the blocked muscles. Zheng Wanqing bit her lip to hold back a groan, but when he pressed on her waist, she suddenly arched her body: "It hurts..."

Before he could finish his words, Zheng Wanqing was picked up by Xie Yun and sat sideways on his lap.

"Back in the Baoding Military Academy," Xie Yun rested his chin on the top of her head, but continued to massage her in a proper manner, "this technique saved many young people who had cramps during training."

After the massage, Xie Yun placed the medicinal wine on the sandalwood table. When he turned around, three scarlet scratches on his back were clearly visible on his shoulder blades, which were particularly eye-catching against the honey-colored texture.

"Don't move." Zheng Wanqing called out to Xie Yun who was about to put on his clothes. She pointed at the teak stacking cabinet with copper corners and said, "There is a celadon bottle in the drawer."

Xie Yun frowned slightly, but still took it as he said. She took the porcelain bottle with gold-painted branches, and as soon as her fingertips touched the amber ointment, she ordered: "Turn around."

His wrist was suddenly grabbed by a hot palm. He laughed softly, and the vibration of his chest shook off the water droplets on his hair: "It's just a minor injury."

"It will leave scars." She struggled to get away stubbornly, the ointment melting into a translucent honey color on her fingertips. Xie Yun saw her pursed lips and finally sat back on the edge of the bed obediently.

The moment the ointment touched the wound, his shoulder blade trembled slightly. Zheng Wanqing immediately eased her pressure: "Does it hurt?" Her fingertips moved along the scar, and she suddenly felt a burning sensation in her ears as she recalled how she had left marks on this body last night.

"I was scratched by a kitten." Xie Yun tilted her head, her Adam's apple rolling in her sight, "It's just a kitten that only knows how to bite people."

Zheng Wanqing was embarrassed and annoyed, so she deliberately scratched his uninjured right shoulder with her fingernails: "That cat must hate you very much."

Her fingertips stroked an old scar, her eyes suddenly warmed up, and she leaned over and pressed her lips to his shoulder: "In the future... don't hurt yourself again." The tip of her tongue tasted the bitterness of the ointment, mixed with the lingering pine scent on his skin.

"Can you tell me about the long scar on your waist and abdomen?" Zheng Wanqing asked softly, leaning on his shoulder.

Xie Yun was silent for a long time, his eyes became deep and distant, he pulled her into his arms, took a deep breath, and memories came flooding back...