Xin Jiuwei instinctively tried to pull her hand back, but he grabbed it with an even faster, irresistible force. His fingertips were icy cold, and the touch of them against her slightly warm skin made her tremble involuntarily.
Xiao Xun's fingertips rested on her wrist, his movements stiff, bearing the air of a doctor taking a pulse, yet it was entirely different. His brows were furrowed, his thin lips pressed into a cold, hard line, as if sensing something, or perhaps simply confirming her presence.
The warm room was eerily quiet, with only the occasional crackling of the charcoal fire. Xin Kui had already tactfully retreated to the doorway, her head bowed.
Xin Jiuwei felt the coldness and slight trembling (whether from weakness or something else) emanating from his fingertips as he gripped her wrist, her body stiffening. She tried to pull her hand away, but inexplicably lacked the strength, leaving her no choice but to let him hold it. His gaze was too intense, carrying a scrutiny she had never seen before, and… something she dared not delve into.
After a long while, Xiao Xun slowly released her hand. He didn't speak, but his gaze swept heavily over her bloodless face, finally settling on her chest. His gaze was tangible, as if it pierced through thick clothing to see the new, hideous scar beneath.
"Lin Wanyi," he finally spoke, his voice low and deep, as if pressed under a layer of ice, "you've told me everything."
Those few simple words struck Xin Jiuwei's heart like a heavy hammer. He knew. He knew what the "blood guide" was, what those seven drops of essence blood meant, and the origin of the wound on her heart.
Xin Jiuwei's fingertips twitched slightly, but her face remained calm: "It's good that Your Highness is unharmed. This is within the contract, and Jiuwei should do it."
"Within the contract?" Xiao Xun repeated, his tone carrying a strange, almost mocking undertone. He took a step closer, his tall figure almost completely enveloping Xin Jiuwei, the oppressive feeling making it hard for her to breathe. He lowered his head, his unfathomable eyes locked onto hers, so close that she could see the bloodshot veins in his eyes and the suppressed, turbulent undercurrents within them.
“Xin Jiuwei,” his voice was even lower, each word seemingly squeezed out from between his teeth, carrying an almost violent chill, “Who gave you the audacity to use this method? Who gave you permission to… cut out your heart and take your blood?!”
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