Chapter 150
The flickering candlelight made the path on the map leading to the abyss and revenge appear even more eerie. Su Zhelan's fingers unconsciously clenched, as if she had already gripped the blade of revenge.
Just as he was about to say something more, the door to Shuyu Courtyard was suddenly pushed open without warning.
A cool night breeze, carrying the crisp air from outside, swept in, dispersing some of the dampness inside. Xiao Qiyun's tall figure appeared in the doorway, his dark robes still seemingly damp with night dew.
He closed the door behind him, his gaze sharp and instantly locking onto Su Zhelan, who was sitting on the soft couch, and Sheng Xuan, who was standing close to the couch with a protective posture.
Xiao Qiyun's gaze lingered on Su Zhelan's face for a moment, his sharp eyes sweeping over his still weary brows and eyes, and his slightly swollen lips, which appeared particularly clear in the candlelight.
His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, then he stepped in with steady steps.
He walked straight to the soft couch, his gaze falling on Su Zhelan. His voice was low and steady, devoid of emotion, yet carrying an undeniable concern: "Are you awake? Have you eaten?"
Su Zhelan shook her head slightly, but before she could answer, Xiao Qiyun's gaze swept over her slightly messy sideburns and her face still showing signs of sleep, and her brows furrowed even more: "Haven't washed up yet?"
Su Zhelan looked up at him, her eyes calm, with a hint of languor from just waking up and lingering fatigue, and softly hummed in agreement.
Xiao Qiyun's gaze lingered on his slightly pale face for a moment, and the weariness in his eyes and the traces left on his lips made his heart sink slightly.
His gaze swept over the still steaming hot spring pool beside him, its surface shimmering in the candlelight, the misty steam carrying the scent of sulfur filling the air.
“Now that you’re awake,” Xiao Qiyun’s voice was deep, carrying an unquestionable suggestion, his gaze returning to Su Zhelan’s face, “Don’t waste this hot spring. Take a soak and relax.”
Su Zhelan was slightly taken aback, then felt a lingering fatigue and tension deep within her body. The warmth of the hot spring seemed to penetrate through the air, carrying an alluring and soothing aroma.
Su Zhelan nodded slightly, her voice slightly hoarse: "...Alright."
Xiao Qiyun's lips curved almost imperceptibly, as if satisfied with his compliance.
Without saying another word, he turned and walked to the edge of the hot spring pool, bent down, and dipped his slender fingers into the water, stirring it a few times to feel the temperature.
Then, he casually began to untie the sash of his dark outer robe, as if he were at home. The robe fell to the ground, revealing a dark-colored close-fitting outfit underneath. Without the slightest hesitation, he stepped directly into the hot spring pool.
The warm pool water washed over his strong calves, eventually reaching his waist. He turned around, leaning against the pool wall, his gaze calmly fixed on the soft couch, water droplets sliding down his sharply defined jawline.
Su Zhelan braced herself against the edge of the soft couch, trying to get up. Sheng Xuan immediately reached out to help her, his movements urgent and carrying a sense of asserting dominance. He carefully helped Su Zhelan to her feet, and then naturally began to untie the sash of her outer robe.
Su Zhelan did not resist, but simply lowered her eyes slightly, letting Sheng Xuan do as she pleased. Layer by layer, her clothes were removed, until only her undergarments remained. The thin fabric outlined Su Zhelan's slender figure, making her appear somewhat frail and fragile in the candlelight.
Seeing that Su Zhelan was almost done, Sheng Xuan quickly began to unbutton his outer robe and belt, his movements swift and efficient, soon leaving him only in his inner garment. He stood close to Su Zhelan, his gaze warily sweeping over the silent figure in the pool.
Su Zhelan didn't look at Xiao Qiyun in the pool, but instead took a step and walked towards the edge of the hot spring. His steps were still a little unsteady, so Sheng Xuan immediately reached out to support his arm and carefully guided him.
Xiao Qiyun's gaze remained fixed on Su Zhelan. When Su Zhelan stood on the smooth stone at the edge of the pool, Xiao Qiyun's deep voice rang out, carrying an undeniable call that pierced through the misty water vapor: "The water is just right. Come here."
Su Zhelan raised her eyes and looked at Xiao Qiyun in the pool through the misty water. Xiao Qiyun's figure appeared somewhat blurry in the water, but his calm yet powerful gaze was crystal clear.
Sheng Xuan tightened his grip on Su Zhelan's arm, then half-squatted down and whispered to her, "Slow down, don't rush." His voice was deep and gentle, filled with concern. He carefully helped Su Zhelan sit down and immerse her feet in the warm pool water.
Su Zhelan simply lowered her head, looking at her ankles immersed in the water. The warm pool water enveloped her, and the sulfurous warmth instantly spread from her ankles, as if countless gentle hands were softly massaging her tired muscles.
The soothing feeling made him sigh softly, and his tense body seemed to relax a little.
The rising steam blurred his lowered profile and the indescribable emotions surging in his eyes.
Just then, the water rippled slightly. Xiao Qiyun's figure silently approached the edge of the pool. He didn't stand up completely, but only his upper body was above the water, the water droplets sliding down his well-defined chest.
He was very close, so close that Su Zhelan could clearly feel the heat emanating from his body and the undeniable sense of oppression.
Xiao Qiyun's gaze calmly fell on Su Zhelan's lowered profile, then slowly moved down to his calves and ankles, which were submerged in water. The hem of his plain white undergarment was wet and clung to his skin, outlining his slender figure.
Without a word, Xiao Qiyun simply extended his hand.
Those hands, with their distinct knuckles and calloused skin, carrying the warm scent of pool water, landed steadily and unexpectedly on Su Zhelan's thighs.
The hand covered the skin of her leg through her thin, soaked inner garment. The touch was warm and strong, carrying an undeniable sense of control, instantly penetrating the fabric and reaching her nerve endings.
Su Zhelan's body stiffened abruptly! As if struck by an invisible electric current, a shiver instantly spread from the point of contact. He instinctively tried to pull his leg back, but Xiao Qiyun's palm was like an iron clamp, pressing firmly there with an irresistible force, even stroking it very slowly and soothingly.
That caress, with its slippery, watery feel, made Su Zhelan's breath catch in his throat. He jerked his head up, meeting Xiao Qiyun's deep eyes. Those eyes were calm and still, yet like a bottomless, icy pool, clearly reflecting his stiffness and a hint of barely perceptible panic.
"Don't move." Xiao Qiyun's voice was deep and close, carrying the steam from the hot spring as it brushed against Su Zhelan's ear. "The water is warm, soak a little longer to loosen up your muscles and bones."
"Xiao Qiyun!" Sheng Xuan's voice was almost squeezed out through clenched teeth, filled with suppressed anger and warning. His eyes were sharp as knives as he stared intently at Xiao Qiyun's hand pressing on Su Zhelan's leg. "What are you doing?!"
Xiao Qiyun didn't even look up at him. His gaze remained fixed on Su Zhelan's face, as if Sheng Xuan was just insignificant background noise.
The hand that was pressing on Su Zhelan's leg moved slightly again, as if to feel the cool touch of her skin under the thin fabric, or to soothe Su Zhelan's muscles that had suddenly tensed up.
"Help him relax." Xiao Qiyun's voice remained steady, carrying a sense of entitlement, as if his actions were perfectly natural.
"Oh? Is that so?" Sheng Xuan's voice suddenly rose, carrying an almost sharp sarcasm and an barely suppressed hostility, each word seeming to be ground out from between his teeth, "Then I'll help Zhe Lan 'relax' a bit too!"
Before he finished speaking, Sheng Xuan stopped merely holding onto Su Zhelan's arm. He moved, not roughly dragging or pressing her down, but tightening his arms to hold Su Zhelan's waist more firmly, while taking a steady step forward.
"Um……"
A very low, unexpected groan escaped from Su Zhelan's throat. The warm pool water instantly enveloped her from all directions, gently yet firmly, first her calves, then her waist, abdomen, and chest... The temperature was slightly higher than her skin, carrying the unique scent of sulfur, like countless warm nets that tightened instantly, clinging to every inch of exposed skin.
The sudden, all-encompassing warmth and envelopment caused his body to tense up slightly, and he subconsciously took a deep breath, his chest tightening as a result.
Gentle ripples spread outwards from the two of them, without any large splashes, only the water's tender embrace.
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