“I don’t want to shy away from everything at the start just because I’m afraid of getting hurt; that’s cowardice.”
Tong Sui stated, “I’d rather endure pain than remain numb. I will take responsibility for my own choices…”
【You…】
The system looked at Tong Sui with his serious expression and knew that he was beyond persuasion; only by experiencing pain himself would he understand.
【Silly host, just let this world be. In the next world, you must promise me not to make such a low-level mistake again.】
“Mm-hmm.”
Tong Sui thought he would be here for a long time. Until Bai Xingluo left, then he would leave this world, and from then on he would pay more attention to things.
He didn’t fall for just anyone.
Bai Xingluo… was an exception.
As he pondered this, footsteps grew closer, and Bai Xingluo came in, momentarily dazzling him.
Bai Xingluo was naturally good-looking, and now, without any covering, he resembled a stunning piece of art, leaving one in awe of his beauty.
Noticing Tong Sui’s gaze, Bai Xingluo hung the clothes in his hand neatly.
“What’s wrong, Lord? Do you need my help?”
Bai Xingluo’s gaze wandered over Tong Sui, taking him in softly.
Though most of Tong Sui’s body was submerged, only his wet head appeared above the water.
Tong Sui’s skin was exceptionally fair, smooth, and delicate, resembling the finest jade. After today’s exercise, he also had a layer of rosy colour that radiated health.
“Luo Luo, let’s go to the marriage office a year from now.”
Bai Xingluo’s heart tightened.
“Where do you want to go, and what for?”
He remembered Tong Sui mentioning before that the marriage proposal was to help him escape his judgment.
They were merely in a nominal spousal relationship, and even though they now had something real, it meant little to a male who had no restrictions.
“Are you dissatisfied with me? I can improve.”
“Not at all,” Tong Sui whispered, “Didn’t they say it would take a year to change the identity of a female servant to a female monarch?”
“Are you saying,” Bai Xingluo asked, almost not daring to believe Tong Sui’s words, his voice trembling, “that you are willing to let me be your female monarch?”
“Mm-hmm.”
Tong Sui couldn’t bear to look into his eyes, staring instead at the shimmering broken reflection on the water’s surface, a sparkling dewdrop hanging from his lowered lashes.
“What’s wrong? Don’t you want to?”
Bai Xingluo stepped closer, his eyes shining like a puppy seeing its master.
He had never imagined this day would come; it felt surreal as if he might wake from this dream at any moment.
In truth, it didn’t matter what identity he had, as long as he could be by the Lord’s side. But did this mean he held a greater significance in the Lord’s heart?
Bai Xingluo approached, his gaze intensely focused on him.
“Lord, I am willing.”
They finished their bath quickly.
Bai Xingluo lifted Tong Sui out of the tub.
His own hair was still dripping, but he had already grabbed a dry towel, wrapping it around Tong Sui and gently drying him off.
Bai Xingluo always took care of him with skilled and fluid motions, and during these actions, he always seemed to carry an extra layer of tenderness.
He dried Tong Sui gently yet thoroughly, helping him into loose but comfortable clothes.
Tong Sui stood by, watching as Bai Xingluo used the same towel he had previously used to dry himself off with clean, precise motions.
Tong Sui suddenly felt his face flush.
So intimate.
Before this, he had never shared such a close connection with anyone.
He must have completely given in.
Tong Sui no longer viewed Bai Xingluo as just a simple task; he found this intimacy quite astonishing.
A little thrill that he had previously ignored bubbled up inside him.
As Bai Xingluo finished drying his hair, he turned and met Tong Sui’s gaze.
Caught in the act of peeking, Tong Sui looked adorably flustered, and Bai Xingluo wondered if he would taste like milk.
Bai Xingluo stepped closer and lifted him effortlessly.
Tong Sui instinctively wrapped his arms around his neck.
Bai Xingluo managed to walk smoothly and quickly to the dining table, setting Tong Sui down.
Tong Sui opened his mouth, yet still forgot to breathe.
Bai Xingluo said, “Please wait a moment, I’ll go cook.”
Bai Xingluo entered the kitchen.
The open kitchen was spacious and equipped with all the latest cooking tools.
There was also a cooking robot nearby.
His tall frame and broad shoulders made the already spacious kitchen feel somewhat cramped.
The meal that should have been prepared hours earlier had been left on the countertop, now turning into a late-night snack.
Most of the ingredients were already half-prepared.
Fresh vegetables glistened with droplets of water, having been cleaned thoroughly, while other meats remained in the refrigerator.
Cooking for two was significantly simpler.
Bai Xingluo moved with remarkable efficiency, hardly taking any time to prepare the meal.
Bored, Tong Sui approached, watching Bai Xingluo skillfully prepare their dinner.
The vegetables in the pot had already become glistening green, coated in oil from the pot, their edges curling from the heat.
A delightful fragrance began to fill the kitchen.
Tong Sui watched him cook, easily lost in thought, drifting far away.
He was brought back to reality by Bai Xingluo’s voice.
“Lord, what were you just thinking about?”
Caught red-handed in his thoughts, Tong Sui felt his ears turn as red as blood. He awkwardly turned his head away, trying to shift the topic.