The gray light of dawn crept through the thin window shutters, washing over the rumpled bed where two bodies lay tangled together.
Lin Xinyao stirred first, breath catching at the faint soreness deep inside — a tender, throbbing ache that instantly brought back the humiliating memory of how many times she'd moaned his name the night before.
She risked a glance at Mo Li, who was already awake, propped lazily on one elbow, watching her with that same infuriating half-lidded smirk.
Her face flamed hot all over again.
She quickly pulled her inner robe over her bare skin, fussing with the ties even though her hands trembled slightly. Mo Li rose too, shrugging into his dark outer robes with the casual ease of someone who looked delicious even half-wild and sleep-mussed.
As she adjusted her sash, her lips pressed into a small, uncertain line.
"Will you…"She paused, then tried again, voice sharper to hide the tiny waver."Will you do this sort of… indecent cultivation with other girls in the sect?"
Mo Li blinked, then chuckled. He reached out to lightly flick her forehead with a single finger.
"Ow—!"She glared at him, rubbing the spot.
"Silly little frost flower," he drawled, eyes dancing."I'm not about to pour my yang into just any random woman. You have a special constitution — your frost yin is rare and powerful. It's not something I'd risk diluting."
Her eyes narrowed, her mouth twisting into a pout.
"So it's just because of my body, in the end."
Mo Li's teasing smile softened.He reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear, fingertips lingering against her flushed cheek.
"It's not just that. I remember last year — when you helped stabilize my damaged meridians with your frost pills. When you stood up to defend me against those senior disciples trying to drive me out."
Her breath caught. Her chest squeezed strangely tight.
"I didn't forget.So yes, I want to help your cultivation grow stronger in return.Not simply because of your body — but because it's you."
Lin Xinyao felt her heart stutter violently in her chest.She quickly turned her face away, crossing her arms with a small huff.
"Tch. As if I needed your filthy yang to help me…"
But the slight tremble in her voice, the faint shine in her eyes, betrayed her. Inside, her spirit danced with a secret, giddy happiness she tried desperately to crush under her icy pride.
Mo Li only laughed softly, leaning in to press a gentle kiss to her cheek.
"My silly frost flower.One day you'll admit you enjoy my filthy yang more than your precious cold solitude."
Her entire face went crimson. She shoved at his chest with a weak scowl.
"Stop… someone might come by and see…"
Mo Li smirked.
"Then hurry back to your rooms before your absence is noticed."
She muttered something under her breath, then swept up her outer robe and practically fled the room — though the tips of her ears glowed bright red the entire way.
Mo Li watched her go with lazy satisfaction, his demonic qi still humming from the taste of her yin.
It wouldn't be long before her need pulled her right back to his bed again.