Master Xiao’s Beloved Sobs Tenderly (Chapter 19)

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Upon first waking, her consciousness was still hazy, and she vaguely felt the ground shaking beneath her. Hua Mi opened her eyes to find that Yan Jiu, at some unknown moment, had already carried her out of the cave, trekking along a rugged mountain path toward an uncertain destination.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, nuzzling him gently, barely regaining her clarity. Her voice still thick with the fog of awakening, soft and hesitant, she asked, “Where are we going?”

“Looking for a village,” the man replied curtly.

Hua Mi studied the terrain of the forested mountain path, wondering how they could possibly find a village in such a desolate place. Could it be that the male lead had been here before, giving him such confidence?

Before she could ponder further, a fruit was suddenly pressed into her palm.

“Snack,” Yan Jiu said.

He spoke little, never once diverting his gaze to her, fully focused on observing the surroundings and the uneven ground beneath them.

Hua Mi wiped the fruit clean and bit into it. She had no idea where he had found it, but its taste was a pleasant blend of sweet and sour—refreshing and just enough to stave off hunger.

After eating half, she looked up and asked, “Master Jiu, have you eaten?”

“Eat yourself,” Yan Jiu replied casually while watching the muddy patches underfoot.

The sweet juice touched his lips, causing him to pause briefly before lowering his gaze to her.

“I’ve finished,” Hua Mi blinked, offering the fruit toward his mouth again.

Yan Jiu accepted without refusal, biting into it with her hand still holding the fruit. The juice trickled down her palm, and he licked it away with his tongue.

He continued this way, licking and biting until the rest of the fruit was gone.

Hua Mi discarded the core, wrapped her arms around his neck, and buried her face in the hollow of his shoulder.

Though it was only eating a fruit, her cheeks burned with an embarrassing flush.

“Jiu Jiu, I suspect the male lead is deliberately trying to seduce me! I have proof!”

[Host, I think I might be hallucinating...]

“Right? That’s exactly how I feel!”

[The male lead’s darkening value just dropped by 20% all at once! Did that really happen!?]

“Alright, you can stand down now.”

The system was clearly on a different wavelength altogether, and Hua Mi had no desire to engage with it.

After a while, she propped herself up slightly and carefully loosened the bandages over Yan Jiu’s chest. Seeing the wound hadn’t worsened or become infected, she breathed a sigh of relief. “Do you feel alright?”

Yan Jiu shifted her gently to help her sit more steadily. “I’m fine.”

His constitution was strong; such injuries would heal quickly.

Since he said he was fine, Hua Mi didn’t worry needlessly.

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She comfortably let him carry her without once suggesting she walk on her own.

The mountain path was rough and uneven, full of pits and hollows; she knew she wouldn’t make it far if she tried to walk.

Along the way, Yan Jiu occasionally picked up twigs and fallen leaves, crushed some medicinal herbs to ward off insects, and before darkness fully set in, he found a temporary shelter.

He set Hua Mi down and arranged some simple traps nearby, then told her to wait there.

Yan Jiu returned with a rabbit he had hunted.

Hua Mi held the roasted meat, marveling, “You can do this too?”

Yan Jiu gripped her waist, pulling her into his embrace, then held her wrist, pressing the meat to her lips. “Eat. Quickly.”

She bit into it, instantly captivated by the savory aroma.

After they shared the food, Hua Mi couldn’t help but ask again, “How much longer until we arrive?”

“I don’t know,” Yan Jiu answered nonchalantly.

His expression gave her a sudden uneasy feeling.

“Master Jiu, do you know where the village is?” she asked cautiously.

“No,” Yan Jiu replied plainly, as if it was no big deal.

Hua Mi’s eyes widened in shock.

How could he spend the whole day wandering so calmly and confidently without knowing where he was going? That meant the entire day had been a blind gamble.

“Wuwu, are we going to die out here in the wilderness?” She curled up, seemingly frightened, wiping tears from the corners of her eyes.

Yan Jiu pinched her chin to lift her head, then his thumb gently wiped away her tears before, without warning, he kissed her.

“Mm…”

Her breath was stolen between his lips; she could only tilt her head back and endure it.

Her hands pressed weakly against his chest; the sudden, intense assault made her tears fall even harder.

Finally finding a brief pause, she softened against him, quietly sobbing.

“Wuwu, why did you suddenly kiss me? Are you indulging yourself before death?”

Yan Jiu kissed her relentlessly, only releasing her once he was satisfied.

“Didn’t you think you’d die when you jumped with me?” He looked at the tears shimmering in her eyes, clearly pleased with himself.

“No...” she said faintly.

“Such a fool.”

“But dying together with me wouldn’t be so bad,” his gaze darkened, dangerous and terrifying.

“Wuwu, I don’t want to die!” Instinctively sensing danger, she pushed him, trying to escape.

Yan Jiu easily restrained her and pressed down again.

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After grinding against her for a while, he said, “I’m teasing you. I won’t let you die.”

The night forest was cold, but in their small shared world—just a fire and two people entwined in a kiss—it seemed to chase away all the chill.

Yan Jiu propped himself casually against a tree on one leg, while Hua Mi curled up nestled between his legs, her head resting on his thigh, covered by a large leaf.

She held his hand, still unwilling to let go of her earlier question.

“Master Jiu, why did you kiss me?”

The young girl looked up, soft and beautiful in the firelight.

Yan Jiu stroked her face. “Because I wanted to.”

A sly answer.

Hua Mi persisted, “Then why do you want to kiss me? Do you like me? Do you want to be with me? Do you want to have children with me?”

Yan Jiu seemed distracted, his gaze lost in the void, offering no reply.

Hua Mi’s pupils trembled in disbelief. “Master Jiu, you’re not just trying to get a free ride, are you?”

“Wuwu, my innocence!” She had barely finished crying out when her face was firmly gripped.

The man supported her waist, forcing her into a half-kneeling position, leaning into his embrace.

“I’ll give you one chance. If you don’t want it, you can avoid me now. After this, I won’t touch you again.”

His face lowered slowly.

Their breaths mingled, stopping just before their lips met.

His nose brushed hers, his low voice whispered, “Decide now. If you don’t avoid me now, you never will again.”

His tentative touch was not avoided; she even lifted her head slightly to meet him.

Heavy breaths pressed down, turning into a fierce and overwhelming kiss.

Though their relationship remained undefined, their bodies instinctively drew closer, ignoring reason.

The firelight flickered gently through the night, shadows dancing across their faces.

The breeze stirred, the flames trembled, and their forms seemed to merge; every breath filled with a tantalizing, heart-stirring intimacy.

“Master Jiu, I want a bed to sleep on,” Hua Mi murmured softly, resting her head on his leg, her voice tenderly complaining about the harsh environment. Even in the flickering light, her swollen lips were visible.

Yan Jiu simply lay back, letting her lie atop him, holding her close. “Make do for now.”

“I can’t sleep; you’re too hard,” she whispered. Though his warmth was far more comfortable than the ground, it still couldn’t compare to a soft bed.

“Endure it,” Yan Jiu said, pinching her cheek to silence her complaints.