184 A Puppy (1/2)

As anticipated, Yu Zhen had taught her the basics of Hanjian's sword-fighting techniques. It was far more difficult than she had predicted. To no one's surprise, Hanjian's style was completely different from Wuyi's. While Wuyi focused on brute strength and speed, Hanjian was all about precision and technique.

By the time they had finished training, Li Xueyue was covered in sweat. Embarrassed at her appearance, she kept her distance from Yu Zhen, but he couldn't grasp her message. Each time he tried to approach her, she would purposely create distance between them.

Li Xueyue was worried that she didn't smell good. Her hair was frayed and sticking to her forehead whereas her face was flushed red from tiring herself out.

”Stay at least six feet back!” she exasperated when he attempted to hold her hand.

Li Xueyue wiped the sweat that trickled from her head to her chin. She was irritated that he was as clean and dry as when he arrived this morning, as if he wasn't practicing with her the entire day.

Yu Zhen paused, bewildered by her warnings. The sun was setting behind her, the ruby hue of the sky was beginning to reflect over her robe-clung body. The rays emphasized her figure perfectly as she glistened under the sun.

Yu Zhen deeply breathed in through his nose, hoping to regain his composure. Despite that, his eyes were glued to her like a moth to a flame.

”Why are we keeping a distance?” he begrudgingly asked, gesturing towards the large space between them.

”I'm soaked in sweat and I look like a mess,” Li Xueyue pointed out, frowning when he scowled.

”So?”

”S-so, I don't feel my best right now,” Li Xueyue explained. He pouted like a spoiled kid who finally heard the word 'no' for the first time in his life.

”And?”

”And you're going to feel uncomfortable by the stench?” she said, though it came out like a question.

Li Xueyue slipped the sword into the sheath. She approached the equipment rack and placed the weapon back to its rightful place. Her eyes scanned over the vast array of weapons here. Li Wenmin loved to collect exotic swords and daggers every chance he got. He usually stored the least prized ones on this rack, whereas the most expensive and rare ones would be found in his bedroom.

The worst place to ambush Li Wenmin was inside of his room. She dully remembered a time when she wanted to sneak up on him and he thought she was an intruder. Needless to say, things didn't end well.

Lost in thought, she didn't hear the swift footsteps approaching her. She snapped to reality when a sturdy pair of arms came from behind. A yelp left her mouth when she was hoisted against a muscular chest.

”Yu Zhen!” she groaned. Did this man not listen?

Yu Zhen responded by hugging her tighter, burying his face into the crook of her neck.

”I don't smell pleasant!” she hissed, struggling in his arms, but he didn't care.

”I think you smell fine,” he grumbled, bewildered by how self-conscious she was. Compared to his soldiers, she smelled delectable. Her usual scent, soft and sweet, was musky today, not that he was complaining.

Letting out a quiet huff, she could do nothing but give into his embrace. She stayed still for him, leaning into his arms.

”You're like a big baby,” she mumbled, reaching her hand up to stroke his hair. She felt the lift of his lips when he smiled against her skin.