312 All Nigh (1/2)

Li Xueyue didn't know what else to do. She sat on the edge of the bed, swinging her legs out of pure boredom. This room was beautiful and perfectly furnished but it wasn't to her liking. There wasn't a single book to entertain herself with.

She let out a quiet sigh and observed the rugs that covered the floor in the room. She had never seen rugs so elegantly designed, yet so colorful. She wondered if it was Hanjian's specialty.

Her arms rested on either side of her whilst she hummed a quiet tune to herself. Perhaps it would be better to sleep? At least, the morning would quickly come.

She was startled upon hearing loud thuds outside the room. What was that? She had barely raised her head when the doors slammed open. A rush of cold air gushed inside, sending chills down her spine.

Her eyes grew wide. She didn't know how it happened, or why it happened. But she cried. The sight of him brought indescribable relief.

”Yu—” She didn't even get to finish her sentence when he quickly stormed towards her. She let out a broken laugh when he embraced her tightly.

Li Xueyue had never felt so whole—as if the other half of her soul was found. He was here with her.

Yu Zhen was actually here—in person. Alive, and well. His hug was the same, despite the months that had passed. She was flushed against his chest, her ears rested against his rapidly thumping heart. He was as ecstatic to see her as she was to see him.

”I've missed you,” he murmured in a low, sullen voice. He hugged her tighter until she was pressed against him. He buried his face into the crook of her shoulders. Her scent was the strongest there.

”I can tell,” Li Xueyue whispered. She had been so shocked by his unexpected hug that her arms hung limply by her side. Hesitantly, she lifted it behind him. When he squeezed her, she settled her fingertips upon his broad upper back. She felt the clench of his muscles when he shifted.

”Are you feeling alright?” Yu Zhen worriedly asked whilst pulling back a bit. He reached out and gently touched her cheeks.

Li Xueyue barely got a word out when he abruptly brought her face closer. She flushed and closed her eyes. She held her breath, waiting for something that only he could give her. But it never came. Instead, she felt his fingers touch her forehead.

Li Xueyue's eyes snapped open in surprise. He bit his bottom lip. His body trembled whilst holding back a laugh.

”Oh, shut up!” Li Xueyue grumbled when he smiled at her reddened face.

”What were you expecting, Sunshine?” Yu Zhen retorted whilst dropping his hand. It seemed her temperature was back to normal. Not too cold. And not too hot.

Li Xueyue narrowed her eyes in irritation. ”Nothing similar to what's on your mind right now,” she huffed out.

With one tug, she was yanked towards his sturdy chest, her palms rested comfortably upon it. She wanted to create distance between them, but he didn't allow her to.

Yu Zhen leaned down and pressed a chaste kiss upon her forehead. Her heart fluttered at the action. Even when he pulled back, she still felt the lingering kiss.

”I've missed you, my Little Hamster,” Yu Zhen murmured. He hoped this wasn't a dream. If so, it would be the cruelest trick the Heavens played upon him.

Yu Zhen had lost count of how many times his dreams tormented him. She was always there—so close but so far away. Beside him, but untouchable. And when he'd try to grab ahold of her, she'd disappear into thin air.

”I've missed you a lot more,” Li Xueyue whispered. She enjoyed how comfortably their bodies were entangled together. He held her as if he was made to do it.

Li Xueyue smiled when he kissed her again, this time, on the side of her head. ”How did I get here?” she asked.

Li XUeyue melted into his arms when he hugged her tighter.

”Your horse,” Yu Zhen responded.

”Where is he right now?” Li Xueyue asked. Immediately, fear rushed to her system. Had Heiyue… perished in the biting cold?

Yu Zhen noticed the panic that flashed within her eyes. He reached out and soothed the creases that had formed upon her forehead. She still loved to worry, didn't she?