Midnight Whispers and Warm Embrace

In the dead of night, Bai Xia—who had slept all day—found herself wide awake, just as expected.

On the soft, spacious bed, she lay beside Mo Bai, idly scrolling through videos. Sometimes it was anime commentary, other times news about the weather or current events. Normally, she would never have had the luxury to watch such things. Her days used to be filled with work, school, and the constant worry of survival.

Now that she suddenly had free time, Bai Xia felt a little lost.

After all, she still had school from Monday to Friday—but on weekends, she had nothing to do.

“Sigh…”

Letting out a soft sigh, Bai Xia set her phone aside and turned to look at Mo Bai.

The boy had been lying on his side for who knew how long, his gaze fixed entirely on her.

“Mo Bai, aren’t you tired?” she asked, her crimson eyes glowing faintly in the dim light, filled with confusion. Even if she suspected he couldn’t sleep for the same reason as her, she still felt the need to ask—especially since they had plans the next day.

“Not tired. I’m waiting for you to fall asleep,” Mo Bai replied lazily, a faint smile in his voice.

Before she could react, he pulled her into his arms, his fingers idly playing with her soft white hair.

“W-well…”

With no way to escape, Bai Xia shifted into a similar position, pressing lightly against his chest.

Truthfully, after so many days, she had already grown somewhat used to his sudden embraces. She could now instinctively adjust herself to find a comfortable position in his arms. Curled up against him, she looked both obedient and irresistibly cute.

Mo Bai only needed to lean slightly forward to glimpse the delicate skin of her collarbone, faintly revealed beneath the loose neckline of her nightgown, along with the subtle curves hinted beneath the fabric.

She was so small and fragile—it made one want to hold her carefully and never let go.

Mo Bai drew closer, his warm chest pressing against her back, enveloping her completely. Resting his chin atop her head, he inhaled her faint, refreshing scent.

His possessiveness was satisfied.

But Bai Xia’s face flushed deeply, her thoughts thrown into disarray. She couldn’t even focus on her phone anymore.

“M-Mo Bai…” she squirmed slightly. “You’re too close…”

“Don’t like it?”

“It’s not that I don’t like it… it’s just…”

“Just what?”

His tone was teasing, clearly intentional. Bai Xia felt both embarrassed and annoyed, yet too weak to resist.

If this continued… she would definitely end up being bullied again.

“It’s just…” she hesitated, then finally muttered softly, “You know what I mean…”

“Know what? I don’t know,” he replied, deliberately dragging out his words. His hand slipped beneath the blanket, lightly brushing against her, making her body tense instantly.

“Since you’re not sleepy…” he leaned closer, his lips nearly grazing her ear, “…why not talk to your master?”

“E-enough already!”

Finally unable to endure it, Bai Xia turned around to face him, her ruby-like eyes filled with embarrassment and anger.

“Mo Bai, can’t you stop bullying me?”

Her words carried no real threat—but they softened his heart.

“Sorry…” Mo Bai sighed, his tone returning to normal. “I just… can’t help it.”

After all, a defenseless, adorable girl was lying right beside him, her nightgown revealing just enough to tempt. Who could stay completely calm?

But Bai Xia misunderstood him.

“You’re just thinking weird things again, aren’t you?” she frowned slightly.

“What can I do? I haven’t even touched you, and I’m already holding back this much. My self-control is pretty impressive, don’t you think?”

Mo Bai sighed again, lightly pinching her cheek.

Bai Xia instantly blushed and scooted away, staring at him like a startled kitten.

“M-Mo Bai!”

“Hey, you used to be a guy—you should understand…”

“But it’s different now! I’m a girl!”

She immediately flared up.

It was his fault she ended up like this—and now he was teasing her about it!

Bai Xia pounded his chest with her fists, but remembering everything she depended on him for, her anger quickly deflated.

“Hmph… you always bully me…”

“But I only bully you.”

His voice softened, his fingers gently brushing her flushed cheek.

Bai Xia froze, unable to respond. She buried her face into his chest, mumbling something inaudible.

“Even if you say that… I’ll only help you one more time.”

“…Can I see your feet in those white socks?”

“MO BAI! You pervert! Foot fetishist!”

…

“Ugh, you’re disgusting.”

Yet despite her protests, one sock ended up tossed aside. Mo Bai, satisfied, pulled her into his arms from behind as she sulked.

“Still mad?” he murmured, nuzzling her cheek.

“Next time, I’ll buy you a new pair.”

Bai Xia nudged him weakly. “You’re so weird…”

Mo Bai chuckled softly, pulling her closer, his breath brushing her ear.

“Go to sleep. We’re heading to the Sword Mechanism early tomorrow.”