A Maiden's Heart

Xiao Ninger's jade foot was small enough to fit in one hand, her skin smooth and soft. It stirred the heart. From where he sat, Nie Li could clearly see her sleek, taut calf, flawless and perfect.

"Don't get the wrong idea. I'm only helping treat your injury. The one I like is Ye Ziyun. It's nice to meet you. I hope we can be friends from now on." Nie Li glanced at Xiao Ninger's lovely face and explained.

Hearing Nie Li's words, Xiao Ninger's shoulders trembled. She nodded and gave a soft hum, saying nothing else. From childhood until now, Nie Li was the first man besides her father to touch her skin. But Nie Li liked Ye Ziyun. Thinking of that, Xiao Ninger felt her nose grow slightly sour.

Nie Li held Xiao Ninger's delicate jade foot, pressed his fingers against the bruise, and gently began to massage it.

"Mm." Xiao Ninger couldn't help letting out a pained moan.

"It'll hurt a little at first. Bear with it," Nie Li said. Then he suddenly realized how awkward it sounded. Saying that while holding a young woman's foot was rather suggestive. Though Xiao Ninger was only thirteen, she had grown up in a Magnate Family and naturally knew a little about such things. Some girls her age were already married with children.

Xiao Ninger lowered her head even more, her pretty face flushed. A strange feeling rose in her heart.

With her cheeks faintly pink, Xiao Ninger looked even more charming. Nie Li's heart stirred as he watched her. In his previous life, Xiao Ninger had indeed been every bit as renowned a beauty as Ziyun. Though she was only thirteen, she was already so captivating. In his previous life, to boys like them, both Xiao Ninger and Ye Ziyun were goddesses to be admired from afar. Ye Ziyun's elegance and nobility, and Xiao Ninger's alluring, icy beauty, had made them the boys' dream girls.

But after thinking of Ye Ziyun, Nie Li put those thoughts aside and focused solely on treating Xiao Ninger.

Under Nie Li's careful massage, Xiao Ninger initially felt sharp, intense pain. Later, a warm current flowed from his palm into the top of her foot. It was like countless scorching ants burrowing beneath her skin, making it itch and tingle. She couldn't help letting out a soft, breathy moan, then immediately blushed with embarrassment.

The bruise had been there for six or seven months, and from time to time she would be struck by waves of stabbing pain. Through sheer stubborn will, Xiao Ninger had endured it, but the pain tormented her every moment. She had thought treating the bruise would be agonizing, but to her surprise, Nie Li's touch was gentle. Before long, she felt the terrible pain that had tormented her for so long ease considerably.

Xiao Ninger's eyes filled with tears. No one knew how hard it was to bear that pain. Whenever the night grew deep and all was still, she would sometimes secretly cry. But after wiping away her tears, she would grit her teeth and continue cultivating. She never expected Nie Li's massage to ease the bruise so quickly. Gratitude filled her heart.

The moonlight was bright, illuminating Nie Li's features clearly. His earnest expression stirred ripples in Xiao Ninger's heart, and she could no longer find calm.

"That's done." Nie Li stopped and smiled faintly. "You might feel a little pain for a while, but take care of yourself and it shouldn't become a serious problem."

"Mm." Xiao Ninger nodded, her cheeks flushing again. "I have another bruise. Nie Li, could you massage that one too?"

"Another one?" Nie Li paused. That made sense. If the bruise had only been on her foot all this time, it couldn't have kept Xiao Ninger bedridden for two years. There must be another, more serious one. "Where?"

Xiao Ninger was deeply conflicted. If Nie Li only massaged the top of her foot, she could accept that. But if it was somewhere else... She hesitated for a long time, her cheeks burning crimson with embarrassment.

"If you're uncomfortable with it..." Nie Li began. Seeing Xiao Ninger's expression, he immediately realized that the bruise might be somewhere difficult for her to mention.

"Nie Li, is Ye Ziyun the one you like?"

"Yes." Nie Li nodded. Recalling all they had been through in his previous life, the life-and-death trials he and Ye Ziyun had faced together, filled him with happiness. Now that he had returned to the past, he would protect Ye Ziyun.

Hearing Nie Li's answer, Xiao Ninger couldn't tell what she felt. There was no denying that Nie Li was the first boy who had made her heart stir a little, but he liked Ye Ziyun.

A flicker of disappointment passed through Xiao Ninger's eyes. She thought for a moment, then asked, "Does Ye Ziyun like you?"

Ye Ziyun barely knew Nie Li yet. If she didn't dislike him, that was already something. Nie Li smiled and shook his head. Then he said, "She'll fall for me!"

Xiao Ninger looked at Nie Li and laughed in spite of herself. So Nie Li was only in love with her from afar. Where did he get the confidence to think that a heaven-blessed girl like Ye Ziyun would fall for him? It wasn't that Xiao Ninger thought Nie Li unworthy of Ye Ziyun. It was just that two people who didn't understand each other had little chance of ending up together. Ye Ziyun didn't know Nie Li yet, so she surely felt nothing for him. But if she ever came to understand him, perhaps she really would fall for him.

It seemed no one had yet discovered Nie Li's talent. One day, he would shine like the sun. By then, even a heaven-blessed girl like Ye Ziyun might be captivated by him.

In everyone else's eyes, Nie Li was an idle, useless young master. Only Xiao Ninger knew that his abilities far surpassed what those people imagined. In the future, Nie Li would surely become a legendary Demon Spirit Master like Ye Mo!

Xiao Ninger struggled inwardly. If her illness went untreated, the talented peers around her would leave her farther and farther behind. If Nie Li was the one treating her, it wasn't so hard to accept. She bit her lip and began undoing her clothes.

Seeing Xiao Ninger's movements, Nie Li felt a little awkward. He rubbed his nose and said, "Isn't this a little inappropriate? I'm a proper, upright person." Xiao Ninger's quiet act of undressing, paired with her cool demeanor, had an indescribable allure.

Xiao Ninger shot Nie Li a look. Did he think she was some wanton woman? If she weren't trying to treat her illness, she would never take off her clothes in front of a boy. Even so, her hands trembled slightly as she undid the buttons, revealing just how conflicted she was.

Nie Li thought it over. It was true—when it came to treating and saving someone, he couldn't be too concerned about such things. He couldn't just watch Xiao Ninger lose all hope because of her illness.

The atmosphere grew hazy and intimate.

The first button, then the second. Xiao Ninger's smooth, flat stomach, without a hint of excess fat, came clearly into view, its surface shimmering beneath the moonlight.

By the time the fifth button came undone, the flawless contours of Xiao Ninger's figure were fully revealed. A lace bandage was wrapped around her chest, beneath which a lovely, slight swell could just be made out. Even though Nie Li had lived a previous life, he couldn't help swallowing hard at the sight. In his past life, Xiao Ninger had dressed rather conservatively, but her figure had been scorching hot. Just one distant glimpse of her had been enough to drive countless men wild.

Before long, Xiao Ninger would grow into a captivating woman. Her cool, noble temperament would make countless men want to conquer her.

Nie Li steadied himself and looked beneath Xiao Ninger's ribs. A bruise there was shocking to behold. Though it was only the size of a thumb, its color was already very dark.

Nie Li felt a surge of pity. How had such a delicate, pitiful girl endured such intense pain?

Nie Li placed his hand over the bruise and gently began massaging it. Xiao Ninger's skin was cool as water, and her well-proportioned body felt smooth beneath his palm, stirring his heart. When he lowered his head, he saw that her profile was veiled in crimson, as though she had just gotten drunk. She looked indescribably radiant and lovely. From where he stood, he could see her collarbones and jade-white shoulders, and a faint, girlish fragrance drifted toward him.

Quietly, neither of them spoke. The woods were peaceful and still.

Xiao Ninger felt the warmth from Nie Li's palm. From childhood until now, this was the first time a boy had touched her so intimately. Her clothes were half-open, most of her skin exposed to the air, and she was filled with embarrassment. Though she was strong, in the dead of night she still felt lonely. Especially when she endured unbearable pain, she longed for someone to lean on. But within her Lineage, whether her elder brother or her father, both made her feel a deep chill. Only Nie Li, right then, made her feel as if she could rely on him.

She had revealed her beauty to Nie Li. Glancing sidelong at him, she saw that he was wholly focused, his mind clear as he massaged the bruise. His earnestness made her feel both grateful and a little disappointed.

Nie Li's thumb pressed against the bruise, occasionally brushing Xiao Ninger's flawless arm. The delicate touch stirred his thoughts despite himself. Memories of that night of passion with Ye Ziyun in his previous life surfaced now and then.

Back then, Ye Ziyun had been far more developed than Xiao Ninger was now, with a curvaceous figure. But Xiao Ninger was still young; once grown, she probably wouldn't be far behind Ye Ziyun.

Ye Ziyun's quiet, elegant image kept appearing in his mind. She had died saving him, and now that he had returned to the past, she was the last person he could let down. Thinking of that finally steadied his thoughts.

Nie Li was very careful. His fingers massaged all around the bruise, while his hand repeatedly pressed several important acupoints nearby. Xiao Ninger's body was well-proportioned, and when his fingers occasionally massaged sensitive spots, he could feel her proud, soft curves. Nie Li couldn't help feeling awkward.

Xiao Ninger felt waves of heat burrowing between her ribs, bringing occasional tingles that rippled through her. Nie Li's hand sometimes brushed her maidenly breasts, which no boy had ever touched, and her cheeks flushed wine-red, making her even more captivating. The girl's alluring, lovely appearance made anyone want to draw her into their arms and cherish her.

It was a truly tormenting ordeal. After massaging her for a long while, Nie Li finally let out a long breath and smiled brightly. "All done!"

When Nie Li's hand moved away, Xiao Ninger couldn't help feeling a sense of loss. She had to admit that his massage technique was miraculous. The pain that had tormented her eased considerably, and the tension in her from enduring it relaxed all at once.

"Thank you," Xiao Ninger said softly. She lowered her head and buttoned her jacket, one button at a time.

Watching her fair skin and graceful figure gradually disappear from view, Nie Li calmed his turbulent emotions and said seriously, "Rest well over the next few days, and the pain should ease a lot. I'll massage you every three days. It won't take many sessions to get rid of it completely. Before you reach the Bronze rank, don't cultivate Soul Power at night. If you absorb too much moonlight essence without being able to harmonize it, the consequences will be serious!"

"Mm." Xiao Ninger nodded. She wouldn't dare cultivate recklessly again. If it weren't for Nie Li, she could imagine how terrible things would have become. All her previous efforts would have gone to waste!

Seeing that Xiao Ninger was all right, Nie Li stood up and said, "I should go."

"Oh." Xiao Ninger couldn't quite name what she was feeling. She nodded, then fell silent for a moment. "Nie Li, you helped me. If you ever need my help, I'll do everything I can!"

Seeing the earnest expression on Xiao Ninger's face, Nie Li smiled and nodded. "All right. If I need help, I'll come to you!" In truth, Nie Li had helped Xiao Ninger only because he felt for her. He had never expected anything in return.

Nie Li turned and left. His silhouette vanished among the trees.

Xiao Ninger watched him go. She stood there for a long while, feeling the pain in her body ease. Suddenly, her heart felt bright and cheerful.

"Nie Li, what kind of person are you, really?" Xiao Ninger murmured, watching his retreating figure. With a buoyant feeling in her heart, she turned and sped toward the exit of the trial grounds.

The night was cool as water, the moonlight pure and bright, casting a hazy veil over the darkness.