The moment Fang Mo stepped inside, a faint yet penetrating fragrance slipped into his nostrils.
It wasn't sweet and cloying like ordinary powder and perfume. Instead, it carried a cool edge, like an orchid blooming in the depths of an abyss. One breath left him invigorated, yet made him want to sink into it all the same.
Nian Nu'er had just started to close the door when a blazing-hot body pressed against her.
Fang Mo gave her no chance to react. He spread his arms and pulled her soft body fiercely into his embrace.
"Ah—"
Nian Nu'er let out a delicate cry. Her body went limp as water, but she didn't struggle. She merely turned her head slightly and shot him a reproachful glance with those captivating eyes.
"You rascal!"
"Why are you in such a hurry? You hurt me."
Fang Mo chuckled, ignoring her complaints. His nose traced up her slender, fair neck, finally stopping beside her small, delicate earlobe.
"Did you miss me?"
His voice was low, carrying a hint of teasing.
Nian Nu'er felt a tingling numbness by her ear, and half the strength drained from her body. She turned around, looped her arms around Fang Mo's neck, and hung from him, her breath fragrant as an orchid.
"I missed you~"
"I missed you so much my heart aches."
Fang Mo chuckled, paying no mind to her playful reproach.
He lowered his head, his nose nearly brushing Nian Nu'er's jade-like, translucent earlobe, and took a deep breath.
"Ah—"
Fang Mo raised his head, his gaze a little hazy.
"You smell so good!"
Nian Nu'er felt his scorching breath by her ear, and her body trembled faintly.
"Young Master..."
Nian Nu'er's eyes instantly turned hazy, and a seductive tremor crept into her voice.
"You smell so good, too..."
It was the scent of qi and blood, mingled with an indescribable allure that made her unable to pull herself away.
Just as they were like kindling meeting flame, the mood unbearably charged, and something decidedly unfit for children was about to happen—
"Grrrrrr—"
A sound like muffled thunder abruptly rumbled from their pressed-together stomachs.
It was so loud that even Nian Nu'er's thin nightclothes trembled.
The charged atmosphere froze in an instant.
Fang Mo's old face turned visibly red.
He awkwardly let go of Nian Nu'er, clutched his stomach, and gave a dry laugh.
"Um, well..."
"My realm rose too quickly. My body really is using up a bit more energy."
Qi and Blood Realm, perfected.
He had crossed two levels in a single night. The toll on his body was no joke.
The Blood Spirit Pill was keeping him going, but that was energy; the hunger in his stomach was the real thing.
He was genuinely starving.
The kind of hungry where his back and chest were pressed together.
Nian Nu'er froze for a moment, then burst out laughing.
She laughed so hard she swayed, and the movement of her chest made Fang Mo's head spin. She gently pushed him away and covered her mouth, smiling. "So my darling was hungry. That's true, you need a full stomach to have the strength to get to work."
She gently pushed Fang Mo away and slipped out of his arms, amusement dancing in the corners of her eyes and brows.
"I thought you were a lecherous wolf."
"But it turns out you're just a hungry wolf."
She turned toward the door, opened it a crack, and called downstairs.
"Mama Feng."
"Prepare a fine feast, all meat, and make it a generous portion."
"Bring up two taels of aged Huadiao wine, too."
"I'll drink with Young Master Fang."
Mama Feng's respectful voice rang out from downstairs, tinged with surprise. "Yes, miss. I'll take care of it right away."
Nian Nu'er closed the door, led Fang Mo to the table, and sat him down. Her peach-blossom eyes stayed fixed on him, as if she were trying to find a flower on his face.
Her stare made Fang Mo feel a little uneasy. He instinctively touched his face.
"What? Have you been captivated by this young master's handsome face?"
Nian Nu'er shook her head and stretched out a slender finger to gently tap Fang Mo's forehead.
"Young Master, did you not notice how I was dressed today?"
Fang Mo was taken aback.
He'd been too busy getting handsy to pay any attention to her clothes.
Now that he looked closely, he saw that Nian Nu'er's hairstyle was entirely different from last time.
Last time, she had worn her hair in a cloud-drooping bun, giving her a girlish charm.
Today, however, she had pinned up all her long hair with a green jade hairpin, revealing her smooth forehead and slender neck.
It was a married woman's hairstyle.
"Did you get married?"
Nian Nu'er shot him a sidelong glance, so alluring it nearly stole Fang Mo's soul.
"Yes, I got married."
She picked up the teapot on the table and poured Fang Mo a cup of tea, her voice soft and plaintive. "I married a clueless fool who only knows how to rush things."
Fang Mo nearly spat out the tea he'd just taken into his mouth.
"Cough, cough, cough! What do you mean?"
Nian Nu'er set down the teapot and leaned forward slightly, bringing her beautiful face close to Fang Mo's, near enough for him to feel her breath.
"Let me explain it to you, Young Master."
"By the rules of our trade, the first man to enter a courtesan's bed becomes her husband."
"You took my maidenhood, so naturally I had to let you unpin my hair. From now on, I can never wear another hairstyle."
Nian Nu'er's voice held a bashfulness that was hard to tell whether it was real or feigned. A rosy blush spread across her face, making her breathtakingly beautiful.
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