Night lay heavy, and Nebula Manor was shrouded in starlight that filled the sky. The daytime clamor had all faded away, leaving only a roomful of lingering warmth.
After a full four months apart, Lu Yuan had been out killing, tempering himself, and accumulating strength, his heart filled with thoughts of returning home. The women in the courtyard, too, had spent their days and nights worrying and waiting, pressing the feelings in their hearts deep down.
The warmth of reunion after a long separation finally erupted completely in the night, tender and lingering, inseparable and hard to part.
The warmth of a single night had yet to fade, and their hearts full of longing and feeling poured out without restraint. Such extreme tenderness went on for three full days and nights.
On the morning of the fourth day, the first ray of dawn passed through the window lattice and spilled onto the soft bed, falling over the clothes strewn messily across the floor. A faint warmth still lingered in the air.
Lu Yuan slowly opened his eyes. His gaze was clear and lucid, without the slightest trace of fatigue; instead, it carried a few shades of gentle amusement.
He turned to look beside him. Xia Qingyin, Jiang Xuanran, Celicia, Shamirra, and Su Yaqing, the five women, were all sleeping deeply, sprawled across the bed in every direction. Their brows and eyes were filled with languor after satisfaction, their hair scattered messily over the pillows. Their usual refinement and gentleness had now all turned into unguarded softness.
Lu Yuan's fingertips lightly brushed over the hair of the person beside him, and the corner of his mouth curved into a gentle slight smile, his heart filled with peace and cherishing.
He carefully lifted the thin quilt and slowly got up, afraid of