The next day.
Sunlight squeezed through a gap in the curtains, stretching a thin strip of light across the floor.
Wu Xing opened his eyes and stared blankly at the ceiling for a moment, then turned to look at the woman beside him.
Dugu Yan was still asleep, curled up beneath the covers with only one smooth, pale shoulder showing.
Her slip had been crumpled into a heap at the foot of the bed, and one fishnet stocking hung precariously from the bedside lamp.
Last night's battle had been too intense. He couldn't remember how it had ended up there.
Her signature snake-scale high heels were scattered all over the place, too. One lay crooked by the door, while the other was overturned beneath the window, its heel sticking up—a complete mess.
Wu Xing rolled his neck and stretched, then lifted the covers and slipped quietly into the washroom.
Water ran for a while. Dugu Yan lazily rolled over, let out a sleepy mumble, and went still again.
She couldn't help it. Someone had worn her out far too much.
After washing up, Wu Xing didn't disturb Dugu Yan. Instead, he left the room and went out into the courtyard.
It was nearly noon when someone knocked at the gate.
When he opened it, he found Ye Lingling standing outside.
"Wu Xing."
Ye Lingling stood at the courtyard gate and looked at Wu Xing. Her gaze lingered on his face for a moment before slipping past him to scan the courtyard.
She didn't see Dugu Yan.
"Looking for Yan Yan?" Wu Xing understood at once.
Ye Lingling nodded lightly.
"Come in, but she's still asleep." Wu Xing stepped aside.
The moment the words left his mouth, he regretted them.
The room was still full of traces from the battle.
It