"What kind of nonsense is that—ah... You're going so hard right from the start..."
"I haven't even used any force yet. Aren't you the one biting down and refusing to let go, Wan'er?"
"What did you say?"
Yao Wan retorted, her face flushed scarlet, but Xiao Yan's silent response left her unable to speak clearly.
"Ah... Slow... slower..."
"Mm... You love fooling around so much—just watch me squeeze your soul dry today!"
Who knew how long had passed? Completely drained of strength, exhausted and weary, Yao Wan rested against Xiao Yan's arm and chest. She closed her bright golden eyes and soon slipped into the rare comfort of deep sleep.
"Wan'er?"
Her smooth green hair lay close against warm skin, feeling exceptionally pleasant to the touch. Yet she no longer moved. Xiao Yan let out a soft sound of surprise and could not help raising a hand to gently poke her cheek.
"Mm... Hmph... Don't, don't tease me..."
Her peaceful sleeping expression furrowed slightly under the disturbance, and she raised a hand to swat away the mischievous fingertip.
"That really is rare. Was she truly exhausted this time?"
His hand having been brushed aside, Xiao Yan was not upset. Instead, a gentle smile appeared on his face. He instinctively held her tighter, while doing his best to let her sleep more comfortably in his embrace.
Come to think of it, ever since arriving in the Sumeru Realm, they had never really had a chance to rest. It was only natural.
"Mm... After overexerting herself this time, she really needs a good rest."
Looking down at her gradually calming sleeping face, Xiao Yan gently tidied her slightly disheveled hair and murmured softly.
"Rest well, Wan'er. Don't think about all that messy nonsense anymore. We still have plenty of time."
"...Mm."