Xiao Fan looked at Zi Yan.
"Your father is still right beside us."
"I know."
"And you're still doing this?"
Zi Yan was completely justified.
"I want him to watch."
Zhu Kun: "..."
Xiao Fan chuckled softly.
"You're getting more domineering by the day."
Zi Yan looked at him. The smile in her eyes gradually faded, replaced by seriousness.
"Xiao Fan."
"Hmm?"
"When I was asleep, I was afraid that when I woke up, you wouldn't be there."
Xiao Fan fell silent.
Zi Yan's hand over his heart tightened slightly.
"I woke up many times before."
"In caves, beside herb gardens, in places nobody wanted."
"Every time I woke up, I was alone."
Her voice was soft, but she no longer avoided the subject as she had in the past.
"This time was different."
"When I woke up, you were there."
Xiao Fan looked at her and said quietly, "I'll be there from now on too."
Zi Yan stared at him for a moment.
Then purple-gold light slowly lit up in her palm.
"Then I want to leave a mark."
Xiao Fan's gaze shifted slightly.
Zhu Kun finally could not hold back any longer.
"Zi Yan, you've only just emerged from the cocoon. Your bloodline has only just fused. There's no need to—"
Zi Yan turned back.
"I'm in a hurry."
Zhu Kun choked on his words.
Zi Yan added, "Didn't you just say you wouldn't force me?"
"This Emperor didn't force you."
"Then don't stop me now either."
Zhu Kun fell silent.
Zi Yan looked at her old father. Her expression was neither coquettish nor childish.
"I know what I'm doing."
Those words finally silenced Zhu Kun completely.
He looked at the Dragon Phoenix Pattern between Zi Yan's brows, then at the hand she had pressed over Xiao Fan's