Winter and Autumn Grow Closer—She Wanted Him to Favor Her

Ma Xiaotao did not avoid the issue in the slightest. She walked over to Huo Yuhao and tapped his shoulder. "Stop treating them like formation nodes all the time. They're people. They hurt, they fight, and they want you to favor them."

Huo Yuhao's heart stirred.

Ma Xiaotao's words did not sound like teasing, but more like a reminder. After saying them, she turned and left, leaving behind only a lingering trace of warmth. Dong'er watched her retreating figure and said softly, "She certainly understands."

Huo Yuhao coughed. "That's enough training for today. Dong'er, Qiu'er, go back and rest first. I'll prepare for some other combat formation scenarios."

"No." Dong'er suddenly said, "Come with me."

She offered no explanation and paid no heed to Qiu'er's puzzled gaze. She simply pulled him through the side door of the training grounds, around the corridor by the dormitories, and all the way up to the third floor. Unfinished soul tool formation diagrams still lay spread across the table in the dorm room, while the bed was so neatly made that it hardly looked occupied. She shut the door, locked it, and turned to look at him. Huo Yuhao's heartbeat suddenly quickened.

Ever since the days when she had been Wang Dong, they had often shared the same dorm room. But back then, Dong'er was still Wang Dong, and they had been companions who could talk about anything—cultivation, tactics, and what the cafeteria might have tomorrow. Since that kiss, Huo Yuhao felt entirely different whenever he was alone with Dong'er. Of course, Dong'er felt the same way.

"Senior Xiaotao was right just now."

Huo Yuhao asked quietly, "Which part?"

"Stop treating us like formation nodes," Dong'er continued. "And stop treating me as nothing but your comrade and companion."

Wang Dong'er stepped closer. Her aura of light was still faintly warm from the battle. "I'm a woman." She moved a little closer. "I hurt, and I want you to favor me too." Then she took another half-step, nearly pressing herself against Huo Yuhao's chest. The soft curves of her body radiated warmth through their clothes.

"So now... favor me a little." Those words were more lethal than any coquettish plea.

Huo Yuhao lowered his head and kissed her. Dong'er did not dodge. Instead, she seized his lapels and reclaimed all the possessiveness she had suppressed throughout the day. The kiss began restrained, but deepened with every moment. Her lips were soft and moist, carrying the lingering heat of battle. When their tongues lightly entwined, faint whimpers escaped her. They gently fell beside the bed. Huo Yuhao's left hand cradled the back of her neck while his right settled at her waist, slowly tracing upward along her curves. Dong'er trembled lightly, her whole body nearly melting into his embrace. The Light Butterfly God and Ultimate Ice pressed together, like warm water washing over ice, creating a dangerous yet intoxicating fusion.

"Dong'er..." Huo Yuhao's voice was husky as his kisses slipped from her lips to the sensitive spot behind her ear, his hand following downward.

Wang Dong'er's breathing grew uneven. Her fingers clutched tightly at his back, yet at the very last moment, she pressed down on his hand.

"No..."

Her voice trembled. Her eyes were slightly red, but she remained clear-headed.

"It's not that I don't want to." She buried her face in the hollow of his shoulder, her voice so soft it was nearly inaudible. "The Clear Sky Sect... my family hasn't agreed yet. I can't just... give you the final step like this."

All of Huo Yuhao's burning desire instantly turned into an even deeper tenderness. He gently held her tighter and said softly, "I know. I'll wait."

Dong'er raised her head. There was a sharpness in her eyes, along with grievance. "Don't think I'm stringing you along... and don't think that means you can get closer to Wang Qiu'er."

Huo Yuhao's heart tightened.

Dong'er looked at him and said softly, "I just want us to be more open and proper in the future."

Huo Yuhao lowered his head and kissed her lips again. Solemnly, he said, "Once the matter at the relay station is settled, I'll go with you to meet the people of the Clear Sky Sect."

Dong'er leaned against his chest and replied in a low voice, "You'd better keep your word."

At some point, Qiu'er had returned to the dormitory as well. Without even approaching, she could clearly sense the entwined auras of the two inside the room. She clenched her palm. She did not know what possessiveness was. She only knew that, for the first time, a painful jealousy had risen in her heart.