Chen Shu walked downstairs one step at a time.
Having only just advanced, he still wasn't used to his unusually powerful body, so he moved slowly.
His gaze happened to catch the sunlight outside.
So dazzling.
Just seeing it, he could almost feel its warmth.
Together with the changes in his body and the fog in his head, it gave him the sudden sense that a long time had passed.
But it had only been two days.
Chen Shu found Qingqing downstairs.
Ning Qing was coming in from outside with a bouquet in her hands, the courtyard behind her flooded with sunlight. The flowers were blue and purple, and she wore a loose, pure-white shirt tucked into her pants. She seemed to carry the wind with her as she walked.
"You're awake?"
"Ah..."
"Turned stupid?"
"A little."
Chen Shu scratched his head.
"Look—"
Ning Qing held out the bouquet for him to see. It contained several Illumination at Nights and Blue Moonstones. "The last batch for the first half of this year."
Chen Shu took it and sniffed the flowers. "It's only April."
"I won't let them bloom after this."
"Just now, I..."
"Hm?"
Ning Qing tilted her head slightly and stared at him.
"Did you bathe me?"
"Who else?"
"Oh..."
Chen Shu decided it didn't matter anymore.
Things were different now.
He slept with Qingqing every day now, held her every day, pressed his sword against her, and had her tutor him on his homework every day. Though Qingqing always acted reluctant and threatened him in all sorts of ways, she could never do anything about him.
Chen Shu watched her take two glasses to the water dispenser and fill them. He was about to ask whether he'd woken up early again and done something, but the thought seemed