The Duo Matching Wits and Courage with Thin Air! (Please Subscribe and Vote with Monthly Tickets)

A meaningful glint passed through Li Chen's eyes. He lifted Valentina into his arms and carried her into the inner chamber, where their intimate exchanges continued until dawn.

The sun was already high the next day when Valentina finally stirred awake. What had happened last night felt like a dream-a vividly real dream.

Then she felt she ought not to have entertained such thoughts. How could she imagine herself doing those things with the lord wizard?

But when she suddenly saw Li Chen lying beside her, perfectly at ease, her pretty face turned deathly pale. She was dumbfounded.

"L-Lord Wizard! I... I drank too much yesterday and made a terrible mistake. Th-this isn't your fault. It was all me..."

She stumbled over her words and apologized frantically, her heart filled with fear and shame.

Li Chen, however, appeared remarkably magnanimous, even showing a trace of considerate helplessness. He said gently, "There is no need to blame yourself, madam. Last night, I too found my feelings impossible to restrain. This matter will remain between you and me. No third person will ever learn of it."

He had barely finished speaking when Mikhailovna's voice suddenly came from outside the courtyard. She said she had come to visit her daughter-in-law.

Valentina was frightened out of her wits. If her mother-in-law saw Li Chen in her room, especially under these circumstances, she would be utterly ruined!

She hurriedly answered through the door, her voice betraying an unmistakable panic and weakness. "Mother! Ever since I returned from the mountains last time, I've had a slight chill and haven't felt well. I'm afraid I might pass it on to you. Please go back for now. I'll be fine after some rest."

Who could have guessed that Mikhailovna would be especially "concerned" about her daughter-in-law today? Instead