At the thought, the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily, as though he wanted to smile but never quite did.
He looked down at Xiao Ning'er in his arms, unsure why she was acting this way today.
She had been perfectly fine when they left the City Lord's Mansion. They had held hands on the way without saying anything special, yet she had suddenly thrown her arms around him when they reached the gate.
He had no idea what had gotten into her.
He thought it over but could not figure it out, nor did he intend to press her. He simply lowered his head and gently touched his lips to her forehead.
When his lips touched her forehead, Xiao Ning'er's shoulders trembled again, and her arms tightened around him.
Her hands clasped behind his back, all ten fingers interlaced, her knuckles paling slightly as she gripped the fabric at his waist into several fine creases.
Her forehead lingered beneath his lips for a breath, then pressed upward slightly, as though answering him-or trying to nestle herself even deeper against him.
Shen Fei could feel the warmth of her forehead, a little hotter than usual and faintly damp, heat seeping out from beneath her skin.
He held that position for a few breaths, then slowly raised his head and rested his chin on top of her head again.
He lifted his right hand and gently patted her back twice, his touch light against her shoulder blades, the rhythm soothing.
When he spoke, his voice was so low that only the two of them could hear it. "All right, all right. What's this? Do you want me to stay and keep you company today?"
His tone was casual, rising slightly at the end with a hint of teasing, but more than