Early the next morning, Huang Xiao woke and gently eased Chao Lingyi, who was nestled in his arms, a little away from him. Then he rose and dressed.
Huang Xiao glanced back at Chao Lingyi, who still appeared to be sound asleep.
But he knew she was already awake and was merely pretending otherwise.
Huang Xiao placed his Top-Grade Demon Spirit Armor at the head of the bed, tucked the covers around Chao Lingyi, and gazed at her for a while. Only then did he sigh, rise, and leave.
After Huang Xiao left, tears silently trickled from the corners of Chao Lingyi's tightly closed eyes.
She did not know how to face his departure, so she could only pretend to sleep and quietly wait for him to leave.
After lying in bed and weeping silently for a long while, Chao Lingyi finally opened her eyes and looked at the Top-Grade Demon Spirit Armor Huang Xiao had left at the head of the bed.
She reached out and gently stroked the Demon Spirit Armor, knowing he had left it to protect her.
She pressed the Top-Grade Demon Spirit Armor to her chest and hugged it tightly, as though she were holding Huang Xiao.
I must stay alive and well. I must not let my identity be exposed, Chao Lingyi thought.
She felt she should not add to Huang Xiao's troubles. The best way to avoid that was to live well here without letting anyone suspect her identity. That was the outcome Huang Xiao most hoped to see.
After leaving the Imperial City, Huang Xiao swiftly returned to the Heavenly Demon Hall, having attracted virtually no one's notice during his time away.
Zhu Xing E knew Huang Xiao had gone out, but he said little about it and did not ask where