the soft rustle of curtains stirred faintly as a gentle breeze drifted into the room, carrying the faint scent of herbs and incense.


    zhao tian’s eyelids fluttered slightly, his consciousness teetering between sleep and wakefulness as he slowly woke up.


    the first thing he registered was the warmth... the soft, calming warmth enveloping him.


    his body felt heavy, but the softness of the mattress beneath him provided a strange comfort.


    his fingers twitched, brushing against silk sheets, and the steady sound of breathing near him stirred his awareness further.


    his eyes finally opened, heavy-lidded and slightly blurry, and the ceiling above was unfamiliar.


    it took a moment for his vision to focus fully, and as he turned his head to the side, he froze.


    li jia was lying beside him, her head resting on the edge of the bed, her long black hair cascading over the sheets like a waterfall.


    her expression was peaceful, her features softened by sleep, but the faint streaks of dried tears on her cheeks told a different story.


    zhao tian let out a soft sigh as he took in her disheveled state.


    her robe was slightly crumpled, and her hand rested lightly on his arm, as though she had been holding onto him even in her dreams.


    "jia..." he murmured, his voice hoarse and barely audible.


    the sound stirred her, her eyelashes fluttering before her eyes slowly opened.no?v(el)b\\jnn


    for a moment, she seemed disoriented, her gaze searching until it landed on him.


    "tian!" she exclaimed softly, her voice trembling with relief as she sat up abruptly.


    her hands flew to his face, cupping his cheeks and tears welled in her eyes once more, threatening to spill over. "you’re awake... you’re really awake,"


    zhao tian managed a weak smile, though his voice was still raspy. "yeah..."


    before he could say more, li jia threw her arms around him, pulling him into a tight embrace.


    her face buried in the crook of his neck as she held onto him as though she’d never let go.


    her shoulders trembled, and he felt the warm, wet trail of her tears against his skin.


    "you damn... fucker," she choked out, her voice muffled against him. "i hate you so much."


    a soft sigh escaped zhao tian as he returned her hug, his arms wrapping around her with care. "forgive me for making you wor-"


    "shut up, bastard," she interrupted, her voice trembling with both anger and relief.


    "just shut up... i fucking hate you. don’t talk to me."


    he fell silent, his throat tightening as he felt her trembling arms tighten around his neck.


    for a long moment, they simply held each other, the room filled with the sound of her muffled sobs and the steady rhythm of his breathing.


    before he could rise fully, the door creaked open, and yao jing stepped into the room.


    she was carrying a tray with a basin of water covered by a pristine white cloth, clearly intending to tend to him.


    h-huh?


    however, seeing zhao tian sitting upright, the tray wobbled in her hands for a moment before she quickly placed it on the nearby table and rushed to him.


    "tian’er."


    with a big smile on her face, she jumped to his lap and hugged him tightly in her arms "haa.. tian’er."


    zhao tian couldn’t help but chuckle softly, his arms coming up to hold her waist. "you idiot..." he murmured.


    "you scared me, tian’er..."


    zhao tian rested his chin lightly on her head, his hand gently stroking her back in soothing circles. "well, i’m alright now..."


    pulling back the hug, she reached out and pinched his cheek "don’t ever pull stunts like that.."


    zhao tian chuckled softly, rubbing his cheek where she had pinched him. "i’ll keep that in mind."


    li jia who has been sitting there awkwardly, finally chimed in "u-uhm.. elder yao jing, tian just woke up... so please don’t stress him and get down from his lap."


    oh? yao jing turned her head toward li jia, an amused smile curling her lips, and she remained perched comfortably on zhao tian’s lap, showing no sign of moving.


    "oh? aren’t you adorable, little jia, worrying so much for your lover, are you?" she teased, her voice carrying a playful lilt.


    li jia’s cheeks flushed immediately at yao jing’s words. "h-he’s not my-" she began, but yao jing cut her off with a laugh.


    "tian’er, you don’t know, but little jia has been crying since yesterday and constantly asking me when tian will wake up."


    "she was always beside you, taking care of you."


    zhao tian raised an eyebrow, glancing at li jia with a faint smile. "really?"


    hearing this li jia’s face turned an even deeper shade of red and she fumbled for words, her voice rising slightly in defense. "l-look who’s talking! you were just as desperate. you were crying too, elder yao jing."


    huh? explore new worlds at empire


    yao jing froze for a moment, her teasing smile faltering as a faint blush crept onto her cheeks. "h-huh? i wasn’t crying." she retorted quickly, her voice a little higher than usual.


    "i had complete confidence in my disciple! i knew he would win!"


    li jia crossed her arms, her embarrassment momentarily forgotten as she shot yao jing a knowing look. "oh, really? then what about when you grabbed his hand and kept muttering, ’tian’er, don’t leave me,’ over and over?"


    "i-i was simply... encouraging him." yao jing stammered, turning her head away as if that would hide her flushed face.


    zhao tain shook his head helplessly, though a small smile appeared on his lips.


    ------------------------------------------------------


    i hope you guys liked this chapter!