steam wafted through the bathroom as zhao tian sat on a low stool, his hair damp and unruly after the soak.


    yao jing, who was wearing robes, walked to the side and retrieved a towel as she walked to him.


    "honestly, you’re like a child sometimes," she murmured, stepping closer.


    yao jing draped the towel over his head and with delicate motions, she began to dry his hair.


    her fingers worked through the strands, brushing them back as she moved the towel gently, soaking up the excess water.


    "i don’t know why i’m doing this," she muttered, lifting a section of his hair to start brushing.


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    "you’re perfectly capable of drying your own hair."


    smiling, he glanced at her "but your hands are much gentler... spoil me."


    "yeah, yeah, stay still."


    he obeyed, leaning forward slightly to give her better access and her hands moved lower, carefully brushing away the droplets of water clinging to the nape of his neck.


    she lingered there a moment, her fingers smoothing over the strong curve of his neck before continuing.


    as she worked her way to his shoulders, she paused, marveling at his muscles.


    she pressed the towel gently against the broad expanse of his back, "you got great muscles..."


    her movements softened as she wiped his shoulders and arms, tracing the contours of his muscles as she worked.


    moving to his chest, yao jing carefully pressed the towel against his skin, soaking up the moisture that clung there.


    her gaze lingered for a moment, looking at the rise and fall of his breath before she continued down to his arms.


    she lifted each arm gently, drying them with the same care, her hands smoothing over the firm lines of his forearms.


    there was comfortable silence between them, the sound of the towel against his skin, and the occasional drip of water filling the air.


    finally, she returned to his hair, this time brushing it out with her fingers.


    the strands were soft and slightly wavy, and she combed through them carefully, straightening them with each pass.


    the two shared a laugh, their chemistry evident in the way yao jing leaned into him, her voice laced with teasing affection.


    li jia’s eyes crescented looking at their intimacy ’aren’t they a bit too close?’


    the maids, sensing that their work was done, bowed politely and exited the room, leaving the trio alone and li jia walked to zhao tian "tian, dinner is ready."


    looking at her zhao tian nodded his head "mhm, let’s eat."


    as zhao tian sat on the chair at the dinner table, yao jing pulled the chair out and sat close to him.


    hm? li jia raised an eyebrow seeing this, but she didn’t say anything and served the food for them.


    she carefully placed the roasted chicken, vegetables, and a generous amount of mashed potatoes onto zhao tian’s plate, then did the same for yao jing, though perhaps with a bit less enthusiasm.


    the quiet clatter of utensils filled the air as the three began to eat.


    zhao tian, mid-bite of a perfectly tender piece of salmon, glanced over at yao jing "master, where’s the sect master? i thought she’d be here since these are her quarters,"


    yao jing paused, her fork halfway to her lips, before letting out a soft sigh and shaking her head. "it’s all because of you, you idiot."


    zhao tian blinked, caught off guard. "me?"


    yao jing set her fork down and leaned back slightly, crossing her arms as she gave him a pointed look. "you reaching the ninth degree has caused quite the commotion."


    "you understand that no one has done this, right? every dynasty in the jade eclipse star is buzzing about you. sister shuang had to leave to meet with the jade emperor himself to... smooth things over."


    her voice softened as she added, "they’re already calling you the ’heaven-sent child.’"


    -_-


    huh? zhao tian could only smile dryly. if anything, the heavens are against him.


    taking another bite, he spoke "then i am leaving for my dorm after the meal... it is already night."


    yao jing’s eyes narrowed "no, tian’er, stay here.. the wing masters are already vying to get you under their wing."


    "and if you went out right now, a battle between all wing masters would happen. so you better stay here for a while or until sister shuang returns."


    -_-


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


    i hope you guys liked this chapter!