the soft glow of moonlight filtered through the curtains of the bedroom, casting a silvery hue over the room.


    the atmosphere was peaceful, the distant chirping of crickets adding to the stillness of the night.


    zhao tian reclined against the backrest of the bed, his shoulders propped comfortably on the plush cushions.


    his hair was slightly tousled while yao jing was sitting sideways on his lap, her slender body leaning against his chest.


    she is holding a tablet in her hand, its screen glowing with intricate diagrams and alchemical symbols.


    her voice was calm as she explained the delicate balances required in blending certain herbs, her fingers tracing the screen on the tablet.


    "...and when you combine the azure dewroot with starfire lotus, you need to control the flame’s intensity. too hot, and you’ll destroy the essence; too cold, and the mixture will destabilize,"


    zhao tian nodded absently, but his attention was only half on her words.


    his gaze drifted to her face... the way her lashes fluttered slightly as she concentrated, the curve of her lips as she spoke.


    he leaned in slowly, brushing his lips against the nape of her neck, the faint scent of lavender and warmth filling his senses.


    "zhao tian!" yao jing exclaimed, her voice breaking into chuckles as she instinctively tilted her head away.


    she turned slightly, giving him a playful glare. "are you even listening? or are you just pretending while your mind wanders?"


    "i’m listening," he replied, his arms wrapping around her waist, pulling her closer.


    his voice dropped to a low murmur against her ear. "it’s just hard to focus when my teacher looks this stunning."


    her cheeks flushed faintly, but she wasn’t about to let him off easily. "seems like i spoiled you too much... see, you are not even listening and kissing your teacher."


    she swatted his hand lightly, attempting to shift her focus back to the tablet. "this is serious, tian’er. i want you to become the best alchemist in the world."


    "who says i’m not serious? i just happen to think you’re a more captivating teacher than any alchemy lesson could be."


    yao jing rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress the soft laugh that escaped her.


    she wiggled slightly in his lap, trying to adjust her position, but the movement only made his hold on her tighten.


    "stay still," he murmured, his lips brushing her shoulder now.


    "wait.." yao jing shifted slightly, letting her legs dangle off his lap, her bare feet brushing against his calves.


    "haah..." she sighed contentedly, her head resting lightly against his shoulder, but her peace was short-lived when she felt something unexpected.


    zhao tian’s foot nudged hers gently, his toes curling slightly to trap hers.


    she glanced at him over her shoulder "what are you doing?"


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    "playing," he replied with a smile, wiggling his toes against hers. "you have such small, delicate feet. they’re cute."


    yao jing hit his chest with her elbow "i am starting to wonder if you have this foot... kink."


    keeping his smile, he reached out and took the tablet from her hand placing it on the side "i told you, i don’t have that fetish..."


    "haa, she drank a lot yesterday..."


    deciding not to disturb her, zhao tian left the room and headed toward the hall.


    his steps were unhurried, his demeanor relaxed, as he walked down the stairs and entered the living area.


    there, he saw li jia seated on a plush couch, sipping tea.


    "good morning, jia," he greeted , making his way toward her.


    he plopped down beside her with his usual ease and raised his arm to drape it around her shoulders... a familiar gesture he often did.


    as he raised his hand, she thwarted his hand away and uttered with a glare "don’t touch me... you bastard."


    eh? zhao tian froze, his hand hovering mid-air, and he blinked at her, processing her words, and slowly lowered his hand.


    "...okay."


    getting confused, he looked at her "what’s wrong? did something happen? you seem angry..."


    li jia closed her eyes as she took another sip "don’t talk to me...."


    hearing her words, his expression shifted from confusion to mild hurt, and zhao tian straightened, his playful demeanor slipping. "huh? jia, are you seriously mad at me? what did i-"


    she slammed the cup onto the table with a loud clink "tian!"


    "just stop! i said don’t talk to me! why can’t you understand that?"


    "why are you pushy? leave me alone."


    "woah..." zhao tian raised his arms, asking her to calm down.


    the tension in the room was suffocating, and zhao tian sighed heavily, his face softening as he stood from the couch. "sorry for disturbing you..."


    behind him, li jia sat frozen, her gaze locked onto his retreating figure.


    the tremble in her hands was barely noticeable at first, but soon, her entire body shook.


    she clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.


    the tea she had been sipping moments ago now tasted bitter and her vision blurred as tears welled in her eyes, threatening to spill over.


    slowly, she lowered her head, her hands covering her face as the dam broke.


    "what the hell am i doing?" she whispered, her voice cracking as the tears streamed down her cheeks.


    she thought back to zhao tian’s... his gentle tone, his willingness to give her space despite not understanding her anger.


    the image of his hurt expression lingered in her mind, twisting the knife of regret deeper into her heart.


    "i am such a fool..."


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


    i hope you guys liked this chapter!