Chu Dingjiang had always been as elusive as a dragon, appearing and disappearing unpredictably, so An Jiu didn’t pay much attention. She lowered her head and used the fire tongs to place charcoal pieces into the stove.
The charcoal was slightly damp, and soon smoke began to rise. Fortunately, it was still usable.
Squinting through the haze, An Jiu saw Chu Dingjiang push the door open and enter again, his lower body covered in snow.
“What happened?” she asked.
Chu Dingjiang brushed off the snow from his clothes, his expression calm as he took off his pants and placed them by the stove. “Nothing.”
An Jiu was suspicious but didn’t press further.
The snow on his pants melted from the heat, quickly soaking into patches before evaporating into steam.
Chu Dingjiang shook out a quilt and wrapped it around An Jiu. “Aren’t you cold?”
“This much cold is bearable.” Bundled in the quilt, only her small face peeked out as she sighed contentedly. “It’d be nice if we had roasted sweet potatoes.”
Chu Dingjiang, now back to his usual self, smiled. “I’ll bring some for you next time.”
An Jiu nodded and shamelessly added to the order, “And roasted chestnuts, and roasted lamb.”
“Got it,” Chu Dingjiang replied gently.
“Share the quilt,” An Jiu offered, opening it to invite him in.
Chu Dingjiang hesitated. If he really went over, there was a high chance he’d lose control again—and that would be far too awkward! After what had just happened, he was beginning to doubt himself. An Jiu didn’t seem opposed to intimacy with him, but the real question was—had he suppressed himself for so long that he might have ruined his abilities in that department?
Once a nobleman, he had been surrounded by women vying for his attention, which had left him with an arrogant detachment toward romantic affairs. An Jiu’s indifference to such pleasures had always provoked him. Now that he had let go of that arrogance, he suddenly found himself plagued by insecurity.
Chu Dingjiang didn’t doubt his self-control—because he was certain he had none around An Jiu!
In that case, he might as well resign himself to fate. At worst, he’d just be embarrassed.
The chaotic thoughts flashed through his mind, and once he made his decision, he got up and sat beside An Jiu.
Under the quilt, their bodies pressed close together, the temperature rising rapidly until it was as scorching as the fire in the stove.
Chu Dingjiang’s breathing grew heavy, and his lower body stirred once more.
An Jiu felt parched and crawled out to pour two cups of cold water.
“Chu Dingjiang, Mo Sigui said you practice a virginity-based martial art,” An Jiu said, sipping the water slowly. Her slightly narrowed eyes reflected the firelight, glistening as if brimming with moisture.
“Mm.”
Chu Dingjiang’s voice was low and rough, sending a shiver through her eardrums that tingled all the way to her core.
“What happens if you sleep with a woman?” An Jiu asked.
If he did, he would never reach the pinnacle of his martial arts.
When he had first chosen this path, Chu Dingjiang had known it would be a torment. If he had been ignorant of carnal pleasures, it might have been bearable—but he not only understood them, he had even experienced them before. Fortunately, his interest in such matters had always been low, and his strong self-control had allowed him to deliberately avoid women, so he had never slipped up. The reason he had chosen this martial art was simple: it was the most powerful and the easiest to advance in. It didn’t demand exceptional innate talent—just a robust physique and abundant yang energy.
For most men, the pinnacle of martial arts was an irresistible temptation, but Chu Dingjiang had never cared much for it."This martial art is extremely fierce and domineering. It's easy to reach a certain level, but achieving its peak carries enormous risks. One misstep could lead to a fatal explosion of the body." Chu Dingjiang possessed exceptional bone structure and extraordinary comprehension. Having also absorbed the inner force of another master, his martial prowess had advanced rapidly. Now, he felt he was approaching a critical juncture.
It was hard to say what kind of juncture this was—it could be a breakthrough into the first rank of the Transformation Realm, or it might signal the precursor to his body's limits.
Chu Dingjiang didn’t elaborate on this, only saying, "I chose to practice this martial art back then because I entered the Crane Control Army alone, with an uncertain path ahead. I needed to quickly gain the ability to protect myself. My ambitions never lay in this."
An Jiu turned to look at him.
Their eyes met, faces so close they could feel each other's breath. For a moment, time seemed to stand still.
After what felt like an eternity, An Jiu suddenly leaned in, her lips brushing the corner of his mouth.
Chu Dingjiang’s breath hitched. He cupped the back of her head and responded with a kiss as fierce as a storm.
Their bodies, tangled in the blankets, burned like embers. Chu Dingjiang felt a throbbing ache below, desire roaring like a beast about to break free from its cage, relentlessly battering his self-control.
An Jiu wrapped her arms around his neck, where veins stood taut, pressing her body against his as the covers slipped to the floor.
Chu Dingjiang’s iron grip seized her slender waist as he abruptly stood, striding toward the bed.
When An Jiu had initiated the invitation, she’d felt nothing. Now, her heart pounded wildly, an unprecedented thrill coursing through her—yet the sensation wasn’t unwelcome.
Chu Dingjiang’s kisses and caresses were rough, and An Jiu, infected by his intensity, matched his fervor.
If their earlier passion had been a spark, it had now erupted into a blazing inferno.
Yet, gradually, Chu Dingjiang’s movements slowed, gentling. His calloused fingers traced her satin skin, sending shivers of pleasure through her.
This was an entirely different sensation. The earlier intensity had vented their longing, but now it was being stoked anew. An Jiu clutched his broad shoulders, half-dazed, sensing a suppressed, explosive power within him.
Large beads of sweat dripped onto her face, tickling slightly, yet he maintained his deliberate, teasing pace.
When An Jiu shifted her leg slightly, she brushed against that scorching heat.
"Don’t move!" Chu Dingjiang’s voice was low, but his tone was nearly a growl.
Sensing his discomfort, An Jiu, uncharacteristically obedient, lay stiffly still, only her damp eyes fixed on him.
Chu Dingjiang gazed into her eyes, his emotions surging, making restraint even harder. With a sigh, he averted his gaze, lowering his head to press light kisses along her ear, trailing down to her neck and chest.
"Chu Dingjiang..." An Jiu murmured, her voice trembling so much it startled even herself.
"Hmm." His large hand gently stroked her hair, soothing her. "Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid..."
His lips grazed her stomach, and she shuddered, unaware of the soft whimpers escaping her lips—like a kitten’s paw lightly scratching at Chu Dingjiang’s heart.
The bed was a mess, clothes strewn about, the flickering firelight casting its glow over their entwined forms.
"A Jiu, I don’t want this to be just a fleeting affair," Chu Dingjiang whispered tenderly.A Jiu, I cannot promise you a life of wealth and honor, nor a life of peace and tranquility. I cannot promise you picturesque landscapes, but I vow that in this lifetime, you alone shall be my one and only.
Just the two of us—if we cannot grow old together, then we shall live and die as one. (To be continued...)
PS: The update might not come until after midnight. If anyone is waiting, you can wash up and rest—just read it tomorrow.
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