Liu Mo Fei stood beside Jia Wei Xin as she browsed through the fabrics. His posture looked relaxed—but his mind was anything but.
He didn't know why, but he kept drifting closer. Shoulder to shoulder, standing just a little too near as she reached for a pale green robe. His gaze flicked—her waist, her hair, the gentle slope of her collarbone. And before he could stop himself, his hand moved.
"Try this one," he said, holding out a robe in elegant sky blue trimmed with white. His voice was smooth, casual. But his eyes?
Mischievous. Deliberate.
He wasn't just being polite.
He wanted to see her in it.
He wanted to feel that strange, magnetic pull again—the one he'd felt when she fell into his arms. Twice. And both times, it had felt too natural. Too right.
And now? He wanted more.
Jia Wei Xin took the robe and slipped behind the curtain.
Liu Mo Fei folded his arms, leaned against the wall, and waited—trying to stay calm. Collected.
___
When she stepped out, his breath caught.
The robe hugged her figure perfectly. Light and flowing in all the right places. Her waist was impossibly small. Her skin glowed beneath the soft fabric. Her big, bright eyes, high nose, and full lips—gods help him—looked even more kissable than before.
He swallowed hard, fighting to keep a straight face.
Jia Wei Xin caught his look and smirked a little.
"Do I look awkward?" she asked, pretending to be casual. "First time I've worn something like this. Back in my world, people only dress like this for historical dramas."
Liu Mo Fei blinked. Was she... not used to fine clothes? Was her life before this hard?
"You look..." His voice dropped. "Perfect."
She blushed slightly, but kept her cool. "Thanks."
___
After that soft moment, they continued down the street.
Liu Mo Fei stayed close beside her, hands behind his back—but his attention never strayed far. They passed stalls selling spirit grass, mystic spices, scrolls, charms glowing with faint ink.
Then something caught Jia Wei Xin's eye. A stall lined with glowing orbs and carved talismans. One bead-like charm shifted colors—blue to amber, pulsing softly.
She reached toward it.
"Careful—" Liu Mo Fei warned, but she'd already touched it.
The bead flared.
A burst of golden light shot out, so bright nearby shoppers shielded their eyes. The crowd murmured in surprise.
The vendor gasped. "It reacted…"
One of the passersby leaned in, whispering, "That's never happened before."
The stallkeeper stepped forward, stunned. "This is the first time I've ever seen it glow."
Jia Wei Xin blinked. "Reacted?"
The vendor looked at her like she'd just sprouted wings. "Spirit resonance stones only respond to those with heavenly fate."
He leaned in, peering at her. "She's unawakened… and it still reacted? That's unheard of."
Liu Mo Fei's brows furrowed. Quietly, he reached for her wrist and set the bead back down.
"We're done here."
"But—"
"I'll explain later."
They walked in silence after that.
She looked light. Carefree.
He was anything but.
That kind of reaction wasn't just rare. It was dangerous. People like her? They weren't just admired. They were marked—by fate. By power. By the wrong kind of attention.
Still… he couldn't stop watching her.
The way light danced through her hair. The way her smile tugged at the corners of her lips. How she brushed her hair back like she had no idea how completely she was unraveling him.
He clenched his fists. Hard.
He wanted to reach out. Just once. Brush a strand of hair away. Close the space between them. Ask if she felt it too.
My Wei Xin.
The thought hit like a slap. Sharp. Possessive. Dangerous.
He stopped walking. Jaw tight.
No. Not yet.
"Focus, Liu Mo Fei," he muttered under his breath.
Jia Wei Xin turned, amused. "You say that a lot. What are you focusing on now?"
He forced a smile. "Dinner. Didn't I promise to cook?"
Her face lit up. "Right! Let's find something spicy!"
And just like that, she turned back around—completely unaware how close he had come to slipping.
How his carefully sealed, silent thoughts had already crossed a line.
___
They meant to browse for just a few more minutes.
But then—a man in gray brushed past Liu Mo Fei.
A flicker of demonic Qi.
He turned sharply. The man vanished into the crowd.
Liu Mo Fei's expression darkened. That presence wasn't strong, but it wasn't harmless either.
"I'll only be a second. Don't go anywhere," he muttered, leaning close to Jia Wei Xin's ear before disappearing into the crowd.
Jia Wei Xin nodded, staying where she was—at first. Arms folded. Foot tapping.
Then her eyes drifted to a nearby stall with turtle-shaped cakes.
"Miss, this one brings good luck!" the vendor called out.
She hesitated. Just a quick look.
She stepped forward. Then something else caught her eye. Then another.
And when she turned back—the spot behind her was empty. The faces unfamiliar.
"Liu Mo Fei?" she called, standing on tiptoe.
No answer.
She walked a bit. Turned one corner. Then another.
And just like that… she was lost.
Sighing, she spotted an inn. I'll just ask for directions. No big deal.
She stepped inside.
The scent of wine, smoke, and sweat hit her all at once. The place was dim. Packed with grizzled men slamming down drinks and barking at each other across tables.
Heads turned.
And everything went quiet.
She felt it—the way the atmosphere shifted.
Then came the sneers.
"Hey there, pretty lady," a burly man with a scar across his cheek said, stepping in front of her. "Where do you think you're going?"
Jia Wei Xin kept her voice steady. "Just looking for directions. I got separated from my husband."
The lie rolled out smoothly. Thank you, historical drama binge-watching.
"Husband, huh?" another man slurred. "He must be blind letting you out like that."
"Why don't you stay a while?" the first man said, grinning. "Have a drink. Or two."
One of them reached for her arm.
Too late.
Her foot shot out, slamming straight into the scar-faced man's groin. He collapsed with a grunt.
Jia Wei Xin yanked her arm free, spun, and bolted out the door.
Behind her, chairs scraped. Voices yelled. Footsteps pounded.
She ran.
Down the alley. Around a corner. Her heart thundered in her chest.
Where is Liu Mo Fei? I don't even know which way is home!
And then—
A hand grabbed her wrist.
She gasped.
Before she could scream, she was pulled upward in one swift motion.
The world tilted.
And she landed on… roof tiles?
She stumbled, catching herself, and looked up—
Only to freeze.
A man stood before her.
Tall. Still. Half his face covered by a sleek black mask. The other half? Sharp jaw, glowing eye—unnaturally bright.
His grip loosened on her wrist, but he didn't let go.
"Don't struggle," he said quietly. "I'm not one of them."
Jia Wei Xin didn't care.
She moved on instinct.
She twisted and swung a punch. He caught her fist without effort—strong, steady, unshaken.
He didn't strike back. Didn't flinch.
Just looked at her.
Like he'd been expecting her.