The emptiness Lanling had felt vanished in Haruki's embrace.
Remembering that Alba's curse could potentially be at the ninth level, he dared not let Haruki step outside. And since he couldn't bear to leave his lover either, they remained confined to Lanling's courtyard.
To Meixi, who thrived on movement and the open air, this was both absurd and concerning. But when she saw the quiet contentment on their faces, the way they seemed at peace just being near each other, she could only sigh. After all, Lanling had been apart from his lover for six months.
Even so, she fretted over them like a mother-in-law, and the moment Lanling introduced them, she insisted on checking Haruki's condition herself.
This was Lanling's plan as well, so he let her do as she pleased.
