Budding Lotus — III

"What did Specter of the Blood Moon say?" Liu Mingyun asked, wondering if he — even with his enhanced hearing — had somehow misheard the doctor.

He hoped he hadn't. Li Xinyuan's words, even if misheard, had sent a strange sort of thrill down his spine, something he couldn't recognise.

But it was not entirely unpleasant. It was something close to dipping his hands in the warm current of a river heated by the sun on a cool day.

It was somehow comforting yet equally distressing.

Li Xinyuan straightened up, finding himself adoring the Crown Prince's reaction. It was not often that a man like him would get flustered by a simple question.

Folding his hands on his knees, Li Xinyuan leaned forward ever so slightly as he met the man's eyes, warmth exuding from his gaze as he offered him a slight smile and replied.