Arc 2

Xi Ming rested his head on Ye Jin's shoulder from behind, his arms wrapped loosely around her waist as they entered the imperial bedchamber.

"I can't believe this is happening," he murmured, quite in disbelief that Ye Jin had actually agreed to be chained by him.

Ye Jin tilted her head slightly, raising an eyebrow as she glanced at him. "What can't you believe?"

"That you're here," he replied, his lips brushing her ear as he spoke. He nibbled playfully, causing her to shiver a bit.

Ye Jin flinched and turned her head, her tone sharp yet tinged with exasperation. "Stop that! Don't you have anything else to do, Xi Ming?"

Xi Ming grinned, quite unbothered by her scolding. "All those other things are secondary," he said nonchalantly.

Ye Jin sighed, shaking her head. "This is exactly why I didn't want to agree at first. I knew you'd get distracted."

Xi Ming pouted, feeling quite aggrieved. "Jin-er, don't talk like that. You hurt me."