A Secret Relationship??

"Any questions left?" he asked, his voice soft, yet intense.

She hadn't been held by a man in years, and the sensation was both unfamiliar and comforting. His arms were strong, the muscles beneath his loose robe evident even through the fabric.

He wiped away her tears with a gentleness that surprised her, his touch light but deliberate.

"If not," he said, his voice steady, "then give me your answer. Do you… do you like me?" His words were sincere, carrying a hope that seemed to hang in the air between them.

"Yes," she whispered, the word barely audible, yet it filled the silence between them.

"I… I like you as well."

The words felt strange on her tongue, as if she had unlocked a part of herself she had long kept hidden.

She took a deep breath, calming the sudden rush of emotions.

Relief flooded Su Kang's face, then joy, pure and bright. A wide smile lit up his eyes. He tightened his embrace, holding her close. She didn't resist, finding comfort in his warmth and strength. It felt good—safe.

"Xi'er," he whispered, his voice husky, "If anything worries you, tell me. I'll solve it. I won't let you carry those burdens alone."

Bai Yunxi's breath hitched. "Don't… call me that," she whispered, barely audible.

"But we're a couple now, aren't we? It's normal for lovers to use such names," Su Kang teased.

"We are," she admitted, her voice hesitant, "but I'm not used to it yet. It would be embarrassing if others heard it."

She glanced away, worried he might misunderstand her reluctance. She didn't want him to think she was rejecting him—only that she needed time to adjust to this new reality.

Su Kang chuckled softly, the sound warm and reassuring.

"What are you talking about? You'll have to get used to it sooner or later. The sooner, the better."

His words were firm but gentle, leaving no room for argument.

"I can hardly believe this is real," Su Kang said, his voice filled with wonder. "Yun'er, thank you. You have no idea what this means to me."

His gratitude was genuine, and it touched something deep within her. For him, this was more than just a relationship—it was a step closer to his goals, a way to gain the destiny points he sought.

But as he looked at her, he realized it was more than that. She was more than that.

Touched by his sincerity, she reached up, her hands finding his back, her fingers tracing the strong muscles beneath his robe. She held him tighter, a silent confession of her own growing affection.

Su Kang looked down at her, his gaze softening as he took in her features. She was beautiful in a way that was both delicate and strong, like a flower that had weathered countless storms yet still bloomed. He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

Bai Yunxi, too, studied his face up close. His wheatish skin gave him a mature look, older than his age. His unconventional earrings hinted at a rebellious spirit. He was handsome, yes, but it was more than that.

He looked at her, his gaze intense, and she was lost in his dark eyes. He leaned closer, their breaths mingling, their hearts echoing each other. Her breath quickened, her pulse raced, but she didn't pull away.

He could smell her faint, sweet scent—a mix of flowers and something uniquely her. It was intoxicating, filling his senses and clouding his thoughts.

He was a few centimeters away now. She could feel her heart pounding, each beat a frantic drum against her ribs. She closed her eyes, anticipating his kiss.

Su Kang's lips brushed against hers, a feather-light touch that sent a shiver through them both. He was surprised by the softness, the warmth. This was… new. A rush of emotions flooded him, his heart pounding for more.

His lips moved against hers, no longer a gentle brush but a deeper, more insistent pressure. He sucked her lower lip, then her upper, a playful exploration that sent shivers down her spine.

He licked her lips, tasting the sweetness, then gently nudged her mouth open with his tongue.

Bai Yunxi's heart fluttered, her thoughts scattering like leaves in the wind.

She felt paralyzed in his arms. It had been so long since her husband's death—only half a year of marriage before he was gone.

Her legs felt weak, and only his embrace kept her upright. She didn't know how to respond, her mind and body at odds with each other.

Su Kang felt her hesitation, the subtle tremor in her body. He pulled back, ending the kiss, his own heart racing.

Had he gone too far? Was he… too inexperienced? He looked at her, mesmerized by the delicate flush that colored her cheeks, her ears, her neck.

Her eyes fluttered open, meeting his gaze. She quickly looked away, shy now, embarrassed.

Su Kang focused on calming his own racing pulse, his surging desire.

He took a deep breath, steadying himself, then looked at her again.

She was still avoiding his gaze. He gently lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes.

A shared smile, tinged with embarrassment, flickered between them. Her lipstick, smudged around her lips, betrayed the intensity of their kiss.

Su Kang wiped his own mouth, then noticed the red stain on his hand.

"I… borrowed this," Bai Yunxi murmured, her voice barely a whisper. "I don't usually… wear it."

She reached for his hand, attempting to wipe the smudge from his lips.

He let her, a warmth spreading through him at her touch.

He was glad that she didn't know the extent of his powers. He could have cleaned himself with a flick of his wrist. This simple, human act of intimacy, this shared moment of vulnerability, was… precious.

He took a small, white cloth and gently wiped her lips, cleaning away the smudged lipstick. He then carefully cleaned her fingers, stained with the red pigment.

"I'll clean it. " she said, taking the cloth from him, a hint of embarrassment in her voice. She was used to the life of mortals without realising cultivators don't need to do this.

Su Kang smiled. "No need," he said, taking the cloth back.

"It'll be a keepsake—a reminder of this fortunate night."

She looked at him, surprised, then touched by his words. But a flicker of practicality remained.

"But… you can't show it to anyone," she insisted.

"Don't worry," he reassured her, his voice a low murmur. "No one will see it but us."

"Hmph," she replied, a small smile playing on her lips. "I don't even want to see it."

He chuckled, then led her to a large, flat rock he'd cleaved in two with a casual flick of his wrist, creating a makeshift bench.

He gestured for her to sit and joined her, taking her right hand in his. He caressed it gently.

"Tell me," he said softly but firmly, "what's worrying you. Anything—big or small. I want to hear it all."

"The Li family, the Bai family... whatever it is. Tell me."

She looked at him, a long, searching gaze, before she began to speak. She told him everything, her voice quiet but steady. He listened patiently, his grip on her hand reassuring.

When she finished, he promised to handle the major problems. She could use his family's influence and power for the rest. He would take care of the smaller issues.

"I don't know if it's right to use your family's power for my problems," she said hesitantly.

"Why not?" he asked firmly. "I'm the young master of the Su family, and you'll be my wife. Just focus on solving the problems."

She looked at him thoughtfully. "There's something I've been thinking about," she said slowly.

"What is it?" he asked, his gaze intent.

"I... I want to keep our relationship a secret," she whispered. "Li Fang... he can't know about this. Not yet."

Su Kang frowned. A secret? That complicated things. It would make it harder to influence her son and gain those destiny points.

"What do you mean?" he asked, keeping his voice calm. "What will we be, then? Explain."

He needed to understand her reasoning. Anger wouldn't help—not now. He still had much to learn about navigating this new, complex, beautiful relationship with this woman.

He likes her and he will make her his woman no matter what. He had come too far.