Chapter 72: Rare Initiative
Xu Yafei pursed her red lips. Gently lifting her slender legs, she stretched her body and said to Zhao Dong without reservation, "You like to watch, don't you? Today, I'll let you watch to your heart's content."
"What's gotten into you today? I feel like something is off," Zhao Dong asked, eyeing Xu Yafei suspiciously.
A placid look, as tranquil as a deep lake, settled on Xu Yafei's face. "It's nothing. Don't overthink it."
Zhao Dong's gaze returned to Xu Yafei's body, a veritable work of art, and he swallowed hard. "You're tempting me to commit a crime."
Xu Yafei stood up, her long, beautiful legs looking like they could crush a man's heart.
She stretched lazily, drew the curtains completely shut, and lay down on the bed. Resting her cheek on her hand, she looked at Zhao Dong and suddenly smiled. "Are you scared?"
Zhao Dong pondered. "I'm not scared. I just genuinely think you're behaving oddly. Why are you so proactive today?"
A complex emotion flickered in the depths of Xu Yafei's eyes. She shook her head. "Forget it. It's useless to say more. Come and check on my condition."
Hearing this, Zhao Dong instantly grew serious. Without another word, he climbed onto the bed and sat cross-legged beside her. Faced with such an enchanting view, he naturally felt his heart race and his mind begin to wander, but he forced himself to calm down.
Xu Yafei was still a bit reserved, a flush creeping over her face. She closed her eyes, trying her best to act natural.
Zhao Dong took a deep breath, placed his hand on her smooth abdomen, and began to channel Spiritual Energy to sense her condition.
A moment later, a grave look appeared on Zhao Dong's face. Noticing this, Xu Yafei asked softly, "Has the illness worsened?"
"Yes, the Bone Corrosive Poison is showing signs of a backlash. But it's alright, I can suppress it."
Zhao Dong formed a hand seal and began chanting an incantation, furiously channeling his Spiritual Energy to begin Xu Yafei's treatment.
Soon, fine beads of sweat appeared on Zhao Dong's forehead. Xu Yafei bit her lip tightly, her face turning pale as cold sweat dripped from her brow.
The treatment process was agonizing. Xu Yafei felt as if a thousand arrows were piercing her heart. The pain was so intense that she bit her lip until it bled, her body trembling uncontrollably.
Finally, Zhao Dong withdrew his hand and gave her a weak smile. "It's done."
Seeing Zhao Dong's pallid lips, Xu Yafei felt a pang of heartache. "Healing my injury takes a toll on your body, doesn't it?"
"It's nothing. It just consumes some vital energy, which can be recovered. Don't worry about it," Zhao Dong said nonchalantly, waving his hand.
A touch of gratitude appeared in Xu Yafei's eyes. She knew how crucial vital energy was to cultivators, that it was intrinsically linked to their path of cultivation—it wasn't as trivial as Zhao Dong made it sound.
Zhao Dong lay down beside her, pillowing his hands behind his head as he stared at the ceiling, lost in thought. Beside him, Xu Yafei turned her head to look at his profile, her voice low and faint. "Zhao Dong, thank you..."
Zhao Dong shook his head. "It's nothing. I owe you a lot. This is what I should do."
Suddenly, Xu Yafei bit her lip and gently placed her hand on Zhao Dong's body.
Startled, Zhao Dong's face flushed red as his eyes were involuntarily drawn to Xu Yafei.
Embarrassed by his gaze, Xu Yafei lowered her eyes and said, "Tired?"
"A little..."
"Then forget it," Xu Yafei huffed, a hint of playful resentment in her expression.
"Wait... What do you mean, 'forget it'?!"
Zhao Dong sat up abruptly, staring at Xu Yafei. She just giggled. "Aren't you tired? Lie down and rest for a bit."
Xu Yafei's laughter made her graceful form tremble, and Zhao Dong couldn't help but stare.
Xu Yafei's figure... it was the best he had seen in all his years. Even Lin Qingyun couldn't compare!
Noticing his gaze, Xu Yafei quickly crossed her arms over her chest and shot Zhao Dong a coquettishly annoyed glance. "Pervert! Don't look!"
"You're dressed like this and you're telling me not to look?" Zhao Dong felt his throat go even drier as he took in the sight of her.
Suddenly, Xu Yafei sat up and tied back her hair. Her eyes instantly turned bewitching as she leaned close to his ear and murmured, "You're tired today. Let me take over."
Sometimes, things didn't need to be said explicitly; a word or two was enough for the other person to understand. Clearly, Zhao Dong understood. He let out a heavy breath and lay back down.
Xu Yafei's beautiful eyes shimmered with desire. After a glance at Zhao Dong, she gently lowered her head, her face blushing...
A jolt went through Zhao Dong's body as he caressed her fine black hair, an indescribable sensation washing over him...
"Don't look..."
"You're so beautiful." Zhao Dong cradled her face, stroking her hair.
Xu Yafei lifted her eyelids to glance at Zhao Dong, her eyes brimming with bashfulness.
The temperature in the room seemed to scorch. Xu Yafei was drenched in fragrant sweat, her damp hair clinging to her enchanting face...
About two hours later, Xu Yafei collapsed beside Zhao Dong, curling up in the crook of his arm. She asked shyly, "How did it feel?"
"Indescribable." Zhao Dong smiled mischievously, pinching her cheek. Xu Yafei's eyes were filled with tenderness. Although she had initially only intended to use him, their repeated intimacy and his consistent efforts to heal her had slowly cultivated genuine feelings between them.
"I can't believe you actually defeated Wei Wu. Your growth rate is astonishing."
Amazement filled Xu Yafei's face. Zhao Dong smiled. "That's nothing. Just give me a little more time, and I'll make sure everyone in the East Sea knows the name Zhao Dong. I'll also help you live your own life, instead of being dependent on Hong Wu."
A flicker of emotion showed in Xu Yafei's eyes, quickly followed by melancholy. "Zhao Dong, thank you. But Hong Wu isn't that simple. The people around him are extremely powerful and have deep connections. If he wants you dead, you won't be able to escape."
Zhao Dong frowned. "I can kill Wei Wu now. Do I still seem so weak in your eyes?"
"No, it's that Hong Wu is too strong. His personal attendant is ranked first on the Heavenly List. The Wei Wu you killed was, at best, third on the Earthly List. There are many people in the East Sea who are much stronger than you. You have to keep a low profile."
Zhao Dong fell silent. After a long moment, he said earnestly, "I understand. Trust me. Give me time, and I'll grow stronger."
"You don't have much time left. I suggest you leave the East Sea."
"What?!" Zhao Dong was taken aback. He looked at Xu Yafei, puzzled, as she said grimly, "Hong Wu has already noticed something is amiss. He's even begun to suspect the relationship between us. He never had me followed before, but for the past two days, someone has been trailing me almost every time I go out. If he discovers us, we're both doomed to die."
Zhao Dong was startled. "Then has this place been discovered too?"
"This place is safe for now; no one knows about it yet. But if you walk by the riverside long enough, your shoes are bound to get wet. Zhao Dong, we should stop seeing each other. I'm just a dying woman who might not even survive this poison, while you have limitless potential. We walk different paths."
Zhao Dong pulled Xu Yafei tightly into his arms. "Until I'm strong enough, we can contact each other less, but you are my woman. Nothing can change that!"
Xu Yafei's lips trembled. She glanced at Zhao Dong, said nothing more, and hugged him tightly...
After another moment of tenderness, Zhao Dong left. He hadn't been home in two days, so he hurried back. His parents must be worried sick. He also wondered if Zhao Qirou was out of the hospital yet; he hadn't had a chance to visit her these past two days...
Soon, he arrived at his front gate. Just as he was about to enter the courtyard, a figure stepped out from the side. It was Wang Han.
Zhao Dong didn't want to deal with Wang Han, so he pretended not to see him and started walking into the courtyard. Just as he was about to pass, Wang Han called out, "Zhao Dong, you stop right there! I have something to say to you!"
Zhao Dong stopped and frowned at Wang Han. "What is it?"