Snow Niang seemed to have fallen asleep. Xiao Shan extinguished the candle. Moonlight streamed in through the small window, scattering across the floor like white frost.
In the past, at the border, when he felt lonely, he would grab a pot of wine, climb to the very top of the city wall alone, and drink while looking at the vast moon. Sometimes he would remember his blurred family, sometimes he would ponder what his future life would be like, but more often he would empty his mind, not listening, not thinking.
He was fated to be an orphan at thirteen, his parents having passed away early. Countless wars had honed him into a cold-blooded, steel monster.
He himself never imagined that someone like him would one day become a hunter in a remote mountain village, and even marry a wife he cherished more than his own life.
He had, after all, faked his death and abandoned even his closest brothers without hesitation.
Who could have imagined that the cold-blooded god of slaughter of yesteryear would become a rustic villager revolving around a woman? And revolving willingly?
"Little thing, you fell asleep so quickly. We didn't even get to talk properly!"
Xiao Shan loved hearing her speak the most. Her voice was as clear as a lark's, endlessly pleasant to his ears.
Xiao Shan's hand had just reached Snow Niang's head when he felt her turn over, push aside the quilt, and burrow into his.
He was afraid of heat and always slept bare-chested. As he held her, he felt a difference.
Snow Niang was not wearing clothes.
No, she was wearing a chemise, and nothing else.
Instantly, a layer of sweat broke out on Xiao Shan's forehead. Even in the past, when he was less restrained and touched her waist or legs, it was always through their sleeping clothes, always missing that one crucial element.
This time, it was truly stimulating. He became erect on the spot.
"Snow Niang, did you have a nightmare?" he asked patiently, his fingers pinching the soft flesh of her waist, his palm slick with sweat.
This wouldn't do. Being this close would lead to trouble! Did Snow Niang think his self-control was that strong?
Snow Niang didn't speak. Her soft little hands began to explore Xiao Shan's face, from his eyes to the bridge of his nose, then she touched his nascent stubble.
Honestly, Snow Niang had never touched him like this before!
His heart was so excited it felt like it would leap out of his chest. This made him feel like he was her cherished treasure!
He couldn't help but swallow a few times, making a "gulp" sound.
Snow Niang's hand had moved to his Adam's apple. Xiao Shan let out a rough breath and pushed Snow Niang away, lying flat on his back.
This wouldn't do. He was about to explode. Whether Snow Niang intended it or not, this would only lead to one outcome.
Snow Niang stopped moving.
Xiao Shan felt a little relieved, but also disappointed.
But the next moment, his body jolted violently again. Snow Niang's hand had landed on his firm stomach and was moving downwards.
This, this was wrong. What did Snow Niang mean? Xiao Shan remained motionless, wondering what Snow Niang truly wanted to do, and how far she would go.
His trousers were pulled down, and Snow Niang sat up.
"Xue—" His hoarse voice was like a traveler who had been parched for a long time. He had only uttered one word before a soft hand covered his mouth.
Xiao Shan could no longer think. Would this be a reversal?
He couldn't take it anymore. He was going to fight back. She had started this, and even if she was scared afterward, he wouldn't care.
He racked his brains, but couldn't have imagined that Snow Niang's movements would be even faster than his, and that she would go all the way.
"Ah—"
They both cried out in pain. Snow Niang rolled off him, clutching her stomach and curling up in agony.
Xiao Shan, disregarding his own pain, quickly reached for Snow Niang. "Are you okay? Are you okay? Let me see, did you get hurt!"
He hadn't expected Snow Niang to be so fierce. He was in so much pain, he could only imagine she was in even more.
"Don't touch me! Get out, get out!"
Snow Niang's voice was sharp and piercing, especially jarring in the darkness. Xiao Hu barked a few times outside.
Xiao Shan didn't know what had happened to her. Hearing the wrong tone in her voice, he got up and lit the candle.
Snow Niang was trembling, hugging herself.
"Snow Niang, let me see if you're hurt?" Xiao Shan was anxious and tried to pry her legs apart.
"Presumptuous!" Snow Niang said sharply. Tears welled in her eyes, her face as cold as frost-covered snow. Then, as if realizing something was amiss, her voice softened slightly. "Get out, Xiao Shan. Let me be alone. You go out first."
"Snow Niang, do you want to be husband and wife with me?" Xiao Shan wouldn't let it go. He stared into her eyes and continued, "Are you still afraid? It's not like that. What you're doing is wrong. It will hurt yourself. Let me see, okay?"
"Xiao Shan, please, go out! Let me be alone, please!" Snow Niang looked at him with tears streaming down her face, her fingernails digging deeply into her flesh. She could barely endure it. Her head ached terribly!
"Please, please go out, quickly go out, quickly go out!" Snow Niang pounded the bed. She knew she must look terrible right now, like a madwoman.
How could you, a noble goddess, debase yourself like this!
Ling Yao, how long will you shut yourself away?
Your husband can only be the Great Yao God!
Xiao Shan watched Snow Niang with a heartache. Had she regretted it?
"Alright, I'll go out." He picked up his clothes and put them on, then glanced back with concern.
Snow Niang sat on the bed with her head bowed, her long hair falling down to cover her face. Her expression was unclear, only her body's slight trembling could be seen.
She was probably crying.
The door closed. Snow Niang pulled the quilt over her head. Her entire body felt like it was burning with pain, especially her back, which felt like it wanted to incinerate her.
She dared not make a sound, biting the quilt tightly, enduring the waves of bone-gnawing pain.
Not only that, but her head also ached terribly. Faces flashed through her mind like lightning, and voices rushed in one after another.
She longed to throw herself into Xiao Shan's arms and escape it all.
But the voices in her head were stopping her. They said he would die.
She didn't want him to die. He was her light, her salvation. He couldn't die.
Xiao Shan, worried, looked in through the window. The bed curtains blocked his view, and he couldn't see clearly. He only heard what sounded like suppressed sobs coming from inside.
She had indeed regretted it.
If Xiao Shan could see, he would surely be shocked. At this moment, Snow Niang was completely flushed red.
Even her eyes had turned red.
On her back, a lotus flower had appeared. A red lotus, like fire, lifelike, as if it had grown from her body.
After an unknown amount of time, having endured hellish pain, Snow Niang's body was drenched as if she had crawled out of a river.
When she opened her eyes again, it was as if she had been reborn.
In her eyes, pain, reluctance, and panic overwhelmed her.
She extended her left arm. The spot where the virginity mark had been was now bare.
They were husband and wife.
Would Xiao Shan die?
Like a wandering soul, she got out of bed and walked to the mirror. The red lotus on her back, the red lotus that had once been covered by Qing He, had finally appeared.
Xiao Shan, Xiao Shan, what should I do!