Chapter 2

Xie Beishen leaned against a large rock in the water. The summer heat quickly melted away, replaced by the refreshing coolness that rose up to his chest, opening every pore of his body. He felt utterly relaxed.

Thankfully, this pool was far from the educated youth camp and the nearby villagers. Otherwise, where else would he find such a clean and quiet place to unwind?

He closed his eyes, savoring the moment.

A short while later, his ears twitched. Light footsteps rustled in the dark.

He opened his eyes and looked toward the sound. His vision was sharp, and soon he saw a figure leap straight into the pond.

His heart sank. What the hell—she’s not here to kill herself, is she?

That wouldn’t do. If someone died here, how was he supposed to keep bathing in this place? He still had half a year before he could return to the capital.

He cursed inwardly. Idiot. Nothing is more precious than life. What’s so unbearable?

As a proper, upright man, he could not stand by and let someone die.

He swam quickly, drew in a deep breath, and dove beneath the surface.

—

Su Wanwan plunged into the water, holding her breath. The icy coolness wrapped around her feverish body, soothing her instantly. She planned to rise only when she could no longer hold it in.

But before she could, something strong wrapped around her waist and pulled her upward.

They burst from the surface together, gasping for air.

Moonlight spread across the pond, casting silver ripples that shimmered outward.

Their gazes met.

Xie Beishen’s eyes lingered. Her small face was delicate, her brows and eyes like a painting, lips slightly parted and glistening with water. Her wet hair trailed down her back, droplets tracing her jawline before sliding into her collar.

Her blouse clung tightly to her, outlining graceful curves; the loose neckline slipped enough to reveal pale, slender skin.

Her lashes trembled, and those hazy eyes seemed to drip with allure.

His arm was around her waist. So thin… It was the first time in his life he’d been so close to a woman, and a strange, new sensation rippled through him.

At twenty, it was the first time he’d ever felt something like this.

Showing up in the middle of the night like this—could she be a demon?

He pulled back, gripping her arm and dragging her toward the shore. But suddenly her arms looped around his neck.

Su Wanwan stared at him. Sword-like brows, star-bright eyes, tall nose, striking features—this was the man she had once secretly loved.

Impossible. He was long dead. It must be the drugs, twisting her senses into hallucination.

But that was fine. A hallucination was good—wonderful even—because it made her body feel lighter.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, her legs locking around his waist like a koala.

Her breath fanned across his face, hot enough to make his eyes darken, his throat work, and his body respond.

Definitely a demon.

He shoved her away, but the more he pushed, the more tightly she clung. His voice was cold:
“Let go. Do you even know what you’re doing? If you want to die, don’t drag me down with you.”

So real, Su Wanwan thought in her haze. Even a hallucination can talk?

“I don’t want to die. I want to live,” she whispered weakly. “Xie… Xie Beishen, is that you? I… I was drugged. I feel awful…”

His breath caught. Heat surged in his chest. She even knew his name. She must be some village girl… yet he couldn’t recall whose daughter.

If his friend Lin Yu were here, he’d scoff: The always cold and proud Xie Beishen? Since when do you stare at women? Not knowing her is normal.

But Su Wanwan, desperate and dazed, raised her hands, cupped his face, and kissed him.

Bliss.

Xie Beishen’s mind went blank. His body froze, breath forgotten, heart pounding madly.

When he finally snapped out of it, he ripped the brazen woman off him, gripping her arm tightly as he dragged her back to the rock.

The sting of his grip made her frown. “It hurts…”

That soft little “hurts” struck him like a hook, sending his bones trembling. His face flushed crimson.

He released her abruptly, scrambling onto the rock and turning away. Looking back, he saw her draped against the stone, still half-submerged, murmuring in a delicate voice.

He glanced down at his shorts. His jaw locked, his body restless, his expression darkened.

Demon.
Little temptress.
No doubt about it.

And she had dared to kiss him.

His gaze sank. He turned to leave but froze mid-step. His tongue pressed against his cheek as he glanced back.

If he walked away, she might really die here. He couldn’t do it.

So he sat back down, eyes fixed on her.

Had it not been for her occasional movements and strange sounds, he might have thought she was already gone.

Who drugged her in the middle of the night?

—

Su Wanwan had no idea how long she drifted. When her head finally cleared, she looked around. Empty. Just her alone.

The hallucination had felt too real.

Now that the drug’s heat had faded, only the cold remained. Shivering, she decided it was time to sneak back home. Had her family noticed she’d slipped out at midnight?

She swam ashore, body trembling, the mountain path shrouded in darkness. Images of horror films she’d once watched flashed in her mind. The thought made her skin crawl.

She was the kind of person who was terrified but still wanted to watch scary things—foolish but stubborn.

Her head clearer now, she followed the path down the mountain, unaware that in the shadows, another figure sat on a rock, eyes locked firmly on her.

Xie Beishen sneered softly. She can swim just fine. Seems I was worrying for nothing.

She had kissed him, and now she was walking away as if nothing had happened. Didn’t even say a word to him.

He’d sat there for three whole hours making sure she didn’t drown, and she didn’t even glance back.

With a low snort, he stood and followed her. Not because he cared, of course—only because the mountain at night was dangerous, and wild beasts could appear at any time.