Chapter 35: Budding Lotus — VI

This is what confused him to no end. This thoughtful gesture, this warm reassurance. The well-built body pressed behind his own.

Wow, Li Xinyuan's mind was turning into a real mess. The hands that cupped his ears were large, their touch searing Li Xinyuan's flesh, yet the surgeon made no move to get out of the Crown Prince's hold.

As he walked forward, eyes snapping shut. Briefly, he wondered if trusting Liu Mingyun to the point where he'd willingly walk into the heart of Smithy, the place that burnt with heat akin to a kiln, was a good idea.

But then he pushed the thought away, eyes moving under his eyelids as he pursed his lips, anxiety brewing in his heart as Liu Mingyun's presence anchored him.

He was going to live only once anyway, so might as well go through with it.

Li Xinyuan could hear nothing, the previously too loud sound of hammers became a muffled dull rhythm, the too bright light became mellow as he closed his eyes.