Author: Jiang Xiaoya
Translator: LazyButAmbitious
* * *
The imperial castle stood staunch amidst the vast forest at the edge of the city. It boasted a magnificence that never failed to attract the attention and curiosity of whoever lay eyes on it.
Under the cascading moonlight, the castle's spire shone as softly as a lamp, exuding an aura of mystery in the remote dead of night.
* * *
Heat— it was so hot it left one breathless.
On a big, English-styled bed, a young girl was sound asleep. Her slender body was covered with gorgeous, fine-textured white gauze which undulated in rhythm to her slightly irregular breaths. Fine sweat meandered across her delicate face before resting between her thin lips.
The translucent gauze that clung to her skin highlighted various parts of her seductive figure, creating endless temptations.
"Why is it so hot?"
Shi Xiaonian whispered, savouring a salty taste in her mouth. Licking her lips with her pink tongue, she awoke from her sleep in a daze.
As her eyes focused, she registered a luxurious but unfamiliar room that was decorated with 14th-century oil paintings arranged neatly on the walls.
"Where…?"
She scoured her surroundings unconsciously and soon spotted a man sitting on a sofa in the corner of the room. He had a slender build with long fingers which he used to gracefully swirl the wine in his hand.
"Who are you and why is it so hot in here? Can you turn on the air conditioner?"
Shi Xiaonian sat up weakly and spoke in a feeble voice. She was sapped of energy and felt as if she was suffering from a serious illness— it was just too hot.
"Woman, if you don't hurry and wake up, I'll adjust the temperature to 88 degrees and steam you alive!" A male voice rang out in reply. The threatening tone in his voice was frightening.
{Stream live?}
{What live stream?}
Shi Xiaonian's mind was still a bit groggy so she failed to comprehend the man's words. Sweat got in her eyes and distorted her vision.
Calm footsteps then echoed in her ears.
Instinctively, she lifted her hand to wipe her eyes free of the burning sensation. This action revealed her delicate collarbone and triggered more sweat to flow across her smooth, milky-white skin before disappearing between the hills' valley.
When she managed to finally look forward, she was met with the man's eagle-like gaze.
The man in front of her stood tall, his slender body wrapped in a tight-fitting white shirt. The first two buttons were loose and a small part of his broad chest was exposed. Matching his perfect body, his face also did not disappoint— he was suffocatingly handsome. A pair of sword-like eyebrows and deep, black eyes were positioned symmetrically on his face, between which a straight nose bridge protruded. His sexy lips were fatal and behind them hid rows of pearly-white teeth.
Though the temperature in the room was high, the man's face didn't secrete a single ounce of sweat, giving him a certain cool and elegant charm.
He was like a painting come to life and looked young, no more than 29 years old.
"Eh, why do you look so familiar?"
{Where have I seen…?}
Shi Xiaonian fell into deep thought. She remembered seeing this man somewhere before but she couldn't recall the occasion. Surely, if she had interacted with someone as outstanding as him, it would be a vivid memory, no? However, her thoughts were soon cut short.
That was because a gun was pointed at her— the man was pointing a silver pistol at her!
{Eh, what is this sudden development?}
"What are you doing? Who are you? What do you want to do to me?!"
Shi Xiaonian leaned backwards on the bed in fright, but the man stepped closer to her. The cold muzzle of the gun that was pressed against her pink cheek contrasted the hot temperature of the surroundings.
Though Shi Xiaonian was not overwhelmingly beautiful, she had a face that could be called cute and innocent, with delicate features and slender brows.
The muzzle slowly travelled downward, sliding down to her lips, pointed chin, and then to her delicate collarbone.
It felt as if a slender finger was touching her.
Shi Xiaonian tensed subconsciously, causing the white gauze to almost fall off her body. Her sweat instantly froze up.
"Woman, where is the child you gave birth to?"
Gong Ou's shadow loomed over her and he spoke in a cold voice. His sombre gaze scanned the feminine curves covered by the gauze
"What?" Shi Xiaonian questioned in a daze.
"Three years ago, you were pregnant with my child. Where is that child now?"
Gong Ou asked again, his voice deep. His hand moved in a circular motion, causing the muzzle of the gun to draw circles over her chest area which was partially visible through the gauze.
"Child?"
Shi Xiaonian was at a loss for a long time before calming down. She started to speak slowly and carefully, "Did you make a mistake? I don't know you. Plus, I have never before been pregnant…"
Sounds interesting? Then I ask for your support in any way you can! Now that I have everything set up, I'll work towards translating a plethora of chapters. You can head over to my ko-fi (view profile) to listen to the audiobook version.