She tenderly traced her palm across the back of her own hand, then gently clasped his, their fingers touching lightly.
Despite the chill of her touch, a restless energy began stirring within him.
With her eyes closed, leaning back against the car seat, Jin Huan felt the surge of orange energy from Ji Yan intensify with his emotional tumult, slowly transferring into her through their clasped hands.
Empowered by human faith and the purest forms of love, Jin Huan could reshape the heavens and earth when all the beads on her Charm Bead bore emotional markings.
Yet, individuals capable of activating the Charm Bead were exceedingly rare.
Ji Yan, oblivious to the nature of this power, because those she drew energy from received blessings in return, felt no discomfort. After all, she was no malevolent spirit draining life essence, as told in chaotic tales.
Ji Yan's body tensed, afraid to move.
After a long moment, she released his hand, and only then did he relax, his left arm numb.
The car pulled up outside the hotel where they were staying.
All the heirs were here, on a graduation trip together, with Kunlun Ruins being their final destination.
The little princess watched Ji Yan cater to every need of this woman, her eyes reddening with jealousy. But Ji Yan, always dismissive, refused to engage, making it unbearable for her to face rejection repeatedly and become a laughingstock.
They had booked the hotel's finest rooms, and Ji Yan sought Jin Huan's preference.
"Aren't I staying with you?" she responded, puzzled.
"I—" Ji Yan struggled to articulate his feelings: joy mixed with turmoil and a hint of dread.
Wayne watched Ji Yan and Jin Huan enter the room, his gaze darkening with envy. From the moment he first saw her, she had been like a magnificent jewel beckoning from the gates of hell, inciting his deepest desires.
Jin Huan appreciated the novelty of the room, intrigued by things like the black box that functioned as a self-contained color projector—what Ji Yan called a television.
Even the curtains were remotely controlled.
But what she loved most was the device Ji Yan held—the smartphone. She fiddled with it for a long while, Ji Yan patiently teaching her, even setting the display to traditional characters.
A knock at the door interrupted them. Ji Yan opened it to find the phone and dresses they had ordered. He took the items and closed the door.
"Jin Huan, I bought you some clothes. Would you like to try them on?"
She was taken aback by the nickname, a throwback to another era.
"Sure."
Her petite frame was perfectly proportioned, especially in a cheongsam, which she wore stunningly.
Noticing her glance at Liao Zhenying's dress earlier, Ji Yan had guessed she might like something similar and instructed his staff to buy similar styles.
The first dress she tried was a red cinched-waist A-line dress, so visually striking that Ji Yan had to look away, dazzled by her luminosity.
"This collar seems a bit low, Ji Yan," she noted, adjusting it slightly in front of the mirror.
After ensuring he wasn't bleeding from the nose, Ji Yan turned back, deliberately avoiding her gaze. "Yes, the neckline is a bit low, and the hem quite short. Perhaps try another?"
"Okay."
The next was a similar style but in black, form-fitting and short, just reaching her thighs.
Ji Yan thought it acceptable, though still provocative.
However, he hadn't anticipated the extensive backless design until she turned to show him.
Ji Yan was speechless. What had his staff been thinking?
"I think—" He started to suggest it might be inappropriate.
"It looks good," Jin Huan cut in. Despite its boldness, it was indeed attractive, just like the outfits worn by that young woman.
The bra was a bit tricky to wear; she had studied it closely before managing to put it on. The modern clasps were more complex than those she remembered.
The dresses Liao Zhenying favored leaned towards the sensual, hence the vibrant nature of the several dresses purchased.
The staff had also thoughtfully bought a robe.
Ji Yan adjusted the water temperature and hung the robe before stepping out to wait.
Inside, the sound of running water was torment for him; what man wouldn't be distracted under such circumstances? Ji Yan struggled to suppress the unbidden images in his mind.
When she approached him in her robe, barefoot, Ji Yan instinctively gripped the bedsheet.
Seeing his heightened orange energy, Jin Huan smiled, moved closer, and embraced him.
It had been a long time since she'd felt such potent energy, and she couldn't help but sigh in pleasure.
Her husky, seductive voice completely unraveled Ji Yan's composure, and he trembled as he held her.
As the surge of energy overwhelmed her, Jin Huan comfortably fell asleep in his arms, feeling the strength flow through her meridians.
He remained still until her breathing evened out and she fell asleep.
Ji Yan couldn't pinpoint his sense of loss but dutifully covered her with a blanket before retiring to the couch for the night.
The air was sweet, and outside, ancient trees spread their branches wide.
The Charm Bead slowly gained emotional markings, halting at one-third. In this world, not all were mere mortals. Some, endowed with unique abilities, either lived reclusively or were co-opted by organizations, with the unspoken rule of non-interference in the lives of the ordinary—violators faced severe consequences.
As the markings spread across the bead, unlocking divine powers, Jin Huan moved closer to being able to use her abilities unrestricted.
The first power to unlock was "Stasis"—the ability to freeze time.
Normally, Jin Huan didn't need sleep except to conserve bodily functions and absorb energy.
Slowly, she opened her eyes in the dim predawn light, the clock pointing to four.
Her gaze shifted across the simple white ceiling to Ji Yan.
She rose slowly, her eyes sweeping over Ji Yan before she moved to the window and pushed it open. A beautifully feathered bird flew in, perching on the windowsill and affectionately pecking at her hand.
She liked such innocent creatures and didn't hesitate to pet it.
The chirping woke Ji Yan, who groggily opened his eyes to find her silhouetted against the light.
"I've read a thousand sentences about summer, but none compare to this lazy morning, the breeze that just so happens, and you right now."
He didn't remember where he had read those words, but they perfectly captured the moment.
Somewhat dazed, he got up and stood behind her, quietly watching, always cautious not to intrude on Jin Huan.
She turned, the pretty bird still on her wrist.
"Good morning, Ji Yan."
His face broke into a relieved, happy smile. "Good morning, Jin Huan."
They went to freshen up together, and she was now adept at using the modern facilities, even if many were labeled in simplified characters.
She donned a pure black off-shoulder bodycon dress and stepped into a pair of diamond-studded black high heels, examining her reflection. From a vintage leather case, she took out a blue-and-white porcelain jar and dabbed some rouge on her lips.
Ji Yan chided himself for not having the foresight to buy more lipstick.
Today, they were scheduled to return home. The city was a distance away, and flying back would be quicker.
He had already arranged everything the day before, including having her ID delivered early in the morning.
"This is my ID?" Jin Huan examined the card, curious and slightly critical of the photo.
"Yes, you need it to travel now. Without it, you'd face difficulties. And remember the bank card I showed you last night? Most stores use digital payments now. With your ID, we can set up a bank account once we're back."
Jin Huan wasn't bothered about showing her ignorance in front of Ji Yan; from their first meeting, he had been utterly enchanted by her. She was used to leveraging her beauty.
"Alright."
"Let's go down for breakfast."
"Alright."
Downstairs, the hotel was quiet, still early. This era's youth seldom rose early for breakfast.
The hotel offered a buffet, but Ji Yan wouldn't let Jin Huan fetch her own food. He asked her to sit while he served them both.
Her striking beauty drew fervent gazes as soon as she entered the dining room, her aloof demeanor only fueling their desire.
The first to approach was a fair-skinned middle-aged man, who elegantly placed a minimalist business card in front of her.
"I am..." he began, his overture clearly that of a high-caliber male courting.
But Jin Huan paid him no heed, utterly indifferent to the ant clamoring before her.
"So, may I get to know you?" he pressed.
Jin Huan, slowly adjusting the tablecloth, didn't even look up.
"Miss?"
With a clatter, he moved closer, accidentally knocking her phone to the floor.
Only then did she look up, her tea-brown eyes cool and detached, and she spoke deliberately, "Kneel."