Meilin chuckled as she sauntered past Dave, shooting him a sly grin. "That whole sentimental grandpa moment? Kinda adorable. We should frame it and hang it in the hall."
Dugu Bo gave a gruff snort, folding his arms with exaggerated annoyance. "Brats. All of you."
Dugu Yan turned to face him, her expression soft and sincere. "I’ll write to you as often as I can, Grandpa. I promise."
The old man gave her a solemn nod, stepping forward to rest a firm, weathered hand on her shoulder. "Just stay safe, Yanyan. And if this punk ever makes you cry... send word. I’ll make sure he tastes poison with every breath he takes."
Dave lifted both hands in mock surrender, a playful grin tugging at his lips. "Message received, loud and clear. But don’t worry—I’m more interested in keeping her smiling than crying."
He paused, then leaned in slightly with a roguish smirk. "Well... except maybe in bed."
Meilin burst out laughing, nearly stumbling over her own feet. Dugu Yan went scarlet, but her eyes twinkled with something sharp and mischievous.
"We’ll see about that," she replied smoothly, voice low and laced with mock menace. "I might be the one making you cry."
Their farewells wrapped in banter and sentiment, the trio finally set off. Dave led the way, with Meilin and Dugu Yan close behind, their steps light and eager beneath the boundless sky.
Dugu Bo remained rooted in the courtyard, hands clasped behind his back. His expression was unreadable, but his keen, time-hardened gaze lingered on their retreating figures until even their silhouettes vanished into the horizon.
By the time they stepped from beneath the dense shadows of Sunset Forest, the midday sun had ripened, painting the world in rich golden tones.
"So," Meilin said, stretching languidly, arms above her head. "Where to now?"
Dave rubbed his chin in exaggerated thought before flashing a grin. "Let’s leave it to fate."
He crouched down, drew a quick circle in the dirt, and scrawled the four cardinal directions at its edges—North, South, East, and West. Then, he placed a stick upright in the center and gave it a spin. It twirled a few times before settling—pointing directly south.
"Well then," Dave said, standing and dusting off his hands. "Looks like we’re heading to the coast."
A few days later, they found respite at a serene roadside tea house near the coastal City. The fragrance of steeped herbs mingled with the faint, salty kiss of sea breeze.
Dave lounged comfortably on a wooden bench, Dugu Yan perched sideways on his lap. His arms wrapped around her waist, chin tucked affectionately near her shoulder. His gaze, when it met hers, was soft... content.
He leaned in just a touch closer. "You’re not nervous, are you?"
Dugu Yan hesitated, then shook her head gently, a smile tugging at her lips—though a faint blush painted her cheeks.
Dave lifted a hand to tilt her chin towards him, fingers careful, reverent. "Good," he murmured, voice low and warm. "Because I want to see you just ... when it’s only us."
His fingers traced a slow, comforting path along her lower back, holding her close. She didn’t resist. Instead, she leaned into him, pressing her forehead against his, breath catching ever so slightly.
And then she kissed him. Lightly at first... then again, deeper, letting herself sink into his arms and the rising warmth between them.
Dave responded with gentle intensity, one hand slipping to cradle the back of her neck, the other tightening around her waist. The world beyond faded, leaving only the steady pulse of shared breath and heartbeats.
Across the table, Meilin cleared her throat—loudly, arms folded and one eyebrow arched. "You two want a room or something?"
Dugu Yan broke the kiss with a gasp, hiding her face in Dave’s chest as if trying to disappear.
Dave simply smirked, clearly unfazed and enjoying the moment. "Eventually," he said, casually—then with a devilish gleam in his eye, added, "Though after some alone time with her... I might just drag you in too, Meilin. Something about a dragon and two phoenixes—it’s a fantasy worth chasing."
Meilin rolled her eyes with a half-laugh, shaking her head in mock resignation. "You’re insatiable," she muttered.
Meanwhile, Dugu Yan’s blush had deepened to crimson. Her breath hitched as Dave’s words echoed in her ears. The past week had already brought a slow evolution between them—starting with innocent hand-holding and soft kisses beneath moonlight. But now... now, he was clearly hinting at more.
And for the first time, the idea didn’t scare her.
What would it feel like... to give myself completely to him? she wondered, her heart pounding against her ribs. Her thoughts flickered back to her grandfather’s trust in Dave—to how he had accepted him, even entrusted him with their family’s legacy.
He’s already saved my life... saved Grandpa’s... and never asked for anything in return. But I want to give him everything. Heart, body, and soul.
The quiet resolve stirred deep inside her.
She lifted her head slowly, eyes locking with his. This time, there was no hesitation. She leaned in and kissed him once more—this time, fully. Deeply. A kiss filled with silent promises and raw emotion.
Dave responded with a surprised but tender smile, arms wrapping her tighter as she melted into him. Her hand slid up his chest, fingers curling slightly into the fabric of his robe.
She broke the kiss only to whisper, breath soft and trembling. "Tonight... when it’s just us... I won’t run."
Dave studied her, his gaze deep and full of rare emotion. Then he gently brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear, his touch achingly gentle.
"Then I’ll wait," he whispered back. "And when you’re ready... I’ll make sure you never forget it."
Nearby, Meilin watched in silence, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips.
Poor girl... I really hope you survive him tonight, she mused inwardly, her golden eyes glinting with amusement.
She knew all too well what awaited. She’d already shared her own intimate nights with Dave—not just once, but more times than she’d ever imagined. Nights that started with passion and ended in unrelenting pleasure. Even with her cultivation-boosted stamina, she’d found herself trembling, breathless, and begging—not for mercy, but for a moment’s pause amidst the storm of ecstasy.
That man... he’s a beast. Gentle until the moment he’s not...
She shivered slightly at the memory and chuckled to herself.
Still, there was no envy in her gaze—only fondness. She had long since accepted sharing Dave. In fact, she admired how he loved them uniquely—never with obligation, never with control, but with genuine care and deep respect. He never demanded. He never pushed.
Trust. Devotion. Desire.
And for Dugu Yan... her journey was just beginning.
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