Bibi Dong leaned down, her violet hair cascading like silk, casting their faces in shadow.
She didn't kiss him immediately. Instead, she nuzzled his neck with her nose—then suddenly dipped her head and bit his throat.
The sharp sting made Dai Chengfeng suck in a breath. "Hiss—Are you a vampire?"
Bibi Dong froze mid-motion. Lifting her head, her violet hair brushed his jaw, eyes flickering with confusion.
"Vampire?"
Dai Chengfeng rubbed the faint teeth marks on his neck, exasperated. "You know—the creatures that sneak out at night to bite people's necks, drink blood, and turn their victims into soul beasts."
Bibi Dong scoffed. Her fingertip tilted his chin up, eyes dancing with mischief.
"The Supreme Pontiff of the Spirit Hall—a lowly soul beast in your eyes? If we're talking about bloodsucking…"
She leaned closer, warm breath ghosting over his ear. "…I've tasted something far more interesting when I bit you before."
Dai Chengfeng blinked—then Bibi Dong straightened, elegantly tucking her loose hair behind her ear. She shot him a dismissive glance.
"Just a dull legend. Hardly worth your fuss."
Then she dipped down again, capturing his lower lip precisely.
This kiss carried her usual dominance. The moment their lips met, she pressed in with deliberate, almost vengeful force—slow, deep, claiming.
A low chuckle rumbled in Dai Chengfeng's throat.
"You…" he murmured, voice thick with post-satisfaction laziness and delight at her boldness.
He didn't resist. Instead, he tilted his head back, surrendering to her rhythm, hands tightening on her waist, pulling her flush against him.
After a long while, Bibi Dong pulled back slightly, breathing heavily. Her violet eyes shimmered with triumph, a playful glint in their depths.
Dai Chengfeng's smile deepened, starlight pooling in his gaze. He brushed her swollen lower lip with his thumb, voice rough with affection:
"Dong'er's especially fierce today."
Bibi Dong huffed, swatting his chest—not hard, but firm. "Serves you right for being so pushy earlier."
She punctuated it with a quick peck on his lips—like stamping her claim.
Dai Chengfeng laughed at her antics, the vibration shaking her in his arms.
Suddenly, he rolled over, pinning her back onto the divan. He nipped her ear, whispering: "And now? Still want to be fierce with me?"
Bibi Dong arched a brow, ready to retort—then paused, as if remembering something. Her eyes softened. She looped her arms around his neck, voice dropping to a commanding purr laced with coquetry:
"Carry me to bathe."
Dai Chengfeng stilled, raising an eyebrow. "…Didn't you just bathe?"
Bibi Dong's lashes fluttered. A knowing smile curved her lips. "You haven't."
Her fingertip traced a circle on his chest, voice dropping to a whisper: "All sweaty… filthy."
Dai Chengfeng's laugh was low, dangerous. His eyes darkened with amusement.
"Oh? So Teacher wants me… clean first?"
Bibi Dong's face burned crimson. She smacked his forehead, glaring.
"Shameless!"
But the glare held no threat—only petulance. Her ears blazed scarlet, yet she insisted: "Less talk. Carry me."
Dai Chengfeng's grin widened. He kissed her deeply, then swept her into his arms.
"As you command!"
"Ah!" Bibi Dong yelped, instinctively clinging to his neck. "Gently!"
"Can't."
He nuzzled her nose. "My Dong'er's too light—I'll lose you if I'm not careful."
Her heart melted at his words, though she snapped back: "Flatterer."
He carried her through beaded curtains to the private hot spring beside the bedchamber.
The pool was carved from white jade, steam curling above its surface. Fresh crape myrtle petals floated on the water, filling the air with floral sweetness and warm sulfur.
He set her on the prepared divan, then knelt to untie her disheveled robe.
Bibi Dong caught his wrist, voice flustered. "I'll do it myself."
Dai Chengfeng didn't relent. He interlaced their fingers, kissing her knuckles.
"Let me serve Your Majesty once, hmm?"
She glared—but didn't refuse, only turning her head away, ears burning.
His movements were slow, reverent—as if unwrapping sacred porcelain.
First, he loosened the sash. The silk slid off her shoulders, revealing skin like luminous jade.
Morning light from the stained-glass window gilded her collarbone, waist, every curve—each a masterpiece of light.
His Adam's apple bobbed. "So beautiful."
Bibi Dong flushed, trying to cover herself—but he pinned her hands gently on his shoulders.
"Don't hide."
He kissed her collarbone. "I want to see all of my Dong'er."
She bit her lip, yielding as he peeled the robe away completely.
Barefoot on warm jade, hair spilling loose, eyes half-lidded—she resembled a mist-wrapped jade statue.
Dai Chengfeng lifted her again, stepping slowly into the pool. Warm water rose past their calves, then waist.
Bibi Dong gasped at the heat, clutching his neck.
He chuckled, submerging her until only her shoulders breached the surface. Shrugging off his outer robe, he sat her on his lap atop the submerged jade bench.
Water rippled. Crape myrtle petals clung to her shoulder—brushed away by his fingertips.
Bibi Dong leaned against his chest, voice lazy. "…Wash me."
Dai Chengfeng hummed assent, scooping floral essence from a nearby jade dish. He lathered his palms, starting at her shoulders.
His large, calloused hands moved with surprising tenderness—tracing her spine, waist, sides—as if memorizing every inch.
Bibi Dong closed her eyes, savoring this rare indulgence.
Until—his hand dipped underwater, cradling one delicate foot.
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