Feeling Bai Xi's gaze, Han Mo felt his throat tighten slightly.
These clear eyes were perfectly capable of stirring a man's heart. How could he bear to part with her like this, to hand her over to another?
Thinking of this, his heart ached again, a searing pain, yet his expression remained unchanged.
He only felt a complex swirl of emotions within him.
A mix of joy and regret.
Joyful that, in their final moments together, she had become his woman, his legal wife. He felt his life was complete.
Regretful that he knew he couldn't protect Xi'er for a lifetime, yet he had married her, even becoming true husband and wife.
These two conflicting emotions plunged him into an inferno and an ice age, alternately searing and freezing him.
He reached out his large hand, gently stroking her dark hair. "When did Xi'er become so unreserved? Although we've registered our marriage, the wedding ceremony hasn't taken place, so it's not yet official. I only came today to hold you as I sleep, nothing more."
With that, he lay down beside Bai Xi, embracing her from behind as if holding the most precious treasure in the world.
Bai Xi blinked slightly, feeling the gentle, warm presence behind her. A flush crept onto her cheeks.
Yes, what had she been thinking just now? Had Tong Yao influenced her?
Han Mo's breath tickled the back of her neck, stirring her hair with a pleasant, tingling sensation. This feeling was also warm, very comfortable.
The next morning, before dawn, Bai Xi heard a soft knock on the door: "Young Miss, are you awake..."
Hearing Feng Yi's voice, Bai Xi instinctively replied, "Mmm."
In their home, no one usually called her to wake up, and unlike Tong Yao, she didn't need a crowd of people to serve her in the early morning. So, if Feng Yi came to call her, it must be for something important.
Feng Yi said, "Miss Tong is here. She's beside me. May she come in?"
At this, Bai Xi raised an eyebrow and softly replied, "Mmm."
Tong Yao, when had this woman become so polite? Usually, when she came to her place, she would either push the door open directly or kick it down, shouting as she did. Anyone who didn't know her would never guess she was the sought-after noble lady of the Tong family in this city – the eldest daughter of the Tong family.
Just after she answered, Tong Yao spoke from the doorway in a teasing tone, "Are you sure?"
Hearing this, Bai Xi suddenly reacted, and a chill ran down her spine.
Right, Han Mo!
Han Mo had slept in her room last night!
Thinking of this, she immediately looked towards the side of her bed.
At this moment, it was already empty.
She had slept so soundly that night, she didn't even know when Han Mo had left.
Looking at the empty bedside, although she no longer had to worry about what Tong Yao might see, a small, inexplicable sense of loss surfaced in her heart.
"If you want to come in, come in. If not, you can just stand outside."
Bai Xi's calm voice drifted from inside the room.
Tong Yao's face was full of playful smiles. "Alright, alright, then I'm really coming in. If I see anything I shouldn't, don't blame me later."
With that, she pushed the door open and entered boldly.
Feng Yi thought that Tong Yao's mention of seeing something she shouldn't have referred to Bai Xi not yet having changed her clothes. She smiled slightly as the door closed.
She knew this was how Bai Xi and Tong Yao interacted.
These two could say anything, dare to say anything. They didn't worry about being misunderstood by a single word, nor did they fear being ignored due to occasional emotional fluctuations. This was what true friendship was, wasn't it?
In the room, Bai Xi sat up in bed, her eyes hazy from just waking up. "Why are you here so early?"
"Isn't it because I want to see you in your beautiful wedding dress as soon as possible?" Tong Yao said, looking around. After confirming she saw nothing, she turned, her expression suddenly becoming serious. "Xi'er, are you really sure you want to marry Han Mo?"
Bai Xi raised her eyebrows, her expression calm. "It's not a question of whether I'm sure. We registered our marriage yesterday, so legally, I am already his lawful wife!"
Tong Yao stepped forward, took Bai Xi's hand, and said seriously, "Xi'er, you can't marry him!"
Bai Xi frowned slightly. "Why?"
Why would she suddenly say this? Could it be... she knew something she didn't?
As she was thinking, Tong Yao's serious expression suddenly broke. She laughed and playfully said, "Because your Han Mo is just not capable! I provoked him so much yesterday, but he didn't do what a man should do. Letting such beauty like you go to waste, his body must be sick!"
Bai Xi went from worry to speechlessness, finally uttering a single word: "Scram!"
Tong Yao burst into laughter. "Haha, although I'm joking, aren't you really worried? What if he really is sick? After all, you're already married. Haven't you even 'tested the goods' yet? What if there's really a problem? This is about the happiness of your entire future life!"
Bai Xi glanced at Tong Yao and said calmly, "He's very good, and very normal."
Tong Yao looked at her, paused for a moment, and then her expression became teasing again. She brought her face close to Bai Xi and said, "Oh... so you've already tested the goods. When was that? How was the experience?"
Bai Xi lightly tapped Tong Yao's forehead with her finger, pushing her away to maintain a safe distance. "You're so curious only because you haven't truly experienced it yourself. You talk big as if you're a Casanova, but in reality, you're so timid it's embarrassing to watch."
Tong Yao had dated before, even enjoyed herself greatly at clubs. Her words were full of "stormy seas," but in reality, her life was "plain water." Furthermore, she was very serious about relationships and responsible for her own body; even her first real kiss was still hers.
Tong Yao blinked, a blush immediately appearing on her cheeks, and she pouted in dissatisfaction, "Hmph, of course, I know. He's just the person I want..."
The first time she saw Bai Han, she felt it was love at first sight.
But... although Bai Han was always polite, even gentle, every time he saw her, that was all there was. It seemed like nothing more.
Seeing this, Bai Xi frowned slightly, hesitated for a second, and then asked, "Do you want me to..."
Tong Yao immediately waved her hand. "Feelings can't be forced."
Meeting someone you like, you can certainly pursue them, but this pursuit is never about one-sidedly throwing yourself at them; it's about showcasing your own beauty.
Normal relationships always rely on mutual attraction, not on self-sacrifice in the hope of receiving gratitude.
Everything in this world can be achieved through effort, except love...
After speaking, her disappointed expression shifted back to one of playful teasing. "Today is about helping you prepare for your wedding. Why are we talking about me? Come on, come on, hurry up and get ready, let's go try on wedding dresses! Don't worry, today I'll make sure you become the most elegant, noble, and beautiful bride, so that your Han Mo can't control himself the moment he sees you, utterly captivated!"
Bai Xi was accustomed to Tong Yao's astonishing remarks. Just hearing her mention Han Mo, she subconsciously glanced at the bedside, where Han Mo had slept the previous night, a warm smile appearing on her face.
The feeling of sleeping embraced was indeed wonderful. Last night... she had slept exceptionally soundly.
Meanwhile, in another room, Bai Han looked at Han Mo, who lay peacefully on the bed, with a solemn and moved expression, frowning slightly.
The person on the bed was cold, his face pale. If not for the faint rise and fall of his chest, one would think that no living person lay there, but merely a cold corpse.