Bai Xi felt an icy chill permeate her entire body, a bone-deep cold accompanied by piercing pain. She tried to struggle, but found herself utterly immobilized, unable to move even a finger. It was as if she were submerged in icy mud, sinking deeper with every attempt to free herself.
Just then, a warmth flowed into her heart, slowly spreading to her limbs. This sensation felt… familiar.
Countless times on her path within the dark arts, such warmth had enveloped her, bringing comfort.
"Xi'er..."
A deep, gentle voice echoed in her ears, prompting Bai Xi to open her eyes. The first thing she saw was Han Mo's sharply defined face. The light in her eyes softened considerably. "Amo... where is this?"
Her professional instincts kicked in, and upon waking, she immediately surveyed her surroundings. Everything appeared somewhat unfamiliar.
Han Mo replied, "This is my dormitory."
Bai Xi’s mind cleared.
Yes, they were currently at Black Gold Academy, searching for the troublesome Kui Hall. Han Mo was a teacher, and she was a student. Teachers were entitled to their own apartments, so this must be one of the school-provided residences for faculty.
She reached up to press her temple. Although the stabbing pain that had spanned from her temples to her entire head was gone, the memory of it was still vivid. "What happened to my body?"
She vaguely recalled receiving a call from Wei Changhe, and immediately after, her head had erupted in intense pain. Could she have… contracted some incurable disease?
Han Mo’s gaze turned exceptionally tender. "After you fainted, I checked your pulse. There are no physical problems with your body. It's possible that worrying about the Kui Hall recently and overthinking things led to your sudden collapse."
Bai Xi frowned. "Is that so?"
Previously, during her missions, every moment, every second, had been critical. A slight misstep could mean the end of her life, yet she had never experienced anything like this. As for the Kui Hall, she admitted to some concern, but it wasn't to the point of excessive worry. Could these factors truly cause her to faint?
It felt wrong, no matter how she thought about it.
Han Mo smiled. "Xi'er, you don't need to worry. Your body is very healthy, there are no issues. Didn't you just have a physical examination at the hospital? If you don't trust me, don't you trust the medical equipment?"
Bai Xi raised an eyebrow. "Rather than medical equipment, I trust you more."
Compared to the cold, impersonal medical devices, she placed far more faith in Han Mo's medical skills. Those devices hadn't healed her brother, nor saved her mother, yet Han Mo had.
Therefore, in her heart, his medical prowess was beyond comparison to any cold, singular machine. Even if the machines found nothing, if she truly had a problem, he would undoubtedly see it.
Since he said she was fine, then she was likely fine. Perhaps she had been too relaxed lately, and the sudden switch to high alert had caused her to faint today.
Han Mo chuckled. "Is that so? That is my honor."
Bai Xi looked up at Han Mo, her brow furrowed slightly. "Amo, why is your complexion so pale?"
Han Mo naturally had a fair complexion, but now, he appeared almost unnaturally white, his lips, usually tinged with color, now looked rather pale.
Hearing Bai Xi's words, Han Mo subtly shifted his wrist.
On his wrist was a crescent-shaped scar, a mark left from recently using his own blood to nourish the blood jade bracelet, which in turn had been warming her body.
Xi'er's fainting today was a direct result of this.
In the past, he only needed to supply the blood jade bracelet once every two months. If the amount of blood absorbed was substantial, it could last for three months.
However, that period had now shortened from thirty days last time to nineteen days today, almost halving. And the amount of blood the bracelet absorbed each time had also significantly increased.
When did this begin?
Was it before the incident at the KTV? Or after she fell into the bathtub at Tong Yao's birthday banquet?
What had gone wrong? Was it the method of rebirth itself? Or had he made a mistake somewhere, leading to this situation?
He had believed that by defying fate, his self-healing capabilities were hundreds of times stronger than ordinary people, and losing this blood would not significantly affect him; he wouldn't die, after all. For Xi'er, he was willing to bleed himself dry, to become a dried husk, and it wouldn't matter.
But what he feared was Xi'er fainting inexplicably like this again, and when all the blood in his body was insufficient to awaken her, what would he do?
Before she woke up, he had experienced an unprecedented fear. He could not lose her. Therefore, he absolutely had to find a solution to this problem; he had to find it!
Countless thoughts had run through his mind before Bai Xi awoke. Now, as Han Mo looked at Bai Xi, his gaze was filled with endless tenderness. He smiled, "It's all because you scared me. When you suddenly fainted, I was truly frightened."
He spoke with sincerity, an ineffable emotion stirring in his eyes, which warmed Bai Xi's heart. Yet, those eyes always seemed to conceal something.
Whatever they concealed was not important to her. What mattered was… their mutual affection. "I'm sorry for making you worry."
Hearing Bai Xi's words, Han Mo's pupils flickered slightly. The next moment, he pulled her into a tight embrace. "Xi'er, I will protect you well, ensure your life is peaceful and joyful, and I will spare no effort, even my life."
Feeling the strength in Han Mo's arms, Bai Xi's lips curved upwards as she leaned her head on his shoulder. "Amo, when you say things like that, it makes me think I have an incurable disease."
Han Mo released his hold, his brow furrowed. "What nonsense are you spouting?"
Bai Xi raised an eyebrow. "You were the one who said scary things first."
Han Mo seemed about to say something more, but eventually, with a sigh of无奈 and doting affection, he smiled. "Yes, it was my fault. My emotional intelligence is low, and I can't speak properly. I hope Xi'er will forgive me."
Bai Xi looked into Han Mo's light-colored eyes, which held a gentle, doting affection. He was aloof with others, yet always tender towards her. Now, he was apologizing for her jest. This man was truly adorable. With that thought, Bai Xi couldn't help but lean forward and kiss his cheek.
All along, she had wanted to become stronger, to be a pillar of support for everyone. She had strived for this very purpose.
Yet, for some reason, in Han Mo's presence, she felt she didn't need to be so strong; it was as if they could rely on each other.
This feeling was wonderful.
The sudden kiss made Han Mo's light-colored eyes deepen slightly. "Xi'er..."
Bai Xi smiled. "Yes, I'm here."
Han Mo no longer hesitated. He took a red velvet box from his inner pocket. Upon opening it, a ruby ring was revealed.
It was a ruby of rather unique design, resembling the wings of a butterfly in mid-flight. Its vibrant red hue, illuminated by the light, was dazzling. Beneath the wings were glistening diamonds, pure and translucent. The diamonds formed a flower, with the butterfly landing upon it, sparkling brilliantly, exquisite and beautiful.
"Xi'er, will you marry me?"
He desired her promise, to become his lifelong companion, and could not bear to wait another moment.