In the end, Xi Yao didn't escape the demonic palace that day.
From dawn till dusk, she bristled like an angry cat as the Demon God force-fed her, draped robes over her shoulders, and sat her down to recount tales from ten thousand years ago.
Qi Yan seemed endlessly patient, narrating each memory in detail even though she remembered none of it.
"You're saying I used to cook soup for you every day?"
"Mn."
"I call bullsh*t." She rolled her eyes. "I'm not just socially inept—I'm also a terrible cook. Last time I brewed medicine for myself, I nearly poisoned myself to death."
"Then you truly are sick."
"Thanks for the diagnosis!"
Qi Yan laughed and ruffled her hair. The moment his palm warmed her, the divine mark flickered again.
"Burning up again?"
"Say 'burning' one more time, and I'll bite you!"
"Then let's try another way to cool you down."
"You're thinking of kissing again?!"
"A hug." Qi Yan's expression turned unexpectedly solemn. "No kissing. Just a hug."
Xi Yao eyed him suspiciously. "You're really not going to kiss me?"
"If you say no, then I won't."Qi Yan said. "But if you take the initiative, I won't hold back."
"I will never take the initiative!"
"Then let's wait and see."
---
Night fell, and the red candles were lit once more.
Xi Yao remained by the window, her face gloomy.
"This divine mark is too much—it burns every time you get close… What exactly did you do to me?"
Qi Yan leaned against the bed, a smirk playing on his lips. "It's what you did to me."
"Then can't you let me remove it myself?"
"Remove it, and you'll die."
"…Fine. I'll endure it."
Qi Yan stood. "Sleeping here again tonight?"
"Do I have a choice?"
"Of course not."
"Then why even ask?!"
"To ask if you'd be willing to come closer to me."
"Of course I wo—"
Before she could finish, the divine mark flared, her legs gave out, and she collapsed into his arms.
"…Did you pull some trick again?"
"No." Qi Yan said innocently. "It's just that your body… misses me more and more."
"Lies!"
"It's a shame you don't remember. Otherwise, you'd know this isn't the first time it's happened."
Xi Yao rolled her eyes so hard it hurt. "Can you stop making every single sentence sound so suggestive?! I'm socially awkward!"
But Qi Yan only lowered his gaze, chuckling softly. "Then let's test whether you fear me… or don't fear me enough."
"You're insane."
"You're right, my wife. This lord is insane—
—only for you."