Mo Xuetong blinked. She did not know where she was for a moment and was dazed.
Feng Yuran smiled brilliantly when he saw her dazed look. He reached out and said, “Don’t you recognize me? It is the night before New Year’s Eve tonight. How can you sleep so early? I am bored. Get up and keep me company.”
He stretched out his hands roughishly in front of her. He could see the shiny traces of tears in the corners of her eyes and he felt a stab of pain in his heart for some reason. That felt extremely uncomfortable!
Mo Xuetong had not yet gathered her wits and she released her clenched fists subconsciously. She reached out, revealing her snow-white skin which shone under the snowy moonlight outside. Her skin was so bright she looked as if she was glowing. Feng Yuran’s eyes landed on her hands and his heart clenched. He had wanted to pull her hands forcefully. But his hands relaxed and fell gently.
He held her hands. They were so soft as if there were no bones in them. Yet, there were cold and sweaty! Her hands were sweaty on such a cold day. He thought back to how he had seen her lying down quietly earlier while biting her lips, looking as if she was in pain. It was evident that the cold sweat was because she had a nightmare earlier. The incident that happened in the Mo Manor in the day had already been reported to him. He could not help but furrow his handsome brows and the roguish smile on his lips froze.
His face, which was hidden from the light was no longer wilful and lazy. Instead, it was cold and blood-thirsty, like a hunting leopard!
“Are you going to pull me up or not?” Mo Xuetong had regained her wits then. She looked at Feng Yuran with clear eyes that shone in the moonlight like pools of water. Even though she felt that it was rather inappropriate for him to pull her but, but she thought of how he had never been the appropriate sort anyway. Furthermore, she was very tired today and did not want to be a person who followed the rules. She felt that the rules of the world were like heavy chains placed upon her. They were so heavy that she could not breathe.
So, what if she just released all inhibitions for once! She did not have to care too much tonight. The dark clouds in her heart were so heavy that she could not breathe…
He looked at how Mo Xuetong did not look at him like she usually did, glaring at him warily, covering herself with spikes. She was not pretending to be gentle and obedient as she usually did outside. The moon shone on her beautiful face. The light silvery-white light shone on her innocent and young jade-like face that seemed to belong to a fairy. She looked at him intently with her clear eyes that were hidden under her long lashes. Yet today, there was an additional hint of exhaustion and loneliness in her eyes.
A girl like her who belonged to such a family had to be vigilant against others at all times. She must be tired!
She was not bickering with him as usual. He felt as if something had collided viciously with his heart. It hurt. It was soft and felt a little sweet. The thought of teasing her little had long dissipated, leaving behind tenderness and calmness. Holding her slender hands under the moon as they sat down quietly could make his heart calm down.
“Why aren’t you pulling me up?” Mo Xuetong felt weak all over. She really did not want to get up herself. She tugged on the hand that was holding hers tightly, not understanding what was wrong with him today. No matter what, she did not have the energy to deal with the handsome King Xuan today. She was just going to let him do what he wanted and she would wallow in self-pity.
Feng Yuran turned his face away somewhat flusteredly. He pulled her up and felt that his face was burning slightly. He did not know why, but he felt that the moon tonight was especially charming. The snowy scene outside today was especially beautiful today as well. Even the darkness in the room was filled with warmth…
Just as his mind ran wild, he heard Mo Xuetong’s sweet voice. “Why have you come to look for me so late at night? Don’t you need to sleep?”
“You won’t sleep so early will you? Look at the skies outside. It’s still early!” Feng Yuran pointed outside, making things up without batting an eyelid. He glanced at Mo Xuetong as he spoke, his voice was filled with a gentleness that not even he could detect.
It was still early? What kind of look was he giving her? Mo Xuetong sat up straight and looked out of the window. Then, she plucked up her eyebrows and asked tiredly, “Do you think it is still daytime?”
“Of course, why don’t I take you out to take a look. It is definitely very bright.” Feng Yuran stood up and patted his chest, lifting up his brows, looking very sure of himself.
“I don’t want to go out.” Mo Xuetong was indeed rather tired. She leaned against her side and looked down as she spoke. She looked rather dejected.
“It is not only bright outside, but there is also plenty of good food and things to play. I heard that there will be fireworks later too…The fireworks are really pretty and will look even more beautiful than before. Do you still not want to go out?” Feng Yuran continued to tempt her. He felt rather uncomfortable seeing how upset and exhausted she was. He felt that a sweet and unworried smile suited her more!
There would be fireworks? When was the last time she had seen fireworks? That had to be many years ago. Her mother was not too seriously ill then and her father doted very much on her mother. That year, the three of them had gone to watch the fireworks together. Her mother had leaned against her father as they sat together and she had watched the sky light up with fireworks. She had jumped around excitedly…
There was a hint of bitterness on her lips.
“So? Do you not want to go?” Feng Yuran asked, his eyebrows plucking up as he saw that Mo Xuetong had not spoken after a long while. He could not see her face clearly in the darkness, but he could sense her despondence.
“Go. I want to go. Your Highness King Xuan came to invite me personally, who can I not go to see the especially pretty fireworks. But I don’t know how King Xuan is going to take me there?” Mo Xuetong’s eyes darkened as she teased him tiredly while biting her lips.
“If I want to take someone out, I can!” A pleasant smile appeared on Feng Yuran’s face. His voice was charming and lazy. He reached out and hugged Mo Xuetong’s slender waist before she could even issue a startled yell and the two jumped out of the window.
Mo Feng, who was standing guard on the tree outside the window watched his former and current masters lazily. Then, he shut his eyes. He rarely had the time to rest since he started working for Third Miss Mo. He had not expected that he would get time to rest on the night before New Year’s Eve. It seemed that he had to get his master to take Third Miss Mo out more often. There were many secret guards by his master’s side and they would not miss him. That would benefit him more.
They crossed the high wall in a flash and houses lit with lights passed them quickly. Mo Xuetong did not think that he would just act and did not have time to scream. She held on to his coat tightly, subconsciously. The northwestern winds whistled past her ears. No matter how tired she felt, being brought out to the bitter cold from a warm room had revitalized her. This was especially when she in such an odd situation right now.
She grumbled to herself. She had long known that Feng Yuran was an impulsive person. But how could he be so impulsive? He had not said another word and had just taken her from her room. Those in the know would think that he was anxious to take her to see the fireworks. But those who did not know would really think that he could not sleep at night and wanted to steal virtuous girls from their rooms!
The path in front of them was bright. Cold air blew through her collar and down her neck. She was annoyed and wanted him to slow down. However, she had only just opened her mouth when a gust of wind entered her mouth and she could not speak. She could only close her mouth tightly.
She might as well close her mouth and shut her eyes and go with him! She did not intend to abide by any rules at all today!
It’s not like he would do anything to her!
Anyway…
She could sense that while he was running very fast, his hands were protecting her neck, blocking off most of the wind! This person was not entirely useless. She had not expected him to be so considerate and she felt assured for some reason.
Moments later, she heard his voice.
“Alright, we are here! Look, isn’t this place beautiful?”
Mo Xuetong was stunned and she looked up, meeting a pair of handsome eyes which were smiling at her. Those eyes shone like the moon. His thin lips were vermilion red and were curved up slightly. He was in a good mood. His voice was a little lazy, and she could hear traces of tenderness in it. He stood in front of her, pointing before him, his face filled with a charming smile.
She did not know why, but he looked like a child seeking for praise. The handsome and devilishly charming prince seemed childish and adorable for some reason. Mo Xuetong’s lips could not help but twitch up in a smile. She turned around hurriedly, not letting him see her. The petty prince was someone who loved to bear grudges.
She looked at where he was pointing and realized that she was standing on a spot several feet higher than where one usually stood. She did not know what roof she was standing on, but from where she stood, she could see homes that were lit up far off in the distance. It was the night before New Year’s Eve and the place was bustling with life. She would occasionally hear the sounds of joyous laughter coming from the streets. It was a happy night before New Year’s Eve.
She could see the occasional sparks of fireworks launching into the sky beautifully.
Feng Yuran released her hand and laid on the sloping roof. He was just about to speak when he suddenly heard a soft startled yell accompanied by the sound of falling tiles.
“What’s the matter?” Feng Yuran only recalled then that Mo Xuetong was still standing up. He thought that she had fallen off the roof and sat up in shock. He had only just sat up when someone hugged his shoulders tightly.
“Why is this roof so slippery. How am I going to stand on it!” Mo Xuetong pursed her lips unhappily. She did not care what she was holding as she clutched on to Feng Yuran’s shoulders tightly. She could feel her legs trembling and she could not even move a single step. Her attention had been caught by the joyous laughter on the streets below and had taken a step forward subconsciously. She felt her foot slipping and she lost her balance, almost falling off the roof.
She could not be bothered with anything else as she held on to Feng Yuran’s shoulders tightly. She was almost lying on him, not daring to take another look below.
He could feel the girl behind him pressing against his back tightly. A calming scent swirled below his nose. It seemed like the refreshing scent of plum blossoms and also the distant fragrance of orchids. It was different from any other scent he had ever smelled, but it stirred his heart more than any other scent. His heart itched and his heartbeat sped up.
He scooped up her slender waist subconsciously and patted the back of her hand softly as he comforted her in gentle tones. “Don’t be afraid. It’s alright. Take my hand, slowly. That’s right. Like that, and sit up slowly.”
He held her slender waist in one hand and her soft hand in the other as he carefully pulled her down to sit next to him.
Feng Yuran only realized how cold it was when he felt her shivering and the coldness of her hands. His heart softened and he reached out to remove his coat, placing it on her. Then, he helped her to tie it around herself attentively, wrapping her up. He said gently, “It’s my fault. I was warm and didn’t realize you were cold. Wear this and lean against me and you will be warm.”
He looked at her soft body as she leaned against him obediently. Her eyes were wide open, like pools of water, as she looked at him shyly, filled with a gentleness that he usually did not see in them.
She had not noticed that Feng Yuran was holding her hands because of her nervousness. She shivered as she found a suitable spot and then leaned against him tightly. The steep roof was very scary to Mo Xuetong. Even though she felt that Feng Yuran would not do anything untoward to her, she still felt fearful.
She had never stood in such a high spot before. And after the initial confusion and her slip, she did not dare to move around again. She allowed Feng Yuran to hold her hand tightly and she did not even notice when he wrapped his other hand around her waist tightly. Half her body was lying in his embrace right now.
“Are you still cold?” Feng Yuran asked softly when he felt the person in his embrace trembling slightly.
“It, it’s…alright!” Mo Xuetong finally warmed up. She was leaning against another person and she could still sense the heat that he was emanating through her clothes. She could not help but relax against the warmth. Not only could she feel the warmth from the clothes, but even her hands were also warm. The strongest heat was in her hands.
Her icy cold hands gradually warmed up and the large coat wrapped around her returned warmth to her cold body. She felt comfortable and she closed her eyes slightly. She looked up into the distance, not daring to look down. She never knew that she was afraid of heights and had been frightened so much she trembled earlier. She felt as if she would fall off the roof immediately earlier and everything around her blurred.
