Chapter 891: Is she still angry?

It was already night.

Zhao Tian dashed through the air, letting the cool wind of the Jade Eclipse Star brush past him.

As Jade Eclipse Castle came into view, Zhao Tian slowed his flight and gradually descended toward one of the outer wings.

His astral sense spread quietly through the surroundings, and he immediately noticed her.

Ji Shuang.

She was standing alone at the end of an outer hallway, her figure silhouetted against the open night sky.

She was simply standing there with both hands resting lightly against the stone railing, gazing toward the distant stars.

Her long purple hair moved gently in the night breeze, strands occasionally brushing against her cheeks.

There was something strangely lonely about the sight.

Zhao Tian’s expression softened, and a faint smile appeared on his face as he approached.

He knew she wasn’t angry because she hated him.

She was angry because she loved him.

She was terrified that one day he would disappear into some impossible place while chasing a miracle that might not even exist.

Zhao Tian’s smile faded slightly, and he took a slow breath before finally stepping closer.

Ji Shuang sensed him, and her shoulders stiffened almost imperceptibly.

She didn’t turn around.

For several seconds, neither of them said anything.

The only sound between them was the whisper of the night wind moving through the surrounding trees.

Then Zhao Tian stopped beside her.

He turned his head and looked toward the sky "So... you’re here."

Ji Shuang’s fingers tightened slightly around the stone railing "I could say the same about you."

He leaned against the railing beside her "I didn’t come here to argue."

Ji Shuang hummed under her breath in a thoughtful tone "Then why did you come?"

Zhao Tian was silent for a moment and then he answered honestly.

"Because I missed you."

Her expression shifted ever so slightly.

It wasn’t enough to be called a smile, but the coldness in her eyes softened.

"You saw me this morning."

"I know."

"And you have been surrounded by your wives all day."

"...Yeah."

"Then why miss me already?"

A faint chuckle escaped Zhao Tian’s lips "Because you’re Shuang’er."

The simple answer made her fall silent.

She looked away again, but the corners of her lips had risen slightly.

Zhao Tian watched her quietly and after a moment, he spoke again.

"I’m sorry."

Ji Shuang’s smile disappeared and she lowered her gaze "You don’t have to apologize for wanting to save Jing’er."

"I am aware..."

"Then what are you apologizing for?"

Zhao Tian rested both hands against the railing "For making you afraid... I thought about what you said."

Ji Shuang’s fingers slowly relaxed.

Zhao Tian looked toward the distant mountains "You were right about one thing."

She raised an eyebrow "Only one thing?"

He gave her a faint smile "Come on, now. Don’t push your luck."

For the first time that evening, she let out a quiet laugh.

It was small, almost reluctant, but it was enough to ease the heaviness between them.

Zhao Tian smiled as well "You were right that I can’t keep throwing myself into danger without thinking about what it would do to everyone around me."

Ji Shuang’s eyes softened "You really thought about it?"

"Yeah."

He nodded slowly "I have too many people who are waiting for me to come home."

He looked at her "And you’re one of them."

Ji Shuang’s lips parted slightly, but no words came out.

Zhao Tian turned toward the sky again "I won’t promise that I’ll stop searching for a way to bring Jing’er back."

Her expression immediately became complicated.

"But..." he continued, "I can promise you that I won’t recklessly throw my life away."

Ji Shuang stared at him for several seconds "That’s a very convenient promise. You could still find some dangerous method and tell yourself that you aren’t being reckless."

Zhao Tian scratched his cheek awkwardly "That’s... possible."

She gave him an unimpressed look.

"-_-"

He couldn’t help but laugh "Alright, alright. I’ll discuss it with you first."

"With me?"

"And the others."

Ji Shuang’s gaze softened further, and seeing her eyes, Zhao Tian smiled.

The silence that followed was no longer uncomfortable.

The two simply stood side by side beneath the stars, watching the distant skies in silence.

After several moments, Ji Shuang quietly spoke "Tian."

"Hm?"

"I wasn’t really angry with you. I was scared."

"I’ve watched so many people disappear throughout my life. People who thought they were strong enough to overcome everything and people who believed that if they simply pushed harder, they could defeat fate itself."

She swallowed quietly "And then they were gone."

Zhao Tian’s gaze lowered and Ji Shuang slowly turned toward him.

"I don’t want to watch you become another one of them."

Zhao Tian reached out and gently took her hand.

Ji Shuang didn’t resist as their fingers slowly intertwined.

"I’m still here. And I’ll keep coming back. Don’t worry."

"You’d better."

Zhao Tian smiled "Otherwise, who would prepare my tea?"

Ji Shuang stared at him, then she slowly narrowed her eyes "You came all the way here just to make fun of me, Husband?"

With a chuckle, he replied "No. Although the tea this morning did get cold."

Her expression immediately became irritated "Zhao Tian."

He laughed and gently pulled her closer.

She resisted for perhaps half a second before finally allowing herself to lean against him.

Her head settled against his shoulder while Zhao Tian rested his cheek lightly against the top of her head.

The night wind moved softly around them, carrying the silence of the outer hallway and the distant lights of the castle grounds below.

Then Zhao Tian lifted her chin with two fingers and leaned down, pressing his lips to hers.

Ji Shuang’s hand tightened lightly on the front of his robes.

"Hmngh..." A soft sound escaped her when he tilted his head and kissed her more firmly.

He lowered his mouth to the side of her neck, placing a kiss against the sensitive skin just below her ear.

His lips brushed along the line of her throat while one hand slid to the sash of her night robes.

The soft fabric loosened under his fingers.

Ji Shuang’s body stiffened slightly as the front of her robes began to part.

"...Tian," she murmured. "We’re outside. Anyone could pass by. Let’s go to a room."

Zhao Tian’s only answer was another slow kiss against her neck.

His hands continued their work, drawing the loose night robes open and then slipping them down her shoulders.

The cool night air touched her bare skin as the fabric fell away, leaving her upper body exposed under the starlight.

"I want you here," he said quietly against her skin.

Ji Shuang glanced toward the empty hallway and the quiet grounds below as a faint blush colored her cheeks.

"Someone might-"

Zhao Tian pulled the rest of the robes free.

They slid down her arms and pooled at her feet, leaving her completely naked against the night.

"No one is coming," he murmured. "And even if they did... they won’t see anything."