Chapter 2: Warmth

He opened his eyes and saw the pale morning light, pouring in through the small window. His body was still weak, but the dull pain in his head had eased. Sitting up, he flexed his limbs, feeling his strength returning albeit slowly.

The chaotic twin core within my dantian had begun to rotate at a steady pace, already surpassing its power level from yesterday, that’s good!

Su Qingxue was still in the outer room, her pure yin energy weaving through the air like it had last night, but now with a clearer mind, he could feel it more intensely as if she had been right next to him the whole time.

The twin core in his dantian stirred toward it, like a dried-up well sensing long-awaited rain, but then suddenly a memory tried to rise with it.

A woman’s body with soft breasts that looked full enough to spill over a man’s hands, hanging on her chest. Nipples of inviting color even in the haze of memory. A waist that narrowed sharply before flaring into full, rounded hips as if ripe peaches. Perfectly matching her hourglass body.

Between her thighs the faint shadow of her pussy had been visible. It was memory but still it felt smooth and plump, as if made to be touched and licked endlessly. Her skin carried a warm, ripe scent, sweet and slightly musky, that clung to the nose long after she was gone. Just the memory of that smell made his mouth water.

The thought alone sent a heavy pulse through his cock. It thickened hard against the thin fabric of his trousers, the head pushing upward until a thick bead of precum soaked through the cloth and left a dark spot.

Is that a memory from my previous life? I can’t remember properly, but my body reacts this strongly just from remembering the shape of her breasts, and the scent of her skin? And what’s with those .....! No no no Tian leave it for now, haah..

He forced the image down, breathing slowly until the worst of the hardness eased. Whoever she was, she was far beyond this little village, and this weak body was nowhere near ready for something like that beast.

The sliding door opened, revealing Su Qingxue, her black hair tied up in a tighter bun than usual with the same white ribbon.

She walked up to the bed, arms carrying a fresh bowl of medicine and a set of clean clothes. "Tian-ge, you woke up? It’s still early, I mean... it’s still early for you."

"I just couldn’t sleep well," Tian matched her eyes.

"Why? Is something bothering you? You should’ve slept longer, you know your body still needs it. You shouldn’t be reckless." She placed the bowl down before setting the clothes at the foot of his bed.

"I washed them yesterday and... they might be a bit old, but they are clean. Change after drinking the medicine."

Lin Tian picked up the bowl with a reluctant expression. True to its reputation, the medicine was bitter, but he drank it without complaint.

As always, Su Qingxue stood by his side, watching intently, eyes filled with concern. It was the same expression she had worn the day before, as if afraid he would collapse at any moment.

"You stayed here all night again looking after me," he said after a few sips.

Su Qingxue’s cheeks turned a light shade of red.

"Well.... the chair was not that uncomfortable, and someone must ensure you are breathing properly. That’s exactly why I stayed here, I was sleeping too."

"But, I still have my breath even without your supervision." As Lin replied, she answered without wasting a second,

"You almost did not! Three days ago." She crossed her arms, disappointment clear in her features.

"Do not try to reason with me about this. I will stay until you can walk to the village gate without collapsing."

Lin Tian looked up at her over the brim of the bowl. She was serious.

"Alright, you may stay here." Those simple words surprised her for a brief moment and her lips parted in shock before she turned away, fingers fidgeting with the edge of the blanket as if finding something wrong with it.

"Drink the medicine properly," she muttered.

Lin Tian set the bowl aside before picking up the clean set of clothes. Su Qingxue turned away immediately, giving him the privacy he needed. It was a small gesture, but proof that she had done this many times before.

Lin Tian changed in silence. The robe was simple, slightly transparent and the sleeves a bit short, but the cloth smelled nice, clean and fresh.

"Okay, I’m done," he pretended to be very interested in the clothes.

Su Qingxue turned around and gave him a once-over, searching his body for injuries or discomfort.

"You look less like a ghost now, phew.... that’s a relief. Come to the outer room, I prepared some porridge for you."

Lin Tian followed her to the outer room. It was small but well-kept, with a low table at the center and two stools, a cooking stove, and a small window facing the main road leading to the village. Two bowls of porridge sat atop the table, one of which he took as he sat on one of the stools. Then they ate in silence for a while.

They had known each other for so long. Although the memories of this average-Tian are fragmented, he had known Su Qingxue from like childhood.. I shouldn’t call him average, heh my memories are fucked up too.

The porridge smells nice.. It’s thick, but I can tell she had added some pickled vegetables to make it more appetizing.’ Should I compliment her? It will make her happy!

Before he could, Su Qingxue said finally, "Your uncle came this morning while you were still asleep."

Lin Tian paused, his brow furrowing. "What did he want?"

"Nothing particular . He asked if you were dead already." She spoke calmly, but her grip on the small spoon had tightened. "When I told him you were not, it looked like, like he was disappointed."

Lin Tian frowned again. "Then what did he actually want?"

"He said that if you could walk, you should go to the clan head and ask for work. Ohh.. also he said the monthly grain had run out and he did not have the resources to feed another ’useless’ adult."

"And did you tell him to leave?"

"I told him to let you recover first and to come back when you could at least do that." She looked down at her bowl and whispered. "He left, but he will be back like always."

Lin Tian watched her carefully. The twin core in his dantian moved slightly, feeling the shift in her yin energy from frustration and worry.

Putting his spoon down, he said calmly, "You don’t have to stand between me and them always."

She looked up at him, narrowing her eyes a little. "You are always trying to bear everything on your own, that is how you got here in the first place. I will not watch you do it again."

Her words struck deep within him. Although I did not remember much about the past, the memories of this body are now my own, and I could feel the pain and frustration when she was talking about it. I shouldn’t say much.

"Thank you.."

Su Qingxue’s cheeks reddened as she looked at her bowl. "Okay, just eat now. It is getting cold."

Lin Tian smiled before taking another bite. His twin core pulsed twice, as if approving of the closeness of this woman’s yin energy.

After breakfast, Su Qingxue cleaned her bowl while Lin Tian sat by the window testing his strength. He had not finished his meal, deciding to do some exercise and then return to eating. Now he could stand without support and even walk, albeit slowly.

But the moment he tried to take longer strides, his legs threatened to give out. His twin core provided some strength by channeling it through his meridians, but it was not enough for him to move with any real agility or power.

Su Qingxue stood by the window, her back turned to him as she watched the road. "The sect’s outer disciple recruitment is in two months," listening to her , Lin Tian turned to look at her.

"I heard the village head talking about it... It seems they will be taking more disciples from the surrounding villages this time. Tian-ge, are you going to apply?"

"That’s something I don’t know yet."

She clasped her hands together. "My talent is mediocre at best, but if I get in, even as an outer disciple, I can earn enough to..."

"Earn enough to what?" Lin Tian interrupted. "To take care of me?"

"It is not that easy." She looked up at him, her eyes clouded with something he could not understand.

"So that people like your uncle would stop bothering you."

I know what you mean. I am thankful for your help, but I do not need you to sacrifice yourself for me, not anymore.

"Thank you," again he said simply.

Su Qingxue’s cheeks reddened again. "Just finish your porridge before it gets cold."

Lin Tian gave her a small smile before eating his share, his twin core pulsing warm and satisfied.

A month later, when his strength had returned, he would tell her what he had been thinking. But for now, he was content to watch as Su Qingxue turned away from the window, her white ribbon swaying as she walked toward the stove.

Eighteen years old, a little stubborn and beautiful, she is unknowingly bound to me by fate, her yin energy slowly weaving with my yang.

The first dual thread had already formed between us, how can I tell her? No I shouldn’t be reckless, let’s take it slowly because it would only strengthen with time..

With a sigh, Lin Tian leaned his head back, listening to the soft rustling of the nearby leaves as he closed his eyes.

The Azure Cloud Sect’s outer disciple recruitment was in two months. That was enough time for his body to recover and his twin core to strengthen, and it would also give him enough time to understand the connection between him and Su Qingxue.