TheLazyDreamer
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24. Hidden Relationship
🕑 Added 2025-04-10 04:12:54 +0000 UTCDo you still have any doubts left?" he asked, his voice quiet but firm.
"If not… then give me your answer. Will you let me stay by your side?"
She closed her eyes as his hands gently cradled her face. His warmth seeped through her skin, grounding her when everything inside felt fragile.
Her fingers lifted, slightly trembling, and covered his hands. For a long breath, she stayed like that, unmoving, allowing his presence to settle into the long-silent spaces within her heart.
Her lips parted to speak, but no words came. Slowly, her eyes fluttered open, glistening with unshed tears.
She gave a small nod.
"Mm-hmm…"
Her voice was almost a whisper, yet the meaning behind it rang clear and true.
Su Kang's expression melted. A quiet, genuine smile spread across his face, one that lit up his eyes and softened the sharp lines of his features
His hands slid from her cheeks to her shoulders, then gently moved to her waist. His touch was slow, deliberate, as if he didn't want to startle her. When she didn't pull back, he drew her into his embrace with tender care.
Bai Yunxi let out a quiet, shuddering breath as her body leaned into his. Her arms paused in hesitation, then slowly wrapped around his back.
"I want to… stay by your side," she whispered, the words shaky, but each one shedding years of loneliness and fear.
She hadn't been held like this in years. The feeling was foreign. Yet, solid warmth of his chest, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat—it felt comfortable to her.
"I can hardly believe this is real," he murmured, lowering his head to rest his chin atop hers. His arms tightened around her, as if promising to never let go.
"Yunxi… thank you. You have no idea what this means to me."
His words didn't just reach her ears—they pierced deep into her soul. And something inside her stirred in response.
She shifted slightly in his arms, her hands moving gently along his back, tracing the contours through the thin fabric of his robe. Then, without a word, she drew him closer, her grip firmer now.
It was a quiet gesture, but it spoke volumes.
A silent, undeniable confession of her own.
He reached up, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face, his touch lingering.
Su Kang gazed at her, his expression softening. She was beautiful—not in an extravagant way, but like a flower that had endured storms and still stood tall, resilient yet delicate.
Bai Yunxi, too, found herself studying him. Up close, his wheatish skin gave him a mature, almost rugged charm, his unconventional earrings hinting at a rebellious streak. He was handsome, but it was more than that.
Their gazes locked, the world falling away until all that remained was the rhythm of their breathing, and the thrum of their hearts.
She felt his arm pull her in just a bit more, his other hand gently reaching to cradle the back of her head. As she leaned into him, the haze of emotion grew heavier around them.
He leaned closer, and their breaths mingled, soft and warm.
Her breath hitched. Her fingers clutched the back of his robe, trembling.
Her body tensed, caught between anticipation and fear.
It had been over two decades since she let herself be held like this. Since she allowed someone close enough to kiss her.
Her heart couldn't keep up with the flood of feelings, but she didn't want to pull away.
Not at this moment.
Even if her instincts panicked, her heart was telling her to stay.
She waited, eyes shut tight, expecting to feel his lips press against hers.
But instead, she felt warmth on her cheek.
A soft kiss on her cheek. Then another.
Each one light and fleeting, like feathers brushing her skin, until he reached her earlobe.
"Yunxi," his voice whispered, low and comforting, "we have our entire lives ahead of us. I can wait. Don't force yourself."
Her eyes opened slowly, the moment lingering with tenderness and stillness.
Su Kang gently loosened his embrace and stepped back just enough to look at her face.
He smiled at her, gentle and warm.
"I… it's just…" she tried to explain, her voice uneven.
"It's alright." He took her hand and interlaced their fingers. "I've already trapped you. That's enough for me."
She blinked at him, confused, until a soft laugh escaped her lips.
"I'm not running away, you don't have to trap me."
He tilted his head, smiling playfully. "You might… once you see my true face."
"I already saw that face five years ago," she said, her fingers curling tightly around his.
"I was prepared for this from the start."
Her words stirred something deep within him. That smile, filled with gentle love and trust, made his chest ache. A small pang of guilt passed through him, knowing part of his approach had been calculated.
But now, more than ever, he was certain of one thing.
He wanted to protect that smile.
She would be his life partner, and he would make sure she never regretted choosing him.
He led her toward a large, flat rock, its surface cleanly split by a casual flick of his wrist. Now it stood as a makeshift bench, bathed in moonlight.
"Yunxi, sit here," he said, gently guiding her to settle beside him.
She sat down quietly. Su Kang turned toward her, raising a hand to her cheek and caressing it with a touch full of calm assurance.
"Tell me," he said, his voice low but unwavering, "what’s worrying you? Whether it's something big or small, I want to hear everything."
"The Li family, the Bai family... whatever it is. Speak freely."
For a few moments, she studied his face. Her lips parted, then closed again. But as she looked into his eyes, something in her loosened. Slowly, she began to speak.
She told him everything. Her fears about the Bai family’s expectations. Her unease with the Li family’s looming presence.
The heavy responsibilities she had borne alone for so long. Each word came out slowly, as if peeling away layers she had kept buried for years.
Su Kang listened without interrupting, his hand still holding hers. Every word she spoke mattered to him.
When she finally finished, he looked into her eyes with quiet determination.
"I’ll handle them," he said. "The Bai family, the Li family. You can rely on my family's influence. You're not alone anymore."
A flicker of doubt crossed her face. "But is it right to use your family’s power for my problems?"
He didn’t hesitate. "Why not?" he said. "I am the young master of the Su family. And you," he gave her hand a reassuring squeeze,
"you’ll be my wife. Don’t think about whether you deserve help. Just focus on moving forward."
She looked at him for a long moment, her expression soft but unreadable. Then her voice dropped slightly, thoughtful and hesitant.
"There’s something I’ve been thinking about."
He shifted, his tone gentle but alert. "What is it?"
"I want to keep our relationship a secret. At least for now."
His expression changed for the briefest second. A secret made things harder. If no one knew, especially Li Fang, influencing him and guiding his fate would become more difficult.
"What do you plan to do?" he asked, keeping his tone even. His gaze, though calm, watched her carefully.
"Li Fang can’t know. I don’t want people to talk. I don’t want him to be affected before he’s ready."
Her fingers tightened slightly, a subtle sign of her anxiety. She lowered her gaze, and though her voice had fallen silent, Su Kang could feel the unease in her touch.
She was worried.
He exhaled softly and made himself relax. He couldn’t afford to rush her, not now. He needed to understand her fears first, not push past them.
There was no room for impatience.
He liked her—more than he had ever expected. And no matter how long it took, no matter what path lay ahead, Bai Yunxi would be his woman.
