Chapter 207

She walked along the trunk of a felled tree, her arms outstretched for balance. Pei Ji watched silently from the side, worried she might fall.

“Luan Niang drugged the Jiuzhou Spring Return. If her goal was to find a female cultivator for a sacrificial ritual—”

He answered without hesitation, “Then she must be discussing with her accomplice when to deal with Senior Sister Zheng.”

Ning Ning shot him a startled look, and her foot slipped, sending her tumbling down.

Pei Ji didn’t want her to fall, but unexpectedly, his words became the trigger. Seeing Ning Ning fall in the opposite direction of where he was, Pei Ji didn’t think much and reached out to grab her wrist.

Her wrist was more delicate than he had imagined, so he dared not use too much force. Once Ning Ning stopped falling, he gently pulled her up.

Pei Ji had never been so careful, even when handling a thousand-year-old jade in his previous training.

“Thank you.”

Ning Ning was still shaken by his earlier statement, her heart pounding in her chest. After thanking him, she heard Pei Ji continue in a comforting tone, “Don’t worry too much. Most evil arts require live sacrifices. Since Luan Niang is still discussing with her accomplice, it means Senior Sister Zheng is safe.”

As expected of Pei Ji, even his comforting words are so logical and well-founded that it’s impossible not to be convinced.

She nodded in agreement, but soon realized something was amiss.

Ning Ning had already gotten down from the wooden log, but Pei Ji’s right hand, which had been holding her wrist before… still hadn’t let go.

His hands were not like those of the children of wealthy families, who had been well-maintained and flawless since childhood. Instead, they were covered with calluses and scars. So when he held Ning Ning’s wrist, she felt a slightly rough sensation.

Pei Ji’s body was always cool to the touch, but now his palm felt warm. Surprisingly, she didn’t feel repulsed; instead, she felt a strange nervousness. Her eyes darted around before she mustered the courage to look at him.

Noticing her direct gaze, Pei Ji’s grip softened.

He had never held anyone’s hand before.

Pei Ji used to find this gesture cumbersome and bothersome, disliking any physical contact with others. But with Ning Ning, he couldn’t help but want to get closer and closer.

Keeping his hand on her wrist was, for him, a gamble that took all his courage.

Ning Ning might detest his scarred and calloused hand; she might pull away in disgust; or she might withdraw her left hand after an awkward smile. But perhaps, just maybe, she would accept it after a moment of surprise—

If so, it would make Pei Ji feel that their relationship wasn’t so distant.

He hadn’t felt at ease in a long time. Despite his usual aloofness and gloom, he was deeply insecure and self-loathing.

Pei Ji had no idea what she would do.

His fingers felt like they were burning; he had never been so nervous.

“Um… Pei Ji.”

Her dry voice reached his ears, and he suppressed his inner turmoil, lifting his gaze, his long lashes casting a deep shadow.

She seemed to be on the verge of saying something, finally making a decision, and stopping.

Then she extended her other hand, lowered her head, and placed it on his right hand, gently moving the young man’s pale and slender hand away.

Pei Ji’s heart sank.

A wave of disappointment and helplessness crashed over him, his heart racing yet feeling suspended in his chest. The sudden heat overwhelmed him, causing him to lower his lashes in embarrassment.

“Sorry—”

He hadn’t expected his voice to sound so hoarse, like a rough stone scraping the ground.

But Pei Ji only managed to say one word.

As the word “sorry” rose to his lips, he saw Ning Ning carefully grasping his right hand, clumsily moving it downward.

Her left hand approached, first touching his knuckles, then pressing down with her fingers. Her fingertips, finger pads, and entire palm slowly wrapped around his, covering most of his scarred hand.

Like a warm cotton ball, her hand enveloped his hand gently.

His heart pounded wildly.

Filled with joy, panic, and disbelief, a surge of emotions washed over him like a tidal wave.

Pei Ji’s heart trembled, making it hard to breathe.

Amid the sound of his racing heart, he heard the girl’s soft voice.

Holding his hand, Ning Ning continued walking deeper into the alley, saying seriously, “This is what holding hands means.”

Pei Ji: …

Pei Ji lowered his head, using his hair to hide his flushed ears. “Mm.”