Chapter 13: Truly a Teasing Little Sprite

Xu Feng shook his head, casting aside those untimely thoughts. What mattered most now was how to survive—and thrive—in this chaotic era.

As night deepened, the mountain village grew exceptionally quiet, broken only by the occasional bark of a dog or the chirping of insects. Inside the house, a dim kerosene lamp flickered gently, its small flame casting shadows of the two figures within.

After dinner, Lin Xue took the initiative to tidy up the dishes. Xu Feng still gave the worn wooden bed to Lin Xue, choosing instead to gather some dry grass to lay in a corner, preparing to sleep in his clothes on the floor.

Watching Xu Feng’s actions, Lin Xue felt a pang of guilt. She spoke softly, her voice strikingly clear in the still night, “Xu Feng, you... you’ll be cold sleeping on the floor.”

Without turning, Xu Feng replied calmly, “It’s nothing, I’m used to it.” Having endured countless hardships on the battlefield, this was nothing by comparison.

Lin Xue bit her lip, hesitating briefly before speaking again, “This room only has one bed; you can’t keep sleeping on the floor forever. We still have a long road ahead.”

Her voice lowered, tinged with a subtle shyness, “Besides... I’m a doctor. I’ve seen all kinds of things. A man and a woman... as long as nothing inappropriate happens, it really shouldn’t matter.”

Xu Feng paused mid-motion, then turned to look at Lin Xue. The dim light traced the delicate contours of her face, her bright eyes shining vividly in the darkness.

“I’m a traditional man from Longguo,” he said evenly, betraying no emotion. “I understand the principle of keeping distance between men and women.”

Hearing this, a flicker of disappointment crossed Lin Xue’s face. Yet, as if making a firm decision, she lifted the thin quilt, climbed down from the bed, and lay down beside Xu Feng on the grass.

Startled, Xu Feng sat up abruptly. “What are you doing?”

The night was chilly. Though the grass could block some of the cold from the ground, it could never match the warmth of the bed.

After lying down, Lin Xue instinctively nestled closer to Xu Feng, as if seeking warmth. A faint scent of soapberry mingled with her natural feminine fragrance, subtly invading his senses.

“Xu Feng, don’t misunderstand,” Lin Xue’s voice tightened but remained resolute. “I just feel that after your hard work all day, it’s unfair for you to sleep on the floor at night. And... I’m already your wife in name, aren’t I?”

She turned her head slightly, her eyes sparkling faintly in the dim light. “Whatever you want to do to me, it’s fine.”

Her words struck like thunder in Xu Feng’s mind. He jolted, nearly leaping off the grass.

This woman was audacious! Was she trying to tempt him into wrongdoing?

“Lin Xue!” Xu Feng’s voice rose with a hint of anger. “Stop this nonsense! Get back on the bed right now!”

“I won’t!” Lin Xue was stubborn. She didn’t move but instead gently wrapped her arms around Xu Feng’s, pressing her cheek against his arm.

Her touch was light, tentative, like a frightened creature seeking shelter.

Xu Feng felt his arm stiffen instantly. A strange sensation spread from their point of contact throughout his body.

He could distinctly feel the softness and warmth of her body, and her steady breathing tinged with slight nervousness.

“If you don’t let go, I won’t be so polite!” Xu Feng gritted his teeth, forcing out the words.

He admitted he was a little flustered. As a normal man in the prime of youth, having a beautiful woman cling to him like this was bound to stir something.

“Unless...” Lin Xue’s voice carried a mischievous smile beside his arm, “unless you agree to sleep on the bed with me, I’ll hold on.”

Xu Feng couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. What was this? Being blackmailed by a woman?

He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.

Northeast winters were no joke. Though it wasn’t the coldest time yet, sleeping on the floor at night was no long-term solution.

His body bore many old wounds; it couldn’t endure such hardship.

“Alright, I’m scared of you,” Xu Feng sighed helplessly. “I’ll sleep on the bed, but you get up quickly.”

Hearing this, Lin Xue smiled triumphantly, releasing his arm and nimbly climbing onto the bed.

Xu Feng looked at her sly, fox-like expression, both amused and irritated.

He shook his head, tidied up the hay on the floor, then stood and approached the bed.

The bed was small; sharing it was indeed cramped.

Xu Feng tried to lean toward the edge, keeping some distance between himself and Lin Xue.

Even so, he could still smell her faint, fresh scent and feel her warmth.

“Xu Feng,” Lin Xue’s voice came again, soft and barely perceptible with a touch of tenderness, “thank you.”

“For what?” Xu Feng closed his eyes, his voice muffled.

“Thank you... for not treating me like a true enemy,” Lin Xue whispered. “And thank you for taking me in.”

Xu Feng remained silent. The room fell into quiet once more, broken only by their light breathing.

After a while, Xu Feng suddenly spoke. “Lin Xue.”

“Hmm?”

“You’re right. It’s getting colder. Sleeping on the floor isn’t practical. In a couple of days, I’ll find a way to get some money and build a kang stove in here. In the Northeast, you can’t live through winter without a kang.”

Lin Xue felt warmth spread through her heart. Though this man sometimes seemed cold and aloof, his heart was not cruel.

She gave a gentle hum of agreement, a small smile curving her lips.

That night, Xu Feng’s sleep was restless.

The woman beside him was like a warm flame, constantly stirring his nerves.

He forced himself not to think of the tangled feelings and instead began plotting how to quickly raise money.

Hunting was an option, but it was slow and risky.

He would have to find another way.

The entire night passed in silence—or rather, Xu Feng battled with himself throughout.

Lying next to such a warm, fragrant presence yet unable to act on his feelings was more agonizing than those three days and nights he once spent hidden in the snow.

Fortunately, dawn finally came.

When Xu Feng opened his eyes, Lin Xue was already awake, her clear eyes studying him with a mixture of curiosity, scrutiny, and a faint trace of comfort.

“Good morning,” Xu Feng’s voice was hoarse as he sat up, stretching his stiff neck.

Lin Xue also sat up, tidying her slightly disheveled hair, and softly said, “Good morning, Xu Feng.”

Her words suddenly reminded Xu Feng that she was no longer pretending.

[Alert! Favorability change: Lin Xue, current favorability: 20 (Breaking the Ice)]

[Alert! Lin Xue’s favorability has reached 20 points (Breaking the Ice). The host has earned a lottery chance. Would you like to draw now?]

The system’s successive prompts invigorated Xu Feng’s spirit.