Chapter 15
Song Ling hurried into the main hall, where Magistrate Wang was still conversing with several soldiers. She joined them at the table.
“Magistrate Wang, you wished to see me?”
“Doctor Song, how is Miss Li’s condition?”
“She is out of danger. Thank you for your concern.”
“That’s good to hear. I was just discussing the details of tonight’s events with them. Thanks to your and Miss Li’s assistance, we managed to eliminate two of those monsters. Unfortunately, the others escaped. Do you have any insights into why those individuals suddenly became so ferocious?”
“I do know the reason, but please forgive me for not being able to disclose it. I promised Minister Chen that I wouldn’t reveal this matter. Magistrate Wang, if you trust me, I suggest instructing all the villagers to hang garlic outside their homes. This will temporarily protect them from those afflicted individuals.”
“Doctor Song, although I don’t understand why, after tonight’s events, I believe you are truly dedicated to helping the villagers. I will inform them about the garlic tomorrow morning.”
“Thank you for your trust, Magistrate Wang. It’s getting late. I would like to retire for the night.”
“Of course, Doctor Song.”
Song Ling left the main hall and returned to her room in the west wing. She found Brother Wu asleep at the table outside her door. Everyone was exhausted from the night’s events. She gently woke him up and urged him to get some rest.
“Brother Wu, everyone is tired. Go get some sleep.”
“Doctor Song, I’ll take my leave then. You should rest as well.”
“Yes.”
Song Ling entered her room and closed the door behind her. She saw Li Xinjun sleeping soundly on the bed. She bolted the door and sat down beside Li Xinjun, gazing at her peaceful face, slightly creased in a frown. Li Xinjun was growing up, and the last vestiges of childhood innocence were fading, replaced by a budding femininity.
Li Xinjun had always been handsome, with delicate features, but her sword-like eyebrows gave her a hint of boyish charm. As Song Ling watched her sleep, she recalled the events of the night. Seeing Li Xinjun’s neck in the jiangshi’s grasp, she had been terrified that Li Xinjun would die. The thought of a life without Li Xinjun filled her with dread.
In that moment, she understood her feelings for Li Xinjun. She wanted to be with her forever, to travel the world hand in hand, to share delicious food and exciting adventures. Now, seeing Li Xinjun lying in bed, covered in wounds, Song Ling’s heart ached. Unable to resist, she leaned down and kissed Li Xinjun’s lips.
The kiss ignited a new sensation within Song Ling. She was no longer satisfied with a simple touch of lips. She craved more intimacy, but lacking experience, she didn’t know how to fulfill this yearning.
Following her instincts, she parted her lips and began to suck on Li Xinjun’s lower lip. Lost in the pleasure of this intimate contact, she forgot that her actions might wake Li Xinjun. She tentatively explored Li Xinjun’s mouth with her tongue, seeking more.
Li Xinjun, though not fully awake, was roused by Song Ling’s actions. She felt someone nibbling on her lips and was about to resist, but recognizing Song Ling’s scent, she surrendered, allowing Song Ling to explore her mouth. She didn’t understand why Song Ling was doing this, but she didn’t dislike it.
Weakened from blood loss, Li Xinjun’s mind was hazy, but her body responded instinctively. Song Ling’s touch ignited a fire within her. She returned Song Ling’s kiss, parting her lips and granting Song Ling access to her mouth. She tentatively sucked on Song Ling’s lower lip. Emboldened, Song Ling deepened the kiss, her hands exploring Li Xinjun’s body. The temperature in the room rose with their passion.
Li Xinjun wrapped her right arm around Song Ling’s neck and placed her left hand on Song Ling’s waist. Song Ling felt like the world had shrunk to just the two of them. She didn’t know what to do next, only that she wanted more. She wanted to consume Li Xinjun, to possess her completely. Lost in desire, Song Ling accidentally brushed against a wound on Li Xinjun’s waist. Li Xinjun gasped in pain.
“Hiss!”
The sound jolted Song Ling back to reality. She pulled away, looking at Li Xinjun, who was now awake, and realized what she had done. Seeing the sweat on Li Xinjun’s forehead, Song Ling knew she had hurt her. Regret filled her heart. She stood up to fetch a cloth to wipe Li Xinjun’s brow, but Li Xinjun grabbed her hand.
“Don’t go…”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have… I’m sorry.”
“I’m not angry. I liked it. Don’t go, okay?”
“Jun’er, I…”
“Sister Ling, I don’t know why you keep apologizing, but I’m really not angry. I liked everything you did, including the kiss.”
“Jun’er, do you know what you’re saying? Do you understand what it means?”
“I don’t know. I just know that I like you a lot. I can feel you pulling away, and I don’t want you to leave. I want to tell you that I liked it too.”
“Jun’er…”
“Sister Ling, I’m not stupid. I know this is something only married couples do. I saw my parents do it. My mother said it’s something you only do with your husband. But I don’t want to marry anyone else. I want to be with you forever. If I have to leave you after getting married, I’ll never marry. I just want to be with you for the rest of my life.”
“Jun’er, you’re still young. I don’t want to influence your decisions. I don’t want you to regret this later. Do you understand?”
Li Xinjun, ignoring the pain, sat up and took Song Ling’s hands in hers. She looked into Song Ling’s eyes and leaned in, kissing her lips. Song Ling, caught off guard, couldn’t dodge in time. Li Xinjun, mimicking Song Ling’s earlier actions, gently nibbled on her lower lip and then explored her mouth with her tongue, seeking Song Ling’s tongue in a dance of passion.
Song Ling was surprised by Li Xinjun’s boldness. Her body stiffened at first, but Li Xinjun’s sincerity melted her resistance. She surrendered to the kiss, lost in the sensations that Li Xinjun evoked. She slowly responded, deepening the kiss. Li Xinjun, overjoyed, continued to embrace her, their bodies entwined. After a while, Li Xinjun broke the kiss. She cupped Song Ling’s face in her hands and gazed into her eyes.
“Sister Ling, I like you. I know you like me too, right?”
Song Ling wanted to tell Li Xinjun how much she loved her, but the words caught in her throat. She tried to speak, but no sound came out. She struggled to force the words out, but despite her efforts, her voice remained trapped. Li Xinjun looked at her, her expression shifting from anticipation to disappointment, then to a sad aversion of her gaze.
Song Ling didn’t understand what was happening. She didn’t want Li Xinjun to be unhappy or to misunderstand her feelings. She struggled harder, wanting to embrace Li Xinjun, to express her desire to spend her life with her, to confess her love.
“Sister Ling, Sister Ling…”
Li Xinjun’s voice reached her ears. Song Ling was disoriented. She looked at Li Xinjun, but the voice in her ears felt so real.
“Sister Ling, wake up! Sister Ling!”
Suddenly, Song Ling was jolted awake. She realized that she had fallen asleep on top of Li Xinjun. Li Xinjun, feeling the weight of Song Ling’s body, hadn’t wanted to wake her. However, Song Ling kept shifting, her head rubbing against Li Xinjun’s injured neck. Unable to bear the pain, Li Xinjun gently nudged Song Ling awake.
Leave a Reply