Chapter 168: Lace

Ji Jiangci lifted Ye Xi'an onto the bed but didn't do anything right away; he simply lay quietly beside her, his eyes narrowed as he looked at Ye Xi'an.

In the lamp light, her violet pupils seemed veiled with a watery sheen, and her cheeks, fresh from a bath, glowed with a cute pink.

Ji Jiangci's heart beat a little fast; he took a deep breath, gathering his words.

Does Ye Xi'an know that their intimacy will restore his vitality? If he said it directly to Ye Xi'an, would it seem like he's using her?

She certainly would, so he absolutely cannot bring it up first.

For a moment, the atmosphere fell into silence.

Lying there, Ye Xi'an also didn't know what to say; she couldn't just tell Ji Jiangci, "You, blur me, and that'll make you young again, right?"

"Wife, what type of clothes do you like me to wear?" Ji Jiangci was the first to break the quiet atmosphere.

Ye Xi'an immediately replied, barely thinking: "Lace, then!"

After speaking, she realized she had misspoken, slapped her head in frustration and explained, "No, don't misunderstand, I was just kidding." She had watched too many borderline male streamers on Diqiu, so she said 'lace' subconsciously.

Ji Jiangci was also startled by Ye Xi'an's words, but such unconscious remarks best reveal a person's inner thoughts.

He can no longer be as passive and insecure as before; for her and for himself, he must take the initiative. On Zhu Shen Xing, lace is just an ordinary item among males.

Ji Jiangci said nothing, silently walked to the wardrobe, opened the door, and inside hung mostly the clothes he usually wore.

He hesitated briefly, then took out a finely crafted white lace nightgown; curled up, he could even hold it entirely in his palm.

Ji Jiangci swallowed, recalling that he had seen this lace nightdress at a mall last time; he had secretly taken the style mixed among the clothes. He really liked its design, though it was a bit… provocative…

He had never dared to wear it.

Holding the nightgown, he turned to Ye Xi'an, his gaze carrying a certain resolve and a barely perceptible nervousness.

Tonight, he wants her to see a different Ji Jiangci.

Ji Jiangci stood at the foot of the bed, eyeing Ye Xi'an who sat at the head, then unbuttoned his cotton shirt button by button, his movements slow and restrained.

His fingers trembled slightly, not from cold but from deep, uncontainable nervousness. The shirt buttons came undone one by one, revealing his sharply defined collarbones and chest.

Ye Xi'an's mouth slightly open, she watched Ji Jiangci in the lamp light, her gaze involuntarily following his movements; her violet pupils flickered with subtle light in the dim illumination.

Ji Jiangci thought, he can't really be switching to lace, can he? Where would he get lace from?

Ye Xi'an felt she should stop Ji Jiangci; after all, he's already in such a pitiful state, and if he were to lower his pride and wear lace just because of her words, that would be too insulting, yet she opened her mouth and closed it, unable to speak the words.

She watched helplessly as Ji Jiangci stripped off his shirt completely, folding it aside.

His body was much thinner than before, yet his contours remained clearly visible. The once robust muscles had atrophied slightly, but still traced graceful lines.

He pinched the two corners of the nightgown, gently spreading it; the smooth, exquisite fabric glimmered with a soft sheen under the light.

Ji Jiangci draped the nightgown over his body and fastened the belt.

The lace clung to his taut body, outlining his slender yet still upright figure; his waist was faintly visible, and his chest muscles glowed white.

"How does it look?" Ji Jiangci asked softly, his voice carrying a barely perceptible tremor.

Ye Xi'an stared at him blankly, unable to speak for a moment.

My god, this is so pure‑desire style; his face is so gentle, yet his body…

"Very… very fitting for you," Ye Xi'an replied softly, her cheeks involuntarily flushing.

Ji Jiangci walked toward the bedside, each step careful and firm. He sat beside Ye Xi'an, the mattress sagging slightly.

Ye Xi'an, nervous, closed her eyes, waiting for Ji Jiangci's next move; a rustling sound came from beside her, and the next second, Ye Xi'an's vision suddenly went dark, and Ji Jiangci also fell silent.

She opened her eyes in bewilderment, turned her head, only to find Ji Jiangci already lying down asleep, still facing away from her!

Damn! She had thought Ji Jiangci was deliberately teasing her, trying to blur with her, but he just fell into that watery sleep—what a waste of feelings.

But the Ji Jiangci presumed asleep was actually opening his eyes now, his hand trembling into a fist; would Ye Xi'an touch him? He wouldn't be overly restrained, would he?

When a warm, smooth hand reached up to him, Ji Jiangci finally relaxed, grateful that he hadn't tried it before.

Ye Xi'an felt she had to act tonight; otherwise how would she know if Ji Jiangci's rejuvenation was truly due to her fluids?

She nudged Ji Jiangci, whispering, "Jiangci? Are you asleep?"

"Not yet, what's up?"

Ye Xi'an closed her eyes and said directly, "I want to mate with you!"

The person in front stiffened his back, turned around abruptly, and looked at her with a veiled gaze: "Why do you want to mate with me? Don't you find me old and ugly?"

Ye Xi'an fidgeted, touching her nose: "It's okay, at least in that regard I'm not that old."

His slightly waning stamina happened to suit her.

Ji Jiangci's face darkened: "That's not my true speed."

"Whether it's true or not, I just want you to say something now—yes or no."

Ji Jiangci gritted his teeth: "Of course, it's fine!"

The male rolled over, stray hair falling onto Ye Xi'an's nose, tickling her.

Ye Xi'an deliberately lifted her hand to his chest; the lace's slightly rough texture carried a mysterious allure that invited exploration.

Their breathing grew heavier; Ji Jiangci's kiss moved from Ye Xi'an's lips to her cheek, then to her neck. Ye Xi'an closed her eyes, feeling his warm breath wander over her skin.

Each of Ji Jiangci's movements carried careful tenderness, as if handling the world's most precious treasure. He unbuttoned Ye Xi'an's clothing at a leisurely pace, his fingertips occasionally grazing her skin, eliciting a slight shiver.

Their breaths gradually merged, soft murmurs intertwining in the night.

A strange energy flowed between them.

Ji Jiangci felt a warm current spread from his chest throughout his body, dispelling the chill in his marrow and gradually repairing each of his cells.

"Jiangci, you're glowing!"

Ye Xi'an squinted, slightly breathless, watching Ji Jiangci's change; so her fluids could make someone glow?

"Hmm." Ji Jiangci's eyes were full of surprise, with a hint of worry; Ye Xi'an was too strong, too mysterious, able to even repair vitality.

Even if he recovers later, could he truly be a match for Ye Xi'an?

"Wife, do you know why I'm glowing?"