Chapter 173 The Transparent Jade Pendant (1/2)

The road home suddenly felt incredibly long.

The hustle and bustle of the market behind me, the sounds of gongs and drums, and the hawkers' cries, seemed to be pushed away by an invisible hand, leaving only a faint buzzing sound.

The world fell silent.

In the snow, all that could be heard was the crunching sound of the two people stepping on the snow, one step after another, each step sinking into people's hearts.

Ruan Tang felt a little lightheaded.

Her hands were tucked into the large pocket of Yan Yu's military overcoat, warm and cozy, but that warmth couldn't penetrate her heart.

My mind was a jumbled mess, filled with images of Jia Ximei's shrewd face, lightly made up, and Shen Yishan's desperate look as she clung to a straw.

Jade pendant...

What kind of jade pendant is it?

What could possibly make Jia Ximei travel thousands of miles from Haicheng to this icy and snowy Northeast?

How could Shen Yishan be so willing to resort to dirty tricks like drugging to exchange for it?

Ruan Tang was so engrossed in her thoughts that she slipped and fell forward.

"oops!"

Instead of the expected pain, she was pulled back from behind and slammed heavily into a solid, hot chest.

Yan Yu's arms were wrapped around her waist like iron hoops, so tightly that she almost couldn't breathe.

His cool yet domineering aura, mixed with the scent of the winter wind, instantly engulfed her.

He didn't ask anything.

But the tension that came from the Daoist Contract was more direct than any words.

He simply held her even tighter against his side, using his body heat to gently soothe her slightly cold fingertips, silently staying by her side.

Back in the courtyard, I pushed open the door and was greeted by a wave of warmth mixed with the smell of firewood.

The fireplace inside burned brightly, instantly shutting out the bitter cold outside.

Ruan Tang still looked absent-minded.

Yan Yu remained silent, unbuttoning her military overcoat with a slightly heavier touch than usual.

He took off her heavy cotton shoes and put warm, soft cotton slippers on her instead.

She stared blankly the whole time, behaving unusually well.

Yan Yu pressed her down to sit on the warm edge of the kang (heated brick bed). Looking into her large, watery almond-shaped eyes, which were now empty and unfocused, a surge of lust rose within him.

He doesn't like it.

He didn't like the way she looked at him, yet didn't seem to see him.

Yan Yu's Adam's apple bobbed as he leaned down, his tall figure completely enveloping her.

He pinched her delicate chin, forcing her to lift her head.

Then, he sealed her lips with his.

The kiss was fierce; it was less a kiss and more a punishment. He lingered on her, forcefully stealing her breath, determined to pull her soul back.

But the little girl in his arms still didn't react, like a beautiful puppet.

Yan Yu's eyes churned with dark emotions, and the nameless fire in his chest burned even brighter, mixed with a trace of grievance that he himself was unaware of.

Annoyed, he gave her full, moist lips a light bite.

"Hmm..."

A slight sting, like a needle, finally punctured Ruan Tang's daydreaming balloon.

She snapped out of her daze, blinked blankly, and met Yan Yu's unfathomable black eyes.

"Are we...home?" she asked belatedly, her voice still slightly hoarse from the kiss.

Looking at her bewildered expression as if she had finally "come back to life," Yan Yu's anger subsided considerably, leaving only a trace of grievance still lingering.

He didn't speak, just stared at her intently, the accusation in his eyes almost tangible.

Seeing his expression, Ruan Tang understood immediately.

She felt both touched and amused, and leaned in to give him a comforting peck on his slightly cool lips, her voice soft and sweet: "Brother, I was just thinking about something."