For a moment after Mo Chen's fingers brushed her lips, Lin Yue forgot how to breathe.
The small piece of sauce was gone, but the warmth of his touch seemed to remain there.
She quickly looked down at the table, pretending to focus on her food. Her cheeks had turned noticeably pink.
Mo Chen sat quietly across from her, calm as ever, but his gaze lingered on her for a second longer than usual.
Lin Yue cleared her throat.
"Let's go."
They finished eating and left the busy night food street together. The city lights glittered above them as they walked slowly toward the direction of home.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
The moment from earlier seemed to float silently between them.
Lin Yue walked a few steps ahead.
Then suddenly—
"Ah…"
She stopped.
Mo Chen looked at her.
"What happened?"
Lin Yue waved one hand casually.
"Nothing."
She tried to take another step.
But the moment her foot touched the ground, pain shot up her leg.
"…Okay, maybe something."
Mo Chen's eyes lowered slightly.
He noticed the way she was walking.
Slow.
Careful.
Each step was uneven.
"You cannot walk properly."
Lin Yue forced a laugh.
"It's just the shoes."
She lifted one foot slightly.
"I think it rubbed my heel."
"Then stop walking."
"We're almost home."
She continued forward again, but her pace slowed more and more.
Mo Chen watched quietly for several seconds.
"You are in pain."
"It's fine."
"Your face says otherwise."
Lin Yue stopped and sighed.
"…Okay maybe it hurts a little."
She leaned against a nearby streetlamp.
"Why don't you use your power and teleport us home?"
Mo Chen looked at her calmly.
"No."
Lin Yue blinked.
"No?"
"My power is unstable."
She crossed her arms.
"What do you mean?"
"It has not fully returned yet."
He explained quietly.
"Your blood temporarily strengthens me, but it does not last long."
Lin Yue's eyes widened.
"So… your power is gone?"
"For now."
She stared at him.
"Then give me your hand," she joked.
"Maybe I'll donate more blood."
Mo Chen looked at her.
"You are too casual about such things."
Lin Yue laughed.
"No way. I'll just walk."
She pushed herself away from the streetlamp and began moving again.
But her steps were slow.
Painful.
Mo Chen suddenly stepped in front of her.
Before she could react—
He crouched down slightly.
"I will carry you."
Lin Yue froze.
"…What?"
"I will carry you."
"No!"
She waved both hands.
"I can walk!"
Mo Chen looked at her injured step again.
"If you continue walking like this…"
He glanced at the dark street ahead.
"…we will reach home tomorrow morning."
Lin Yue opened her mouth.
Then closed it.
"…Fine."
She sighed dramatically.
"But only because you're impatient."
Mo Chen turned slightly.
"Come here."
Lin Yue hesitated for a second.
Then carefully climbed onto his back.
Her arms slowly wrapped around his shoulders.
Mo Chen stood up smoothly.
Her body was warm against his back.
Lin Yue rested her chin near his shoulder.
"This is embarrassing."
Mo Chen began walking.
"You suggested blood donation earlier. This is less embarrassing."
Lin Yue rolled her eyes behind him.
"You never forget anything, do you?"
They walked through the quiet streets together.
The night air felt cool and peaceful.
Lin Yue's voice softened slightly.
"Mo Chen."
"Yes?"
"What were you like… before?"
"In the past."
She adjusted her position slightly.
"You know… before the seal."
Mo Chen was quiet for a moment.
"I ruled."
"That's it?"
"Yes."
Lin Yue laughed softly.
"That's not a story. That's a sentence."
Mo Chen continued walking calmly.
"I defeated those who challenged me."
"That still doesn't explain how you became the Night Sovereign."
"Power."
Lin Yue sighed.
"You're terrible at storytelling."
Mo Chen did not respond.
But his pace slowed slightly.
Eventually, the familiar apartment building came into view.
"We're home," Lin Yue said.
Mo Chen carried her inside and walked straight to the sofa.
He gently lowered her down.
Lin Yue stretched her injured foot slightly.
"Ah… that feels better."
Before she could stop him—
Mo Chen crouched down in front of her.
"What are you doing?"
He didn't answer.
Instead, he took her shoe off carefully.
Lin Yue tried to pull her foot back.
"No, it's fine—"
But he held her ankle gently.
When he looked at her heel, the skin was red and irritated.
"You injured it badly."
Mo Chen stood up and walked to a nearby cabinet.
A moment later he returned with a small medical kit.
Lin Yue watched quietly as he sat on the floor in front of her.
He carefully cleaned the wound with a cotton pad.
The cold medicine made her flinch slightly.
"Does it hurt?" he asked.
"A little."
He applied ointment slowly.
Then wrapped a soft bandage around her heel.
Throughout the entire process, Lin Yue didn't say anything.
She simply watched him.
His expression was focused.
Careful.
Gentle.
Nothing like the terrifying Night Sovereign who had destroyed vampires on the rooftop.
A small smile slowly appeared on her face.
Mo Chen noticed.
"What are you smiling about?"
Lin Yue shook her head.
"Nothing."
But her eyes remained on him.
For some reason—
At that moment—
She felt strangely warm.
And she didn't want the moment to end.
Mo Chen finished tying the bandage and looked up.
Their eyes met.
For a brief second—
Neither of them spoke.
The quiet apartment felt different tonight.
Softer.
Closer.
And neither of them seemed willing to break the silence.
End of Chapter 17...