Chapter 16: Bound by Silk and Shadows

Su Yan was having a bad time.

No, scratch that.

Su Yan was having an incredibly confusing time.

One moment, he was lying on his futon, trying to tune out the sound of Jian humming while she prepared for bed. The next, he was yanked from his barely-there sleep by the feeling of something… soft and warm pressing against him.

His eyes fluttered open.

And his brain promptly shut down.

Jian was lying beside him, far too close, her breath teasing his skin. The moonlight filtering through the window highlighted the silky curve of her night robe, which had slipped just enough to reveal a hint of bare shoulder.

“Uh… Jian?” he croaked.

She made a sleepy sound, eyes half-lidded as she gazed at him. “Hmm?”

“Why are you in my futon?”

A slow, wicked smile spread across her lips. “Because it’s more fun this way.”

Su Yan swallowed hard. Oh no.

She shifted, pressing against him deliberately, her warmth seeping into his skin. “You’re so tense, Su Yan. Aren’t we roommates now? Shouldn’t we get a little closer?”

His brain screamed at him to move.

His body, however, betrayed him.

“W-what are you doing?” he stammered.

Jian ran a delicate finger down his chest, barely touching him, yet sending sparks through his entire body. “Mmm… just seeing how much fun I can have teasing you before you break.”

Su Yan’s breath hitched. “That’s— That’s evil.”

She chuckled, her voice low and sultry. “I never said I was nice.”

Then, before he could react, she leaned in—her lips dangerously close to his ear. “Besides, I own you, remember?”

His pulse pounded in his ears.

And then, just as suddenly, she pulled away with a satisfied smirk, rolling onto her back as if nothing had happened. “Goodnight, Su Yan~”

He stared at the ceiling, completely wrecked.

This was going to be a long, long night.

The Next Morning: A Very Unfortunate Incident

Su Yan awoke groggily, his body stiff from an uncomfortable sleep. He had spent most of the night willing himself to ignore Jian’s presence beside him, but her teasing whispers and the warmth of her body had made that task nearly impossible.

Maybe she was just messing with me, he thought as he sat up. She wouldn’t actually— No. He wasn’t going to finish that thought.

With a groan, he dragged himself up and stretched. Jian wasn't in bed. Thining that she's out of the dorm, he went toward the bathroom, eager to splash some cold water on his face and clear his thoughts.

Unfortunately, he made a terrible mistake.

The bathroom door wasn’t locked.

And Jian was already inside.

The second he stepped in, he was greeted by the sight of her stepping out of the bath, steam curling around her bare skin. Her damp hair clung to her shoulders, droplets sliding down smooth, porcelain skin. For a few painfully long seconds, Su Yan could only stare.

His heart stopped.

Jian blinked, her expression neutral at first. Then, a slow, devilish grin spread across her lips. “Oh?”

Su Yan’s brain screamed at him to run, but his legs refused to move. “I-I didn’t mean to—!”

Jian cocked her head, making no attempt to cover herself. Instead, she leaned casually against the wall, looking him up and down. “See something you like?”

Su Yan turned a shade of red that should have been impossible. “I DIDN’T SEE ANYTHING!”

“Oh?” She stepped closer, heat radiating from her damp skin. “Then why do you look like you’re about to pass out?”

“I—!” He slapped a hand over his eyes and practically threw himself out of the bathroom, slamming the door behind him. His heart was pounding so loudly he was certain the entire sect could hear it.

From inside, Jian’s laugh rang out like a bell. “Good morning to you too, Su Yan~”

He pressed his back against the wall, breathing hard. I am going to die here.

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