Chapter 133: Do Not Wait Until the Blossoms Fall to Break an Empty Branch

The prompt on her mobile phone, appearing once again, caused an anxious and disappointed Zheng Yi to sink heavily back onto her bed.

How she longed to find Kang Ning quickly, to warn this young man she had secretly loved for over a year of the danger he was in—to tell this handsome man who always brought her joy and fulfillment, this exceptional man who haunted her dreams yet did not belong to her.

Zheng Yi could not forget their first meeting, his plain speech and demeanor, and those clear eyes, always tinged with a faint melancholy, that made one yearn to reach out and comfort him. She could not forget the inexplicable, expectant racing of her heart when she was alone with him; she could not forget that night before Mengmeng’s departure, when she had sought refuge in his warm embrace, emboldened by wine; she could not forget the trembling thrill of summoning the courage to kiss his burning lips; she could not forget the breathtaking, endless cries and moans of Mengmeng that had drifted from the adjacent bedroom; and she could not forget their last meeting, when the mischievous Kang Ning had caught her undressing, and the shyness and sweetness that had filled her heart. Even now, Zheng Yi still yearned for that unforgettable, romantic feeling.

Zheng Yi refused to believe that the man she loved was a murderer, and she refused to let him slip from her sight, disappearing into unknown dangers and suffering.

Yet, analyzing Kang Ning’s words and actions, she was forced to conclude that such an outstanding, learned, and refined gentleman should not be leading a life of wandering and displacement. Unless there had been some catastrophic turn of events, there was no reason for such talent to remain obscure.

In Zheng Yi’s mind, even the successful Fang Xiong lacked Kang Ning’s seemingly innate, calm elegance, his moving and empathetic tenderness, and his generosity and simplicity. As for their physical appearance and stature, they were worlds apart.

Thinking of an oblivious Kang Ning being captured—of his young life ending not in a dark, sunless prison, but in death—Zheng Yi could not suppress her tears. Unable to endure the agony of her heart and her extreme worry any longer, she stood up and walked to her wardrobe. She pulled out an outfit and hung it on the hook beside the full-length mirror. She loosened the straps on her rounded shoulders, letting her nightgown slide to her feet. She had to get to Chengdu immediately; every minute earlier she could warn Kang Ning to flee gave her a shred of comfort and lessened her suffering.

Just as her loose nightgown fell to the floor, the slight sound of the balcony door closing left Zheng Yi frozen in front of the large mirror, standing naked like a jade carving. She trembled all over, not daring to turn around, until she saw a familiar reflection in the mirror and realized what had happened.

Overcome with surprise and joy, Zheng Yi did not turn, but slowly raised her hands, tears streaming down her face, trembling as she caressed the large mirror surface, trying to touch the person she had thought of day and night. She was terrified that this might be a hallucination, that if she turned, everything would vanish into thin air.

As the familiar face in the mirror drew closer and clearer, and that familiar scent, faintly like mint, reached her, Zheng Yi trembled with overwhelming joy.

As those firm, powerful arms pulled her slowly into an embrace, Zheng Yi could no longer restrain herself. She turned around and buried her face in Kang Ning’s broad chest, sobbing, "You’ve worried me half to death, you brat..."

Kang Ning silently held the distraught Zheng Yi, letting her beat his chest and pinch his waist until she was exhausted. Only then did he lower his head, kissing the bitter, salty tears from her face with burning lips, lingering finally on her lush, ruby lips.

Zheng Yi had long since cast aside all hesitations. Her heated breath told her clearly that this long-awaited and increasingly hopeless moment had arrived unexpectedly, yet would surely fade in the next instant. So, she clung tightly to Kang Ning’s neck, like an extremely selfish child, demanding endlessly. Her excited heart was like a bonfire stoked with piles of dry wood—flickering, then silent for a moment, before rising into a fierce blaze.

***

In the heat of their passion, they rolled onto the soft, thick carpet, entangled and pressing against each other. Kang Ning’s clothes were cast off one by one in the wake of their movement. After a suffocating, deep kiss, Kang Ning moved above her, his waist sinking with a sudden force. Accompanied by Zheng Yi’s soft cries, the rhythm rose and fell like waves, continuous and endless.

With Kang Ning’s intense, wild possession, his skilled caresses and teasing, and his burning lips greedily sucking and provoking her, Zheng Yi—her words dissolving into bird-like moans—shuddered violently. She arched her graceful waist, her hands gripping Kang Ning’s waist as she let out a scream like none before. Within her convulsing body, a volcanic magma boiled and erupted, and with unprecedented strength and determination, she locked Kang Ning’s mighty vigor deep within her. Her body arched like a bow, holding him up for nearly half a minute before slowly relaxing.

Zheng Yi’s cherry-red face was covered in tears of excitement and happiness, her slightly parted lips murmuring in a dreamlike, incoherent frenzy.

When her breathing grew steady, Kang Ning pulled her slender waist tight, holding her close as he carried her back to the edge of the bed. He moved with renewed, gentle tenderness, licking and devouring her ruby-red earlobes, whispering soft, lingering words of love.

"...Darling, stop calling me 'little brother.' My real age is five months older than yours..."

"I don't care... God... I’m melting..."

"Yi'er, close your eyes, open your heart, cast aside your reserve, and enjoy the joy of life to the fullest..."

"Mmm..."

Facing the beautiful, picturesque Zheng Yi, Kang Ning cherished her again and again, using his eyes, his hands, and his hot lips to admire her beauty. He used his soul to touch every inch of her skin, to shake her dormant spirit. With a fire-like passion, he set a swinging, leisurely rhythm, singing and rejoicing with her. Kang Ning wanted to leave her with memories that would last a lifetime, to let her long-parched soul and body be nourished like dew. He wanted this flower—as vibrant as a rose, as delicate as a lily, as noble as a peony, and as proud as a winter plum—to bloom unrestrained, carefree, and without regret, watered by his surging passion and sweat.

Pleasure, surging like a giant wave, drowned Zheng Yi time and time again. After each bone-deep, soul-searing thrill, she would slowly awaken, only to tenaciously meet his tireless, never-ending thrusts. Her tears of satisfaction and happiness fell repeatedly; her incoherent moans were so melodious and free. The intense thrill and trembling she had never experienced before acted like a red-hot anvil, burning indelible marks into the depths of her lonely heart.

She kissed him with infinite gratitude—his handsome face, his hot lips, his nose, his chest. In the final moment before losing all strength, she bit down on his heart unconsciously. As they both let out a roar and a scream, hot blood slowly flowed out, wetting her lips and trickling down his rapidly heaving chest.

As the blood stained the medallion on Kang Ning’s chest, the medallion emitted a dazzling silver light that vanished in a flash. The totem on it stirred; amidst the swirling clouds, a golden Qilin galloped proudly. Long moments passed before it faded, and the medallion returned to its original state.

Exhausted, the two lay in each other’s arms, both closing their eyes in contentment.

***

Ten minutes later, Zheng Yi slowly awoke to see the tooth marks on Kang Ning’s chest. She froze for a moment, then blushed deeply, gently kissing the wound in heartbreaking tenderness.

"It’s alright, Yi'er. I am very lucky to have your mark." Kang Ning cupped Zheng Yi’s face, kissing her lovingly once more.

Zheng Yi pressed her slender index finger to Kang Ning’s lips. "Can we stop kissing for a moment? I truly cannot take any more."

Kang Ning looked at Zheng Yi with deep affection for a long time, pressing her face against his chest. "Dawn is coming. I cannot tell you about my affairs here. Go to Chengdu and ask Sister Jing. I don’t want to waste a single second of the time we have now. Yi'er, I already know everything; you don't need to worry about me. It’s you I am truly worried about!"

"I know, you don't belong to me, but having these words and this half-night, I am satisfied! Even though you are five months older than me, I still like calling you 'little brother'; it feels so intimate and dear."

Zheng Yi unconsciously stroked Kang Ning’s lower abdomen, speaking the words from her heart. "Little Ning, I want to know your plans for the future. I want to see you again. To kiss you and be with you just like tonight. I love you and I am grateful to you. You love me and cherish me, letting me experience the happiness of a woman! I never understood why books wrote of passion so wonderfully and intoxicatingly, but now I finally know. I understand why Sister Jing and Mengmeng love and treasure you so much. Beyond your handsome appearance and kind heart, you possess a strength and skill other men lack. You have a strong physique and incredible endurance. I am so happy!"

Kang Ning stroked her hair. "I don't know where I will be after the sun rises, but I love you too, Sister Yi. No matter where I go, I will never forget you. You have left your mark on my heart, and I will never forget it for the rest of my life. I must apologize to you; I was too rough when we first began. Perhaps I was jealous, perhaps fueled by resentment and anger. Only through your kisses and your tears did I slowly grow calm. Sister Yi, please don't blame me, will you?"

"Silly! How could I blame you? Your wildness made me so excited—I almost didn't think I'd wake up! It was so thrilling and so wonderful! I am too greedy; these few hours must have exhausted you. Lie still. You have been so gentle and generous to me; I want you to be happy too."

Zheng Yi climbed onto Kang Ning, kissing his lips passionately. Her soft, fair hands slid slowly down to his abdomen, caressing him tenderly for a moment. Feeling Kang Ning stir with vigor again, she slid down and opened her sensual, warm lips to take him in.

Kang Ning was startled and quickly pulled her up from his waist. Just as he was about to speak, Zheng Yi pressed her fingers to his lips again, gazing at him with watery, seductive eyes, and whispered, "Little Ning, let me go wild for once too! We may never have another chance like this again... I have never kissed anyone like this in my life, and I will never kiss another man like this again... Don't refuse me; I am willing, and I am happy..."

An hour later, Kang Ning sat on the wall of the residential complex, long unwilling to jump down. He gazed at the window of Zheng Yi’s bedroom, unable to leave. He suddenly remembered a year ago, when he had also climbed onto a wall like this, gazing longingly at a window...

Lying on the large bed, Zheng Yi’s face was covered in tears. She did not move, nor did she wipe them away, letting the tears soak her hair and the pillow...