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"Ai Xiang, why is it you?" Yun Xiao curiously glanced around; there was no one else at the door, only her.

The man leaned casually against the balcony window, dressed in pure white; his clean garment’s hem dazzled like ice and snow. His face, which could upend the world, held a faint smile, but his eyes betrayed a hint of melancholy and coldness.

He tilted his head, facing the slightly yellow afternoon sunlight, and watched her for a while before he smiled lightly and said, "Who’s in a hurry to see her husband?"

His voice was more pleasant than she had ever felt, deep and husky, with a hint of unruly tenderness, as if endowed with magic power, causing one’s heartbeat to quicken.

Involuntarily, her cheeks flushed, then she stuttered, "I thought it was Xiao Xi who had forgotten to take something and come back. Do you have any business here? If you’re looking for her, then you’re too late, she just left."

Ai Xiang turned to face Yun Xiao.

It was only then that she saw the cigarette in his hand, burning for quite a long stretch; clearly not smoked but not discarded either, he just let it burn between his fingers.

He stepped forward, standing in front of her.

The tall figure blocked a patch of sunlight, and a very pleasant fragrance wafted over her. Yun Xiao didn’t know what it was, but it felt very comforting.

She took a step back, somewhat unnaturally, her cheeks reddening even more, not knowing what he intended to do.

"I came to find you!" Ai Xiang said to her, his tone indifferent.

Yun Xiao looked up, confused. Her misty large eyes blinked, "Find me for what?"

"To check on you, see if you’ve been injured during this field exercise," Ai Xiang’s tone was as faint as mist in the mountains. It sounded clear, yet it fogged the heart.

"Oh!" Yun Xiao blinked, not expecting him to be so considerate. She hurriedly explained, "I’m not injured, thank you for your concern. If you’re a divine healer, you should see the others; some of them are more severely wounded. I remember someone got bitten by a snake on the cheek."

She felt she suddenly said too much and then abruptly stopped, nervously saying, "Well, if there’s nothing else, I need to rest."

With that, she was about to close the door.

But unexpectedly, the door was held open by a large hand.

Ai Xiang looked at her, still with an indifferent expression, "I’ve already seen them; they’re all fine.

Now you’re the only one left. Anyway, I think it’s necessary to give you a check.

Girls are physically weaker; it’s not good if you catch a disease outside. "

"And how do I need to be checked?" Yun Xiao felt particularly embarrassed.

"You just need to lie down and expose your arm. I’ll feel your pulse and that will be enough," Ai Xiang explained.

Yun Xiao hesitated. Although it was just the two of them, if it was only pulse taking, it shouldn’t matter. After all, he was a doctor.

She opened the door and let him inside.

Their temporary quarters were not much tidied up, yet they were neat and clean.

"Lie down and rest your arm flat on the bed," instructed Ai Xiang.

Yun Xiao obediently did as he said.

She laid down her arm, and moments later, his hand, with a cool warmth, rested on her wrist, causing her blood to gradually heat up, her cheeks uncontrollably flushing red.

She had never been so close to a man, making her feel both uncomfortable and unstable.

Ai Xiang, looking at the shy and innocent Yun Xiao, could see a red mark beneath her reddened earlobe, on her neck.

"May I look at the birthmark on your neck?" Ai Xiang asked.

Yun Xiao considered it; a little below her neck wasn’t a place that couldn’t be shown, so she nodded.

She turned to the side, revealing the birthmark, round like the sun.

Ai Xiang stared at the birthmark for a long time before he came to his senses, quickly releasing her wrist. A flicker of disappointment crossed his eyes; she was not the one he was looking for.

"You’re in good health, so better rest early. You’re a bit anemic, so eat more regularly and rest well to recover. Sorry for the disturbance," he said, standing up and leaving in a hurry.

Yun Xiao sat on the bed edge, feeling the entire room filled with his scent.

Yet, his purposeful visit followed by a hasty departure, what did it mean?

Was he searching for someone? Was she the one he was looking for?

Now that he had left, could it be confirmed that she was not the person he sought?

She quietly closed the door and went back to bed, her cheeks still harboring a suspicious flush.

She shook her head vigorously, trying to shake away the memory of the intrusive figure, but it miraculously wouldn’t leave her.

She would always remember him standing at the doorway, his indifferent silhouette, and the snow-white hem of his garment. His cold eyes held a breathtaking charm, and his deep voice lingered like the mysterious fragrance drifting around every corner of the room, impossible to dissipate.

Yun Xiao felt certainly something was wrong with her brain, to be excited and yet disappointed over a person.

What was happening to her?

...

Gu Xiaoxi ran downstairs and saw Quan Shaoqing’s car parked at the door.

She climbed into the car and the man’s strong arms reached out for her. Then the door closed and she tumbled into a warm embrace, a domineering and familiar kiss landing on her face.

Moments later, he contained his excitement and let her go, holding her in his arms as if she were a rare treasure, his voice deep, "Have you missed me after being away so long?"

Gu Xiaoxi nestled against his chest, listening to his strong and steady heartbeat, and nodded, "Of course I missed you!" But only occasionally; she was so busy most of the time, how could she have time to think about him?

"Then, my good girl, how about a surprise tonight?" Quan Shaoqing lowered his head and gently sniffed her scent. It was a mellow fragrance, comforting like the mist that rises from the earth after rain, clean and enticing.

"Surprise?" Gu Xiaoxi puzzled, struggling a bit in his arms to look up at him.

"Of course, you’ll find out later," Quan Shaoqing said with a mysterious smile.