Re-birth: The Beginning after the End - Chapter 179

Chapter 179: PLANNING WHILE TRAPPED
Li Hua shifted slightly, looking up at Mo Xing’s seemingly peaceful face. His usually sharp features had softened in what appeared to be sleep, and she found herself momentarily bewildered by the absurdity of it all. Had he really invaded her private quarters just to fall asleep holding her?

Despite herself, she found her gaze lingering on his face. The nearness of him made her pulse flutter traitorously, and before she could stop herself, she leaned closer. His scent enveloped her—night-blooming flowers and mountain pine, an intoxicating combination that always made her head swim. She caught herself, suddenly aware of how intimate the gesture was, how dangerous this proximity could be.

She cleared her throat, “Mo Xing…” But he didn’t move.

She cleared her throat louder this time, “Mo Xing?” But again nothing.

She huffed, trapped between indignation and resignation. What was she supposed to do with this impossible man? He was right, she owed him—heavens knew how many times over she owed him. But he couldn’t possibly expect to use that debt as an excuse to invade her bed whenever he pleased… could he? The thought sent an unwelcome flutter through her chest that she firmly refused to examine.

Instead of dwelling on Mo Xing’s presence, Li Hua redirected her thoughts to tomorrow’s agenda. A strategic smile curved her lips as she mentally mapped her approach: she would seek out Elder Sun at dawn and request an introduction to Elder Fu. With the right combination of respect and demonstrated ability, she could gain approval for the Forbidden Zone expedition scheduled in two weeks.

The timing aligned perfectly with her broader plans. Those carefully studied alchemy manuscripts would finally see practical application as she refined medicinal pills for the journey. Preparing supplies for unknown dangers sent a familiar thrill through her veins—an echo of her past life when meticulous preparation meant the difference between successful assassinations and exposure.

After endless cycles of confined training, the prospect of venturing beyond the sect’s boundaries called to her with irresistible force. The Forbidden Zone’s reputation for danger only added to its appeal—fewer cultivators meant fewer witnesses to any unusual abilities she might need to employ.

At least there, she thought with dry amusement, I won’t have to worry about uninvited guests appearing in my room. Yet even as the thought formed, she realized the prospect of escaping Mo Xing’s unsettling presence didn’t bring the relief it should have—a paradox she couldn’t begin to understand.

She looked up to see that Mo Xing was now looking at her, his smile soft and knowing, as if he’d been watching her lost in thoughts all along. Unconsciously, she leaned against him, trying to hide her face against his chest—only to freeze as she realized what she’d done.

What the hell, she thought, mortified by her own instinctive action. Since when had she started seeking refuge in the very person she was supposed to be wary of?

His low chuckle rumbled against her forehead, the sound rich with amusement. “Little Tempest, are you actually hiding from me? And here I thought you were the fearless one.”

She could hear the smile in his voice, that infuriating mix of tenderness and teasing that only he seemed capable of achieving. When she tried to pull away in embarrassed indignation, his arms tightened just enough to keep her close, his chest vibrating with another laugh at her half-hearted struggle.

She scrunched her nose slightly, “If you’re done. I have some important matters to—”

Just before she could finish her sentence, a familiar chime resonated in her core—her brother’s spiritual message.

Sister, would you like to join me for dinner?

Li Hua’s head snapped up, eyes darting to her window. The dark sky outside made her heart skip. How long had she been here? The last rays of sunset had been replaced by the soft glow of spirit lanterns lighting the sect’s pathways, and the evening bell had long since rung without her notice.

She suddenly became acutely aware of how much time had passed while she’d been trapped—no, not trapped, she corrected herself mentally—while she’d been lying here with Mo Xing.

“Dinner…” she mumbled, the word carrying a hint of panic as she twisted out of his hold.

Mo Xing released her with deliberate slowness, but followed her movement like a shadow, his smile suggesting he was thoroughly enjoying her flustered state.

“You need to go back to your room,” she said, trying to inject authority into her voice and failing miserably.

“Little Tempest…” His tone carried that dangerous warmth again, amusement dancing in his eyes. “You’re not going to introduce me to your brother?”

She paused, worry and wariness warring in her mind. Her eyes flicked up to meet his, searching for any hint of his true intentions. But if he truly wanted to meet Li Wei… perhaps it was better to control the introduction rather than let it happen by chance.

“If you want to…” she said slowly, each word measured with careful consideration. The moment the words left her lips, she saw something flash in his eyes—satisfaction? triumph?—that made her wonder if she’d just walked into one of his carefully laid traps.

“I would love to.” His smile held promises that made her nervous.

Li Hua nodded slowly, forcing practicality into her voice. “Then meet us there. I can’t have you coming out of my room.”

Mo Xing chuckled, his form dissolving into shadows with an elegance that reminded her just how dangerous he could be. “Sure.”

When she emerged from her quarters onto the lantern-lit path leading to the dining hall, she found him already waiting, a dark silhouette against the evening sky. She walked past him with deliberate steadiness, and without a word, he fell into step behind her—his presence like a physical weight against her back.

The dining hall entrance came into view, and with it, her brother’s familiar figure. Her heart began to thunder against her ribs, palms growing damp with unexpected nervousness. These two parts of her world were about to collide, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that everything would change after tonight.

Get a hold of yourself, Li Hua, she reprimanded herself harshly. You’ve faced down entire boardrooms of hostile shareholders and executed perfect assassinations without breaking a sweat. This is just dinner. But even as she thought it, she knew this was anything but ‘just’ dinner.

Her brother’s eyes flickered past her shoulder, registering Mo Xing’s presence with the meticulous attention she recognized from his countless hours studying texts. That scholarly precision, usually reserved for analyzing complex cultivation theories, now turned its full focus on assessing the man behind his sister.