101: Chapter 101 Willing

Element City.

The setting sun spilled onto the streets, and the willows by the roadside swayed with the gentle breeze, their branches fluttering lightly.

Ji Xuan and Shui Binger walked side by side, their figures stretched long by the afterglow.

After walking for a while, the outline of Tianshui Academy was already faintly visible, but Shui Binger suddenly stopped.

Ji Xuan also came to a halt, turning to look at her. "What is it?"

Shui Binger lowered her head slightly, not daring to look directly at Ji Xuan.

"A-Xuan." She pursed her lips, her voice very soft. "I don't want to go back to the academy tonight."

As soon as the words left her lips, her entire face turned bright red; she had summoned great courage to say this.

Ji Xuan was stunned for a moment, then immediately understood what Shui Binger meant.

He stepped forward, his gaze landing on her face, and asked earnestly, "Binger, have you truly thought this through?"

Shui Binger's heart was beating fast, but her mind had long been made up, and she nodded gently.

"Then let's go." Ji Xuan said no more, took her hand, and turned to walk in the direction opposite to Tianshui Academy.

Shui Binger followed beside him with her head down, silent the whole way.

...

In the center of the city, at a luxurious hotel, Ji Xuan and Shui Binger walked to the front desk.

A male attendant in uniform bowed slightly. "Good evening, distinguished guests."

Ji Xuan remained composed and spoke calmly, "I would like the best room."

"Very well, Young Master. Our top-floor room is currently the best; it has an excellent view and complete facilities."

"That will do." Ji Xuan nodded.

"The cost is twenty gold coins per night. How many nights do you intend to stay?"

"Just one night for now."

After Ji Xuan paid, they quickly completed the check-in process.

"Here is your key." The attendant handed it over with both hands. "The room is on the top floor, the first one in the hallway."

"Mm." Ji Xuan took the key and brought Shui Binger upstairs.

Shui Binger kept her head down the entire time, the blush on her cheeks never fading.

Pushing open the door, the scene that met her eyes made her even more shy and embarrassed.

The room was decorated in an extremely romantic and cozy manner, with warm lighting, a soft, large bed, and a faint, pleasant fragrance permeating the air.

Shui Binger's gaze wandered everywhere, but she dared not look at Ji Xuan.

"I... I'll go take a bath first!" Without waiting for Ji Xuan's response, she hurried into the bathroom and locked the door with a click.

Watching her fleeing figure, Ji Xuan couldn't help but let a smile tug at the corners of his mouth.

He said nothing, simply walking to the window to watch the city's night view, waiting patiently.

The sound of splashing water came from the bathroom, lasting longer than usual.

Ji Xuan did not rush her; he knew Shui Binger needed time to mentally prepare herself.

After a long while, she finally changed and shuffled out.

Ji Xuan then went in to take a quick bath.

When he came out, Shui Binger was sitting quietly on the edge of the bed, still looking down, her hands tightly gripping the hem of her clothes.

The atmosphere in the room became somewhat subtle.

Ji Xuan walked up to her and confirmed once more, "Binger, are you sure you are truly ready? I want this to be because you are willing, not because of a momentary impulse or gratitude."

Shui Binger's body trembled slightly. She looked up, her face showing both shyness and nervousness.

She took a deep breath and nodded firmly. "I am ready."

This instantly ignited the flame in Ji Xuan's heart...

...

The next morning.

The two of them got ready and left the hotel to return to Tianshui Academy.

There were few pedestrians on the street.

Shui Binger's gait was noticeably unnatural.

Ji Xuan considerately wrapped his arm around her waist, letting her lean most of her weight on him.

Shui Binger leaned against him obediently.

After last night, she no longer felt that initial shyness.

Just like that, the two of them snuggled together and walked slowly toward the academy...

Tianshui Academy, first-floor lobby of the team dormitory.

Because their captain, Shui Binger, had gone to hunt for a spirit ring, the instructor had simply given them two days off to rest and adjust on their own.

At this moment, Shui Yueer and the others were gathered together, eating breakfast.

Shui Yueer mumbled while eating a pastry, "It's been so long, why haven't Sister and Brother-in-law returned yet?"

"Seventh Girl, perhaps they went on a date," Xue Wu teased from the side with a smile.

Just then, two figures walked in from outside the dormitory door.

"Ah! Sister, Brother-in-law, you've finally returned." Shui Yueer's eyes lit up, and she hurriedly put down her pastry and rose to greet them.

The lobby suddenly fell silent, and everyone's gaze turned toward the door in unison.

"Eh? Sister, what's wrong?" Shui Yueer noticed that her gait was somewhat unnatural, and her expression revealed a hint of fatigue.

She took a quick step forward, held Shui Binger's other arm, and looked her up and down with concern. "Sister, were you injured while hunting spirits? Where are you hurt? Is it serious?"

Being asked this, Shui Binger instantly recalled the scenes from last night, and her cheeks couldn't help but heat up again.

She shook her head hurriedly. "I... I'm fine, I'm not hurt anywhere."

Behind her, Gu Qingbo chuckled out loud. "Yueer, stop worrying blindly. Think about it carefully—they didn't return all night and only came back this morning."

The others also smiled knowingly, their gazes shifting toward Shui Binger.

Shui Yueer was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized what it meant. She opened her mouth wide, her eyes widening into circles.

"Sister, could you two have..." The words reached her lips, but she felt too embarrassed to say them, and her cheeks turned bright red instantly.

"You brat, stop talking." Shui Binger was so embarrassed she wished she could find a hole to crawl into.

"Oh, I understand, I understand. Sister, come sit down and rest for a while!"

Shui Yueer hurriedly supported her as they walked toward the living room sofa.

Shui Binger was pressed down onto the sofa, and the others gathered around her; she didn't even dare to lift her head.

Ji Xuan stood quietly at the doorway, not interrupting; he couldn't insert himself into a conversation among a group of girls.

Shui Yueer leaned in closer and asked in a low voice, "Sister, tell us quietly, how was it?"

Xue Wu also leaned in, whispering, "That's right, Captain, tell us quickly."

The others also pricked up their ears, their eyes full of curiosity.

"Oh, you all, shut up." These people's questions were increasingly blunt, and Shui Binger simply couldn't handle them.

Furthermore, Ji Xuan was still standing at the door watching, so how could she possibly say anything...

Following Shui Binger's gaze, Shui Yueer glanced at Ji Xuan and suddenly realized, "So it's because Brother-in-law is here that Sister is shy."

She winked at the others and said, "Let's go, let's go back to the room and chat slowly."

"Seventh Girl is right." The others immediately scrambled to help Shui Binger up and headed upstairs.

"Hey, stop it!" Shui Binger was both shy and anxious, but she had no room to struggle.

In the end, only Ji Xuan was left alone in the lobby, and he couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle.