Sensing his gratitude and sincerity, Xiao Yue's features softened as she leaned closer to him, pressing their foreheads together. "You don't need to apologize, Xu Qi. We all have our doubts and fears. It's only natural. But remember, I've seen the way you've grown and the effort you put into your cultivation. Your charm is just a part of you, not the whole of you."
Their eyes locked, and Xu Qi felt a warmth spread from their touch, soothing the tumult in his heart. He took a deep breath, inhaling her sweet scent that seemed to carry the essence of the Wandering Palace's tranquil nights. "Thank you, Xiao Yue. I'll keep that in mind."
With this, Xiao Yue finally caught the return of genuine affection reflected in his gaze. As her own feelings mirrored his, a blend of fondness and desire that seemed to transcend the boundaries of their cultivation came to be.