Bibi Dong's body stiffened almost imperceptibly for a heartbeat—but this time, she didn't stop him. She simply turned her head slightly, her gaze fixed on the wisps of steam rising from the pool, allowing his fingers to work at the fastenings before her.
The heavy, ornate Pope's robe slid off and was carefully folded aside. Next came the gold-embroidered outer tunic, then the inner layers…
With each layer removed, more of her skin was exposed to the warm, humid air.
Finally, only a thin silk chemise remained—so sheer it barely concealed anything, its translucent fabric tracing every elegant curve of her body in the soft light.
Dai Chengfeng's eyes lingered on her for a long moment.
In the hazy steam, her skin glowed like polished jade, luminous with a pearlescent sheen, now tinged faintly pink from embarrassment.
Strands of damp hair clung to her cheeks, softening the sharp lines of her usually commanding features—revealing a breathtaking, vulnerable beauty that stole his breath.
As the last garment slipped away, Dai Chengfeng gently lifted her once more and stepped into the warm spring water.
The heat enveloped her instantly—a perfect temperature that coaxed an involuntary, nearly silent sigh from Bibi Dong.
She leaned back against the smooth jade edge of the pool, closed her eyes, and let the warmth seep into every tense muscle.
Dai Chengfeng entered the water beside her, settling down at a respectful distance—close enough to feel, far enough to honor.
He said nothing, only watched her quietly.
Gentle ripples lapped at their skin, petals drifting with the current, brushing against them with feather-light tickles.
After a long silence, Bibi Dong finally spoke, her voice clear and soft in the echoing chamber:
"You're always like this."
"Like what?" Dai Chengfeng asked, voice low and tender.
"Pushing your luck."
She opened her eyes and turned to look at him.
The mist made her gaze appear dewy—less sharp than usual, more dreamlike. "You advance step by step, testing my limits."
Dai Chengfeng smiled—a gentle, hazy expression in the steam, yet deeply warm.
"Because I know your limits aren't as unbreakable as they seem."
He paused, then moved slightly closer.
"And I'm not testing you—I'm asking. Asking you to let go of those burdens, just for a moment… and be Bibi Dong."
"The Pope is who I am," she replied, turning her gaze to the floating petals. "They can't be separated."
"Then let 'Pope Bibi Dong' have a moment… just for 'Woman Bibi Dong.'"
His voice drew nearer, his warm breath grazing her ear. "You don't always have to be strong. Or perfect. Not with me."
Her heart skipped a beat.
She turned back—and found his eyes already close, watching her intently.
"You're too bold," she murmured. Yet there was no real reprimand in her tone.
"Because you're Bibi Dong…"
He admitted openly, closing the last sliver of distance between them.
He reached out, tucking a damp strand of hair behind her ear—his fingertips grazing her earlobe by accident.
Bibi Dong shivered faintly.
"Teacher."
"Hmm?" She answered without thinking.
"You're beautiful."
His whisper drifted from her eyes down to her lips.
Slowly, his thumb traced her jawline, then gently tilted her face upward.
"May I, Teacher?"
She didn't answer with words.
Instead, she watched as he leaned in—and closed her eyes.
It was an exquisitely tender kiss.
At first, just the softest brush of lips—tentative, reverent.
Then, he deepened it slightly, waiting patiently for her response.
Bibi Dong's breath hitched.
Her hands had somehow found his shoulders, fingers unconsciously tightening, wrinkling the wet fabric beneath.
Her reply was shy, inexperienced—and that realization filled Dai Chengfeng with overwhelming tenderness and quiet joy.
He pulled her closer, one arm circling her waist, drawing her fully into his embrace.
"Open your eyes, Teacher," he coaxed softly.
She lifted her lashes slowly, meeting his smiling gaze.
"You see? Letting go… isn't so hard, is it?"
He released her lips, thumb brushing over their slightly swollen, glistening surface.
Bibi Dong didn't answer. Instead, she buried her face in the crook of his shoulder—a gesture so full of quiet trust that Dai Chengfeng's heart melted completely.
He stroked her back gently, like soothing a child.
"Tired?" he asked.
"Mm," she mumbled against his skin.
"Then don't speak. Don't think." He held her close, letting her rest against him. "Just stay like this… for a while."
Silence returned to the chamber—only the soft lap of water and their mingled breaths remained.
Curled in Dai Chengfeng's arms, Bibi Dong felt a rare, long-forgotten sense of peace settle deep within her.
"That garment…" she suddenly murmured, voice barely above a whisper.
"Hmm?" Dai Chengfeng lowered his chin to rest atop her damp hair.
"It really… went too far," she said softly, ears flushing again.
Dai Chengfeng chuckled lowly. "I know."
He admitted it freely. "I just… wanted to see how you'd react."
"You!" She lifted her head, glaring at him with flustered indignation.
"I'm sorry," he said instantly—though his eyes sparkled with amusement, not regret. "But I still think you'd look stunning in it."
"But it's fine. I can wait. Until the day you want to wear it yourself."
"There won't be such a day," she insisted—but her voice lacked its earlier conviction.
Dai Chengfeng only smiled, choosing not to argue.
He drew her back into his embrace, fingers idly combing through her wet hair.
As the water cooled, he lifted her from the spring, wrapping her in a thick, plush towel. Every motion was slow, deliberate, almost reverent—drying each droplet from her skin with infinite care.
Bibi Dong kept her eyes downcast the entire time, cheeks faintly pink, submitting quietly to his ministrations.
Once dressed in a clean sleeping robe, Dai Chengfeng carried her back to the bedchamber and laid her gently on the wide, soft bed.
He settled on the outer side, facing her, but didn't immediately pull her close. Instead, he simply watched her in the dim lamplight.
Her lashes cast delicate shadows on her cheeks; her damp hair, now patted dry with a soft cloth, spilled across the pillow—carrying the faint, clean scent of bath oils and quiet exhaustion.
After a long while, Dai Chengfeng reached out and extinguished the bedside lamp.
"Sleep well, Teacher."
Bibi Dong didn't reply—but her body gradually softened against him.
Time passed in silence.
Just as Dai Chengfeng thought she'd fallen asleep, he felt the faintest shift in her posture.
"Too heavy," she mumbled drowsily, voice thick with sleep—clearly complaining about the arm draped around her waist.
Dai Chengfeng smiled soundlessly. He loosened his hold just slightly—but didn't remove it.
"Better?"
"…Mm."
She gave the faintest acknowledgment—and fell still, sinking into peaceful slumber in his arms.
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