Protoganist's Sidekick Fights Back-Chapter 19: A Secret Relationship?

"Do you have any questions left?" Su Kang asked, his voice soft yet carrying an undeniable intensity.

Bai Yunxi hadn't been held by a man in years. The sensation was foreign—yet oddly comforting. His arms, firm and steady, encircled her with an ease that made her heart waver.

Even through the fabric of his robe, she could feel the strength beneath, a quiet yet overwhelming presence.

When he wiped away her tears, his touch was gentle, almost reverent. The warmth of his fingers lingered on her skin, making her breath hitch.

"If not," he continued, his tone unwavering, "then give me your answer. Do you... do you like me?"

His words hung in the air between them, filled with quiet hope.

"Yes," she whispered.

The single word barely carried weight, yet it seemed to fill the silence, changing everything.

Su Kang exhaled, his relief palpable. A smile—wide, genuine, and unguarded—lit up his face. "I... I like you as well."

The words felt strange on Bai Yunxi's tongue, as though she had unearthed a long-buried part of herself.

A part that had once dared to long for warmth. She took a deep breath, steadying the rush of emotions swelling within her.

Without hesitation, Su Kang pulled her closer. The embrace was not just possessive—it was reassuring, protective. She didn't resist. It felt good. It felt... safe.

"Xi'er," he whispered, his voice husky with emotion, "if anything troubles you, tell me. I'll take care of it. You don't have to bear it alone."

Bai Yunxi stiffened slightly. Her fingers curled against his robe.

"Don't... call me that," she murmured, barely audible.

"But we're a couple now, aren't we?" he teased, a trace of amusement flickering in his eyes.

"It's normal for lovers to use affectionate names."

She hesitated before nodding. "We are. But... I'm not used to it yet. It would be embarrassing if others heard."

She averted her gaze, unsure how he would take her reluctance. She didn't want him to misunderstand—this wasn't rejection. She just needed time.

Su Kang chuckled, the sound deep and reassuring. "You'll have to get used to it sooner or later," he said, his tone playful yet firm.

"The sooner, the better."

He reached up, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face, his touch lingering. "I can hardly believe this is real," he admitted, wonder lacing his voice.

"Yun'er, thank you... You have no idea what this means to me."

His sincerity touched something deep within her.

She lifted her hands, tracing the muscles beneath his robe, feeling the solid warmth of his back. Slowly, she tightened her hold, a silent confession of her own.

Su Kang gazed at her, his expression softening. She was beautiful—not in an extravagant way, but like a flower that had endured storms and still stood tall, resilient yet delicate.

Bai Yunxi, too, found herself studying him. Up close, his wheatish skin gave him a mature, almost rugged charm, his unconventional earrings hinting at a rebellious streak. He was handsome, yes, but it was more than that.

Their eyes met, the distance between them vanishing.

He leaned closer, their breaths mingling, their hearts echoing each other. Her breath quickened, her pulse racing, but she didn't pull away.

She could feel his warmth, his presence enveloping her, and for a moment, the world seemed to fade away.

This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom.

His lips brushed against hers, feather-light, hesitant—yet electric. A shiver ran through them both at the contact.

The sensation was new—soft, warm.

A slow, simmering heat spread through Su Kang's chest. His heart pounded, urging him forward.

His lips moved again, this time firmer, more insistent. He captured her lower lip, then her upper, tasting her, exploring.

His touch was gentle but deliberate, as if he were savoring every moment.

A quiet gasp escaped her, her hands instinctively gripping his robes for balance. Her heart fluttered, her thoughts scattering like leaves in the wind.

It had been so long since she'd been kissed—so long since she'd allowed herself to feel this way.

He deepened the kiss, his tongue lightly tracing her lips before nudging them open.

The intimacy was overwhelming, yet she didn't pull away. Instead, she leaned into him, her body responding to his warmth, his touch.

Her legs felt weak, and only his steady hold kept her upright. Her heart and mind waged a silent battle, unsure how to respond.

Su Kang felt her hesitation—the slight tremor in her body, the way her breath hitched. Guilt flickered in his chest. Had he gone too far? Was he too inexperienced?

His heart still pounded as he pulled back, his gaze tracing the delicate flush blooming across her cheeks, down to the tips of her ears and neck.

His eyes flickered lower. A faint smudge of red clung to the corner of her lips, a stark contrast against her pale skin.

At the same time, Bai Yunxi's gaze shifted to his mouth—and her breath hitched. A soft, pinkish-red stain marked his lips, a trace of the lipstick she had borrowed for the night.

Realizing it at the same moment, they both stilled.

Su Kang touched his lips, inspecting his fingertips where a hint of red remained.

Bai Yunxi hesitated before reaching out, her fingers brushing his skin as she wiped the smudge from his lips. The warmth of her touch sent a ripple of heat through him.

He allowed it, relishing this small moment of tenderness. He could have cleaned himself with a thought with his powers, but there was something precious in this simple, human gesture.

Taking a small white cloth, he gently wiped her lips, erasing the last traces of red. Then, with deliberate care, he took her fingers in his and cleaned them as well.

"I'll clean it," she murmured, attempting to take the cloth from him, her voice laced with quiet embarrassment.

She was still used to the ways of mortals, unaware that cultivators had no need for such things.

Su Kang only smiled, keeping the cloth. "No need." His tone was light, yet firm.

"It'll be a keepsake—a reminder of this fortunate night."

She blinked at him, taken aback. A trace of emotion passed through her eyes, but practicality soon followed.

"But... you can't show it to anyone," she warned.

He chuckled. "Don't worry. No one will see it but us."

"Hmph." She huffed softly, but a small smile tugged at her lips. "I don't even want to see it."

He laughed, a deep, warm sound, then led her toward a large, flat rock—cleaved cleanly in half by a casual flick of his wrist, now serving as a makeshift bench.

"Sit," he said, gesturing for her to join him.

As she settled beside him, he reached for her hand, his thumb tracing slow, soothing circles over her palm. His grip was steady yet gentle, offering silent reassurance.

"Tell me," he said, his voice low but unwavering, "what's worrying you? Anything—big or small. I want to hear it all."

"The Li family, the Bai family... whatever it is. Tell me."

She hesitated for a moment, studying his expression. Then, with quiet resolve, she spoke. She told him everything—her fears, her burdens, the weight of expectations pressing down on her.

Su Kang listened without interruption, his grip never loosening.

When she finished, he met her gaze with quiet confidence.

"I'll handle them," he promised. "You can rely on my family's influence. You don't have to carry this alone."

A shadow of doubt flickered across her face. "I don't know if it's right to use your family's power for my problems..."

"Why not?" he countered, his voice steady. "I am the young master of the Su family. And you—" he squeezed her hand gently "—will be my wife. Just focus on solving the problems, not on whether or not you deserve help."

She studied him for a long moment, as if weighing his words. Then, after a brief pause, she spoke again, her voice softer.

"There's something I've been thinking about..."

"What is it?" he asked, his eyes sharpening.

"I..." She hesitated. "I want to keep our relationship a secret. At least for now."

A frown crept onto Su Kang's face. A secret? That complicated things. If their relationship remained hidden, it would be harder to influence Li Fang and steal his destiny points.

"What do you mean?" His voice remained calm, but his gaze was piercing. "What will we be, then?"

She lowered her eyes. "Li Fang... he can't know about this. Not yet.."

His fingers tightened slightly around hers before he forced himself to relax. He needed to understand her reasoning.

He had come too far.

He liked her, and no matter what obstacles lay ahead, Bai Yunxi would be his woman.