"Mm, awake."
Zhou Wang nodded, his gaze swept over Xiao An's waist where a bit of a tattered cloth still hung, and he couldn't help but pause for a moment. Then he gently caressed Xiao An's back, his fingers brushing over the mottled marks.
"Do these places... hurt? I'm sorry, it seems I lost control."
"It doesn't hurt, it's just that my skin is a bit unusual, it bruises with just a little pressure."
Xiao An quickly shook her head to explain.
Zhou Wang noticed that in the daylight, Xiao An had returned to her somewhat reserved state, so he immediately pulled her into his arms, soothing her softly.
"When it's just the two of us, you don't have to be so tense, you can even call me by my name..."
"How could I do that?"
