Jia Wei Xin woke up in a cold sweat, her breath coming in short gasps. It felt like she had been unconscious for a very long time. Her surroundings seemed to swirl around her, and a severe headache pounded in her temples. Gradually, the room stopped spinning, and she realized she was in what looked like a rustic hut.
The room was small and sparsely furnished, with wooden beams supporting a thatched roof. The walls were made of rough-hewn logs, and the floor was covered with woven mats. A small window let in a sliver of light, casting a soft glow on the simple furniture. The air carried the faint scent of herbs and earth.
She stepped down from the bed, her bare feet meeting the cool, earthen floor. That's when she noticed her clothes—a long white satin robe that clung snugly to her figure, cinched at the waist with a delicate belt and flowing to her ankles. Her eyes widened in confusion.
What on earth was she wearing?
It looked like a costume from a historical drama. Was she an actress?
Her memory felt fuzzy—but then it started returning.
___
She was in Beijing, China, taking part in a high-stakes competition open to girls aged 18 to 28. The grand prize: 1 million yuan. The contest tested participants on strength, endurance, and wit through a series of ten challenges. The final challenge had taken place in a secluded forest—so remote, it took a six-hour flight in a small plane to reach it.
Jia Wei Xin had made it to the final round, clearly ahead of the last two participants. The task was simple in theory: reach the designated finish point using only a basic survival kit and limited food. She remembered finding the place—a stunning cave with a waterfall, beams of light, and a serene garden. It was the most breathtaking sight she had ever seen.
But no one was there to welcome her. No announcement. No camera crew.
She waited all day, confused and exhausted. Then she had fallen asleep.
___
And now—this.
Strange clothes. Strange place. A strange stillness in the air.
She reasoned it must have been the crew who found her sleeping and brought her to this hut. Maybe the odd outfit was for filming purposes. Deciding to investigate, she stepped out of the bedroom.
The living room was humble—simple bamboo chairs, a small table. Bright sunlight poured in through the open doorway, telling her it was already around noon. The house was small, just a bedroom and living area. No one else was inside.
She stepped outside.
___
A swooshing sound cut through the air, followed by a powerful gust of wind. The trees bent and swayed as leaves rained down around her.
Her eyes caught something moving—no, someone.
A figure in a white robe was streaking across the garden like a blur. One second, he was on the right. The next, gone. Then somewhere else. She squinted, trying to focus, but the speed was dizzying.
Suddenly, the wind stopped.
Something rushed toward her—too fast. She didn't even have time to scream.
She braced herself for impact.
But instead of pain, she felt something soft yet firm—an arm around her waist, a hand at her neck—holding her steady.
When she opened her eyes, the "monster" she had imagined turned out to be something else entirely.
An angel.
He was… stunning. Chiseled features, a powerful build, the kind of face that belonged in movies or carved into a temple wall. He was tall, his muscles defined even under his flowing robe. Jia Wei Xin had never seen someone so perfect up close.
And his voice. Deep. Commanding. It reverberated through her, softening her limbs.
"You are awake, miss," he said gently.
Her senses felt scrambled. Was she still dreaming? She kind of hoped so—and hoped she wouldn't wake up.
"I'm sorry to surprise you like this," he added. "I was practicing and did not realize you were outside. Please forgive me."
"Oh," she managed to say, dazed and awkward. She was still leaning against him, her palm resting against his chest. His muscles were rock solid.
He didn't let go—just in case she lost her balance again.
Flustered, Jia Wei Xin tried to regain her composure. Should she step away? Stay still? Her brain wasn't helping.
She inhaled. He smelled like fresh leaves and mountain air.
"I'm sorry too… for interrupting your practice," she said, forcing herself to stand straighter. "Can you tell me who you are and where am I?"
Taking a respectful step back, she switched to a more serious tone, her expression sharpening with resolve. She needed answers.
The young man blinked, genuinely taken aback.
That was new.
Girls usually clung to him longer than necessary—some even pretended to stumble just to fall into his arms. And usually, he avoided catching them. He didn't like touching people. He hated it, actually.
But this time, he hadn't even thought.
He caught her without hesitation.
And now… he still felt the phantom warmth of her waist under his hand. Her closeness didn't irritate him—it felt… natural. Comfortable. Like holding her had been the most effortless thing in the world.
His eyes narrowed slightly, studying her.
She was beautiful, yes—but different. Not in the way she looked, though her features were striking. It was the way she carried herself. The calm steel behind her confusion. The way she pulled away, not with fear or coyness, but self-respect.
No fluttering lashes. No affected giggles. No shallow praise for his "divine martial elegance"—whatever that meant.
Just questions. Steady eyes. A woman who wanted answers, not attention.
His expression softened, almost unconsciously.
"My name is Liu Mo Fei," he said quietly. "This is my home."