A week had passed without any life-threatening disturbances. It was the best thing Xiaoyu could ever wish for – to lead a normal life.

Throughout her stay at her sister's place, she was slowly adapting to their way of life. Apparently, the people in this village helped one another out to preserve their lives in this village. Be it working in the fields, fishing, rearing animals or guarding the borders, everyone played a part.

Today, Xiaoyu was hanging the laundry at the front of the house. Her sister had left minutes ago to pick up some fruits and vegetables from the fields.

As for Zhijian, he had gone with Jiang Yuhan to clear the small demons lurking around the village. When the village leader heard about his experience of fighting demons, he immediately returned his sword and got him to join their ranks. Ever since then, they would be out working during the day and returning home late in the evening.

A ripple of laughter could be heard from the outside. Once again, Jiang Ming brought his friends home.

Xiaoyu turned to meet their eager faces, giving each of them a friendly smile. The oldest of the group, Xiuming, stepped forward to take the washed quilts from her hands.

"Here, let me do it," he offered. "The laundry lining is too high for you."

Xiaoyu nodded gratefully, watching as he hung them up for her. He was a tall, lanky boy who was apparently the same age as her. With a friendly, lopsided smile, he had an endearing, boyish face that naturally drew people in. Ever since they met, he treated her with nothing but kindness.

When the last quilt was hung, he wiped his hands on the front of his pants before turning to her with a beam. "What other chores do you still have? I'll help."

She shook her head, realising that the rest of the boys had disappeared. Xiuming strolled back to the stack of wooden crates sitting by the gate, where a bunch of daisies had mysteriously appeared on it. He grabbed them and handed them to her.

"These are for you. I saw them when I was out in the fields today and thought of you immediately."

Xiaoyu was stunned. She didn't know what she should do, but with the way he was grinning at her innocently, she found it hard to turn him down. In the end, she accepted the flowers, but with a rather awkward smile.

There was a faint blush on his cheeks. "Do you..." he said nervously, "do you want to go on a walk with me for a little while?"

Oh no.

This boy grew feelings for her, didn't he?

She swallowed hard. Taking his hand, she started tracing words on his calloused palm.

"I have a lover."

When she glanced up, she found his smile faded and his face fell in disappointment. "I know," he admitted. "It's the guy that has been hovering by your side, isn't it? Jiang Ming said that you guys aren't married, so there's still a chance for me."

For every step he took towards her, she took one step backwards warily. Away from him. They continued until she was backed up against the exterior wall of the hut. Her heart thudded nervously at his advance, not because of anticipation, but she was afraid of him.

He placed his hand on her arm. "Please? Won't you at least give me a chance? I promise to be better than him."

Her eyes avoided him, her head already shaking. There was nobody else she ever wanted, except him.

"I'm aware that we only know each other for a few days, but I really like you. It doesn't matter if you're mute, there's just something about you–"

A voice with a dangerous edge cuts Xiuming off. "What's going on?"

Their heads snapped towards the gate, where Zhijian stood. His devilishly handsome face was dark, his jaw clenched tightly. There was a murderous look in his stormy eyes, looking as if he was about to pummel someone to death any second.

He stomped towards them, snatching her hand and pulling her towards him. Shooting a death glare at the silent boy, he led her out of the house. They tread along the path in silence. When he noticed the daisies she was clutching, he plucked them out of her hands and gave them to an elderly woman who happened to walk past them. She was surprised but grateful, and she even asked if he could be her grandson.

When he returned his attention to Xiaoyu, he was sulking. They entered the woods, heading straight for a picturesque pond framed by trees, the waters glistening in the afternoon heat. It was a spot that was well hidden from public eyes, giving them the privacy that they needed.

Zhijian swivelled around with a troubled expression. "Don't smile at him, or any other guys," he told her firmly. "Don't even look at them either. From the way they're looking at you, they probably aren't having decent thoughts."

A chuckle escaped from her and he frowned. "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing," Xiaoyu hummed. "I just thought you look adorable."

The tip of his ears reddened immediately. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "I-I can't help it. I don't like other men staring at you like that."

A smile grew on her lips. Seeing his flustered state fuelled her confidence and this time, she was the first one to make a move.

She framed his face with her hands, tiptoed and dropped a sudden kiss on his lips. When she pulled back, she reassured him with a grin.

"The only man I want is you."

Zhijian was so startled that his cheeks flushed red with embarrassment. "Oh crap," he groaned. "If you do this, I'm not going to be able to hold back myself."

And he didn't. He kissed her, his mouth hot and demanding. Sending wild tremors through her veins. A fluttery feeling settled in her stomach and she shivered. Feeling his lips soft and warm against hers sparked something in her and she found herself returning his kiss.

When they broke apart breathlessly, he pulled her into his chest, resting his chin on her head. "I've been wanting to do this all day," he admitted. "Especially when nobody is around and now that I've to sleep apart from you. I swear that little brat's snoring is like a rumbling thunder."

She started laughing. "Is it really that bad?"

"Very," he emphasised. When he heard her giggle, he released a contented sigh. "I could get used to this everyday. Seeing you smile and laugh."

A smile bloomed across her face. "Only if you're around," she answered, before pulling back to look at his face with curiosity. "Which reminds me – why are you back so early?"

He shrugged lightly. "All the demons were eliminated. They were rather weak."

"If Jinlong was here, he would definitely say how much of a show-off you are."

She had blurted her words on a whim, but when they crossed her lips, she regretted it instantly. His smile faded, reminding her that it was her fault that he couldn't be with his best friend, his brother and his clan. She was the one who took him away from them.

He stared off into the distance, his eyes containing amusement and sadness. "Of course he would, that rascal. I wonder what he's doing right now."

Guilt trickled through her and she swallowed hard. Lacing her fingers through his, she forced a smile and tugged him along, taking the route back home. Along the way, they chanced upon wild flowers growing abundantly in a bush at the side – white lilacs. Her favourite flowers.

Without a word, Zhijian plucked a few stalks and gifted it to her, earning him an immediate blush across her cheeks. His sweet gesture had proven the others wrong, that in this world, he was the only one who could give her butterflies in her stomach and send her over the moon.

This moment may seem ordinary to anybody, but for her, it was extraordinary. For now, nothing else mattered. She was going to pretend that the Jiang clan never existed and she was just a normal girl with no powers.

Just for today, she was going to live in the moment.

A/N: Any ship name for our couple? 😛