Deviant: No Longer Human

!?

Startling her—Gently, he placed a tender kiss on her forehead. "Take care this time, and find me if you run into any trouble," he murmured softly, his voice laden with emotion.

"You don\'t need to take it all on yourself..." His words were as much a reassurance to himself as they were to her.

"!"

Amelia\'s eyes widened in astonishment, staring into the distance for a split second before her rigid features melted into a faint sweet smile.

"I don\'t regret saving you... Ever...I lied... All those times..." she whispered, her voice barely audible as she pressed her head against his chest, her arms tightening around him in a firm embrace.

Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, reflecting her chaotic emotions at the moment.

As Wang Xiao gently stroked her back, he whispered, "I know…" His voice was soothing, yet his gaze sharpened, alert and watchful, as he looked over Amelia\'s shoulder, scanning the environment for something—or someone—else in their midst.

"Promise me... This time, you\'ll be there to meet our child..." Amelia pleaded, unaware of the visitor standing behind her.

Her voice was tinged with a mixture of hope and vulnerability as she sought reassurance from Wang Xiao.

"I would..." Wang Xiao began, his voice faltering slightly with hesitation. He reached out, cupping her face gently, only to be met by her eyes, shimmering like crystals.

She leaned in swiftly and kissed him on the lips.

"!"

Wang Xiao\'s eyes narrowed, his gaze flickering with a mix of surprise and discomfort as he stared at the tall woman with striking white hair standing before him.

Why did it feel so illicit, this moment of intimacy, as if they were under the watchful eyes of someone they shouldn\'t be?

Wang Xiao mentally scolded himself, determined to shake off the oppressive image of his guardian from his mind.

As Amelia slowly pulled away, her smile faint yet meaningful, she hesitated, seemingly reluctant to turn and walk away.

But as she did, she caught sight of two deep eyes intently observing her.

"!"

She froze for a heartbeat, her gaze locking with Bing Xueli, who stood stoically by the leafless tree.

Quickly regaining her composure, Amelia straightened her posture, her voice carrying a touch of defiance mixed with resignation.

"I would wait for you..." she declared, her tone tinged with a cool indifference.

With a final glance, she walked away, her steps measured and deliberate, seemingly unperturbed by Bing Xueli\'s oppressive presence.

"..."

"..."

"You came back..." After a long, stretched silence, Bing Xueli exhaled, her expression indifferent but tinged with a faint smile that betrayed her composed facade.

"Not for long," Wang Xiao responded curtly, his eyes scanning her from top to bottom, assessing her presence. "Why are you here?"

"..."

Taken aback by the edge in his voice, Bing Xueli hesitated.

"Are you angry... at me?" she ventured, her voice a blend of concern and curiosity.

Wang Xiao remained silent for a moment before shaking his head dismissively. "You\'re fortunate. Had you encountered me a few months ago, I might have been, but not anymore."

"..."

Bing Xueli stood silently, her gaze fixed on him, a soft murmur escaping her lips almost without thought, "You have grown..." Each time she saw him, he seemed to have evolved immensely, his changes always leaving her astounded.

"People grow through their experiences," Wang Xiao declared, a note of finality in his voice. "As long as they\'re alive, they continue to evolve. If there\'s nothing else, I\'ll be leaving." His words were firm, and without waiting for a response, he turned to leave.

"Wait—" Bing Xueli\'s plea faded into the cold air, her expression shifting to one of slight disappointment as Wang Xiao swiftly vanished from her view, his silhouette swallowed by the swirling white snow.

______

[Wow... You\'ve completely turned the tables on her.]

Outside, as Wang Xiao soared over the frosty expanse of Icevale, Yin Yue\'s voice, tinged with a hint of amazement, resonated within his mind.

Previously, it had seemed like Wang Xiao was the one pursuing her, but now the dynamic had dramatically shifted—it was she who seemed to be chasing him.

Yin Yue wasn\'t sure if this reversal was deliberate, but Wang Xiao had indeed flipped the script on that woman!

If anything, Yin Yue was immensely satisfied with this turn of events.

She harbored a strong dislike for that woman and even harbored a secret desire to see her in sadness.

Fortunately for Wang Xiao, he was blissfully unaware that the voice echoing in his mind was quite... peculiar at times.

Had he known, he might have chosen to isolate himself in the remote Himalayas to escape her influence.

_____

Back in Xianthera!

Bing Xueli returned to her living room, sinking quietly to her knees beside the low table, enveloped in a contemplative silence.

Her mind was numb, echoing with the coldness of his dismissal as she picked up a pen, intending to outline her plans for the coming years.

Yet, each time she set the pen to paper, her fingers hesitated, dropping listlessly.

"..."

Eventually, she remained utterly still, her gaze distant and filled with introspection.

She questioned her priorities—had she devoted too much to the village and her role there?

Wang Xiao had flourished due to her decisions, reaping benefits from her actions.

However, it now seemed those same decisions had unintentionally pushed him away from her.

For the first time in her life, doubt crept into her heart, causing her to question her past actions...

Was it all truly necessary?

This question haunted her, not just in fleeting moments, but as a constant, oppressive presence in this very room, continuing to haunt her day and night.

"Huh?"

Her expression suddenly morphed into one of surprise as she noticed a few droplets of water spattering onto the paper, causing the ink to smear.

??

With a confused frown, she slowly brought her fingers to her face, discovering the unexpected wetness of tears on her cheeks.