The Devil CEO’s Reborn Lover

The night had deepened, casting the cliffs in shadows. Smoke drifted in slow spirals above the fire pit, the only warmth among the shattered stones and wounded pride. They had survived Dracon's attack—barely—but the silence afterward was filled with unease.

Shao Wei sat near the fire, her back straight, the golden flame dancing on her palms. She tried to control her breathing, to focus on the power within her—but something inside felt... wrong. Off-balance.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Zhao Xi asked, standing close.

She looked up at him and smiled faintly. "I just need to rest."

Before he could reply, the air split with a crack—like a tree being torn in half.

A blade of dark magic tore through the firelight.

"Get down!" Wu Mei shouted.

But it was too late.

The shadow struck Shao Wei square in the side.

She gasped, eyes wide, as the force lifted her off her feet. She crashed into the rocks with a sickening thud, blood blooming across her white robes.

"Shao Wei!" Zhao Xi shouted, rushing to her.

Another explosion rocked the cliffs—Dracon had returned, standing above them on the upper ridge, a satisfied smirk on his pale face.

"Did you really think I would leave without a mark?"

Zhao Xi's eyes burned with fury. "You bastard—!"

He charged, blade raised, but Wu Mei grabbed his shoulder. "No! He wants you to act out—he'll use it!"

Mo Qing stepped forward and hurled a dagger that grazed Dracon's arm, but the man vanished again into the night like mist, leaving only the echo of his laughter and the cold sting of defeat behind.

Zhao Xi dropped to his knees beside Shao Wei, cradling her head carefully. Blood stained his hands. Her breathing was shallow, and her skin had gone pale.

"No, no, no—stay with me," he whispered, voice cracking. "You're not leaving me."

Her eyes didn't open.

"Mo Qing! Help me!" he barked, desperation flaring in his chest.

Wu Mei was already there, pressing cloth to the wound. "She's still breathing, but barely."

"I can't lose her," Zhao Xi whispered. "Not her."

Wu Mei paused, eyes narrowing, but said nothing.

The others gave them space as Zhao Xi lifted Shao Wei in his arms and carried her back into the safety of the cave. He laid her down gently on a makeshift bed of cloaks and moss.

Her hair spilled around her face like ink. Her lips were pale.

He sat beside her and took her hand—cold and limp—and pressed it against his cheek.

" I've fallen in love with you at first sight " he said softly. "You drove away the nightmares. You gave me something to believe in."

He swallowed the lump in his throat.

"And I never told you how I really felt because I was afraid. I thought... if I kept it buried, I could protect you better."

His voice broke.

"But you were never the one who needed protection, were you?"

He brushed a strand of hair from her face.

"I'm in love with you, Shao Wei."

The words came like a dam bursting—raw, trembling, honest.

"I love the fire in you. The stubbornness. The way you light up when you smile. I love the way you don't give up on people, even when they don't deserve it."

He held her hand tighter.

"I should've told you sooner. I'm sorry."

No answer.

Just the sound of the wind outside and the slow drip of blood from the wound soaking into the cloth.

Zhao Xi bowed his head.

Outside, the group kept watch, giving them space.

Wu Mei stood with her arms crossed, looking out toward the cliffs. "If Dracon returns—he dies."

Mo Qing nodded. "He aimed for her. That wasn't random."

"He's afraid of what she'll become," Wu Mei said.

And inside the cave—

Shao Wei stirred.

It was faint. A flutter of lashes. A twitch of fingers.

Then a sharp breath.

Zhao Xi blinked. "Shao Wei?"

She groaned softly, her voice hoarse. "Ow…"

His eyes widened, and he leaned in. "You're awake?"

She blinked up at him, confused. "Why do you look like you saw a ghost?"

He let out a breath that sounded halfway between a sob and a laugh. "Because I thought I lost you."

She looked around, frowning. "Where…?"

"You're safe," he said. "You were hit, but we got you out. Wu Mei sealed the wound."

She winced as she tried to sit up, and he immediately helped her, sliding an arm behind her back.

"I can't believe he attacked me like that," she muttered.

Zhao Xi looked at her, heart pounding. "You scared the hell out of me."

She gave him a small, tired smile. "Sorry. I'm not that easy to kill."

"I know," he said, his voice low.

She noticed the tension in his expression, the redness in his eyes.

"What's wrong?"

He hesitated.

Then finally, he spoke. "I thought you died."

Her smile faded.

"I was holding your hand, and you weren't waking up. I thought I'd never get the chance to tell you how I felt."

Her breath hitched.

"Shao Wei… I told you while you were asleep. But I need you to hear it now."

He cupped her cheek gently.

"I love you."

Her eyes widened.

"I've loved you since the first time you snapped at me for messing up our campfire. Since the first time you ran into danger to protect others. I tried to ignore it. But I can't anymore."

She was quiet.

Then she leaned her forehead against his.

"I heard you," she whispered. "Even when I was unconscious. I heard everything."

"You did?"

She nodded. "And I wanted to wake up so badly. Just so I could say it back."

Zhao Xi's heart stopped.

Shao Wei placed a hand on his chest. "I think I've loved you for a while too. I just didn't realize it… until I thought I might never see your stupid face again."

He laughed softly, his fingers brushing her jaw. "My face isn't stupid."

"It is," she teased. "But I still love it."

He leaned in closer. "Can I kiss you?"

She nodded.

Their lips met in a soft, lingering kiss—gentle, slow, but burning with all the emotion they had buried for far too long.

When they finally broke apart, she sighed. "I really am hurt, you know."

"I know," he said, pulling the blanket tighter around her. "You'll rest now. No arguments."

"Yes, Commander," she murmured, smirking.

Outside, Wu Mei turned toward the cave, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "She's awake."

"How do you know?" Qin Yangzhou asked.

"I just do."

Mo Qing relaxed against a tree. "Then we have a chance."

Wu Mei's eyes darkened. "Dracon won't stop. But neither will we."

Inside the cave, Zhao Xi held Shao Wei close, her heartbeat steady beneath his palm.

And far away, Dracon stood in the heart of the darkened woods, staring at his bleeding hand where her fire had burned him.

"She chose him," he whispered, eyes glowing with hatred.

"But fire... can still be stolen."