Cheng Susu's heart pounded with alarm. She rushed to grab Spring by the sleeve, her voice trembling with urgency: "No! You don't know anything - you're not allowed to say such things! If Zhang Ge is a good or bad man others can't tell, surely someone as clever as you, Spring, must be able to see through it?"

Spring retorted, eyes alight with mischief: "That's exactly why I believe you and Master Zhao are truly married. Not like that Lord Wen Bing claimed."

Cheng Susu sighed in relief, "Exactly! We are real husband and wife... though..."

"...Ah," the sentence died on her lips before continuing with a resigned sigh, "...we just can't share this room conveniently here."

Spring straightened suddenly, adopting an air of proper formality: "What inconvenience? The back courtyard has only me besides. Hee hee, you two may do as you please - I'll plug my ears with cotton balls. Whatever secret whispers or naughty things you exchange..." Her voice dropped suggestively before trailing off.

Cheng Susu's face turned crimson as she lunged to pinch Spring's cheeks, scolding breathlessly: "Stop talking nonsense! Stop it!"

The commotion had already brought them to the bedroom door. Cheng Susu now found herself at a loss for words to refuse sharing the room, her anxious gaze darting back toward me in silent desperation. I feigned oblivion to her imploring look, lifting my eyes to the twin moons ascending overhead: "What round full moons we have tonight."

Another cough from Cheng Susu went unanswered as she turned on her heel and strode into the chamber. Spring bustled forward with a bright grin: "Master Zhao, please come in! I'll prepare water for you both right away."

I gave her an exaggerated bow of thanks. "Many kindnesses indeed,"

Spring giggled, eyes twinkling conspiratorially: "And why so formal today? Where's the boldness you showed at the teahouse when you nearly assaulted my lady? The whole city knows now about your grand victory against the marauders - digging pits, pouring oil, burning them all. They call you a god descending from heaven. What fortune for me to serve such mighty figures!"

I winced at her embellishments, "The stories are greatly exaggerated. Surely you must know better than anyone what kind of man I am? And please," my voice softened with sincerity, "it was only misunderstanding that day in the teahouse."

Spring turned on her heel dramatically, "Very well then. You two rest while I fetch water."

Crossing the threshold cautiously, I caught a whiff of Cheng Susu's jasmine perfume and felt my pulse quicken. She sat rigidly on the chair by the window, face carefully composed until she noticed me hesitating in the doorway. Her shoulders stiffened instantly as she commanded through gritted teeth: "Come in then. You've had your way this time pretending not to hear - is that what you wanted?"

I stammered awkwardly, "It's just that we were forced into this situation... I swear on my honor I'll never pressure you."

Cheng Susu's stern facade cracked suddenly as she burst out laughing: "Oh stop posturing. You're probably thanking Lady An in your heart right now - and don't forget Spring with her sharp tongue today helped too. I'm beginning to suspect you bribed her!"

I hurriedly protested, fearing she'd think me scheming, "Susu! Heaven knows it's not true! We've been together every day these past weeks while I was busy defending the city walls from bandits - how could I possibly arrange this?"

Just then Spring pushed through the door with a basin in hand, saying cheerfully: "Hot water for my lady and Master Zhao. Please wash up before bed."

The ritual of washing face and feet passed quickly. As Spring tidied away the basin with an enigmatic smile, Cheng Susu dismissed me with: "Sleep now - you must be exhausted today."

I nodded but didn't move from the doorway. If I suddenly climbed into bed wouldn't she think me a lustful brute?

Cheng Susu lowered the red silk curtain between us and carried a quilt to place on the cold wooden table outside. "Can you manage through the night?" she asked.

I stared at the austere surface, then back at her warm presence behind the curtain, my voice heavy with resignation: "Of course - I'm accustomed to it."

Without another word, Cheng Susu disappeared into the shadows beyond the curtain. After a pause she suddenly peered out between the folds, eyes gleaming with meaning: "Don't let me down now."

What did that mean? Don't let her down in which way? Not to leave her waiting longingly in empty chambers, or not to become an insatiable beast? The cryptic message churned my thoughts - misreading it could either ruin my reputation forever or cost me a precious chance. And yet another way to be branded as timid.

The night was still early when I decided even if I did go in now, better wait until all the servants had gone to sleep. Sitting at the table instead, I turned her words over and over in my mind...

In theory Cheng Susu should be perfectly satisfied with me by now - after all, I had vanquished three saints and saved her life without pretense. My heroic feats alone should have earned her admiration. And these past weeks she'd shown genuine concern for me, so surely the image of a hero had taken root in her heart...

Recalling how Cheng Susu once adored powerful heroes, I realized my strength was what had first captured her. Though my superpowers were now gone, my exploits - slaying saints and repelling bandits - should be enough to sustain that heroic image.

So why hesitate? Perhaps she was waiting anxiously behind the curtain even now...

My hand hovered near the curtain when sudden doubt stopped me. What if this was a test of her trust in me?

Better wait until morning then, I decided, returning to my seat. But the arguments for entering kept forming and reforming inside me... back and forth before the curtain I paced, torn between fear and longing.

The sky darkened suddenly as clouds gathered over the moonlit heavens. Thunder rumbled distantly while fat raindrops began drumming against the shutters.

A timid voice emerged from behind the curtain: "Zhao Qian... are you asleep?"

I stammered in alarm, "N-no... I mean yes! Just woke up startled by thunder. Why aren't you sleeping yet?"

Cheng Susu's voice trembled with fear: "I'm afraid. This storm reminds me of something... did we not share an experience together during a rainstorm before?"

Ah - our first meeting in the downpour when she was nearly poisoned, then chased through the parking garage by snipers while I saved her with my superpowers...

"Exactly! That night you were nearly poisoned," I said carefully. "Your company was being sabotaged by rivals who wanted to kill you..."

"What!" Cheng Susu gasped as a thunderclap roared overhead, momentarily blinding us all in white light. "Zhao Qian come in here - please say something to calm me!"

I fell to my knees in gratitude before the heavens themselves had conspired for me! With this perfect excuse I could finally cross into her private domain.

Pulling back the curtain, I found Cheng Susu huddled at the far corner of the bed, wrapped in a thin sheet and shivering. As I sat on the edge, thunder cracked again with deafening force that sent her tumbling into my arms in terrified convulsions.

I drew the blanket over both our shoulders and pulled her close to me. Her pale moonlit nightclothes clung to delicate curves as she trembled: "Zhao Qian... these thunderclaps feel like they're striking inside my mind. I remember something about being hunted during a storm - tell me everything, please!"

All thoughts of desire vanished in an instant at the sight of her fragile fear. How could I think of anything but protecting this woman who now clung to me so desperately?

"Susu," I murmured as I cradled her back, "I promised to protect you and every one of them. Rest easy - with my laser gun and combat knife no one can harm you."

She whispered against my chest: "But weapons don't matter... what matters is having a heart that truly loves me."