Yun Xinyue, a terminally ill woman from the modern world, is chosen by a life-extending system to transmigrate into an ancient setting. Her mission is to complete strategy tasks for the system in exchange for energy that will repair her body. Upon arrival, she finds herself in the body of a princess whose wedding procession is ambushed by bandits. The leading general hides her and lures the enemy away, but Yun Xinyue is forced to flee alone after a wounded bandit attacks her. During her escape, she falls into a cave with a pool of water and discovers an unconscious teenager. Despite the risk, she saves him from drowning and drags him to safety, unaware that the silver ornaments on his body are living Gu worms.
The teenager, Lou Bozhou, is the Holy Son of the Miao Jiang clan in Nanling. He is born without the sense of touch and cannot feel pain, temperature, or physical sensation. For years, he has relied on his Gu worms for protection and interaction with the world. When Yun Xinyue touches him, he experiences sensation for the first time. This discovery captivates him, and he becomes obsessed with maintaining physical contact with her. The two are political allies destined for marriage, as Yun Xinyue is a princess from the Xisui tribe sent to marry the Holy Son to secure peace between their peoples.
After the bandit attack is resolved, Lou Bozhou accompanies Yun Xinyue to the Fengcheng Post. In the carriage, he directly questions her about their relationship, asking if feelings are a prerequisite for touch. Yun Xinyue, bewildered by his lack of social norms and directness, attempts to explain the need for emotional connection before physical intimacy. Lou Bozhou, unable to understand concepts like romantic pacing, interprets her words literally but remains determined to keep her close. He later visits his twin brother, Lou Ce'an, who is a healer and more socially adept, seeking advice on how to raise a person like a Gu worm. Lou Ce'an provides a booklet on childcare, which Lou Bozhou uses to guide his interactions with Yun Xinyue.
Lou Bozhou's behavior becomes increasingly intrusive. He enters Yun Xinyue's room at night to sleep nearby, claiming he is there to comfort her after her nightmares. Yun Xinyue, frightened by his intensity and lack of boundaries, negotiates a compromise: they will maintain a distance of half an arm's length for fifteen days before progressing to holding hands. Lou Bozhou agrees, though his patience is clearly strained. During this period, Yun Xinyue tends to a wound on his hand, apologizing for her earlier avoidance. The moment of care triggers Lou Bozhou's desire for closer contact, but he restrains himself.
The tension escalates when Yun Xinyue has a nightmare involving Lou Bozhou. In her dream, she teaches him how to kiss, and upon waking, she finds him watching her. He asks her to teach him in reality, leading to an intimate encounter. The experience confirms to Lou Bozhou that Yun Xinyue is the source of his sensation, reinforcing his obsession. The chapter ends with Yun Xinyue waking up to find Lou Bozhou still in her room, caught in a moment of vulnerability as his servants arrive, leaving their relationship in a complex and uncertain state.
