Lying in the soft embrace of tenderness, enjoying Ling Yuan's gentle and perfectly timed massage, Lin Feng unknowingly drifted into a peaceful slumber. His breathing was steady, and a faint smile lingered on his lips.
Ling Yuan stopped her movements and looked down at Lin Feng, her spirit unconsciously relaxing as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
She chuckled softly.
"If only you had come a bit earlier, I wouldn't have had to share you with Xue'er."
As she gazed at Lin Feng's sleeping face, her eyes wandered to his lips.
A voice filled with amusement suddenly broke the silence.
"Do you want a taste too?"
Ling Yuan's pupils contracted as she turned toward the door:
"Xue'er, how did you...?"
Her face flushed with embarrassment, and Ling Yuan felt at a loss, about to stand up.
"Shh, don't wake him."
Qian Renxue stopped Ling Yuan's movement and walked quietly to the bedside. She glanced at the notes on the desk, filled with densely packed, slightly messy handwriting, yet the strength behind the strokes was evident.
Clearly, Xiao Feng had another burst of inspiration.
Her heart ached as she looked at Lin Feng on the bed.
She sat down beside Ling Yuan and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Uh..." Ling Yuan's shoulder twitched, and she forced a smile, her expression unnatural.
"Why are you so afraid of me?"
"Xue'er, I was just..."
Qian Renxue shook her head. "I noticed a long time ago. There's no need to hide it anymore, Sister Ling Yuan."
Ling Yuan's eyes dimmed, and she lowered her head. "I'm sorry."
Seeing this, Qian Renxue pursed her lips, a hint of resentment flashing in her eyes. "Let me make this clear. While I'm away, you need to take good care of Xiao Feng.
However, you can't do anything we haven't done yet. And, you have to make Xiao Feng admit in front of me that he likes you."
Ling Yuan's head snapped up, her eyes shining with joy. She whispered excitedly:
"Really!?"
Her voice was low, but the excitement was unmistakable.
"Have I ever lied to you?"
"That's wonderful! Thank you, Xue'er!"
Ling Yuan happily hugged Qian Renxue.
Qian Renxue rolled her eyes at Ling Yuan:
"You should think about how to make that playboy confess to you.
Does he really think he's hiding the way he looks at you? Hmph, after almost three years together, do you think I wouldn't notice?"
Ling Yuan's lips curled into a smile. With Ye Lingling's mother's strategy, she wasn't worried about Lin Feng not falling for her.
"Xue'er..."
"What?"
Ling Yuan's voice was soft:
"How far can I go?"
Qian Renxue's eyes shifted, as if thinking of something, and her ears turned red.
"For now, just holding hands. No kissing!"
"...Alright, I'll listen to you."
With Qian Renxue's approval, Ling Yuan felt all her worries melt away. Now, as long as she took it slow, everything would go smoothly.
Seeing Ling Yuan's radiant smile, Qian Renxue pouted. "An old cow eating tender grass."
Ling Yuan remained unfazed. She felt immune to any criticism now.
The two relaxed, and gradually, drowsiness overtook them.
They carefully placed Lin Feng on the bed and lay down on either side of him, resting quietly.
Ling Yuan's face was filled with unconcealed joy.
Qian Renxue's face showed a peaceful acceptance.
Lin Feng: ...
He didn't dare move. He had to admit he had underestimated Qian Renxue. She had noticed the way he looked at Ling Yuan long ago.
Lin Feng clearly sensed a change in Qian Renxue's personality.
Once slightly tsundere, she now only cared about his wishes and thoughts when it came to him.
Perhaps because her nearly twenty-year disguise as the Heaven Dou prince hadn't yet begun, Qian Renxue didn't have the extreme desire for control and possession that she did in the original story.
Instead, she was simply a young girl in love, considering the feelings of the one she loved.
In Lin Feng's mind, the image of the proud and tsundere young lady faded, replaced by a gentler and more graceful figure.
Though it felt a bit odd to describe the current Qian Renxue as a virtuous wife and loving mother, some similar traits were starting to show.
The two figures beside him carried different scents, wafting into Lin Feng's nose.
Ling Yuan's scent was long-lasting and distant, like lavender, while Qian Renxue's was light and tranquil, like the fresh scent of blooming peonies.
Lin Feng's lips curled into a slight smile as he settled his mind.
......
When Lin Feng woke up, the two were no longer by his side.
He pushed aside the blanket that had been draped over him at some point, got out of bed, and stepped out of the room.
"Did you sleep well?"
Ling Yuan yawned, leaning back slightly to reveal her graceful figure.
Lin Feng clicked his tongue. Was she not even pretending anymore? Maybe he should wait a bit longer before confessing his feelings for Ling Yuan?
Why turn down such benefits? Take what's offered.
"The most comfortable episode."
Lin Feng blinked and smiled in response.
"Episode? Don't you mean nap?"
"Oh, my mistake. No big deal."
Ling Yuan hummed and smoothly took Lin Feng's hand in hers.
"Let's go. Xue'er is waiting for you to eat."
Lin Feng tightened his grip on her hand and nodded. "Alright."
Ling Yuan was a bit surprised but pleased. The more Lin Feng responded to her, the closer she was to achieving her goal.
Unbeknownst to her, their conversation had already been overheard by a certain eavesdropper, who was now waiting to see her take the initiative.
Qian Renxue glanced at their intertwined hands, a flicker of amusement in her eyes.
"Sit down and eat. Xiao Feng and Ling Yuan must be very hungry today after all that exhaustion."
Qian Renxue sat at the head of the table, gesturing to the seats beside her.
"Alright."
After the meal, Qian Renxue spoke softly:
"The mission is about to begin. It's tentatively set for a week from now, during a noble banquet."
Lin Feng thought for a moment and immediately said:
"Then let's go to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well tomorrow. Dugu Bo will leave in three days.
Originally, I planned to find time to absorb the herbs after returning to the Spirit Hall.
But considering you'll have just taken Xue Qinghe's place, it won't be convenient for you to leave so soon. Plus, Dugu Bo will be a member of the Spirit Hall by then, and his return might raise suspicions in Heaven Dou."
Qian Renxue was taken aback but nodded. "How long will it take to refine those two immortal-grade herbs?"
Lin Feng thought for a moment, considering Qian Renxue's foundation. "A few hours should be enough."
The next day, Qian Renxue, disguised, along with Lin Feng and the Chrysanthemum Douluo, headed to Dugu Bo's residence.
Dugu Bo, who was packing, was surprised:
"Why is there a little girl with you today? She looks a bit like Lin Feng. Kid, is she your relative?"
"I'm his sister."
Qian Renxue, wearing a purple dress, clung to Lin Feng's arm and answered with a smile.
Dugu Bo nodded in understanding:
"I see, no wonder."
"Grandpa Dugu, could you take us to your herb garden?
This time, we're here to take the two herbs we agreed on."
Dugu Bo glanced at the delicate girl beside Lin Feng and mused:
"You're not very considerate of your sister, kid. Those two herbs must be for her, right?"
"Tsk tsk, you gave your girlfriend six or seven herbs, but only two for your sister. Little girl, your brother is being biased now that he has a girlfriend. See, he's favoring her."
Qian Renxue: ...
Yes, you're absolutely right.