Qin Nanyue: I'm sorry, Yingying

Inside Qin Nanyue's room.

She huddled in the corner of the bed, her back against the cold wall, burying her face between her knees, with only her eyes showing.

Her dark hair fell loosely over her shoulders, with a few strands clinging to her burning cheeks, but she didn't bother to brush them away.

Those eyes, usually so full of spirit, were now filled with panic and shyness.

How could Lu Yang give Yingying these things in front of her?!

What will Yingying think?

As a direct descendant of Golden Core Lineage, she naturally knew how precious this Dao Comprehension Tea Leaves was.

Looking across the entire Qin Province, it's probably impossible to find a second one like it!

Although the Thousand-Year Sword Intent Grass is not as valuable as the Dao Comprehension Tea Leaves, it is still an invaluable treasure for sword cultivators!

Qin Nanyue was actually quite pleasantly surprised when Lu Yang gave her these two items.

This shows that she must hold a significant place in Lu Yang's heart.

But she was also extremely flustered inside.

Yingying is right next to me!

Why doesn't this guy even try to avoid people?

It would be nice to give it to her privately!

At worst, I'll just secretly become one of his people...

But this bastard is so brazen!

She bit her lower lip, hesitated for a moment, and then called out towards the door, "... You... you give it to Yingying! I'm cultivating right now! I'll take it from Yingying when I'm done!"

After shouting those words, she felt her heart pounding so hard it was about to jump out of her throat.

She knew perfectly well that she had fallen for that lecherous man.

Perhaps I should have an honest talk with Yingying?

If Yingying can't accept it, then... I'll just stay away from Lu Yang.

The thought of getting away from Lu Yang caused Qin Nanyue a sharp pain in her heart, and her face turned slightly pale.

Her eyes instantly reddened, and tears welled up in them.

She reached up and forcefully wiped away the tears in her eyes, then took a deep breath.

This is something we have to face eventually.

Outside the door.

Lu Yang was startled when he heard the shouts coming from inside the room.

His lips twitched slightly.

This guy is so shy!

I'm just delivering something, and this guy won't even open the door?

He looked helplessly at Lin Ying beside him.

Lin Ying covered her mouth and chuckled softly, her delicate shoulders trembling slightly, her expression revealing a hint of schadenfreude.

Lu Yang didn't even see anyone.

This was a rare instance of him suffering a setback.

Helpless, Lu Yang reached out and pinched Lin Ying's soft cheek, then handed her the wooden box and the Thousand-Year Sword Intent Grass.

"Since Nanyue has said so, then Yingying, you can give it to her later."

Lin Ying smiled and took it, then nudged his arm. "Okay, you go first. Nanyue is probably very shy right now. I'll have a good talk with her later."

Just kidding, Nanyue is only one step away from becoming her comrade-in-arms.

She naturally had to give it a push!

To avoid a repeat of the day before yesterday, where I couldn't handle it and there was no one to lend a hand.

Although her relationship with Shiqing has become much closer than before these days.

However, she still felt a little embarrassed to face Lu Yang with Shiqing.

If it's Nanyue, then there's absolutely no problem.

As she was figuring out how to bring it up with Qin Nanyue, Lu Yang had already reached out and wrapped his arms around her slender waist.

Lin Ying froze, a hint of panic flashing in her eyes. "No... don't do anything rash! I still need to talk to Nanyue! Every time you bully me, it takes me a long time to recover..."

She reached out and nudged Lu Yang: "Go find Shiqing."

Lu Yang lowered his voice, tinged with a pitiful tone. "Shiqing is in seclusion, comprehending her Cultivation Method. Does my wife find it painful to watch her husband like this?"

His fingers gently traced Lin Ying's red lips.

Lin Ying's pretty face immediately turned bright red.

She glanced at Lu Yang helplessly, feeling both annoyed and amused.

Who could dao companion her for having such a powerful physical body?

She was half-heartedly carried back to the bedroom by Lu Yang.

One hour later.

Lu Yang left the cave abode feeling refreshed.

Lin Ying sat alone by the bed, drank several mouthfuls of spiritual spring water, and then circulated her Cultivation Method to heal her injuries.

A moment later, the soreness in her cheeks subsided, and her previously swollen lips returned to normal.

She raised her hand to tidy her disheveled long hair, gathering the stray strands behind her ears, and got up to walk towards Qin Nanyue's room.

She stood before the stone gate and gently knocked twice. "Nanyue, Lu Yang is gone, come out quickly."

After a moment, the stone door slowly opened.

Qin Nanyue stood inside the door.

She hadn't changed out of her black, fitted outfit, but her shoulders were taut, and her hands were clenched into fists behind her back.

That usually sharp and decisive face was now visibly tense, his gaze darting back and forth, avoiding eye contact with Lin Ying.

After a long while, she managed to force a stiff smile and say, "Yingying."

Lin Ying was stunned for a moment, then carefully observed Qin Nanyue's expression.

Red-rimmed eyes, fidgety hands, and a wandering gaze.

She frowned slightly. "Nanyue, what's wrong? You seem very nervous."

Qin Nanyue's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly shook her head. "No, no..."

Before she could finish speaking, she suddenly stepped forward and hugged Lin Ying tightly.

Her arms were wrapped tightly around his face, which was buried in Lin Ying's shoulder.

Lin Ying could sense her unease and tension.

She didn't say anything, but gently patted her back, comforting her with each pat.

Qin Nanyue leaned on Lin Ying's shoulder, closed her eyes, and felt a deep sense of self-reproach.

Yingying is so good to her, yet she herself is like a vixen, eyeing her dao companion...

The two fell silent.

After a moment, Qin Nanyue finally spoke.

Her voice carried a hint of regret and resolve. "Yingying... I'm sorry. I... after our sparring match, I kissed that bastard Lu Yang..."

Once the words were out, it felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from Nanyue's heart, and her tense nerves, which had been taut for days, finally relaxed a little.

She released her arms, looked directly at Lin Ying, her eyes filled with guilt, and whispered, "... I... I think I've fallen in love with him. I'm sorry, Yingying..."

Lin Ying blinked, looking confused. "... Why are you saying sorry?"

Qin Nanyue paused, opened her mouth, and said somewhat blankly, "Because I'm sharing Lu Yang with you? You're my best friend, but I've fallen in love with your dao companion..."

Lin Ying pinched her cheeks and gently pulled them apart, annoyed. "Nanyue, have you forgotten that I asked you for help before? Your falling in love with him is a good thing for me; I'm overjoyed."

Qin Nanyue: "?????"

Qin Nanyue seemed frozen in place, her eyes wide with shock as she stared at Lin Ying.

She couldn't understand it, but she was deeply shocked.

After several breaths, she finally opened her mouth, her voice a little dry. "... Was what you said before true? You weren't testing me? You weren't joking?"

Lin Ying blinked. "Do you think I'm lying?"

She was saying...

She clearly believed that Nanyue had feelings for Lu Yang, but nothing happened for a long time.

She had already asked Nanyue for help!

She had been a little confused before, but now she understood.

So Nanyue thought she was testing her?!

She felt a mix of amusement and exasperation, but mostly she was deeply moved.

This shows that Nanyue truly considers her a close friend.

I'd rather suffer myself than hurt her in the slightest.

You can only blame Lu Yang for being too charming, right?

Qin Nanyue listened to Lin Ying's words, still looking somewhat dazed as she asked, "... Are you telling the truth??"

Lin Ying pinched her cheek again, this time with a mischievous smile, "Of course it's true. How could I joke about something like this? I had a feeling you had feelings for Lu Yang before. Otherwise, I wouldn't have asked you for help."

Qin Nanyue's pretty face immediately turned bright red, burning from her cheeks all the way to her ears, and even her neck was tinged with a crimson hue.

She stood there, her lips moving several times, unsure of what to say.

She felt a surge of joy welling up inside her like a spring.

Since Yingying doesn't mind, doesn't that mean... she really can be with Lu Yang?!

Thinking of Lu Yang's handsome face, Qin Nanyue unconsciously squeezed her legs together, her throat went dry, and her heart began to race again.

Seeing that Qin Nanyue remained silent, Lin Ying took out the sandalwood box and the sword-like green spirit herb that Lu Yang had given her, with a half-smile, and waved them in front of her. "Take these for now, they were a gift from someone's sweetheart."

Qin Nanyue's delicate body trembled slightly, and she felt a little nervous instinctively.

However, she quickly regained her composure, put her arm around Lin Ying's shoulder, and generously accepted the wooden box and Sword Intent Grass. A slight smile played on her lips, and her usual sharp and decisive expression returned to her spirited face. "What do you mean, 'someone's sweetheart'? This is clearly the sweetheart of both of us sisters."

She had been hesitant before because she was afraid of upsetting Yingying and losing her best friend.

Now that things have been discussed openly, and Yingying herself doesn't seem to care, why should she worry?

She glanced down at the thousand-year-old Sword Intent Grass in her hand, its surface shimmering with Sword Dao patterns, then at the faint, bitter aroma of tea wafting from the box. Suddenly, she leaned close to Lin Ying's ear and whispered, "By the way, Yingying, about that thing you asked me to help with... how exactly do you want me to help? Tell me in detail first, so I can be prepared."

Lin Ying felt a tickle in her ears from the hot breath that was blowing so close to her, and instinctively took a half-inch back.

Seeing the eager glint in Qin Nanyue's eyes, she suddenly felt that she shouldn't have broken through this barrier so easily.

She was always the one teasing Nanyue before; will this guy retaliate against her severely later?

Thinking about this, Lin Ying felt a little flustered.

Lin Ying pushed Qin Nanyue's face away from her ear and said seriously, "Don't ask so many questions, you'll find out when the time comes."

After saying that, she turned and left, her steps quickening slightly compared to usual.

"Yingying, don't go! Tell me in detail!"

Qin Nanyue's voice, which sounded like a half-smile, rang out as she chased after him, her ponytail swinging neatly behind her head, her footsteps echoing lightly in the corridor.

"Qin Nanyue! Get lost! Go cultivate!"

"I'll go later; I want to find out more about the situation first."