It was only tail care, yet Tingyun's reaction seemed even more intense than Acheron's had been yesterday.
Perhaps because of the difference in personality, Tingyun's reaction was clearly far more alluring.
Fortunately, yesterday's exercise had greatly improved Lin Shuang's self-control. Otherwise, she might not have been able to restrain herself.
With a faint blush on her face, Lin Shuang ran over, opened another bottle of SoulGlad, and chugged it down.
After finishing a bottle of SoulGlad,
Lin Shuang finally realized belatedly that when Tingyun came out later, how was she supposed to talk to Miss Tingyun?
The atmosphere just now had been so ambiguous, and Tingyun had thoroughly embarrassed herself beneath Lin Shuang's hands.
She wasn't going to fan her a few times with that folding fan, was she?
As for Tingyun,
after watching Lin Shuang's footsteps leave the room, she grabbed the towel draped over her head and plunged face-first into the pillow, trying to escape reality.
Even her exposed ears had turned bright red. Her whole body trembled as she let out humiliating whimpers.
"Ugh... How embarrassing..."
When had Miss Tingyun, who had always been so polished and sociable, ever imagined that she would reveal such a loss of composure before an outsider?
"I was careless... How could Benefactor's hands... be so..."
Recalling the intense sensation that had surged through her like crashing waves, Tingyun could not help kicking the blanket again and again with her little feet.
She was clearly starting to question her life.
Even now, the base of Tingyun's tail still felt numb and weak. Her fluffy tail remained drooped, making her look both pitiful and adorable.
"How am I supposed to face Benefactor later...?"
Tingyun's Little Foxy—What Did She Do Last Night?!
Although Tingyun was ashamed and indignant,
she still retained a shred of reason. Nearly a system hour had passed since she came here to find Lin Shuang.
If she took another bath or something, it would take far too long.
So even though Tingyun's legs were still a little weak and her tail remained numb and unable to recover,
she only wiped away the sweat on her body while looking in the mirror.
Relying on her professional composure, she made sure to suppress those strange emotions as much as possible.
After carefully smelling herself to make sure there was no scent on her, she finally pushed the door open and walked out.
But the moment she opened the door, Tingyun saw Lin Shuang sitting on the sofa, pretending to stroke something in the air with both hands.
That motion looked very much like she was reminiscing about the feel of Tingyun's tail.
Already flustered by what had happened earlier, Tingyun's face instantly flushed scarlet again.
"Benefactor—"
She called out to Lin Shuang in a tone that sounded both reproachful and coquettish.
That soft, syrupy call nearly gave Lin Shuang goosebumps all over.
When she looked up, she found that Tingyun had somehow leaned against the doorframe, cheeks flushed, looking both shy and angry. She was utterly adorable.
"Ahem..."
Lin Shuang cleared her throat and hurriedly got up from the sofa, shamelessly ignoring the awkwardness from earlier.
"Do you want to rest a little longer?"
"No, no. Let's go now."
Tingyun waved her hand, declining the suggestion to continue resting.
If she stayed in the same room with Lin Shuang any longer, even she would feel awkward.
"...All right, then."
Lin Shuang looked at Tingyun. Her face was still red, her tail still drooped, and her legs and ears were still trembling slightly.
The aftereffects were that strong?
Lin Shuang had wanted Miss Tingyun to rest a little longer, but it seemed Tingyun was unwilling.
So Lin Shuang left Acheron a message.
Then she left together with Miss Tingyun.
Walking beside Tingyun, Lin Shuang only had to turn her head to see her slightly reddened neck and earlobes.
"Our Minghuo Merchant Group's base isn't far from here. We'll be there soon."
Using her open folding fan to half-cover her face and conceal her embarrassment, Tingyun's voice remained soft and gentle, becoming especially captivating whenever she spoke.
"Ah, yeah. We can treat it as a walk."
Walking beside her, Lin Shuang kept feeling as if she had done something to Tingyun.
Especially when they left the hotel together, the look the receptionist gave Lin Shuang was a little strange.
After walking for around ten minutes, they arrived at the Xianzhou base.
The architecture there was distinctly Luofu in style, making it quite conspicuous.
Following Tingyun inside, Lin Shuang did not see many people at the base. They were probably busy.
After finding a meeting room, Tingyun placed a call to Yukong of the Sky-Faring Commission.
As soon as the communication connected,
a virtual projection of a Foxfolk woman appeared in the meeting room.
She was the leader of the Sky-Faring Commission whom Lin Shuang had seen in the game before—the mature and steady Miss Yukong.
Yukong had just been about to speak when her gaze shifted. She seemed to notice Tingyun's unusual state and the rosy flush on her face.
Though curious, she did not ask directly. Instead, she quickly withdrew her gaze and continued by introducing herself to Lin Shuang.
"Hello, honored guest of the Xianzhou. It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Yukong, the current Helm Master of the Sky-Faring Commission."
Yukong dipped slightly at the waist, making Lin Shuang straighten up instinctively as well.
"Nice to meet you. My name is Lin Shuang. It is an honor to meet Lady Yukong of the Sky-Faring Commission."
"Regarding this incident, on behalf of the Sky-Faring Commission alone, I would like to thank Miss Lin for coming to Tingyun's aid. If not for your intervention, Tingyun might have met with misfortune."
"Lady Yukong, you flatter me."
"Miss Lin, there is no need to call me Lady. Tingyun and I are close friends, and I am personally very grateful for your help."
Though Yukong had only been a four-star character in the game, in reality she was an important figure on the Luofu Xianzhou who held real power.
Honestly, being treated so courteously by such a beautiful and powerful woman felt quite pleasant.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony, Miss Yukong."
Seeing that Lin Shuang did not decline, Yukong's expression grew somewhat happier. Whether she truly was happy or not, at least her smile was a pleasing one.
"Hehe~ Miss Lin truly has a wonderful temperament. Even for the sake of hearing you call me Miss Yukong, if there is anything you need, feel free to ask. As long as it can be done, the Sky-Faring Commission will do its best to fulfill it."
Lin Shuang did not immediately state any requests.
Instead, she looked at the prompt provided by the system:
Target: Yukong Favorability: 60 (Friendly and grateful) Relationship: None 'Because of Tingyun, she is very grateful to you.'
Yukong's favorability had risen to quite a high level right away. It really was thanks to Tingyun.
There were things Lin Shuang wanted from the Xianzhou, but most of them were things the Xianzhou would never give her.
So it would be better to start with Yukong and try to establish friendly relationships with the people of the Luofu. She was not expecting anything too deep.
At the very least, if everyone became a friend, she could draw cards many more times.
Thinking of this, Lin Shuang said,
"I don't have anything I urgently need. If Miss Yukong doesn't mind, let's just become good friends. If I ever visit the Luofu Xianzhou in the future, it'll be easier for me to get around and see the sights."
Hearing this, Yukong covered her mouth and laughed.
"Miss Lin asks for nothing in return. That makes us feel even more indebted. After all, you saved the representative of our Minghuo Merchant Group. We cannot possibly offer nothing in return."
"However, I am determined to be your friend, Miss Lin."
Though she was only a projection, Yukong still walked over to Lin Shuang and extended her right hand.
With a smile, Lin Shuang extended her own hand as well. They shook hands in midair, and that was considered an introduction.
"Now I have connections with the Luofu's upper ranks. When I visit the Luofu in the future, won't I be able to swagger around freely?"
At that, both Yukong and Tingyun could not help smiling.
And after seeing the system's new prompt, Lin Shuang smiled as well.
Target: Yukong Favorability: 60 (Friendly and grateful) Relationship: Friends 'Because of Tingyun, she is very grateful to you.' Reward: One green card draw
After exchanging a few more pleasantries with Yukong, she naturally invited Lin Shuang to visit the Luofu Xianzhou.
Lin Shuang was naturally willing, though she could not say when exactly she would go. She would have to discuss it with Acheron.
After the conversation came to an end, Yukong gave Tingyun, who had been standing silently to the side, a curious look.
In just those few moments, she had noticed that Tingyun did not seem to be in very good condition.
Not only were her legs trembling slightly, but her tail hung limp and weak. Combined with the unnatural flush on her face and neck,
Yukong immediately thought of that sort of thing. She secretly clicked her tongue. What had Tingyun's little fox been doing last night?!
Who Takes Care of a Tail Like You Do?!
Yukong's face reddened slightly as she cleared her throat.
"Ahem... Tingyun, are you feeling unwell?"
Yukong's subtle question had only been intended as a reminder for Tingyun not to lose her composure before a guest.
But who would have thought that the moment she spoke, Tingyun became so ashamed and indignant that she glared at Yukong.
Lin Shuang, standing nearby, also guiltily looked away.
Honestly, Lin Shuang had not expected that merely caring for Tingyun's tail would leave aftereffects that lasted so long without fading.
She had already felt guilty while speaking with Yukong just now. Who would have thought Yukong would open with such a bombshell?
"..."
"..."
Silence was the Cambridge of the night.
Seeing both of their expressions change the instant she spoke, Yukong was utterly stunned.
Before you continue