Qing Tan's First Kiss, So Soft!

Thud!

Lin Dong suddenly dropped to his knees before Liu Yuan.

There was not the slightest hesitation in that kneel.

A man's knees held gold; he knelt only to heaven and his Parents.

But in Lin Dong's heart, what Liu Yuan had done today was no different from granting the Lin Family a new life!

Although Liu Yuan usually called him brother and was about the same age, this Grace of saving father outweighed Mount Tai!

Therefore, as someone who valued loyalty and righteousness, Lin Dong naturally had to show his stance.

He raised his head and spoke to Liu Yuan with utmost seriousness:

"Brother Liu Yuan!"

"Great favors need no words of thanks!"

"You didn't just save my Father—you saved our entire family!"

"This debt of gratitude, I, Lin Dong, will never forget for as long as I live!"

The resolve in his eyes was as unshakable as stone.

"From this day onward, anything involving Brother Liu Yuan is my, Lin Dong's, business!"

"Whenever you need me, Lin Dong, whether it means Climb mountains of knives or Descend into pots of oil, even if I have to risk this life of mine, I will never refuse!"

His words rang out powerfully, every single one sincere.

Watching this, Liu Yuan felt somewhat moved.

Sure enough, he had not invested in the wrong person.

A man so loyal and righteous was someone he could befriend without concern.

So Liu Yuan quickly stepped forward and forcefully helped him up with both hands.

"Lin Dong! Get up!"

"What are you doing?"

"Do you not consider me a brother? Why are you being so formal with me?"

Liu Yuan patted the dust from Lin Dong's Knees, looked him in the eyes, and said earnestly:

"Since you call me brother, we're family. There's no need for such a grand gesture."

Lin Dong's tense body finally relaxed.

He nodded heavily. Though he said nothing more emotional, that gratitude had already been buried deep in his heart.

At this moment, Lin Xiao, who had finally calmed his turbulent emotions, also walked over.

He took a deep breath, cupped his hands toward Liu Yuan in an exceptionally solemn salute, and spoke with utmost gravity:

"Xiao Yuan, great favors need no words of thanks. If there's ever anything you need Uncle to do, just say the word!"

Seeing the atmosphere grow increasingly heavy, Liu Yan hurriedly stepped forward with a smile, breaking the somewhat solemn mood.

Tears still clung to the corners of her eyes, but the smile on her face was the brightest it had been in years.

"Alright, alright, stop standing around. Why make such a happy day so serious?"

"Brother Xiao has just recovered—this is wonderful news! We need to celebrate properly!"

As Liu Yan spoke, she rolled up her sleeves, her tone as light and cheerful as a Maiden's:

"You all keep chatting. I'll head to the kitchen and make a few of my Best skills. Bring out those jars of fine wine you've been saving too. Tonight, we'll have a proper feast and celebrate!"

Soon, night fell.

The Lin Family dining room was brightly lit, fragrant with the aroma of food.

This dinner was indeed exceptionally lavish.

Liu Yan had practically brought out all her Best skills, filling an entire table with dishes, each one complete in color, aroma, and flavor.

But even more enticing than the food was the atmosphere at the table.

The gloom that had weighed over the Lin Family for years completely vanished at this moment.

Amid the clinking of cups, laughter and cheerful voices filled the room.

"Come! Xiao Yuan, Uncle will toast you!"

"Brother Liu Yuan, eat this! This meat is the best!"

Throughout the meal, everyone kept piling food onto Liu Yuan's plate.

Liu Yan kept adding meat to Liu Yuan's bowl, muttering, "You're still growing, eat more," while looking at him with such motherly affection that it was as though Liu Yuan were her own son.

Lin Xiao raised his cup again and again, calling Liu Yuan brother, his hearty laughter never stopping.

Only Qing Tan seemed somewhat "strange" when she served Liu Yuan food.

When she picked up a piece of braised pork and placed it in Liu Yuan's bowl, she seemed to think of something. Her lovely little face instantly flushed bright red, and even her ears were tinged pink.

She secretly glanced at Liu Yuan. Seeing that he was drinking with Father and had not noticed her, she quietly let out a breath of relief. Yet deep in her eyes flickered a shy but resolute light.

Everyone enjoyed this meal immensely.

Especially Lin Xiao.

For all these years, ever since he had been injured, he drank too—but only to drown his sorrows. What he drank was bitter wine, stifling wine.

But today was different.

Today was celebratory wine!

In his excellent mood, he completely let loose, pulling Liu Yuan and Lin Dong into cup after cup.

Before long, the man who had just regained his strength became utterly drunk from sheer happiness and collapsed onto the table, fast asleep.

Lin Dong was also rarely this happy. He had drunk quite a bit with Father, and now, his face bright red, he swayed before collapsing to one side and falling into a deep sleep.

Looking at the two drunk men, one big and one small, Liu Yan shook her head helplessly and fondly.

With Liu Yuan and Qing Tan's help, the three of them worked together to carry the dead-drunk Lin Dong and Lin Xiao back to their respective rooms.

After settling the two men, Liu Yan urged Liu Yuan to get some rest while she stayed behind to care for her husband.

Qing Tan obediently helped her mother clear away the mess of dishes and wipe the table clean.

After finishing everything, she did not return to her own room. Instead, she washed her hands, straightened her slightly rumpled clothes, then walked lightly outside.

At this moment.

Liu Yuan was sitting alone on the steps before the door.

The night breeze drifted by, and a bright moon hung high above.

He tilted his head slightly, gazing at the bright moon in the sky and listening to the insects chirping in the grass around him. His heart had never felt so peaceful.

It was rare to encounter such a wonderful gathering. That pure familial warmth gave his soul, far from home, a profound sense of belonging.

Even without any system rewards, he felt it had all been worth it for this moment of warmth alone.

Just then, a faint, delicate fragrance drifted over on the breeze.

Immediately afterward, a petite figure sat down beside him.

Liu Yuan turned his head and, by moonlight, saw Qing Tan's delicate profile, as exquisite as a porcelain doll.

The little girl hugged her Knees with both hands and gazed at the moon like he did, looking especially obedient and serene.

"Brother Liu Yuan..."

Qing Tan spoke softly, her voice gentle and sweet.

"Thank you."

"If it weren't for you, I might never have seen Father looking this happy."

Liu Yuan gave a helpless laugh and waved his hand casually.

"Hey, how many times have I said it? It was just a small effort. No need to keep talking about it."

"If you keep being so polite, I'll really think you see me as an outsider."

Qing Tan turned her head. Her clear, large eyes looked especially bright beneath the moonlight.

She stared at Liu Yuan for a while, then suddenly leaned forward slightly and moved closer, speaking with a hint of mystery:

"Brother Liu Yuan, do you remember?"

"I said before that if you could heal Father's internal injuries, I would repay you handsomely."

Hearing this, Liu Yuan froze for a moment before remembering what had happened in the room that afternoon.

He had been in a rush to refine pills then, so he had not taken it to heart.

Now that the little girl had brought it up again, Liu Yuan could not help feeling intrigued.

"Oh? I would've forgotten if you hadn't mentioned it."

"Alright, then let me see what grand gift our Little Qing Tan has prepared to thank her great benefactor."

Though he said that, he did not take it seriously. He only assumed the little girl wanted to give him some small handmade gift or something similar.

However.

The next second.

Qing Tan's cheeks reddened at a visible speed beneath the moonlight.

She bit her lower lip, as though she had made a tremendous decision, then said in a tiny voice:

"Then... close your eyes first."

Liu Yuan raised an eyebrow.

Heh, this is pretty ceremonial, isn't it?

Fine, I'll play along with your little game.

So he obediently closed his eyes, the faint smile still on his lips as he waited for the so-called "surprise."

The world sank into darkness, while his other senses became infinitely sharper.

He could hear the wind by his ears, Qing Tan's slightly hurried breathing, and the increasingly close, sweet fragrance unique to a Maiden.

Then.

He felt a pair of soft little hands wrap around his waist, trembling slightly yet firm.

The next moment.

A warm, soft sensation suddenly touched his lips.

So soft.

So moist.

It carried a faint sweetness, along with a Maiden's unique innocence and clumsiness.

Boom!

At that instant, Liu Yuan was completely stunned.

His mind went blank for a moment.

Because he had never imagined that Qing Tan's so-called "thanks" would be... this?!

He carefully savored the sensation.

A little sweet.

A moment later.

The warmth on his lips vanished, and the soft body in his arms loosened slightly.

Only then did Liu Yuan slowly open his eyes.

What entered his vision was a lovely face so red it looked ready to drip blood.

Qing Tan lowered her head, utterly unable to meet Liu Yuan's eyes. Her hands twisted together, and her heart raced as if it might leap from her throat.

Yet even though she was shy beyond measure, she still gathered her courage, looked at Liu Yuan with her glistening eyes, and hurriedly explained:

"Brother Liu Yuan... I... I'm not that casual of a person!"

"And it isn't just because you helped Father, and I did this to repay you!"

As she spoke, her voice grew softer and softer, yet increasingly firm:

"After spending this time together, I... I like you too."

"If I didn't like you, then even if you saved Father, I... I wouldn't have done this."

The Maiden's confession was direct and passionate, like a flame burning in the cool moonlit night.

Looking at the Maiden before him, whose face was flushed red yet who stubbornly wanted to express her feelings, something deep in Liu Yuan's heart was fiercely stirred.

After a brief moment of astonishment, Liu Yuan suddenly burst into hearty laughter.

His laughter shattered the silence of the night.

"Hahaha!"

"Qing Tan, you little girl..."

"So this means... I've been confessed to?"

He reached out and pulled the Maiden, who was so embarrassed she wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl into, back into his arms. His tone was full of affection and delight:

"In that case, I can only accept."

"After all, if such a beautiful little girlfriend ran away, where would I go to cry?"

Held by Liu Yuan and hearing the words "little girlfriend," Qing Tan's body instantly melted like water.

She did not struggle. Instead, she buried her little head in Liu Yuan's chest, pressing her soft body closer to him as she greedily absorbed the warmth and scent of the young man.

At this moment, neither of them spoke again.

Moonlight flowed like water over the embracing pair, making the scene as beautiful as a painting.

Liu Yuan gently stroked Qing Tan's soft, silky hair, feeling the fragrant softness of the Maiden in his arms. He felt that the years were peaceful and the present world secure.

However.

Just as the two quietly embraced, enjoying this rare moment of tenderness.

Suddenly!

An extreme chill erupted from Qing Tan's body in his arms without any warning.

In just an instant, the surrounding warm, comfortable air plummeted to freezing!

Even Liu Yuan's chest, where it touched Qing Tan's body, felt bone-piercingly cold, as if he were no longer holding a warm Maiden but a block of ancient black ice!

"Hm?"

Liu Yuan's brows suddenly furrowed as a trace of confusion rose in his heart.

He immediately lowered his head. The moment his gaze fell on Qing Tan in his arms, his pupils contracted sharply.

Qing Tan, who moments ago had been blushing with shy sweetness, now had an eerie layer of frost rapidly spreading across her pretty face!

Her once-rosy lips instantly turned bluish-purple.

Her body began trembling violently beyond her control, an instinctive reaction to bone-deep cold.

An unbearable expression of pain surfaced on her little face, as though she were enduring some immense torment.

Liu Yuan's expression changed drastically. He grabbed her wrist, only to find that her hand was cold as iron!

"Qing Tan, what's wrong with you?!"