A New Member Joins the Group

"Xueqi." Lu Jiuyuan leaned in closer.

"Don't speak."

"You smiled."

"I didn't; you saw wrong." Lu Xueqi hurriedly shook her head in denial.

"I saw it." Lu Jiuyuan looked at her with a firm gaze.

Lu Xueqi finally couldn't help it, and she burst into a giggle.

That smile was like spring snow beginning to melt, like the moon breaking through the clouds; it was so beautiful that Lu Jiuyuan forgot how to breathe.

Lu Jiuyuan suddenly reached out and took her soft little hand in his.

Lu Xueqi was startled, but she did not pull away.

"Xueqi."

"Hm?" Lu Xueqi looked at him in confusion.

"You should smile more often in the future; it looks much better that way." Lu Jiuyuan reached out and gently flicked her nose.

Lu Xueqi's gentle, water-like eyes flickered. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and gave a soft, "Mn."

Just then, the fishing rod sank sharply.

"A fish!"

Lu Jiuyuan scrambled to reel in the line, and a large, shimmering silver fish was pulled out of the water, landing on the bank with a thud.

Lu Xueqi also hurriedly reeled in her own rod, pulling up one as well.

The two looked at the two fish on the ground and exchanged a glance.

"Wife, how about we have a little extra for dinner tonight and make grilled fish?" Lu Jiuyuan pointed at the fish flopping on the ground and asked with a beaming smile.

Lu Xueqi curled the corners of her lips and blinked her large eyes.

The setting sun slanted westward, dyeing the surface of the lake a faint golden-red.

The two sat side by side on the bank, with the bamboo basket containing the fish placed between them.

They spoke a few words occasionally, but spent most of the time in quiet companionship.

Even without speaking, it didn't feel awkward.

It was as if it were meant to be this way.

Lu Xueqi stared blankly at the lake, her eyelashes casting faint shadows in the sunset glow.

He couldn't help but reach out and gently touch her cheek.

Lu Xueqi came back to her senses and looked at him.

"Senior Brother?"

"Wife, have you forgotten what you're supposed to call me in private?" Lu Jiuyuan smiled. "If you've forgotten, I can remind you."

Lu Xueqi rolled her eyes at him, her voice soft. "Husband."

"Mn!"

"Today... I am very happy."

Lu Jiuyuan was stunned for a moment, then his smile deepened.

"Me too, wife."

As the sun set, the shadows of the two were stretched long, overlapping until they were indistinguishable from one another.

Nighttime.

Not long after Lu Jiuyuan had reluctantly parted ways with Lu Xueqi and returned to his room, a group chat notification popped up before his eyes.

[Ding!]

[Medusa has joined the Peerless Beauty Group!]

[Yun Yun has joined the Peerless Beauty Group!]

Lu Jiuyuan looked at the two names on the screen, stunned for a moment, before a look of pleasant surprise appeared on his face.

It's actually these two; not bad, not bad at all!

The Misty Cloud Sect leader Yun Yun and the Snake-People Tribe queen Medusa—both of these women were peerless beauties, possessed great strength, and had personalities that were cold on the outside but warm on the inside, the type to be virtuous wives and good mothers.

[Feng Qing'er: Welcome, welcome! A warm welcome to our new sisters!]

[Bibi Dong: Welcome to our new sisters!]

[Medusa: What is this situation?]

[Yun Yun: What is this thing?]

[Lu Jiuyuan: Welcome to the group, new sisters. I am the group owner here. If you have any questions in the future, feel free to ask me! (Cute)]

[Feng Qing'er: @Lu Jiuyuan, you shameless scoundrel! Wait three months, and I'll settle the score with you. Once I become the group leader, I'll definitely kick you out of the group! (Angry)]

[Medusa: What's going on?]

[Yun Yun: I'm curious too?]

[Bibi Dong: New sisters, the group leader is a man, you'd better be careful!]

[Bibi Dong: Don't go posting photos in the group casually; I've already suffered for it! (Helpless)]

[Medusa: What!!! (Shocked)]

[Yun Yun: I didn't expect the group leader to be a man, but isn't this the Peerless Beauty Group? (Confused)]

[Feng Qing'er: Two new sisters, whether you can escape the group leader's clutches depends entirely on you! (Expectant)]

[Medusa: What do you mean!]

[Feng Qing'er: You can challenge the group leader. If you win, you can become the group leader, and then you can kick him out!]

[Feng Qing'er: Two sisters, I'm rooting for you! (Encouraging)]

Lu Jiuyuan looked at the messages in the group and couldn't help but smile.

[Lu Jiuyuan: Two sisters, don't take them to heart; they're just joking!]

As a grown man, he certainly couldn't out-argue them, so he had to find an ally.

Immediately, Lu Jiuyuan sent a private message to Bibi Dong.

[Lu Jiuyuan: Bibi Dong, if you don't want your photos to be leaked, you'd better cooperate with me, or suffer the consequences!]

[Bibi Dong: You... you wouldn't dare!]

[Lu Jiuyuan: Of course I dare. If you don't believe me, try me!]

[Bibi Dong: Hmph, fine, you win. I'll cooperate with you!]

Through a series of maneuvers by Lu Jiuyuan and Bibi Dong, Medusa and Yun Yun were hoodwinked, assuming Feng Qing'er was just jealous that Lu Jiuyuan was a man.

[Feng Qing'er: You... ahhhhh!!!]

Lu Jiuyuan looked at his handiwork and chuckled.

He had to keep this woman, Feng Qing'er, under control; otherwise, it would be a huge headache if she did this every time a newcomer joined.

He opened a private chat with Feng Qing'er.

[Lu Jiuyuan: @Feng Qing'er, let's talk!]

[Feng Qing'er: We have nothing to talk about!]

Her tone was icy, devoid of any emotion.

[Lu Jiuyuan: Hehe, I say we do!]

Lu Jiuyuan looked at the Youth-Preserving Pill in his hand, the corners of his mouth curling upward.

The Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan had a long lifespan, but even the longest life could not withstand the erosion of time.

Especially for women, especially beautiful women, and especially for a proud and beautiful woman like Feng Qing'er!

How could she possibly refuse eternal youth?

[System Notification: You have sent a red packet to group member [Feng Qing'er].]

[Red Packet Note: Open it and see.]

The other side was silent for a few seconds.

[Feng Qing'er: A Youth-Preserving Pill?!]

He could feel her shock through the screen.

Lu Jiuyuan could imagine her expression right now—wanting it, yet too proud to admit it, struggling wildly in her heart.

He struck while the iron was hot.

[Lu Jiuyuan: Take it. This thing is useless to me, but for you... it should be quite useful.]

[Feng Qing'er: What do you mean?]

[Lu Jiuyuan: Nothing much. I just think that since everyone in the group is a beauty, it would be a pity if you all grew old one day.

Try it out first. If the results are good, I can arrange the same for the others later.]

[Feng Qing'er: ...]

[Feng Qing'er: Don't think you can bribe me with one pill.]

[Lu Jiuyuan: I know. This isn't a bribe; it's a partnership between us.]

[Feng Qing'er: A partnership?]

[Lu Jiuyuan: That's right. Behave yourself from now on and stop working against me in the group, and there will be plenty of benefits for you. Otherwise...]

He paused, then typed the final few words:

[Lu Jiuyuan: Suffer the consequences!]

The private chat interface fell into a long silence.

Lu Jiuyuan was in no rush, simply waiting quietly.

He knew that Feng Qing'er would definitely accept it.

It was not because the Youth-Preserving Pill was particularly precious, but because she was too proud.

Proud people fear nothing more than growing old.

Especially a peerless beauty of such magnificent grace as her.