Plucking a Peach Blossom

The afternoon sun was not glaring.

Dai Huabin slowly opened his eyes, his consciousness returning from a deep sense of satisfaction.

The warm, soft woman beside him was still fast asleep, her fiery red hair cascading down half the pillow like a waterfall, with a few playful strands clinging to Ma Xiaotao's smooth cheeks.

He turned to his side and quietly looked at Ma Xiaotao's sleeping face.

Gone is her former flamboyance and fiery temper; at this moment, she is as serene as a child, her even breathing carrying a sweet rhythm.

He could sense that the once raging Evil Fire within her body had now become docile and pure, perfectly merging with her Soul Power and transforming into an even purer source of power.

Dai Huabin reached out and gently brushed the strands of hair on her cheek with his fingertips, his movements so gentle that he was afraid of waking her.

Ma Xiaotao stirred, her long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings, and then she slowly opened her crimson eyes.

The initial haze of awakening quickly faded, replaced by an overwhelming tenderness.

"Awake?" Ma Xiaotao's voice was languidly husky, exceptionally alluring.

"Mmm," Dai Huabin responded, tightening his arms and pulling her even closer into his embrace.

Ma Xiaotao leaned obediently against his chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, a satisfied blush rising on her face.

She felt more at peace than she had ever felt at that moment.

"Huabin."

Ma Xiaotao suddenly spoke, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

"We...we like this, Lulu ..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but Dai Huabin understood what she meant.

Ma Xiaotao was ultimately not the kind of woman who would steal someone else's happiness. Even though she loved Zhu Lu passionately, she still harbored some concerns about her.

Dai Huabin chuckled and pinched the tip of her pert nose.

"You're worried about that?"

Ma Xiaotao rolled her eyes at him, exuding charm, "Shouldn't I be worried? I don't want Lulu to think of me as a vixen."

"No, that won't happen." Dai Huabin's tone was very firm.

"Lulu is the head wife of my family, how could she not tolerate Xiaotao Tao?"

"What first wife!"

Ma Xiaotao was both embarrassed and annoyed by his teasing, so she reached out and punched him in the chest.

"So you mean I'm going to be your concubine?"

Her eyebrows furrowed, and the pride that belonged to the Fire Phoenix returned to her.

"No, no, I wouldn't dare."

Dai Huabin quickly begged for mercy, flipped her over, pinned her beneath him, and lowered his head to kiss her chattering red lips.

"My Xiaotao Sister Tao, you're my savior, how could I dare let you be my mistress?"

Dai Huabin's kiss left Ma Xiaotao momentarily stunned.

At first she struggled symbolically for a couple of moments, but soon succumbed to his fervent advances.

This kiss felt longer than any before.

Only when they were both a little out of breath did Dai Huabin reluctantly pull away from her lips.

He looked at Ma Xiaotao beneath him, her eyes glazed and her face flushed, and his Adam's apple bobbed.

"Sister Xiaotao, you look so beautiful right now."

Ma Xiaotao's eyes glistened with tears. She breathed heavily, wrapped her arms around his neck, and offered her red lips to him once more.

"Then I'll give you a good look again."

When the two woke up from their sleep again, it was already completely dark outside the window.

There were no lights in the room, only the bright moonlight streaming in through the window, casting a hazy, silvery glow over everything.

"It's so late."

Ma Xiaotao stretched lazily, her perfect curves faintly visible in the moonlight.

After an afternoon of cultivation, she felt refreshed and her Soul Power even showed signs of breaking through.

Dai Huabin took out two sets of clean clothes from his Soul Tool.

He dressed himself first, and then helped Ma Xiaotao, whose legs were still a little weak, to straighten her clothes.

His movements were meticulous; he adjusted everything from his collar to his belt with utmost care.

Ma Xiaotao stood there obediently, letting him do as he pleased, Sisi in her heart.

"Shall we go out now?" she asked softly.

"Hmm, I should go see Lulu."

Dai Huabin helped her tidy up the last stray strand of hair, then took her hand.

"Come on, I'll take you to see our family's first wife."

Shrek Academy, bathed in the night, is exceptionally tranquil, devoid of the daytime hustle and bustle.

The dormitory room of Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu was brightly lit.

Di Lingxi had finished her portion of roasted meat and was now holding a picture book, enthusiastically learning about everything in the human world under the guidance of Snow Empress and Ice Empress.

Zhu Lu sat quietly by the window, holding a cup of hot tea in her hands, the rising steam blurring her beautiful face.

She wasn't reading or meditating; she was simply gazing quietly at the night sky outside the window, lost in thought.

Knock knock.

There was a knock on the door.

"Please come in." Zhu Lu put down her teacup, her voice as cold as ever.

The door was pushed open, and Dai Huabin, holding Ma Xiaotao's hand, walked in from outside.

Ma Xiaotao's face flushed slightly. She subconsciously tried to break free from Dai Huabin's hand, but he held it even tighter.

Zhu Lu's gaze lingered for a moment on their tightly clasped hands before she looked up with a faint smile on her face.

"Huabin, Sister Xiaotao Tao."

Her reaction was so calm that even Ma Xiaotao, who had prepared a whole speech, was at a loss for words.

Dai Huabin pulled Ma Xiaotao to Zhu Lu and spoke directly without beating around the bush.

"Lulu, I'm with Sister Xiaotao now."

After he finished speaking, he looked at Zhu Lu quietly, waiting for her reaction.

Ma Xiaotao's heart was in her throat; she could even hear her own heart pounding.

However, to her surprise, Zhu Lu's smile did not change at all; instead, it became even gentler.

"I know." Zhu Lu nodded gently, then stood up and walked to Ma Xiaotao.

Congratulations, Xiaotao.

She reached out and gently grasped Ma Xiaotao's other hand, her tone sincere.

Thank you too.

"Thank me?" Ma Xiaotao was stunned.

"Hmm." Zhu Lu looked at her earnestly, "During the finals, if you hadn't stepped forward, Huabin and I might have already..."

She didn't say anything more, but her meaning was clear.

With just one sentence, all of Ma Xiaotao's embarrassment and unease vanished instantly.

Ma Xiaotao's eyes welled up slightly. She took Zhu Lu's hand in return and lowered her head somewhat shyly.

"No, it's what I should do. Lulu, I'm just glad you don't blame me."

Why should I blame you?

Zhu Lu chuckled softly and pulled her to sit on the sofa with her.

"Sister Xiaotao, you're very capable. There will be many more ways you can help Huabin in the future. I'm overjoyed!"

Her words were frank and generous, without a trace of jealousy or resentment.

This dispelled the last vestige of doubt in Ma Xiaotao's heart.

She began to genuinely admire the girl in front of her, who was several years younger than her.

"But..."

Zhu Lu changed the subject, looking at Dai Huabin with a sly glint in her eyes.

"Xiaotao Tao, you'd better be mentally prepared."