After saying all that, Qing Tan looked at Lin Yan with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness, waiting for his answer.
The main reason she was acting this way was that, lately, Qing Tan had secretly figured out how she felt.
It seemed, maybe, possibly, she really did like Brother Lin Yan a little.
Earlier, Qing Tan had asked her mother what it felt like to like someone. Her mother had said that seeing him made you happy, parting from him left you feeling dejected, and when you weren't together, your mind was full of thoughts about him.
Qing Tan had felt then that she must like Brother Lin Yan, because her symptoms seemed to match exactly what her mother had described.
So Qing Tan had been terribly conflicted these past few days.
It was only because Brother Lin Yan had been focused on cultivating lately that she hadn't wanted to disturb him. Otherwise, she would have asked him out ages ago.
Now that she knew Brother Lin Yan had some free time today, Qing Tan had immediately mustered her courage and gone for it. Otherwise, what if Brother Lin Yan didn't have time again later?
"What about Lin Dong? Isn't he coming?"
Lin Yan had no idea Qing Tan had so many thoughts running through her head. After hearing what she said, he asked her with some confusion.
Qing Tan shook her head. "Brother Lin Dong said he has to cultivate."
Actually, Lin Dong wasn't going to cultivate tonight. But now, even if he hadn't planned to, he'd have to. He couldn't ruin her grand plan.
Lin Yan nodded at that. He looked at Qing Tan's expectant expression once more, and couldn't bring himself to turn her down.
He agreed. "Then let's go see a show."
Qing Tan's smile instantly bloomed brighter than a flower.
Honestly, she'd needed to summon an incredible amount of courage to do this today.
But now Qing Tan was glad she'd found the courage, because only then would she have a chance to get closer to Brother Lin Yan.
"Then let's go, Brother Lin Yan."
Qing Tan beamed happily, her steps growing light as she walked.
The two soon arrived in Green Sun Town. As Qing Tan walked along the street, she drew everyone's attention, and people kept turning to look at her.
That was mostly because Qing Tan was cute and charming. Though her outfit wasn't particularly eye-catching, it did show off her pair of pale, slender legs, making her a sight to behold.
"If only I could find a chance to hold Brother Lin Yan's hand. His hands are so big; holding one would make me feel so safe."
Walking along with Lin Yan, Qing Tan noticed that many couples on the street were holding hands, and couldn't help feeling envious.
But she was too embarrassed to say so outright, and felt a little torn.
Just then, a chilly breeze blew past, and Qing Tan had a sudden idea. She grabbed Lin Yan's hand.
"What's wrong, Qing Tan?"
Lin Yan looked at her in confusion and asked.
"Hehe, Brother Lin Yan, I'm a little cold."
Qing Tan spoke to Lin Yan bashfully.
Lin Yan raised an eyebrow. "Then, do you want to go back?"
Qing Tan was startled. She'd gone to all that trouble to get him out here. How could she let him leave now?
So Qing Tan hurriedly said, "No, no, it's not that cold, actually. Brother Lin Yan, just let me hold your hand. That'll warm me up."
Lin Yan found it a little strange. Could holding hands really keep someone warm? Still, he agreed without refusing.
Qing Tan's grin nearly split her face. Happily humming a little tune, she felt the warmth of Lin Yan's palm and couldn't stop the smile tugging at her lips.
"Brother Lin Yan's hand is so big, so firm, and so warm."
She hurriedly wiped away the drool that was about to spill from her mouth and tried to compose herself.
She didn't want to leave a bad impression on Brother Lin Yan over something like this.
The two soon arrived at the theater.
They then watched the show from seats that were even better than the ones they'd agreed on.
But Qing Tan felt a little disappointed that Lin Yan stopped holding her hand once they arrived at the theater.
That left Qing Tan feeling a little regretful.
"I want to keep holding Brother Lin Yan's hand. It's so warm and comfortable."
Blushing, Qing Tan thought to herself as she cautiously scooted her bottom a little closer to Lin Yan's, careful not to let him notice.
Lin Yan didn't pay any attention to that. He stayed right where he was and watched the show.
But he wasn't very interested in the opera. Watching it made him feel just like he used to in class, listening to the teacher lecture. Before long, sleepiness crept over him.
Lin Yan didn't even realize when he fell asleep. His eyes simply closed.
"Brother Lin Yan?"
Qing Tan called softly to Lin Yan and realized that he was already asleep.
Only then did she cautiously settle his head on her lap, letting her thigh serve as his pillow.
"He's probably just too tired. He's been working so hard at cultivation lately. Gaining strength comes at a price, after all."
Qing Tan murmured to herself, stroking Lin Yan's hair with a little heartache.
As Lin Yan slept, a faint breath escaped his nostrils.
Feeling the light breeze, Qing Tan's cheeks grew hot. And with Lin Yan's hair tickling her, her leg began to itch a little. But even though she pressed her thighs together, she still couldn't bring herself to wake him.
"Sorry. I accidentally fell asleep."
By the time Lin Yan woke up, the opera was over. There weren't many people in the theater, but when the show ended, the audience began filing out, and the noise woke him.
As soon as Lin Yan woke, he saw Qing Tan's thighs pressed together. He immediately sat up, scratching his head awkwardly as he spoke.
Qing Tan blushed too, but she didn't blame Lin Yan. In fact, she'd thoroughly enjoyed the view just now.
She looked at Lin Yan and said, "Then, Brother Lin Yan, you can make it up to me by coming out with me again next time?"
Lin Yan agreed. "All right."
Qing Tan immediately flashed a wicked little smile, looking like she'd gotten exactly what she wanted. Then, seeing that it was getting late, she returned to the Lin Clan with Lin Yan.
In the days that followed, Lin Yan continued cultivating in the Lin Clan.
Though he wasn't as fanatical as he'd been while nurturing the Beast Fire and learning Dou Techniques,
he still spent most of every day cultivating.
With such diligent cultivation, Lin Yan drew closer and closer to a breakthrough, and his control over Purple Fire grew increasingly adept.
"Young friend, perhaps you can start trying to refine a second-grade pill."
One day, seeing how much more adept Lin Yan had become at controlling Purple Fire, Yao Lao suddenly spoke up and reminded him.
"Is that so? Then I'll give it a try, Senior Yao Lao."
Lin Yan readily agreed. He then took a second-grade pill formula from Yao Lao, went to Green Sun Town to buy the medicinal ingredients, and prepared to try refining a second-grade pill.
Before you continue