Ah Yin: Really? I Don't Believe It

Zhao Linchuan was picking food for his bowl when he paused at her words. He looked up at her face, which was already flushed deep red.

"Stay?"

"With you looking like that, aren't you afraid I'll eat you up and make you suffer?"

"I'm already mostly recovered..." Bibi Dong lowered her head, not daring to meet his gaze. "Sister Lingji came over specifically to treat me... the swelling has already gone down..."

After she finished speaking, her face turned so red it looked like it might bleed, with even her earlobes and neck stained a deep crimson.

Zhao Linchuan watched her shy and embarrassed appearance, his tone gentle as he said:

"Alright then, I'll stay tonight."

"I'll make sure to keep my little wife good company."

"You scoundrel..."

Bibi Dong muttered under her breath, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"Wait a second!"

She suddenly remembered something, looked up at Zhao Linchuan, and her expression turned serious.

"You are not allowed to make me hold up a 'V' sign with both hands and stick out my tongue to say those things again."

"And either hold it in! Or just give it to me! You are not allowed to pour wine on my face anymore!"

"Fine, I understand." Zhao Linchuan picked up his chopsticks and placed some food in her bowl. "I promise to be gentle with you today..."

The next morning.

"You bastard!"

As she bathed with Zhao Linchuan in the pool, Bibi Dong grumbled incessantly, her voice laced with annoyance.

"I told you, you aren't allowed to pour 'wine' on my face again. Did you not hear me?"

The more she spoke, the angrier she became, and she scooped up a handful of water to splash at Zhao Linchuan.

Zhao Linchuan didn't dodge, letting the water splash across his face.

He wiped the water away with his hand, a smug, punchable grin still hanging on his lips.

Bibi Dong raised her voice and continued:

"I am the Saintess of Spirit Hall, after all!"

"If the handmaidens found out I was being treated like this by my own husband, do you have any idea what kind of impact that would have on Spirit Hall!"

"It was just an uncontrollable impulse, wasn't it?"

Zhao Linchuan paddled a few times, reaching out to pull the slippery Bibi Dong into his arms.

She struggled symbolically for a moment before giving up, leaning against his chest, pouting in silence.

Zhao Linchuan lowered his head, resting his chin on the top of her head, his voice gentle.

"I'll be more careful in the future."

"Don't be angry anymore, be good~"

"Uncontrollable impulse, yet you still used your hands!"

Bibi Dong wouldn't let it go; she looked up and glared at him, her eyes round.

"I think you're just a pervert!"

"A massive pervert!"

"How about I only show this perverted side to you?"

Zhao Linchuan's tone remained gentle, though his gaze grew a bit more serious.

He reached out, tucked the wet strands of hair from her forehead behind her ear, and gently stroked her cheek with his thumb.

"This is a little intimacy that belongs only to you and me."

Bibi Dong's lips moved as if to say something, but she didn't let it out.

She lowered her head, burying her face in the crook of his neck, her voice muffled.

"Scoundrel..."

Surprisingly, she didn't continue to object; she simply ruffled her wet hair, her voice softening.

"You should go see Sister Lingji after you finish your bath."

"You've been staying here with me for almost two days now."

"What, has my little wife suddenly become generous?"

Zhao Linchuan teased, his fingers lightly tickling her waist.

"You're actually willing to push your own man away?"

"I just don't want my relationship with Sister Lingji to drift apart because of a scoundrel like you."

Bibi Dong slapped his hand away in annoyance and rolled her eyes at him.

"You're being sentimental for nothing."

"Then let's just say I'm being sentimental for nothing."

Zhao Linchuan smiled, his fingers brushing lightly over her waist as he savored the smooth, supple sensation.

"I'll go back to see her in a little while..."

In a flash, Zhao Linchuan had returned home.

The old locust tree in the courtyard cast a dense, green shade under the afternoon sun, while a few sparrows chirped noisily on the branches.

The aroma of food wafted from the direction of the kitchen, whetting one's appetite.

"Oh, you finally decided to come back?"

Yan Lingji was walking out of the kitchen carrying a plate of food. Seeing Zhao Linchuan, she paused, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly as she spoke with a hint of sour teasing.

"I thought you didn't want an old woman like me anymore."

"How could that be?"

Zhao Linchuan stepped forward quickly, gently taking Yan Lingji's hand. He took the plate from her, set it on the table, then turned around to cup her face in his hands, his thumbs gently stroking her cheeks.

"Didn't I just come back?"

"I suppose you still have a bit of a conscience..."

After a long while, the two finished their lunch.

Zhao Linchuan took a head spirit bone that emitted a faint golden glow from his spirit tool, placed it on the table, and pushed it toward Yan Lingji.

"Absorb this," Zhao Linchuan said in a calm tone. "I'm going out for a trip to inspect the intelligence network. I'll be back in about two or three days."

"Go on then."

Yan Lingji put the spirit bone away, stood up, and walked over to him. She stood on her tiptoes and pecked him lightly on the lips, her tone playful.

"Just how many women are you keeping on the side? When are you going to bring them back for me to see...?"

The moon hung above the willow branches, and people met after dusk.

Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.

Zhao Linchuan sat in front of the second-floor window, with Ah Yin, Zi Nü, and Nong Yu standing in a row before him.

Ah Yin wore a silver-blue long dress, her long hair draped over her shoulders, shimmering with a faint luster under the moonlight.

Her skin was even fairer and more delicate than before; the few days of cultivation within the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well had made her progress visible to the naked eye.

Zi Nü wore a purple outfit with her hair tied up in a high bun, meeting him with a smile.

Nong Yu stood by her side in a plain-colored dress, her eyes lowered and her expression submissive, as quiet as a secluded orchid.

Zhao Linchuan looked Ah Yin over and nodded slightly, his tone carrying a hint of satisfaction.

"Not bad, you haven't been slacking off."

"Your cultivation speed is somewhat beyond my expectations."

"Hmph!"

Ah Yin tilted her head, lifting her chin slightly as a look of small pride appeared on her face.

Her lips were pursed in silence, but the slightly upturned corners of her mouth betrayed her inner delight.

Zhao Linchuan didn't mind her attitude and continued:

"Keep working hard; you can eat any of the immortal herbs or spiritual medicines here."

"Strive to reach the realm of a Spirit Saint as soon as possible. When that time comes, I'll allow you one day a week to go out and get some fresh air."

"Or perhaps I'll set you up with a restaurant or a shop in Heaven Dou City so you can go out and manage it every week."

"Really?" Ah Yin turned her head sharply, the pride on her face swept away, and she asked with pleasant surprise, "As long as I reach the Spirit Saint level, you'll let me go out?"

"And you'll even set me up with a business?"

"My word is as heavy as nine tripods."

Zhao Linchuan stood up with his hands behind his back. The moonlight spread out behind him, shrouding him in a hazy halo of light.

"As long as you reach the Spirit Saint level, I will grant you permission to go out."

"And when you cultivate to the level of a Titled Douluo, I will set you free."