Ah Yin: Really? I Don't Believe You

Zhao Linchuan was reaching for a dish when he heard her. His hand paused, and he looked up at her face, already red from ear to ear.

"Stay?"

"You're like this, and you're not afraid I'll devour you and make you suffer?"

"I'm almost all better..." Bibi Dong lowered her head, not daring to meet his eyes. "Sister Ling Ji specially came to treat me... the swelling's gone down..."

After she finished speaking, her face reddened until it looked ready to drip blood. Even her ears and neck were tinted pink.

Looking at her shy, flustered expression, Zhao Linchuan spoke gently:

"Then all right. I'll stay tonight."

"And keep my little wife company."

"Rascal..." Bibi Dong murmured, the corners of her lips curling into a faint smile.

"Wait!"

She suddenly remembered something and lifted her head to look at Zhao Linchuan, her expression turning serious.

"You're not allowed to make me hold up both hands in peace signs and stick out my tongue while saying that sort of thing again."

"And either hold it in, or give it to me! Don't pour the 'wine' on my face again!"

"All right, I understand." Zhao Linchuan picked up his chopsticks and served her a bite. "I promise I'll be gentle with you today..."

The next morning.

"You bastard!"

Bibi Dong sat in the bath with Zhao Linchuan, chattering away as she scolded him, a hint of anger in her voice.

"I told you not to pour the 'wine' on my face again. Didn't you hear me?"

The angrier she got, the more she spoke. She scooped up a handful of water and splashed it at Zhao Linchuan.

Zhao Linchuan didn't dodge. The water splattered across his face.

He wiped the water from his face, the same infuriating smile still hanging from his lips.

Bibi Dong raised her voice and continued:

"I'm the Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall, after all!"

"If those maids found out that my own husband treated me like this, do you know how much it would affect Spirit Hall?"

"I just couldn't help myself."

Zhao Linchuan paddled a few strokes, then reached out and pulled the slippery Bibi Dong into his arms.

She put up a token struggle, then gave up resisting and leaned against his chest, puffing her cheeks without a word.

Zhao Linchuan lowered his head, resting his chin on her crown, and spoke gently:

"I'll be more careful from now on."

"Don't be mad, okay? Good girl~"

"You couldn't help yourself, yet you still used your hand to steer!"

Bibi Dong refused to let it go. She raised her head and glared at him, her eyes round as marbles.

"I think you're just a pervert!"

"A complete and utter pervert!"

"Then what if I'm only this kind of pervert with you?"

Zhao Linchuan's tone remained gentle, but his gaze grew more serious.

He reached out and tucked her damp fringe behind her ear, his fingertips lightly stroking her cheek.

"It's a little game that belongs only to you and me."

Bibi Dong's lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but no words came out.

She lowered her head and buried her face in the hollow of his neck, her voice muffled:

"Rascal..."

For once, she didn't keep arguing. She rubbed her damp hair, her voice softening a little.

"Go see Sister Ling Ji after you finish your bath."

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

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

Zhao Linchuan teased her, lightly tickling her side.

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

"I just don't want your being a rascal to drive a wedge between Sister Ling Ji and me."

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

"Don't flatter yourself."

"Then I'll just take it as me flattering myself."

Zhao Linchuan smiled, his fingers lightly tracing her waist as he savored its silky softness.

"I'll go see her in a bit..."

The scene shifted, and Zhao Linchuan was already back home.

The old locust tree in the courtyard cast a thick green shade in the afternoon sun, while a few sparrows chirped away in its branches.

The aroma of food drifted from the kitchen, making one's mouth water.

"Well, look who finally decided to come home."

Yan Lingji was carrying a plate of food out of the kitchen. When she saw Zhao Linchuan, she paused, the corners of her lips lifting as she teased him with a hint of jealousy.

"I thought you didn't want this old woman anymore."

"How could I not?"

Zhao Linchuan hurried over and gently took Yan Lingji's hand. He took the plate from her and set it on the table, then turned and cupped her face in both hands, his thumbs lightly caressing her cheeks.

"See? I'm back now."

"At least you still have a little conscience..."

After a long while, the two of them finished lunch.

Zhao Linchuan took a Head Soul Bone radiating a faint golden glow from his Soul Tool and set it on the table, sliding it in front of Yan Lingji.

"Fuse with it," Zhao Linchuan said calmly. "I'm heading out to check on the intelligence network. I'll probably be back in two or three days."

"Go ahead."

Yan Lingji put the Soul Bone away, stood up, and walked over to him. Rising onto her tiptoes, she planted a light kiss on his lips, then asked playfully:

"Just how many women have you got stashed away out there? When are you going to bring them home for me to meet...?"

The moon rose above the willow branches, and the lovers met after dusk.

The Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.

Zhao Linchuan sat by a second-floor window, while Ah Yin, Zi Nu, and Nong Yu stood in front of him, lined up side by side.

Ah Yin wore a silver-blue gown, her long hair falling over her shoulders with a faint sheen in the moonlight.

Her skin was fairer and smoother than before. The cultivation she'd done at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well over the past few days had visibly improved her.

Zi Nu wore purple, her hair swept into a high bun, and greeted him with a smile.

Nong Yu stood beside her in a plain-colored dress, her eyes lowered. She was as quiet as an orchid.

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

"Not bad. You haven't been slacking off."

"Your cultivation speed is a little surprising."

"Hmph!"

Ah Yin tipped her head to one side and raised her chin, a hint of pride on her face.

Her lips were pressed together and she said nothing, but the corners of her mouth betrayed how pleased she was.

Zhao Linchuan paid no attention to her attitude and continued:

"Keep working hard. You can eat any of the Immortal Herbs here."

"Try to reach the Soul Saint realm as soon as possible. Once you do, I'll let you go out for a day each week to get some fresh air."

"Or I could set you up with a restaurant or shop in Heaven Dou City, and you could go out every week to look after it."

"Really?" Ah Yin turned her head sharply, all her pride vanishing as she asked excitedly. "If I reach Soul Saint, you'll let me go out?"

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

"My word is as good as gold."

Zhao Linchuan rose to his feet and stood with his hands behind his back. The moonlight spread out in a silvery sheet behind him, enveloping him in a hazy glow.

"Once you reach Soul Saint, I'll let you go out."

"When you reach Titled Douluo, I'll set you free."