Inside the room.
Afterward, the two of them began getting dressed.
As she buttoned her clothes, Qian Renxue said,
"Don't go around flirting with other women, got it?"
Lin Yan said,
"I'm the purest person there is! You know that."
At the word "pure," Qian Renxue couldn't help rolling her pretty eyes.
"Ha~ You might fool other girls with that line."
"Don't think I don't know all your tricks for sweet-talking women."
In truth, Qian Renxue had seen through Lin Yan's disguise six years ago.
But seeing through it was one thing. Lin Yan's kindness to her was real, too.
Besides, Lin Yan was genuinely good at sweet-talking women. Every time, he managed to pull her back from the brink of anger.
So, after all these years, Qian Renxue had gotten used to it.
Before long, they were dressed. Lin Yan hugged the girl from behind.
"Don't worry. I'll come back to see you often."
Qian Renxue said,
"You have to come back at least once every month."
"Okay."
Lin Yan agreed without hesitation, then gave the girl a light peck on the cheek.
"Then I'll get going. Sister Yanzi and Sister Lingling are still waiting for me."
At that, the sweetness in Qian Renxue's smile vanished in an instant, and a hint of irritation colored her delicate face.
Did this guy really have to bring up those two women right now?
Remembering that she had once told Lin Yan to get along with them, which had led to her boyfriend becoming involved with other women, Qian Renxue felt her anger flare.
Fortunately, just before she could blow up, Lin Yan kissed her other cheek.
"Hehe~ Sister Xue'er is so cute when she's mad."
With that, Lin Yan turned and fled toward the door.
"Keep your lower half under control!"
"I know."
The main hall of the Crown Prince's Mansion.
Dugu Yan was idly fiddling with the little teacup in front of her, looking impatient.
Beside her sat Ye Lingling, poised and graceful.
At Lin Yan's request, the two girls had come to the Crown Prince's Mansion at noon to wait for him, planning to go shopping together afterward.
But it was nearly past lunchtime, and Lin Yan still hadn't come out.
"Lingling, Lin Yan's been in the same room as the Crown Prince for ages. Do you think something could be going on?"
"..."
"I keep telling you not to read so many steamy novels."
Ye Lingling rolled her eyes at Dugu Yan and continued,
"Don't let your imagination run wild. Lin Yan is the Crown Prince's Guard. The two of them are probably discussing something to do with the imperial family. You think everyone's as improper as you?"
Scolded, Dugu Yan gave an awkward smile and pursed her lips, unable to argue.
For the past six years, the two girls had been Lin Yan's openly acknowledged girlfriends, and they had spent nearly every day glued to his side.
From the adorable, innocent boy he had once been to the elegant young gentleman he was now,
the two girls had witnessed it all. They had raised him with their own hands, so to speak.
It had to be said: Lin Yan had managed to train intensively for six years despite his Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul, and the two girls deserved no small share of the credit.
The midday sun beat down on the earth, sending waves of heat rippling above the ground.
Before long, Lin Yan finally walked in through the doorway.
"Lin Yan, what took you so long?"
The moment Dugu Yan saw him, she stood and hurried over to embrace him.
Lin Yan smiled as he explained,
"The Crown Prince assigned me a task. It took up quite a bit of time."
Dugu Yan asked curiously,
"Hmm? What task?"
"It's definitely a secret! Hehe~"
"But I'll have to leave Heaven Dou City for a while."
Lin Yan's frank answer left even the usually composed Ye Lingling stunned.
"What?"
The two girls crowded around Lin Yan, and Dugu Yan continued,
"Why so suddenly?"
"Lingling and I were just planning to ask you to go on a trip with us."
Ye Lingling chimed in, too.
"Yeah. What happened?"
"Did the Crown Prince send you on some dangerous mission? Can't you refuse?"
Seeing how concerned they were, Lin Yan explained casually,
"Don't worry. It's not dangerous."
"It's just... I may be gone for quite a while."
"At the shortest, a few months. If it takes longer, it could be a year or two."
As soon as Dugu Yan heard it could be as long as two years, she immediately protested.
"No!"
"I won't let you go."
As if! During those six years, Dugu Yan had felt restless whenever she couldn't see Lin Yan for even a single day.
How could she possibly let him leave on a year-long mission?
Ye Lingling felt the same way. After spending so much time together, she had grown dependent on Lin Yan.
Now he was suddenly telling them he had to leave on a mission for so long. Who could possibly accept that?
Lin Yan explained,
"It's the Crown Prince's order, even the imperial family's order. As the Crown Prince's Guard, how could I refuse?"
"Then I'll ask Grandpa to have them withdraw the decree."
Dugu Yan lifted her chin, looking defiant.
Lin Yan gently drew her into his arms.
"Come on, Sister Yanzi!"
"Since I've enjoyed the imperial family's resources and grown so quickly into the person I am today, I should stand up when the imperial family needs me."
"Don't worry. I can come back to Heaven Dou City once a month."
Ye Lingling came over, too.
"Are you sure it's not dangerous?"
Lin Yan raised a finger.
"It's absolutely not dangerous. I swear on my Martial Soul—"
"Shh!"
Ye Lingling pressed a slender jade finger to Lin Yan's lips, stopping him from going on.
"Don't say things like that. It's bad luck."
"When are you leaving? Is it urgent?"
"Tomorrow."
At his answer, a hint of sadness clearly appeared in both girls' eyes.
Wasn't that too soon? Even if waiting a few more days wouldn't change anything, they still weren't happy about it.
Then Ye Lingling said,
"Let's go shopping together later, then. We can buy you some things for the trip, like a change of clothes."
"Then we'll go back to Ye Mansion tonight, and I'll ask Mom to make some of your favorite dishes."
"Okay."
It had to be said, Ye Lingling's manner and way of speaking were brimming with a motherly warmth.
With her gentle temperament, she seemed just like a kind older sister from next door.
As for Dugu Yan...
Ever since she and Ye Lingling had cleared up their misunderstanding, she had returned to her old flirtatious, lively self.
Each girl had her own distinct personality, and over the past six years, they had brought Lin Yan no end of joy...
Evening.
A cool breeze swept past the windowsill and into the room.
Inside Lin Yan's bedroom at Ye Mansion,
Lin Yan was leaning against the headboard, holding Ye Lingling in his arms as he read the latest news from across the continent on a sheet of paper.
The two of them nestled together, peaceful and romantic.
After a while, as he turned the page, Lin Yan asked Ye Lingling,
"Sister Lingling, aren't you going to take off your makeup?"
Ye Lingling smiled.
"I'll do it after you fall asleep. I want to spend a little more time with you."
Lin Yan paused at her words, then quickly understood. She didn't want him to leave.
He didn't hesitate. He leaned in and gently kissed the girl's soft lips.
"Mmm~"