Chapter 17

Chu Xiu had his back to Shui Bing'er when he suddenly felt a weight settle on his shoulder. As he wondered why she was leaning against him, a notification sounded in his mind again.

[Shui Bing'er has developed strong feelings for you. Bond Value +20.]

[Current Bond Value: 80 points.]

Holy crap!

Eighty points?

Chu Xiu's eyes widened. He had never expected happiness to arrive so suddenly.

That was Shui Bing'er for you. She loved and hated fiercely. Saving her life had raised her Bond Value by a full sixty points.

Just twenty more points, and his first Spirit Ring would be within reach.

And... strong feelings?

Did that mean something could happen between them?

Just as Chu Xiu was about to take advantage of the situation... No, seize the moment and make some progress with Shui Bing'er, Ning Rongrong could no longer stand watching.

"Hey, enough with the tears. He's not dead."

Ning Rongrong planted her hands on her hips and glared at Shui Bing'er.

Shui Bing'er had acted entirely on instinct. Now that Ning Rongrong had interrupted her, she realized how intimate she looked and quickly lifted her head from Chu Xiu's shoulder.

Chu Xiu cursed inwardly at the interruption, though this really wasn't the time for anything else.

The foot of the mountain was too dangerous. None of them could be sure there were no other Spirit Beasts nearby.

Their priority was to get back to the beach.

"Bing'er, take Owl's body back with you."

"Rongrong, harvest as much Spirit Rice as you can. Tie it up with vine rope and bring it along."

Chu Xiu rose to his feet and calmly gave them their tasks.

With Owl dead, another Spirit Beast would soon claim its territory. Chu Xiu and the others had managed to kill Owl today only because they'd been lucky.

Owl had an obvious weakness during the day and couldn't bring out even a third of its true strength.

Otherwise, a different Spirit Beast might have caused them far more trouble, even if it wasn't as powerful as Owl.

"I'll wait for you by the spring pool down below."

Chu Xiu looked at the blood covering him and gave a wry smile.

He had already reeked of sweat. Now he smelled bloody, foul, and sour. If he didn't bathe, Shui Bing'er and the other two would probably kick him out of the tent tonight.

With that, Chu Xiu started off alone to wash in the spring pool.

"Wait."

Shui Bing'er stepped forward, her face red, and looked him in the eye. "You're hurt. It'll be hard for you to move around. Let me help you wash."

Chu Xiu was startled. He hadn't expected the poised Shui Bing'er to say something so provocative.

Then again, her Bond Value was already at eighty.

If he took the initiative, he might get a kiss from her today and finally leave his hopelessly single days behind.

"Sure. Sorry for the trouble."

Chu Xiu had no intention of playing the saint. With a beautiful woman offering to help, he agreed at once.

"Sure, my foot!"

Ning Rongrong stormed forward and shoved Shui Bing'er away from Chu Xiu. "Why do I have to do the work while you help him bathe? If anyone's washing him, it's me."

Shui Bing'er had long since noticed that Ning Rongrong liked Chu Xiu.

She laughed. "Then you wash him. What's there to be angry about?"

She was only worried that Chu Xiu would have trouble bathing with one arm injured. Whether she helped him or Ning Rongrong did made no difference to her.

After all, Ning Rongrong had liked Chu Xiu first.

As the one who came later, Shui Bing'er knew she ought to respect that.

"Hmph. At least you know better."

Ning Rongrong wrapped both hands tightly around Chu Xiu's arm. Half a head shorter than him, she looked up and said fiercely, "What are you still hoping for? Is it such a hardship to have me wash you?"

"Of course not."

Chu Xiu shrugged.

He had only been watching Shui Bing'er's expression to see whether she would get jealous.

To his surprise, she didn't seem to mind at all. Did she not really like me?

But the notification had been perfectly clear.

Shui Bing'er's Bond Value had risen by twenty because she'd developed feelings for him.

Forget it. No point overthinking it. Shui Bing'er is already at eighty points. Winning her over is only a matter of time. I might as well take this chance to gain a few more points with Ning Rongrong.

If Shui Bing'er had been jealous, Chu Xiu would have had to think more carefully. With her Bond Value at eighty, she was his priority for now.

But since Shui Bing'er didn't mind, Chu Xiu had no reason not to pursue both of them.

They reached the spring pool.

Chu Xiu stood motionless at its edge, looking at Ning Rongrong.

"W-why are you looking at me?" Ning Rongrong avoided his gaze.

"I'm waiting for your help," Chu Xiu said matter-of-factly. "Didn't you come to help me bathe?"

"Pah!"

Ning Rongrong blushed. "Only one of your arms is hurt. You still have the other one. Why do you need someone to wash you?"

Chu Xiu let out a helpless sigh.

He looked at Ning Rongrong and said seriously, "You're really not going to? Then I'll call Shui Bing'er over to help me instead."

"No."

Ning Rongrong hurried forward and covered his mouth. "I'm warning you, don't be a pervert. Hurry up and—ah!"

Before Ning Rongrong could finish, Chu Xiu grabbed her around the waist and pulled her into the pool.

Splash!

Water sprayed everywhere.

Ning Rongrong scrambled to her feet in the pool and scolded him, looking thoroughly bedraggled. "What are you doing? I nearly choked!"

Chu Xiu grinned.

"I didn't do it on purpose. I lost a lot of blood earlier. Maybe I'm a little dizzy."

"Liar."

Ning Rongrong protested, but she was worried about him.

Chu Xiu had been badly injured. The Spirit Rice had stopped the bleeding, but he had already lost plenty of blood by then. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been covered in it.

"Fine. Stand still and I'll wash you, all right? But I'm warning you, behave yourself, or you'll regret it."

Ning Rongrong tried to sound fierce.

She tucked her wet hair behind her ears, bent down, and scooped water from the pool with her hands. She poured it over Chu Xiu and gently rubbed away the blood.

Her movements were soft, and her hands felt smooth.

She was standing close to Chu Xiu, and every time she bent and straightened, the leaves covering her body shifted with her.

Breathing in the young woman's fresh scent and watching the pale curves sway before him, Chu Xiu slowly clenched his fists.

[Ning Rongrong's feelings for you have deepened. Bond Value +5.]

[Current Bond Value: 55 points.]

Huh???

Chu Xiu was baffled. He hadn't done anything, so why had her Bond Value suddenly risen?

He looked down and understood.

Ning Rongrong had started washing the blood from his waist and stomach and had naturally noticed what was happening beneath the leaves.

"Pah!"

"You shameless pervert."

Ning Rongrong's cheeks were bright red. She scolded him, but couldn't bring herself to look away.

Chu Xiu chuckled. He had almost forgotten what Ning Rongrong was like.

She was at an age when she was just beginning to discover romance. It was only natural for her to be curious about men. If you want to look, I'll give you a chance to look all you like.