Two hours later, when Chen Lin emerged from his cultivation, he looked as though he had just been hauled out of the water. A large, distinct patch of moisture marked the stone slab beneath him.
He stood and stretched, his joints crackling in a rapid series of pops as an unprecedented sense of ease spread through his body.
He returned to the second floor and took a hot shower.
Amid the lingering steam, he had just dried himself, pulled on his shorts, and stepped out of the bathroom when he saw Li Xiaoyue coming upstairs after work.
At the sight of Chen Lin's bare torso, still radiating heat, Li Xiaoyue's cheeks flushed crimson. Instinctively, she started to turn back toward her room.
"Xiaoyue."
Chen Lin chuckled, strode over, and scooped her up from behind without giving her a chance to protest.
"Ah!" Li Xiaoyue let out a startled little cry.
He held her securely across his arms in a perfect bridal carry.
"Don't... I'm still sweaty... I... let me shower first..." She buried her face against his chest in embarrassment, her voice barely a whisper.
Chen Lin looked down at her pretty face, flushed almost scarlet, and his smile deepened.
With her in his arms, he turned and headed straight for the bathroom.
"I'll help you wash."
Steam filled the bathroom, coating the frosted glass with a thin, suggestive haze.
As Chen Lin held Li Xiaoyue, her body went weak the moment her toes touched the warm tiles.
Like a frightened fawn, she instinctively pressed both hands against his firm, hot chest, a burning flush spreading from her cheeks to her ears.
"Don't... I can wash myself..." Her voice was almost inaudible.
Seeing her so embarrassed she looked ready to faint, Chen Lin felt his teasing mood gradually give way