Water Park

Lu Yan originally thought he would be greeted by the dry and warm atmosphere of the fireplace in the Glimmering Lakeside Lodge, or by returning home, or by the cold and aloof figure of Rover sitting at his workbench flipping through a book.

However, the first thing he felt when he opened his eyes was a clear "smack" sound coming from the soles of his feet.

A drop of icy water landed precisely on his face.

Lu Yan was stunned.

He wiped the water off his face blankly, looked around, and then his golden eyes widened instantly, and he froze on the spot like a piece of wood.

The scene before us can hardly be described as a typhoon passing through.

This is no longer the well-organized and clean Glimmering Lakeside Lodge that Rover had kept so neatly. It's practically an indoor miniature water park!

The wooden floor, which was originally covered with a thick cashmere carpet, was now covered with puddles of water.

The snow brought in from the ice fields melted quickly in the warm indoor temperature, turning into small puddles.

The once neatly arranged sofa covers were now torn and crooked, with several wet stains on them.

The culprits of this disaster—three plump, round Snowy Fluff Leopard, like white steamed buns—were rolling around on the floor of the cabin without a care in the world.

Their once fluffy, soft white fur was now soaked with snow water, clinging to their bodies in clumps, making them look like three giant mops.

One of them seemed to feel that the water on its body was too heavy, and suddenly stood up, shaking its body wildly like a puppy.

"Splash--"

Water droplets mixed with fine ice shards filled the air, like a mini indoor rain shower, radiating outwards onto the surrounding walls and furniture.

Of course, she also ruthlessly dumped Lu Yan on top of her.

"A-Yan--!!"

Just as Lu Yan was still being washed by the torrential rain and his brain was in a daze, a clear voice pierced through the chaotic sound of water.

From the corner behind the sofa, a pink figure suddenly darted out.

It's Little Aemeath.

She was still clutching a strip of seaweed that she had picked up from who-knows-where.

Her calves were covered in water, and her pink pigtails were a little messy from the vigorous exercise.

The moment she saw Lu Yan, the light in her eyes was so bright it could practically blow the roof off.

Without any hesitation, Little Aemeath threw away the foxtail seaweed in her hand, splashed through the puddles, and ran towards Lu Yan.

"A-Yan! You're here!"

Aemeath crashed violently into Lu Yan's arms.

Lu Yan instinctively opened his arms to catch her, but the force of the impact caused him to slip and nearly fall flat on his face in a puddle.

He staggered a couple of steps before finally regaining his balance.

The little pink bundle in his arms clung tightly to his waist, rubbing her face against his chest, her voice filled with barely suppressed excitement:

"A-Yan! I miss you so much! Why did you disappear for so long this time?"

Lu Yan was held tightly in her arms, looking down at the wet little one in her embrace.

Although her clothes were quite wet, the sound of her vibrant heartbeat reassured Lu Yan.

"I'm back now." Lu Yan reached out, instinctively wanting to pat her head.

However, just as his hand was about to touch the top of her head, Little Aemeath seemed to snap out of her reverie.

Her body suddenly froze.

Little Aemeath released her grip on Lu Yan and took half a step back.

Her gaze passed over Lu Yan's body and landed on the Glimmering Lakeside Lodge, which had been ravaged beyond recognition by her and the Snowy Fluff Leopard.

Water stains, a soaked sofa, and Snowy Fluff Leopard still frantically shaking off the water...

The air seemed to freeze for a moment.

The lively aura vanished without a trace in less than a second.

Little Aemeath's bright eyes widened instantly, her little mouth opened slightly, and a blush of fear and embarrassment gradually spread across her fair face.

Like a thief caught red-handed doing something wrong, she stood there somewhat bewildered, her hands behind her back, her little feet shuffling nervously on the wet floor.

"Um..." Little Aemeath awkwardly touched the back of her head, her eyes darting around, but she didn't dare to look Lu Yan in the eye.

She screamed frantically in her heart: It's all over! It's all over!

A-Yan rarely comes here, and the first thing he sees when he opens his eyes is the mess I've made of the house!

Will he think I'm a naughty child who's never obedient and only causes trouble?

Will he disappear again and never talk to me again because he hates me for being like this?

Little Aemeath lowered her head further and further until her chin was almost touching her chest.

Panic and guilt gripped her heart like an invisible hand.

Her eyes quickly reddened, and tears welled up in them, but she bit her lower lip tightly, trying her best to hold back the tears.

She prayed silently in her heart, secretly and cautiously raising her eyelids to glance at Lu Yan's face out of the corner of her eye.

She had expected to see a face filled with anger or disappointment.

However, when her gaze fell upon Lu Yan's expression, she froze.

Lu Yan was not angry.

He stood quietly in the puddle, looking at the little girl trembling with fear of being disliked.

He didn't frown, nor did he shout.

On the contrary, the corners of his mouth were turned up wildly, his face was full of barely suppressed laughter, and his helpless yet indulgent eyes were like looking at a little pink cat that had made a mess of itself by destroying the house and was trying to get away with being cute.

"Pfft..."

Lu Yan finally couldn't help but chuckle softly.

The laughter was exceptionally clear in the quiet cabin, where only the calls of Snowy Fluff Leopard could be heard.

Hearing the laughter, Little Aemeath suddenly looked up, her large, watery eyes filled with astonishment.

"Ah, A-Yan... aren't you angry with me?" Her voice was so soft it was like a mosquito's hum, carrying a hint of probing.

Lu Yan crossed his arms, deliberately putting on a serious face, but he couldn't hide the smile in his eyes.

He raised an eyebrow and asked in a leisurely tone, "Oh? Our omnipotent hero, and the mighty overlord of the icy plains, are afraid of making me angry?"

Upon hearing Lu Yan mention those two nicknames, Little Aemeath's face instantly turned as red as a boiled shrimp.

She stomped her foot in shame and anger, splashing water all over her, but she didn't care. She whispered in her defense:

"I... I didn't mean to... It was too cold outside, and the leopards were shivering from playing outside, so I just... I just wanted to bring them inside to warm up."

"Who knew there would be so much water on them after the snow melted..."

"So, you turned Rover's house into their indoor swimming pool?" Lu Yan suppressed a laugh, his gaze sweeping around the room.

"Where's Rover? Why are you all alone in the house?"

Little Aemeath felt even more guilty upon hearing the Rover's name.

She answered honestly, like a primary school student who had done something wrong and was called on by the teacher:

"Sister Rover went to Rinascita on business today. She said she won't be back until tonight, and told me to stay in the house and not wander off."

"I was so bored by myself, so I went out to play with the leopards for a little while..."

Looking at her pitiful expression, Lu Yan sighed inwardly.

He knew all too well why the child was bored.

Being alone in an enclosed space can trigger a sense of fear of being alone.

Little Aemeath brought the Snowy Fluff Leopard into the house simply to fill the loneliness in her heart.

Lu Yan stopped teasing her, took long strides, stepped over the puddles on the ground, and walked up to Little Aemeath.

He crouched down so that his line of sight was level with hers.

"Aemeath." Lu Yan's voice became gentle and earnest.

Little Aemeath tensed up, her lips pressed tightly together, awaiting the scolding that was about to come.

"You want to play with your friends, that's not wrong. As a hero, it's only right that you care about your subordinates."

Lu Yan reached out his warm, large hand and gently pinched her pink cheek, which was damp with water.

Little Aemeath was taken aback for a moment, blinking her big eyes, seemingly not expecting Lu Yan to praise her based on the game's premise.

But then, Lu Yan's tone shifted slightly, taking on a lecturing tone. "However, bringing leopards covered in snow into the house will not only ruin the wooden floors, but also lower the temperature inside. Most importantly..."

Lu Yan deliberately lowered his voice, leaned close to her ear, and said in an exaggerated tone:

"If Sister Rover comes back and sees her house like this, do you think she'll be angry?"

The image of Rover lecturing flashed through Little Aemeath's mind, and she couldn't help but shudder.

"I... I know I was wrong~~"

Little Aemeath's attitude in admitting her mistake was extremely sincere. She clasped her hands together, looked at Lu Yan with pleading eyes, and said, "A-Yan, I will never dare to do it again. Please, please don't be angry with me, okay?"

I'm not angry.

Seeing her cautious demeanor, Lu Yan's feigned sternness vanished.

He reached out and gently tucked a few strands of wet hair that clung to her cheek behind her ear.

"I'm just teaching you to consider the consequences of your actions."

"Now that the consequences have been caused, how does our hero intend to make amends?"

When Little Aemeath heard Lu Yan say he wasn't angry, the heart that had been hanging in her throat finally settled back into her stomach.

She took a deep breath, and her previously dim eyes regained their fighting spirit.

She puffed out her small chest, waved her little fist, and solemnly promised:

"I'll kick them out right now! Then I'll clean the house spotless! I absolutely won't let Sister Rover know!"

Seeing her regain her energy, Lu Yan smiled, stood up, and ruffled her hair.

"You can't do all this by yourself. I swore an oath to follow the brave Katya."