Shui Bailan took the initiative to offer a kiss, lingering on Yan Zhen’s lips for quite a while before reluctantly pulling away. She cooed softly, “I promise I won’t say those kinds of things again. Don’t be mad, alright, Yan Zhen?”
Yan Zhen hadn’t been angry in the first place, but he still put on a show, humming twice in feigned sternness. “Fine. Considering it’s Aunt’s first offense, I’ll be magnanimous and let it slide.”
Seeing his smug, cocky little expression, Shui Bailan couldn’t help but smile faintly at the corners of her mouth. She planted one more kiss on him and said with a gentle grin, “Thank you for your forgiveness, Your Highness Holy Son. This humble woman is deeply grateful and vows to serve you as an ox or horse, as a slave or maid from now on~”
Satisfied, Yan Zhen nodded and gave the soft flesh at her waist a pinch, reveling in the wonderful feel of it. “In that case, tonight, please wash my feet and give me a massage, make the bed and warm the sheets, and serve me properly in bed.”
A faint blush colored Shui Bailan’s pretty face as she lightly scolded him. “If only you really meant that~”
“You’re saying that kind of thing again. Does Aunt think she lacks charm?”
“That depends on who she’s compared to… The women around you are each more outstanding than the last.”
“Then where does Aunt think she falls short compared to them?”
“Me? In looks, temperament, talent, and background, I’m far inferior. If not for riding on Xuan’er’s coattails, how could I be sitting in your lap like this?”
It was clear from her tone that Shui Bailan was feeling quite down, even a bit depressed. She had likely been struck by the stunning master-disciple pair of Yun Xiu and Wenqing, as well as Xian’er, that Seven-Star Mystic Ancestor. It was the classic case of comparing her own shortcomings to everyone else’s strengths, getting stuck in a rut, and convincing herself she was inferior to all of them.
In the eyes of outsiders, Shui Bailan was mature, intellectual, shrewd, and dependable. In truth, this was her first romance, and it wasn’t even a simple one-on-one—it came with competitors who outshone her in various ways, making the relationships quite complex. Naturally, she would fall into moments of doubt.
In the end, it all boiled down to a certain someone not giving her enough attention, which led her to overthink, desperately try to prove herself, and end up hurt.
She was “Aunt,” but only in name—there was no blood relation between her and Yan Zhen. She wasn’t truly his elder. Most of the time, she could dote on him and love him with the advantage of her age, but occasionally, she needed tenderness from him as her lover.
If Yan Zhen hadn’t noticed her unusual state, things might have gone wrong before long. For a Mystic Cultivator, any blockage in one’s thoughts could easily lead to Qi Deviation during cultivation, and the higher the realm, the more dangerous it became.
Just thinking about it gave Yan Zhen a scare. He tightened his arms slightly, pulling the intellectual beauty in his embrace closer, and grumbled, “Aunt is too harsh on herself—and on me. Do you think I’m the type to settle? The people I take an interest in aren’t all world-toppling seductresses or supreme beauties, but at the very least, they’re national treasures with boundless allure. Since Aunt doesn’t understand her own charms, allow me to spell them out for you.”
Shui Bailan felt both nervous and expectant. “Wh-what are you going to say?”
“First, your appearance: white hair is my special weakness, and those sultry glasses. Then your personality: cool on the outside, soft on the inside, understanding and caring. And your background: Discipline Director, Ice Extreme Witch… Put those three together, and for a younger guy like me, it’s completely irresistible!”
“Eh? White hair? Glasses? What’s so special about those? I don’t get it at all. You’re just placating me, aren’t you?”
Shui Bailan sounded a bit disappointed, but Yan Zhen’s words came straight from the heart.
“I’m not placating you. I really like Aunt’s white hair—icy white with a faint blue tint, like a snow spirit, cool to the touch and fragrant too.”
As he spoke, Yan Zhen lifted a lock of Shui Bailan’s hair and blew on it gently. Her cheeks gradually flushed pink.
“As for the glasses, you’re the second woman I’ve seen who suits them so perfectly.”
“Who’s the first? Xuan’er?”
“Yeah, but when our Grand Mentor wears glasses, it’s to downplay her looks. With Aunt, it’s different—your face shape and temperament make them ideal. You cultivate Ice Mystic Force, giving you a chilly air, and the glasses make you look even more stern, perfectly matching your role as Discipline Director. They make the students tremble in fear. But deep down, Aunt is gentle. Around loved ones, you sheath your edges. With a faint smile now and then, you transform into this intellectual big-sister type that sets my heart racing.”
“Is it really that exaggerated?” Shui Bailan adjusted her glasses, now thoroughly embarrassed. “I only wear them to match my techniques and Mystic Techniques. Yu Qing even says they make me look dowdy.”
“Ignore that idiot Little Aunt. She’s just a Tiger Girl who doesn’t appreciate beauty!” Yan Zhen waved it off. “Glasses Girl is a rare breed, especially one like Aunt—SSR tier!”
Tiger Girl… Shui Bailan nearly laughed, but considering their long years of friendship as besties, she held it back. As for the “love to death” bit, she didn’t quite get it but figured it meant extremely rare.
So, this kid really loved the way she looked in glasses?
With that thought, she heard Yan Zhen continue enthusiastically. “And when Aunt takes off her glasses, it’s a whole different vibe—like breaking free of restraints, turning bold and proactive, fiery and uninhibited. You’ll pretend to casually show off your pale, tender skin to tempt me, even strike all sorts of seductive poses to please me. It’s impossible to res—mmph!”
Before he could finish, Shui Bailan flushed crimson and clamped a hand over his mouth, her beautiful eyes glaring at him with a mix of shyness and annoyance.
“No ivory from a dog’s mouth! I won’t listen!”
Yan Zhen blinked innocently, mumbling protests through her hand.
Shui Bailan ignored him, pressing firmly until he quieted down. Only then did she release him and turn her face away.
Yan Zhen smiled faintly and leaned close to her ear, lowering his voice. “Everything I said is true. Can’t Aunt feel it?”
With that, he shifted his hips.
Shui Bailan’s body trembled. She finally noticed the change against her back—so familiar, so scorching hot. It embodied his desire for her, the best proof of her allure. In an instant, her mature heart filled with both shame and joy. She subconsciously adjusted her glasses.
“D-don’t tease me.”
“Then I won’t say it.” Effortlessly, Yan Zhen scooped her up into a princess carry, startling a small yelp from her. “Let’s go to the bed. I’ll help disperse the stagnant Ice Mystic Force in your body so your meridians don’t keep getting damaged.”
Shui Bailan’s arms looped around Yan Zhen’s neck. Hearing this, her mind raced with associations, and she said shyly, “Y-you be gentle.”
Yan Zhen reassured her. “No worries, it’s a minor issue. I’ll just run a cycle of Great Crimson Heaven Flame through Aunt’s meridians, and it’ll be fine.”
“…Oh.”
“Mm.”
Moments later, the two sat facing each other on the bed, palms pressed together. Yan Zhen channeled the searing Great Crimson Heaven Flame into Aunt Shui Bailan’s body, bit by bit melting the ice blockages in her meridians.
The pent-up Ice Mystic Force turned to sweat and drained out. In no time, her dress was soaked through, as if she’d just finished a sauna session.
“How do you feel now, Aunt?”
“Not bad.”
“Then go take a bath. Sleep it off, and tomorrow morning, everything will be fine.”
“Alright—ah!”
“Careful, Aunt. Are you okay?”
“N-no, it’s nothing. I just feel like I have no strength left in my body.”
“Want me to carry you to the bath?”
“Mm… sorry to trouble you…”
Shui Bailan bit her lip, nestling obediently in Yan Zhen’s arms, her face full of guilt.
