Chapter 358: Budding Affection, A Farewell Silhouette
“…”
Lin Tianlu was caught off guard by her words, momentarily speechless.
He hadn’t expected this little girl to say such a thing.
“Don’t you want to fulfill Han’er’s wish, Master?”
Shanghan didn’t raise her head from his chest, her muffled voice carrying a hint of a sob: “I was raised by my grandfather since childhood, I’ve never met my parents, and I don’t have any siblings.
But since meeting you in Jianggai County, Master, you’ve been like a reliable and kind older brother to me. I just want… to be closer to you before I leave, I don’t want you to forget me.”
“This—”
Lin Tianlu’s stiff expression softened slightly.
Thinking about this girl’s background, she was indeed lonely, only having her grandfather.
Listening to her pitiful sobs, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy. A gentle smile appeared on his face, and he embraced Shanghan softly.
“Mmm!”
The young girl’s small and delicate body trembled slightly, as if a bit nervous.
But she quickly relaxed, becoming soft and pliant in his arms, making Lin Tianlu sigh inwardly.
Unlike his wives’ voluptuous and mature figures, this young girl in his arms was like a delicate and fragile porcelain doll, every part of her perfectly proportioned and slender, smooth and soft, as if holding her too tightly would break her.
“—Don’t worry.”
Lin Tianlu gently patted the young girl’s back and said soothingly: “You’re so adorable, little girl, of course I won’t forget you. Come visit Changling after the New Year, when you’re done with your academy matters.
And if you’re too busy with your studies, we can exchange letters. I’d like to see your literary skills and whether you’ve inherited Old Master Shang’s teachings.”
Shanghan suddenly raised her head, her adorable face flushed crimson, her eyes hazy and shy.
She nuzzled against him slightly, her eyes shimmering with moisture, and whispered softly: “You’re so kind, Master~”
“Are you feeling better now, little girl?”
“Hearing your words makes me very happy, Master…”
Shanghan leaned against his shoulder like a clingy cat, looking at his face with a slightly dazed expression, and murmured: “But I still want to know more about you, Master, I don’t want to just exchange greetings.”
Lin Tianlu, still closing his eyes, chuckled indulgently: “Just some trivial things about my life, you’ll learn more as we chat. But you’ll have to grow up a bit more, become more mature and understanding, then you’ll—”
But before he could finish speaking, a slightly resentful murmur reached his ears: “Do you like mature and curvy women, Master?”
Lin Tianlu was slightly taken aback.
But after a moment of thought, he quickly smiled and said: “Whether she’s mature or not doesn’t matter, it depends on whether our personalities are compatible. If there’s mutual affection, appearance is irrelevant.
But it’s still too early for you to think about such things, little girl. There are countless factors that influence love between a man and a woman. Perhaps it’s social status, compatible personalities, shared values, and so on. When you grow up, your thoughts will mature, and your horizons will broaden, and you’ll naturally find a suitable partner.”
“I-Is that so…”
Shanghan blinked her bright eyes, her smile even brighter and more adorable, the shadows and worries in her heart seemingly dissipating.
Seeing that those women all had such voluptuous and seductive figures, she had thought…
“Alright, little girl, I’ve been holding you for a while now, are you satisfied?”
Lin Tianlu chuckled gently: “Remember to eat more meat during the New Year, you’re still growing, don’t starve yourself.”
“I will, Master, but…”
Shanghan’s cheeks gradually flushed, her gaze becoming more determined, and she murmured: “You just gave me a farewell gift and fulfilled my wish, Master. I should also give you a gift in return.”
Lin Tianlu exclaimed softly and then chuckled: “Being able to hold you, little girl, is already a great gift! If your grandfather knew, he would scold me for being shameless.”
“My grandfather isn’t so unreasonable.” Shanghan chuckled softly, her voice as clear and melodious as a silver bell: “He might even pull on my ear and scold me for teasing you, Master.”
Lin Tianlu said seriously: “If that’s the case, I’ll have to explain it to him and clear up the misunderstanding, Miss Shanghan.”
“Alright~ There’s no need to tease me anymore, Master.”
Shanghan shifted slightly in his arms, their faces almost touching, her arms shyly draped around his neck, a picture of intimacy and affection.
Looking closely at his handsome face, her eyes flickered, and she bit her lip nervously.
Then, suppressing her trembling voice, she forced a playful smile and said: “You can’t open your eyes now, Master, I still have to find my gift.”
“There’s no need to rush.” Lin Tianlu smiled gently: “I’ll wait patiently.”
But as he spoke, he felt a bit puzzled.
If she wanted to find a gift on her person, why were her hands still on his shoulders and neck, not moving?
Could it be that she hadn’t decided what to give him yet?
Thinking of this, Lin Tianlu felt both amused and touched. He was about to say something reassuring, telling her that a handkerchief or something similar would be fine.
But—
A soft and delicate touch suddenly landed on his lips.
Lin Tianlu was stunned, and he immediately opened his eyes to see Shanghan, her face flushed crimson, kissing him!
He froze, even feeling her soft and delicate tongue clumsily probing, as if she wanted to deepen the kiss, but her lips and tongue just licked and gently sucked, a wet and sticky sound echoing.
Their eyes met, and Shanghan’s bright eyes, shimmering with moisture, were filled with a shy and innocent desire. Instead of pulling back, she leaned closer, tilting her head slightly, her kiss becoming more passionate.
Lin Tianlu instinctively leaned back to create some distance, but the little girl, as if having anticipated this, stood on tiptoe and practically climbed onto him, clinging to him tightly like a koala.
“W-Wait!”
Lin Tianlu quickly put his hands on her shoulders and pulled her away, asking in astonishment: “Little girl, what are you doing?!”
“Ha, ha… ha…”
Forcibly separated, Shanghan’s face was flushed as she panted, her voice soft and trembling: “It’s… a small gift… Do you like it, Master?”
Her eyes were filled with desire, her body warm and soft, her slender legs trembling slightly, as if she would melt in his arms like spring water.
Lin Tianlu, seeing her passionate and innocent demeanor, couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his eye.
This wasn’t just a matter of liking it or not, if others knew about this, he— “Are you treating Han’er like a child again, Master?”
Shanghan gently touched her lips, which were glistening with saliva, a mischievous and ambiguous smile appearing on her face: “At my age, many girls from wealthy families are already engaged or married~”
Her playful and teasing tone, her soft and sweet voice, made her seem surprisingly seductive and alluring.
Lin Tianlu was speechless for a moment, then he quickly put on a stern expression, about to scold her.
But the little girl, as if having anticipated this, quickly pulled away from his embrace and smiled sweetly: “Since I’ve already given you my gift, I won’t stay any longer, Master. I’ll visit you again after the New Year.”
Saying this, she picked up her bag, lowered her head, and hurriedly turned to leave.
Slap!
But Lin Tianlu quickly put his hand on her shoulder, stopping her.
“M-Master?”
Shanghan turned around, her hair swaying, her face flushed with shyness, and she stammered: “C-Could it be that you want to… But Han’er isn’t…”
“Stand up straight and put your hands down.” Lin Tianlu’s expression turned serious, and he said in a deep voice: “Before you leave Qingcheng, we need to have a ‘chat’.”
“Eh?”
Shanghan was stunned.
Then, beads of cold sweat appeared on her forehead, and she looked shy and embarrassed, shrinking her shoulders like a startled hamster.
“Wh-What do you want to talk about, Master?”
“Basic sex education.”
Lin Tianlu nodded seriously: “This is a very important matter.”
…
After about a stick of incense’s worth of time, Shanghan, dizzy from the lecture, quickly “confessed” and “admitted her mistakes,” almost in tears.
Things hadn’t gone as she had imagined.
After the kiss, they should have been gazing into each other’s eyes, the atmosphere even more romantic and ambiguous. At least, he should have remembered her and watched her leave Qingcheng— But now, she was being lectured, not a trace of romance left.
“Do you remember what I just said, little girl?”
“Y-Yes.”
Shanghan lowered her head, fiddling with her fingers, and said timidly: “But I’m not a frivolous girl, Master, I only did that because… I… have feelings for you.”
Lin Tianlu was speechless and couldn’t help but chuckle wryly, reaching out and rubbing her head: “I understand your feelings, there’s no need to be so anxious or uneasy.”
“Really?”
“Truly.”
Meeting the young girl’s hopeful gaze, he pinched her cheek gently and said patiently: “What I said just now wasn’t to scold you for being a child, but to tell you that being too proactive at your age can harm your body.”
“I understand, Master.”
Shanghan nodded slightly, a sweet and innocent smile returning to her face.
But she didn’t continue to cling to him. Instead, she smiled and leaned closer, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek before blushing and taking a step back, waving shyly: “Goodbye, Master, see you after the New Year.”
Saying this, she turned and ran away.
…
Lin Tianlu touched his cheek, where a faint moisture still lingered, watching her leave the courtyard, a wry smile in his heart.
Why were the girls of this era so precocious?
“Although that little girl looks small and delicate, she’s quite mature.”
A playful chuckle suddenly came from behind him: “A lonely childhood, raised by her grandfather alone, has made her far more mature and sensible than her peers. You might think her feelings are just childish infatuation, Master Lin, but she might already be imagining your future together~”
Lin Tianlu sighed softly and turned around.
Youluo was sitting on the long chair in the corridor, her legs crossed, a playful smile on her face as she casually waved her folding fan.
“Did you put that little girl up to this last night?”
“You wrong me, Master Lin~”
Youluo opened her folding fan and chuckled softly: “That girl suddenly asked me how to express her feelings, and I just answered truthfully. As for what she did and how she did it, it was her own decision.”
“Sigh——”
Lin Tianlu facepalmed and sighed with a subtle expression.
Youluo couldn’t help but chuckle: “Another adorable young girl has fallen for you, Master Lin, why do you seem so troubled?”
“That girl is still a child, if her grandfather knew about this, I wouldn’t know how to explain it.”
Lin Tianlu rubbed his temples and said worriedly: “But if I reject her directly, I’m afraid of hurting her feelings.”
“That’s why that girl is quite clever.” Youluo’s voice contained a hint of admiration: “She knows when to advance and when to retreat. Although she suddenly hugged and kissed you, she didn’t confess her feelings, instead leaving discreetly, giving both of you some space to consider.
Even if you truly wanted to reject her, Master Lin, now that she’s gone, you can’t even tell her.”
Lin Tianlu’s expression turned subtle: “Now that you mention it, Miss Youluo, that Shanghan girl is indeed quite… clever?”
“And why are you comparing a mortal’s body to that of a ghost practitioner?”
Youluo shook her head and chuckled: “Although she started cultivating later in life, she has obtained a proper Yin energy cultivation method, nourishing her body and soul. Although she can’t compare to true demons and ghosts, her small and delicate body isn’t that fragile. She’s already fully developed, even if she were to get pregnant and bear several children, it wouldn’t be a problem. There’s no need to worry about her health.”
“Cough, cough, cough!”
Lin Tianlu coughed awkwardly and chuckled dryly: “Alright, let’s change the subject. I’ll talk to her grandfather about that little girl later. Let’s talk about you now.”
Composing himself, he quickly turned serious: “I heard Mother Tan mention that you’re also leaving?”
“Indeed~”
Youluo gracefully turned and sat down, crossing her long legs with a smile: “I’ve accompanied you all the way from Xima Prefecture to Qingcheng, Master Lin, it’s been quite a while, I can’t just follow you around forever.”
Lin Tianlu sighed with emotion.
When they first met, he hadn’t trusted her identity or background, sensing something strange about her.
But after this journey, their relationship had become quite good, sometimes even… intimate.
Life was truly unpredictable.
Youluo’s smile faded slightly as she lowered her eyes and hesitated: “And I originally—”
“You originally planned to set a trap and lure us into a dangerous situation, to experience life and death, pain and despair, to teach us a lesson?”
Youluo was stunned by his calm and indifferent response, her eyes widening in surprise: “You… you knew from the very beginning?”
“I more or less guessed.”
Lin Tianlu smiled and waved his hand: “But even so, I didn’t really mind. After all, you always changed your mind and never truly harmed us. You even helped us eliminate some evil demons and ghosts. Perhaps I should even thank you?”
Youluo couldn’t help but give him a playful glare: “So, according to you, Master Lin, all my carefully planned schemes were just… playful flirting?”
Lin Tianlu chuckled, shaking his head, and cupped his hands mockingly: “I should thank you for your mercy, Miss Youluo.”
“You… I should have told Ruoyu and Yishi about this before leaving.”
Youluo brushed her hair lightly and said indifferently: “But after I leave, you should take good care of your wives, Master Lin. If I see them… ‘drained’ when I return, I’ll scold you.”
“You’re coming back?”
“Of course.”
Youluo tilted her head slightly, smiling faintly: “What? Aren’t I welcome?”
Lin Tianlu smiled and cupped his hands: “You’re always welcome here, Miss Youluo.”
“Hu~ Compared to when we first met, you’ve become quite the smooth talker, Master Lin.” Youluo covered her face with her folding fan and chuckled: “Alright, there’s no need for any sentimental farewells. Remember to send my regards to your wives. I’ll come and see you again after the New Year if I have time.”
“I will.”
Lin Tianlu’s smile faded, and he nodded seriously: “You also have to take care of yourself, Miss Youluo, don’t get involved in anything dangerous, prioritize your own safety. And if you encounter any trouble in the future, remember to come to Changling, I’ll do my best to help.”
Youluo smiled: “You’re as reliable as ever, Master Lin.”
Her eyes flickered, and she gently touched the sash on her hip, the silver pendant tinkling softly. “As for this, I will always wear it.”
Lin Tianlu said awkwardly: “I would be happier if you wore it around your neck.”
Youluo blushed slightly and smiled ambiguously: “When we meet again after the New Year, if you give me another gift, Master Lin, I’ll consider it.”
She put her finger to her lips, blew him a kiss, and teased: “I’ve left you a little gift for your wedding night with Miss Hua tomorrow. There’s no need to thank me then.”
Saying this, her figure began to fade, as if her Yin energy was dissipating.
They looked at each other silently, understanding each other’s thoughts.
Until Youluo completely disappeared from the corridor.
Lin Tianlu’s expression gradually calmed down, his heart stirring as he suddenly looked towards the distant sky.
“…”
Then, he couldn’t help but smile and wave his hand:
“Sweet dreams.”
…
Thousands of miles away, in the deepest level of the Myriad Nether Tower of the Luo Xing, a deep and secluded underground palace.
On a jade platform above a deep green lake, a beautiful woman with long flowing hair lay reclining, her hands resting on her abdomen, like an exquisite jade sculpture, a sleeping celestial being.
Until her closed eyes suddenly fluttered open—
‘Youluo’ opened her eyes, her lips curving into a soft and gentle smile: “He already knew my identity.”
