Seeing her desperate, do-or-die stance—like she might say, “Don’t touch me, you pervert, or I’ll die right here”—would have been understandable. But her actual words were the complete opposite.
Not kissing her would mean both of them going down together. What kind of bizarre drama was this?
Yet the mystic power surging from Cousin Ruyu proved she wasn’t just bluffing. If he didn’t follow her instructions, she might really lose it!
Damn it, why had things spiraled like this? The script had no such plot. Who the hell added it?
Right—it was Meng’er! She was the one who’d brought Cousin Ruyu here and tugged at his heartstrings, leaving them as sparring partners.
The naughty girl had improvised her own scenes, and she’d even encouraged Cousin Ruyu to jump in on the chaos.
After dealing with Lan Ke, he’d settle the score with her. Unless he spanked that perky little butt of hers until it was beet red, he wouldn’t be Yan Zhen!
(Yan Meng’er: Achoo! Hmm? Someone thinking about me? Could it be Cousin missing little old me? Hehe~)
Yan Ruyu had already activated the Imprint Shadow Mirror and set it nearby, pointed right at them. As expected, she planned to use it as blackmail.
After swallowing the pill he’d given her, she’d revealed her lewd, utterly shameless side. To turn the tables, she wanted him to expose his own moment of weakness.
And with how he’d used dirty tricks two nights ago to make Cousin Ruyu cry—given her grudge-holding nature, she’d definitely plotted revenge!
Old scores and new ones, all tallied up. She had him pinned.
Fine. For now, he’d play along with Cousin Ruyu’s demand and crack the situation open.
He could kiss her, but he’d keep his wandering thoughts in check. No deviating from his persona.
Yan Zhen closed his eyes, quietly steadying his breathing. He silently recited a line from the Original Clear Heart Technique—”Women Are All Big Pig Hooves”—before opening them again. Looming over her, he gazed down at Cousin Ruyu’s beautiful face.
“Then… I’m really going to kiss you.”
Yan Ruyu’s gaze had been sharp and fierce at first, her expression screaming, “You don’t kiss me, you don’t leave.” Adorably menacing. But the moment Yan Zhen said he was actually doing it, shyness flooded her features.
“You… hurry up.”
Yan Zhen wasted no more words. Staring at Cousin Ruyu’s pink, glossy cherry lips, he lowered his head and pressed his mouth to hers.
“Mm!”
Yan Ruyu’s lovely eyes widened a fraction, and the arms wrapped around Yan Zhen tightened instinctively. Her fingers clenched the fabric at his back.
As Yan Zhen’s lips and tongue mounted their assault, the shyness and defiance in Yan Ruyu’s brow began to melt away. Affection and desire clouded her eyes, turning hazy, and soon she responded with greedy fervor.
Yan Zhen had meant to keep it brief—just a couple of pecks. But suddenly, Yan Ruyu flipped the script. She latched on tight, sucking at him, refusing to let go.
Time ticked away until their lungs burned for air. Finally, Yan Ruyu released his mouth. Her cheeks burned crimson as she panted for breath. Yan Zhen was dazed too, his mind wiped blank from oxygen deprivation. He collapsed lazily onto Cousin Ruyu’s chest, his head pillowed on those high, proud peaks, drawing in ragged breaths.
If anyone saw them now, they’d swear the two had just finished a fierce, body-to-body brawl.
Sensing Yan Ruyu’s hands no longer pinning him, Yan Zhen rolled over at once. He flopped beside Cousin Ruyu like a salted fish washed ashore.
“This settles it, right, Cousin?”
Yan Ruyu lay there on the ground, the back of her right hand pressed to her forehead, eyes half-lidded. She murmured a soft “Mm.” Meanwhile, her left hand quietly pocketed the Imprint Shadow Mirror.
“We’re square now. So everything from before? It doesn’t count. Forget it all!”
“…Fine.”
As long as you’re happy!
“Rest up. We’ll train again after you wake. You must be wiped out too.”
“Mm.”
Silence hung heavy and awkward between them, but neither moved to break it.
A full day of sparring had worn out both Yan Ruyu and Yan Zhen.
Night deepened. The Martial Dao Arena blazed bright as day under the lights. Two figures lay side by side, slipping into quiet sleep.
In the haze between sleep and waking, Yan Zhen thought he heard a woman’s soft whimper. It held no sorrow—only a seductive allure that sent heat surging through his body.
But before the fire could truly ignite, he passed out again.
When Yan Zhen stirred awake, Yan Ruyu looked refreshed, standing at the edge and offering him a hand.
“It’s almost dawn. Up you go—time to train.”
Yan Zhen yawned hugely and clasped Cousin Ruyu’s hand without a second thought. She pulled him to his feet.
They swallowed some meal-replacement pills, and the cousins dove back into sparring.
This round, Yan Ruyu led the attack while Yan Zhen held position, defending passively. He disrupted her rhythm with Qi Meridian Finger and Qi Vortex Technique.
The session dragged on until afternoon. At last, they shoved open the Martial Dao Arena’s doors and stumbled out, bodies heavy with exhaustion.
A blast of hot wind hit them square in the face, twisting their expressions into grimaces.
“Two days without a bath—we’re reeking. Let’s get back quick.”
“Sniff sniff… doesn’t seem so bad. You smell fine, Cousin.”
“Don’t get close. I meant you.”
“Er…”
They bickered halfheartedly as they shuffled out the academy gates. Hailing a carriage, the cousins climbed into the compartment and slumped together in exhaustion, heads knocking lightly. A stranger might mistake them for the closest of kin.
“Thanks, Cousin.”
“Who asked for your thanks? I’m just doing my duty.”
“Your tsundere routine is textbook, Cousin.”
“I’m not tsundere!”
“Tsundere’s out of style these days, Cousin…”
“I said I’m not! Ugh, whatever—zip it. I’m dead tired.”
Back at the residence, their knock brought Yan Meng’er to the door.
The cousin who’d fretted endlessly over her cousins beheld the newfound closeness between them. Tears of relief shimmered in her eyes.
—Thank the heavens! Cousin Ruyu was finally dropping the tsundere act, ready to confront her feelings for Cousin for real.
“Cousin! Cousin Ruyu! You’re back! How’d training go?”
“Ask nothing. Right now? Eat, bathe, sleep. That’s it.”
“Got it covered. Meng’er and Mentor Yu Xuan prepped a feast for you.”
“Attagirl. Time for a blowout meal, then scrub-a-dub, then crash.”
“Hey, Yan Zhen—I called dibs on bathing first!”
Yan Ruyu swatted his arm. Yan Zhen shot her a sideways glance.
“You called it, but I didn’t agree. You called me the stinky one, so what’s wrong with me going first?”
“I don’t care. Me first. I’m sticky all over—it’s gross. Only the hot spring can save me.”
“I’m sticky too. Hot spring salvation for me as well.”
“So you’re dead set on fighting me for it?”
“You’re fighting me for it.”
They halted, locking glares.
Yan Meng’er darted between them, playing peacemaker.
“Hey, hey—Cousin Ruyu, Cousin, no fighting! Compromise: bathe together!”
“You… what are you even saying, Meng’er? Bathe with him?!”
“Heh, Meng’er’s got a point. I’m game.”
“You—scoundrel!”
“Nyah nyah~”
In the kitchen, Mentor Yu Xuan caught sight of the bickering trio through the vent window. A faint smile curved her lips.
