Yan Meng’er reached out with her small hand and gently touched Yan Zhen’s leg, her voice full of concern.
“Cousin, does your leg hurt a lot? After we finish eating, we can give you a massage.”
Yan Zhen swallowed a piece of rehydrated dried abalone and shook his head in refusal.
“No need, it’s already much better.”
“You’re lying.” Yan Meng’er didn’t believe him. “Mentor Yu Xuan said you need at least a full day of rest before you can walk normally. It must hurt a lot, so don’t hold it in. A massage will make you feel better. Otherwise, Meng’er will worry about you all night and won’t be able to sleep, and my skin will get worse tomorrow~”
It’s all because of you, Cousin—my skin is going to suffer! Yan Meng’er touched her cheek, her coquettish gaze saying exactly that.
Yan Zhen was somewhat speechless, but he could feel his little cousin’s genuine care for him.
Although his leg had already been healed by his beautiful master, he still agreed to her request.
“Alright then. Later, Meng’er, you can rub it for me. Cousin Ruyu doesn’t need to—I worry she’ll suddenly give me a killer blow and take my life.”
Yan Ruyu, who had been feeling guilty and nervous, flushed with a mix of shame and anger upon hearing this. She glared at him and snapped,
“I’m not that mean! You think everyone’s like you!”
“Who knows.”
Yan Zhen shrugged while munching on his rice with gusto, which made Yan Ruyu so mad that she swatted his arm. Yan Meng’er giggled and said,
“Oh, Cousin, don’t worry. How could Big Sis bear to hurt you? She’s too busy feeling sorry for you.”
“Who’s feeling sorry for him!” Yan Ruyu denied it reflexively. “I’m not!”
Yan Zhen perked up at once, leaning toward Yan Meng’er to put some distance between himself and Yan Ruyu.
“See, see, see? Terrifying, isn’t it, Meng’er?”
“You—”
Yan Ruyu swatted Yan Zhen’s arm again, but her eyes turned to her little cousin for help, signaling her to bring up the “backstory” they had agreed on.
Yan Meng’er stopped teasing her big sister and cleared her throat, speaking like an emcee.
“Cousin, here’s the thing. After your duel with Xiao Mie, you climbed to first on the Nine Stars Ranking. Meng’er and Big Sis wrote home right away to tell Mom and Dad the good news. The elders were thrilled and told us to take good care of your daily needs so you can focus on cultivation. They even sent over a bunch of money.”
“Is that so? I had no idea.”
Yan Zhen expressed doubt, but Yan Meng’er countered,
“Didn’t Clan Leader Grandpa write to you?”
“No.”
“Then maybe it’s because you haven’t written home yourself, Cousin. He’s probably waiting for you to give him the good news in person.”
“Uh.”
Reminded like that, Yan Zhen suddenly remembered it had been nearly four months since he left Martial Tang City, and he hadn’t contacted Grandpa at all. The old man was likely stewing in silence right now.
Mainly, this world didn’t have cell phones—well, there were Sound Transmission Stones similar to phones, but they weren’t popular here. The Golden Jade Chamber of Commerce sold them, but their range was limited to within a single city. The girls back at the house all had one, though they rarely used them.
He’d better write Grandpa a letter soon to update him on recent events, or he’d get an earful when he got home.
“Anyway, Meng’er and Big Sis are just following the elders’ orders to take care of you. We even get pocket money for it, so we definitely won’t play any tricks.”
Yan Meng’er guaranteed solemnly, and Yan Ruyu huffed,
“For some pocket money, putting up with you isn’t so bad!”
With this legitimate excuse, she could convince herself that it wasn’t about currying favor with Yan Zhen—it was just obeying the elders.
Yan Zhen was half-convinced. After finishing his meal and digesting for a bit, he slowly climbed onto the bed, sat on the inner side, and stretched out his legs.
He was fine anyway, so let them mess around. Even if Cousin Ruyu tried something sneaky, he wasn’t scared.
Yan Meng’er and Yan Ruyu both kicked off their shoes and knelt facing each other on either side of Yan Zhen’s legs, like his two personal maids.
Yan Ruyu was about to start the massage when Yan Meng’er swatted her hand away. Puzzled but having agreed beforehand to follow her little cousin’s lead, Yan Ruyu grudgingly pulled back.
Yan Meng’er said without a hint of embarrassment,
“Cousin, could you take off your pants?”
What? Yan Ruyu’s eyes went wide. Yan Zhen blinked, wondering if he’d misheard.
What did legs have to do with taking off pants? Was she deliberately trying to take advantage?
“Why take them off?”
“Because we need to apply Drip Dew, ta-da~” Yan Meng’er proudly showed off the small bottle in her hand, which was labeled “Mighty Man Drip Dew” in clear letters. Yan Zhen’s sharp eyes made out every word. “Mighty Man Drip Dew—don’t let the name fool you; it’s a must-have for fitness buffs. It works wonders on muscle fatigue and weak tendons. Rub some on, and your legs will heal even faster, Cousin.”
“This… no need, right? My recovery is strong enough as is.”
“How could it not make a difference? It feels great after you apply it—even sleep comes easier at night.” After rebutting him, Yan Meng’er started wheedling. “Come on, Cousin, this is a hot seller. Meng’er had a hard time snagging a bottle, and it’s just for you. Let me use it, pretty please?”
Yan Zhen had a headache. Based on past experience, he should refuse outright to avoid any tricks, but seeing her expectant little eyes, his resolve softened. After all, she just wanted to ease his pain.
“Cousin Ruyu doesn’t mind? Don’t yell ‘pervert’ and crack my skull once I do.”
Yan Ruyu didn’t dare speak, thinking to herself that Meng’er was full of schemes—one after another—and Yan Zhen actually fell for them. No wonder they got along so well. Compared to that, she was…
“Ahem, Big Sis?”
Yan Meng’er prompted her, and Yan Ruyu finally said shyly,
“It’s your room anyway—do what you want.”
“Then I’m really taking them off. I’m still wearing boxer shorts, so no big deal.”
With that, Yan Zhen lifted his hips and slid off the short sleep pants, revealing the long-trunked little elephant pattern on his boxer shorts.
All his intimate pants had this design, just with the elephants in different colors and poses.
Pants off, his legs were bared, their fair skin gleaming brightly.
Yan Zhen’s leg muscles weren’t particularly bulky, giving them a slightly slender look, but each one was strong and powerful, like a cheetah’s.
Yet compared to those healthy legs, the long-trunked little elephant on his boxer shorts drew even more attention from the two girls.
A chubby blue elephant, chubby and dopey, trunk raised as it sprayed water—kind of cute.
From childhood, Yan Zhen had a soft spot for elephant-patterned underwear. It was a bit childish.
The two cousins exchanged a glance and suddenly felt like laughing.
“Ahem, let’s get started.” Yan Meng’er first poured some Drip Dew into Yan Ruyu’s palm, then into her own, before setting the bottle aside. “Small legs first.”
The cousins’ hands descended simultaneously onto Yan Zhen’s left and right calves, spreading the Drip Dew from their palms evenly before gently pressing and kneading.
“Cousin, if anything feels off, make sure to tell us~”
The four soft, boneless little hands brought a silky touch, followed by a spicy warmth spreading near his shins.
Yan Zhen couldn’t help but draw in a deep breath, thinking to himself that this First-Grade Drip Dew, refined by mere merchants, was surprisingly potent.
