As they stepped out of the venue, the sky had already clouded over darkly. It looked like rain was on the way.
Huangfu Wenqing spoke with a hint of self-reproach.
“Sorry, Yan Zhen. I didn’t expect things to turn out like this.”
She had only just learned Mentor Yu Xuan’s true identity. She realized now that she had unwittingly stirred up trouble, resulting in the dean—Mentor Yu Xuan’s little aunt—taking her back to the family. That meant no more meetings with Yan Zhen anytime soon.
Yan Zhen shook his head.
“It’s not your fault; it’s my own issue. It was bound to come out eventually—just a little sooner than expected. You head back first. I’m going over to the Poolside Pavilion.”
Huangfu Wenqing nodded obediently, then returned to her dormitory alone.
Meanwhile, Yan Zhen returned to Mentor Yu Xuan’s Poolside Pavilion with Yan Meng’er, Yan Ruyu, Mi Xue’er, and Xiao Xinyan. They sat down in the living room.
The atmosphere felt heavy, and rain began to fall outside.
Raindrops pattered noisily on the roof.
Yan Zhen let out a long sigh and spoke gravely.
“With the dean taking Mentor Yu Xuan away, she probably won’t be back anytime soon. I’ve already applied for the Special Exam, so I’ll be heading to the Inner Academy before long. You four need to take good care of yourselves, cultivate diligently, and try not to fall too far behind. Here—this bottle of Major Yuan Pills is for you. There are four pills inside, one for each of you. They should help you fully stabilize your One-Star Mystic Scholar realms.”
He pulled out the pill bottle, poured the Major Yuan Pills into his palm, and held them out.
The four women exchanged hesitant glances.
Minor Yuan Pills, Mid-grade Yuan Pills, and Major Yuan Pills corresponded perfectly to the Mystic Initiate Realm, Mystic Scholar Realm, and Mystic Master Realm respectively. For those at the Mystic Master Realm, a Major Yuan Pill was excellent cultivation medicine—one pill equivalent to ten days of grueling training.
With this bottle, a Mystic Master could shave more than a month off their training time. If they took the pills, Yan Zhen’s progress would surely be overtaken by the other new student representatives.
Yan Meng’er shook her head and refused.
“Brother Zhen, you should keep the Major Yuan Pills for yourself. We’re only at the Mystic Scholar Realm—it’d be such a waste on us.”
Yan Ruyu chimed in firmly as well.
“Meng’er’s right, Yan Zhen. We can’t hold back your cultivation like this. It’d be impossible to explain to the family otherwise. Your training comes first—above everything!”
“To me, you’re more important.” Yan Zhen gave a faint smile. “Just take them.”
The four women blushed at his words, their hearts pounding wildly. Their resolve softened, and one by one, they reached out delicate hands to claim a Major Yuan Pill each, tucking them away.
“Thank you, Little Brother Yan Zhen.” Mi Xue’er suddenly stepped forward and planted a kiss on Yan Zhen’s cheek. She pulled back with a playful grin. “That’s my thank-you gift~”
Seeing this, Xiao Xinyan mustered her courage and pecked the other side of his face.
“Me… me too. My thank-you.”
“Sister Xue’er, Senior Sister Xinyan—you two are too sneaky!”
Not one to be outdone, Yan Meng’er stepped up. She hooked her arms around Yan Zhen’s neck, rose onto her tiptoes, and brushed a light kiss against his lips.
It was just a fleeting touch before she parted.
But Yan Meng’er wasn’t satisfied with that. She kissed him again, sucking gently on his lips. Then she slipped out her little tongue, turning it into a deep, passionate adult kiss.
Unlike usual, Yan Zhen didn’t resist her playfulness. Instead, he accepted it and kissed her back.
When the kiss finally ended, Yan Meng’er licked her lips as if savoring the taste. She turned to Yan Ruyu, batting her eyes.
“Should Meng’er handle Cousin’s share too?”
Yan Ruyu flushed beet red on the spot. With all eyes suddenly fixed on her, she felt mortified.
Slowly, she shuffled in front of Yan Zhen, wrapped her arms around his waist, and gave him the sort of soft, lingering kiss they usually shared.
Afterward, she released him reluctantly and murmured.
“O-Okay, that’s done.”
Mi Xue’er and Xiao Xinyan immediately felt a pang of envy.
They’d only kissed his cheeks—and just a quick peck each. But these sisters had gone for the lips… and for so long!
They needed to be more assertive if they wanted a real chance.
After a moment’s thought, Mi Xue’er lit up with an idea.
“Since Mentor Yu Xuan isn’t coming back, her room’s sitting empty. Little Brother Yan Zhen, why don’t you move in and live here with us?”
“Yes, yes!” Yan Meng’er agreed instantly, then wheedled. “Brother Zhen, move in with us. That way, before you head to the Inner Academy, we can spend a little more time together.”
Yan Ruyu and Xiao Xinyan gazed at Yan Zhen with open anticipation.
Yan Zhen hesitated. He himself didn’t mind, but what about Huangfu Wenqing—
“I’ll think about it.”
Yan Ruyu saw right through him.
“Are you worried Miss Wenqing will get upset?”
Yan Zhen nodded.
“Whatever else, she’s still my fiancée. I have to respect her feelings.”
“Then let her move in too.” Xiao Xinyan spoke up softly. “We’ll have to learn to get along eventually. This constant avoidance isn’t healthy.”
“Even setting aside whether Wenqing would agree, there are only three rooms here.” Yan Zhen gave a wry smile. “How would we make that work?”
“Simple. Give her Mentor Yu Xuan’s room. Junior Brother Yan Zhen, you can just rotate through our rooms to sleep in.”
“Ah? Th-This…”
Yan Zhen was at a loss for words.
Xiao Xinyan’s suggestion was every man’s fantasy. But coming from an innocent young woman like her, it just felt… off somehow!
He glanced at the other three.
They were all blushing too, but their expressions betrayed no strong objection.
As Xiao Xinyan had put it, things would eventually be like this. Getting a head start on adjusting wasn’t so bad.
Even Yan Meng’er—who had little fondness for Huangfu Wenqing—understood the logic. She’d simply avoided dwelling on it before. Now that Xiao Xinyan had brought it up, she had no choice but to acknowledge it.
Yan Zhen scratched his head, a twinge of unease creeping in from all this excessive pampering.
“Is this really okay?”
Xiao Xinyan pressed a finger to her lips, gazing at Yan Zhen shyly as she murmured.
“As long as I get just a little… that’s enough.”
Really—just a little bit.
Her eyes emphasized the point.
“Meng’er too.” Yan Meng’er hugged Yan Zhen’s arm and snuggled against him like a little bird. Sweetly, she added, “But Meng’er wants a little more~”
Mi Xue’er cleared her throat twice.
“Then I want more than Meng’er.”
Yan Meng’er shot her a glare—that cute yet fierce little look full of accusation.
“Sister Xue’er, are you picking on me on purpose!?”
Mi Xue’er crossed her arms and huffed.
“I’m the big sister, so I get more.”
That left only Yan Ruyu. Hearing Xiao Xinyan’s words about “just a little,” her thoughts drifted to more intimate matters, heating her cheeks anew.
She wanted to say she’d settle for a little too. But from their past nights together, “a little” had never been nearly enough—at least two bits.
How could she voice that aloud!
“I-I’m fine either way.”
Their words touched Yan Zhen deeply. On impulse, he drew the closest two—Yan Meng’er and Mi Xue’er—into his arms, one under each. Their soft, fragrant bodies pressed against him, filling him with utter contentment.
