Qin Yu had no mood to pay attention to the spirit fish dancing in Lin Shuishui’s hand.

This little girl—doesn’t she know how much she’s tempting me right now?!

Her petite and delicate body, soaked by the lake water, with her thin clothes clinging tightly to her skin, outlined curves more graceful than ever before. Her figure, usually hidden, now bloomed in full, graceful and enchanting.

The glistening water pearls dripped from her hair, tracing over her cheeks—so soft it seemed a gentle pinch would release more water—with no hindrance at all, smooth and delicate.

Maybe... this is what they call skin as tender as a blown feather can pierce.

Especially when she lifted her chin, those bright, sparkling eyes—so pure and clear—shone with innocence and a little proud eagerness, as if expecting praise for her treasure. She was adorable, and still uniquely charming and mischievous.

"Brother-in-law, can we take it back to the cave and keep it?" She blinked her big eyes at Qin Yu.

"You decide."

Qin Yu gently pinched her cheek, and the little girl’s eyes curled with glee. She leaned in and kissed him.

What a little demoness.

She seemed to have no idea just how enticing her actions were.

Qin Yu sighed inwardly.

Lin Shuishui had, without realizing it, really grown up. Her figure more and more graceful, like a newly blooming lotus—elegant and pure, standing proud above the emerald waves.

"Brother-in-law..."

Hearing her soft call, Qin Yu finally snapped out of his trance. Right now, Lin Shuishui, with that unadorned beauty, was quietly gazing at him, stirring a tender pity and making it hard for him to look away.

"You promised Shuishui."

"What?"

Qin Yu looked at her, puzzled.

But Lin Shuishui’s expression changed instantly. That excitement and joy—all disappeared.

She pouted, eyes brimming with tears, looked at Qin Yu, "Brother-in-law, you already forgot. You promised Shuishui that we’d cultivate together."

"..."

Qin Yu’s lips twitched slightly.

He had indeed said that.

But Lin Shuishui, while grown-up now—not a child—still, even Lin Qianqian and Zhao Mengli often couldn’t handle it.

He was still a bit worried.

The more he didn’t answer, the sadder Lin Shuishui became. The mist in her eyes turned to tears, pattering down her cheeks.

"Why are you crying? It’s your birthday today, you can’t cry."

Qin Yu didn’t know how to console her, and in the end could only give in to her, "Alright, fine."

"Really?"

Shuishui was still crying, but suddenly lifted her head, teary-eyed and shining as she looked at him.

"Really."

Whether the tears were real or faked was unclear, but once it came to the real thing... she’d probably be bawling for real.

"Shuishui can finally be just like Big Sister!"

Lin Shuishui tossed the spirit fish into the lake, threw her arms around Qin Yu’s neck, and hung onto him, refusing to let go.

"I must catch up to Big Sister!"

They were cultivating together, but whether it was her sister or Zhao Mengli, both of their cultivation progressed faster than hers.

Lin Shuishui was so envious!

Though both Lin Qianqian and Zhao Mengli had told her some things about ’cultivation’, saying it would be hard, and tiring and all.

But the thoughtful girl simply wanted to share some of that effort for her sister.

"It’ll be very pain...ful."

Qin Yu couldn’t help but remind her, hoping she’d give up after knowing the difficulty.

"I’m not afraid of pain, or hardship!"

Lin Shuishui was so determined that for a moment he didn’t know how to talk her out of it.

Looks like—

He did need to temper her a little, or she’d never truly understand the trials and depths of the path of cultivation.

Next, Lin Shuishui lost all mood to play. She kept urging Qin Yu to hurry back to the cave.

She was even more anxious than him!

Along the way, she didn’t care to avoid suspicion at all, just let Qin Yu carry her, refusing to get out of his arms.

...

Inside the room.

Qin Yu gently set Lin Shuishui down on the bed.

When the moment really came, the young girl finally knew embarrassment. Her cheeks flushed red, her gaze flickered, filled with anticipation—and a bit... of fear.

Big Sister had told her, at the start of cultivation, it would be very painful.

Lin Shuishui didn’t really understand.

But once she changed into new clothes for real, she still couldn’t help widening her eyes, terror in her gaze.

Can I really... do this?!

She doubted herself.

"Shuishui, why don’t we wait a while before we cultivate?" Qin Yu reminded her patiently.

"No!"

Thinking he would leave, Lin Shuishui pounced on him and latched on, impossible to peel off, "I want to cultivate now, Shuishui’s already so far behind!"

Cultivation is not an easy thing.

This is a step everyone has to face.

Soon, resolve returned to her eyes.

Qin Yu didn’t persuade her anymore, but said, "The first time you break through the meridians, it’ll... hurt a little. Try to bear with it."

"Mm."

If it was just a little bit of pain, Lin Shuishui thought she could handle it, and relaxed.

But very soon—

She cried.

Cried very sadly.

Cried herself into a mess of tears.

"Wu wu!..."

"Brother-in-law, you lied..."

...

[Lin Shuishui Romantic Point: 80 (Heartfelt)]

[+8 Emotion Point from Lin Shuishui]

Looking at those numbers on the flame, Qin Yu was both surprised and found it all expected.

Lin Shuishui had always been attached to him—maybe even heartfelt for a long time—they just had never... crossed the line before.

Now it was only natural for things to progress!

Looking at the tear stains on the girl’s cheeks, Qin Yu still felt a bit guilty.

He’d wanted to stop here.

But Lin Shuishui pulled him back.

She sniffled, her eyes still tearful yet bright, "Shuishui wants to catch up to Big Sister."

Soon—

[+8 Emotion Point from Lin Shuishui]

Some things just can’t be rushed.

Only after three rounds of warm currents did Lin Shuishui give up.

When she fell asleep, Qin Yu finally left the room.

His pent-up fire not only didn’t die down—it flared up even more!

Since the little sister started this, the big sister had to pay it back!

He was going to find...

Lin Qianqian!

However, as soon as he walked out, he saw the little demoness Leng Ruyu.

Especially seeing Qin Yu’s flustered look, clothes barely thrown on, she scoffed with scorn, "Ha, bullying little Shuishui again!"

"?!"

Already burning with fire, Qin Yu heard this and couldn’t stand her provocation.

Suddenly—

He changed his target and slowly walked toward the little demoness.

"What do you want?"

Seeing him striding toward her, full of aura, Leng Ruyu didn’t back down at all.

"You!"

"???"

Before she could react, she was swept up into his arms.

"I... I haven’t recovered yet."

She panicked.

Every night she was the last one, and still vaguely... uncomfortable now.

"Then just..."

Qin Yu’s gaze landed on her little mouth.

"No!"