At noon the next day, Qin Wanyuan slowly woke up, holding her throbbing forehead. She was still a bit dazed, clearly not yet recovered from her hangover.
Just as she sat up in bed, a spoonful of hangover soup was brought to her lips.
“You’re awake. Drink this first,” Lin Que said gently. “You don’t usually drink much, so I’m sure the hangover must feel awful.”
“Mmm… okay.”
Hearing that familiar, gentle voice, Qin Wanyuan responded hazily and obediently drank the soup.
As the liquid went down, her memories gradually returned, and her mind began to clear.
When she turned to look at that handsome face, her own instantly flushed bright red. Her gaze became flustered. “Lin… Lin Lang, did I use my feet on you last night…?”
As she spoke, her eyes darted around the room until they finally landed on a pair of shredded stockings in the wastebasket. The toe area was still stained with something… strange.
“…Yes.”
Lin Que admitted it without hesitation. “But I didn’t expect your feet to be that sensitive, Wanyuan. Just the slightest touch and you already—”
“Lin Lang, stop it!” Qin Wanyuan reached out to cover his mouth, glaring at him with a mix of shame and frustration. “It’s broad daylight… What if Yu’er hears you?”
She had already experienced one mortifying event in her life. That was more than enough.
Only after Lin Que nodded and promised not to continue that topic did Qin Wanyuan finally remove her hand from his mouth.
“Don’t worry. Qin Qian’er had to go to class today. She left early this morning.”
“Oh, right…”
Qin Wanyuan let out a sigh of relief. No wonder Lin Que hadn’t cleaned out the wastebasket yet. If it were any other day, Qin Qian’er might have already been poking around the room admiring that phoenix egg and she might’ve stumbled upon the stockings in the bin.
If that happened, no explanation would have cleared her name.
“By the way, Lin Lang, weren’t you supposed to head to Evil Dragon Pool today?” Qin Wanyuan asked.
“I am going,” Lin Que replied, “but it can wait until I’ve taken care of you first.”
He gently stroked her smooth, flowing hair. “How could I bear to leave my hungover Dao companion at home alone?”
“Hehe~ Love you, Lin Lang.”
Qin Wanyuan couldn’t deny it. Lin Que’s meticulous care was downright addictive. Every time he said something like that, her heart would melt with warmth.
She forgot all about her embarrassment and kissed him on the cheek, confessing her love without hesitation.
“I love you too,” Lin Que said, returning her kiss before getting up to bring in the lunch he had prepared earlier.
This time, he’d even thoughtfully made a small table that could be placed over the bed, saving her the trouble of getting up.
“Judging by how you were yesterday, I figured you’d be weak in the legs and sore in the waist today, so I specially prepared this table for you.”
“That was just because I wasn’t in good shape… and it was my first time using that part of my body to help you…” Qin Wanyuan tried to sound defiant, but in the end, she gave in and sincerely said, “Thank you, Lin Lang, for preparing something so convenient for me.”
“You’re welcome. After all, I was the main culprit here. Think of this as making up for it,” Lin Que said with a smile, making Qin Wanyuan blush all over again.
During the meal, something finally occurred to Qin Wanyuan.
“System, don’t tell me… you foresaw all this?” she asked angrily via thought.
After all, when she first completed the system’s beginner task, the reward had been that foot-soaking prescription.
Back then, Qin Wanyuan didn’t understand the purpose of maintaining such rarely exposed parts of the body. It wasn’t until today that she finally grasped the system’s intentions.
[This development was discovered by the host on her own. This system merely provided the prescription. But all in all, isn’t the relationship between host and system mutually beneficial?]
“That’s true, I suppose…” No matter how she looked at it, the prescription had definitely come in handy. Qin Wanyuan had to admit…the system had more foresight than she did in this area.
Even if the system wouldn’t outright admit it, there was no doubt that every item it had given her so far had found its use in some way.
Opening her system inventory, Qin Wanyuan glanced at the two remaining items: a Shared Dream Talisman and a Bottle of Stamina Potion.
Logically speaking, she should have taken that Bottle of Stamina Potion last night. But because she got too drunk, she completely forgot and ended up going all the way with Lin Que.
“But how exactly is this single Shared Dream Talisman supposed to be used? Do I use it directly on Lin Lang, or… is there another method?”
Qin Wanyuan asked the system but received no response.
It seemed she would have to figure out how to use the item on her own.
Qin Wanyuan decided to store the Shared Dream Talisman for now. Who knew? It might come in handy in some unexpected situation later.
After drinking the hangover soup, her mind finally cleared up, no longer in a daze.
[Notice: Host has an unchecked main quest.]
“Main quest?”
Qin Wanyuan was taken aback. She’d been so drunk last night that she hadn’t paid any attention to the system.
With a thought, she opened the system’s quest panel.
[Main Quest: Have Lin Que and Jiang Moqing go out alone together (for at least three days).]
[Reward: Two Shared Dream Talismans, slight improvement to host’s physique, slight improvement to host’s comprehension, slight increase to Lin Que’s charm, ×2 Bottles of Stamina Potion.]
The rewards could be considered quite generous.
It seemed the capture had reached a very critical stage.
Having Lin Que and Jiang Moqing go out alone together was most likely triggered by what had happened at the Evil Dragon Pool yesterday.
No one could say for sure what might happen over the next three days. The two might rekindle their old feelings and get back together….or, just like before, nothing might happen at all.
But no matter what, Qin Wanyuan wasn’t going to let this opportunity slip by.
“Senior Sister Jiang, you better pull through. Don’t waste this chance I’ve given you,” Qin Wanyuan muttered to herself.
She really couldn’t afford to delay any longer. The target point count and the looming tribulation were both making her feel a growing sense of urgency.
Even though there was still over a year left, it was never too early to prepare. Only with enough power to break free from her destined fate could she truly take control of her own future.
Biting her lip, Qin Wanyuan steeled herself. She decided to tell Jiang Moqing about it.
After lunch, Qin Wanyuan lay down and rested for a while, regaining enough strength to get out of bed.
“Lin Lang, don’t leave just yet. I’m going to Senior Sister’s abode to ask her to accompany you.”
“That… isn’t really necessary, is it? I can go on my own,” Lin Que said, frowning for once.
“That won’t do. The journey to the Evil Dragon Pool is long and dangerous, and that cunning flood dragon is no easy foe. Having another cultivator along means more support. And right now, the only one I trust is Senior Sister.”
Qin Wanyuan spoke with sincerity.
It was true that Jiang Moqing, at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, was currently the strongest cultivator they could turn to. And with the quest factor in play, this trip really had to be hers.
“But you know… she’s my ex…”
Lin Que still wanted to remind Qin Wanyuan. It was important to avoid suspicion.
“I trust you’ll know where to draw the line, Lin Lang.”
Qin Wanyuan smiled as she gently stroked Lin Que’s cheek. “It’s just a pity that I’m not strong enough. Even if I went, I’d only hold you back. Otherwise, I’d want to go with you too. That’s the only way I’d feel at ease.”
Seeing the insecurity in Qin Wanyuan’s eyes, Lin Que couldn’t bring himself to say more. He simply patted her on the shoulder. “You’re still young, and your cultivation journey has only just begun. You’ll become stronger; there’s no need to feel anxious.”
“Thank you, Lin Lang.”
Qin Wanyuan gave Lin Que a hug and whispered softly in his arms, “While you’re away these next few days, I’ll focus on cultivating. So you have to come back safely, slay that wicked flood dragon, and heal your arm.”
“I will. I promise.”
Feeling the warmth of the woman in his arms, Lin Que took a deep breath. He could see the worry and anxiety in her eyes.
It was precisely because she wasn’t strong enough that Qin Wanyuan chose to have the strongest person she could find, Jiang Moqing, go with him. And that was also why she felt so uneasy.
Don’t worry, Wanyuan. I won’t let you down.
Lin Que made a silent vow in his heart.
After finishing her conversation with Lin Que, Qin Wanyuan set off for Jiang Moqing’s abode.
She knocked on the door, and Jiang Moqing opened it.
The first thing she said upon seeing Qin Wanyuan was an apology.
“Sorry, I woke up late. I’ll head over now to help heal Junior Brother’s arm,” she said as she prepared to leave on her sword.
“Why would you say that, Senior Sister? You helped us out of goodwill, out of our bond as fellow sect members. We should be the ones thanking you, not the other way around….there’s no need to apologize.”
Qin Wanyuan spoke from the heart. No matter what had transpired between Jiang Moqing and Lin Que in the past, the fact that she was now willing to lend him a helping hand was truly something to be grateful for.
However, she couldn’t help being curious about one thing.
Why had her senior sister who was usually up early and known for her discipline risen as late as she had today? And… why had she kept her hands hidden in her sleeves the entire time?
It was strange.
Still, curiosity was just curiosity. Qin Wanyuan didn’t press the matter. After all, it was a private concern.
After a few polite exchanges, she got to the point.
“Senior Sister, we found the flood dragon’s lair yesterday. It’s an ominous pool in the western region. The journey will be dangerous, and the beast’s cultivation has already reached the peak of the Nascent Soul stage. It could break through to the Soul Formation stage at any moment. I’m worried Lin Lang might be in danger, so I wanted to ask you…”
“I’ll go,” Jiang Moqing interrupted without hesitation.
“In that case, I must trouble you, Senior Sister.” Qin Wanyuan bowed in thanks.
“This is what I should do.”
Jiang Moqing replied coolly, “When are we setting out?”
“This evening.”
“Alright. I’ll get ready and come over.”
“See you later.”
“Mm.”
After seeing Qin Wanyuan off, Jiang Moqing began packing her things.
In truth, there wasn’t much to prepare. Most of her belongings were stored in her spatial ring; she merely tossed some extra fish feed into the pond.
At the same time, another voice began laughing wildly in her mind.
“Hahahahahaha! What perfect timing….just when I was drowsy, someone delivers a pillow right to me! Does this stupid woman really not know who I am? Since you’re being so polite, then I won’t hold back either!”
It was her inner demon.
“Don’t be so arrogant. I won’t let you harm Junior Brother!” Jiang Moqing frowned and shouted sternly at it.
Ever since yesterday, the inner demon’s voice had grown increasingly intense, even to the point of affecting Jiang Moqing’s thoughts.
“Heh. When the time comes, who will end up hurting him… you, or me? That’s something I’m really looking forward to~”
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