Chapter 73: The Next Step of Development

The sparkling crystal chandelier hung high in the center of the ceiling, but it wasn’t turned on, and so its dazzling colors did not fill the room. The bedroom was left dim and shadowed. Fortunately, before entering, Qiyue had switched on a small auxiliary lamp in the living room, which cast an ambiguous, amber glow across the space.

Bathed in that faint light, Lin Yu reclined against the headboard, his gaze lingering on Qiyue—her delicate makeup set in a subtle pout, clad in nothing but a white undergarment. After uttering the words, "You’re too dirty right now," Lin Yu regretted it almost immediately. He knew that Qiyue, for all her bold exterior, harbored a quiet insecurity, and words easily found their way into her heart.

There was a saying in the rules for a happy romance: Respect and affection are as vital to love as oil is to an engine.

Lin Yu suddenly realized he might have gone too far; such words could easily be misunderstood by Qiyue. So he apologized with earnest humility, "Sister Yue, I admit my mistake..."

"Now you realize? Too late!" The girl, still angry a moment before, snapped in response to his apology.

"Sister Yue, I really was wrong! Please, punish me," Lin Yu grinned mischievously, feeling like a sly old fox coaxing a young maiden.

"Well then, tell me, am I still dirty?" Qiyue pouted playfully.

"Clean as snow—not dirty at all." Lin Yu reached out to take advantage, but just as he was about to succeed, the girl slapped his hand away.

"Remember the three rules! No wandering hands!"

"Alright, alright, I’ll behave. Here, take a puff. This is good stuff—it eases pain and can take you to the clouds." Lin Yu offered her the half-smoked cigarette with a fawning smile.

"I don’t want a cigarette now! I want to smoke you!" she giggled.

Qiyue took the cigarette and placed it in the transparent glass ashtray, then suddenly lunged onto Lin Yu, kissing him full on the lips.

"Mmm!" Lin Yu, his mouth sealed, felt for the first time how conflicted a kiss with a beautiful woman could be. Remembering where Qiyue’s mouth had just been, he almost wanted to cry.

Still, he wasn’t at a total loss; the girl, nearly naked, pressed against him, her softness a delight. He took the opportunity to squeeze her several times.

"You rogue, am I still dirty now?" Qiyue, triumphant after her stolen kiss, seemed like a victorious Mulan.

"Dirty or not, I only know you’ve sparked the fire below again!" Lin Yu teased, his arms around her, his voice full of desire.

"You lecher—handle it yourself. I’m truly exhausted, and I’ve even split my lip." Qiyue opened her mouth pitifully for Lin Yu to see.

"It really is split. Do we have any herbal spray at home? Let me get you some." Seeing her wounded in pursuit of his wickedness, Lin Yu spoke with genuine concern.

In the dim light, Qiyue saw the deep care in Lin Yu’s eyes, and her heart softened.

She replied seductively, "How about this—since it’s broken anyway, tonight I’ll go all out, carry the task to the end."

"Uh, what do you mean?" Lin Yu feigned ignorance, though he understood perfectly. His acting, worthy of an Oscar for best supporting role, fooled her completely.

"Oh, you know! The thing from just now!" She shifted in his arms.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let’s begin!" Lin Yu grinned lewdly, feeling he couldn’t wait any longer.

"Look at you, so eager—like a proper wolf! Zhiling was right, ninety-nine percent of men are wolves, the rest are eunuchs!" Qiyue teased him, then rested her head on his shoulder, whispering, "I’m so tired, let me rest a bit. I’ll help you later."

"Alright, take your time," Lin Yu said tenderly. He still bore wounds on his shoulder and body; her touch hurt, but he bit his lip and endured silently.

Soon, as Lin Yu waited eagerly for her to serve him again, he realized her breathing had grown steady—she had fallen asleep in his arms.

She lay in his embrace, her head resting on his shoulder, so he couldn’t see if her sleep was peaceful. But thinking of all she’d given him, his mind drifted unconsciously to Lin Huiyin’s poem, "You Are the April of This World":

I say you are the April of this world;
Your laughter lights up the winds all around;
Grace dances in spring’s radiant glow,
You are the mist of early April days,
The softness of twilight’s breeze,
Stars flicker unawares,
And gentle rain sprinkles before the flowers.

So gentle, so pure, you are,
Bright and fresh,
The crown of all blossoms you wear,
You are innocence, solemnity,
You are the full moon every night.

The pale yellow after snow, you resemble;
New green buds, you are;
Tender joy
Water shimmers on the white lotus of your dreams.

You are a tree in bloom,
A swallow’s song beneath the eaves—
You are love, warmth, hope,
You are the April of this world!

Indeed, to him, Qiyue was just like the April of this world—gentle and alluring, like a breeze caressing his face.

"If not for you, perhaps after I came back, I’d have fallen into endless loneliness. I’d never find a sense of existence like I have now," Lin Yu murmured, gently stroking her ponytail.

Feelings always grow silently, intangible and unseen, but they ripple through the heart.

The girl was nearly one meter seventy tall, slender as she was, and after being pressed beneath her for so long, Lin Yu felt the pain intensify, his body aching more and more, until soon he could hardly bear it.

"Ah, a man must not admit defeat—endure!" Wanting to sleep but held back by pain, Lin Yu sighed inwardly.

Because Qiyue wore only a thin undergarment, he, caring for her, gently covered her with a light blanket.

Unexpectedly, this woke her.

"I actually fell asleep..." After waking, Qiyue blinked in confusion for several seconds, then spoke shyly.

"It’s alright, go ahead and sleep," Lin Yu said warmly.

"No, I haven’t finished what I promised!" She kissed him on the cheek, then got up and moved to the other side of the bed.

With practiced ease, she climbed onto the bed, parted her lips, and tended to Lin Yu once more.

This time, moved by affection and excitement, Lin Yu reached the next stage in less than five minutes.

"Finally done! I’m going back to sleep," Qiyue shot Lin Yu a charming glance, then breezed toward the bedroom door.

Satisfied and freshly cleaned, Lin Yu laughed and called after her, "Go brush your teeth before bed."

"No, I’ll go kiss Zhiling like this—let her taste what a man is!" Qiyue glanced back with a wicked grin.

"..." Lin Yu, speechless at her words, realized that somehow, his desire was ignited all over again.