A Secret Crush and Unfamiliar Feelings

“Lingyi, please don’t tease me.”

“Tease? I’m merely speaking the truth.”

Bai Lingyi’s eyes curved into crescents, her expression utterly sincere, devoid of any playful mockery.

Yu Lian glanced at her, realizing she had indeed overthought things.

“Lingyi, shall we continue our previous conversation? You mentioned you weren’t an immortal, so where do your formidable abilities come from…?”

Bai Lingyi rose, stretching her lithe waist.

“They’re just ordinary tricks. In this world, there are countless people far more powerful than me. I’ve only just begun cultivating, and to true powerhouses, I’m nothing more than a small shrimp, unable to stir any waves.”

“Small… small shrimp?”

If this was merely a ‘small shrimp,’ how immense must the divine powers of truly formidable individuals be? To Yu Lian, being able to shatter chains with bare hands was already incredibly strong. Such strength would make dispatching wild beasts bare-handed seem trivial.

“If one day you have the chance to venture out and witness a much vaster sky, you will understand what I mean.”

Bai Lingyi smiled, saying nothing more.

“Go out? I’m afraid I’ll be trapped here my entire life.”

Yu Lian mumbled softly. ‘Would that madwoman willingly let her go? Impossible.’

“No, Second Miss… well, she’s a very kind person. Perhaps, it won’t be long before you gain your freedom.”

“I hope so.”

Yu Lian did not notice the fleeting, somber hint of loneliness that flickered deep within Bai Lingyi’s eyes.

“Oh, Lingyi, what’s with the heart-shaped tattoo on your lower abdomen? It’s so strange. Is it a design one must engrave upon entering the immortal realm after cultivation?”

“Ah… cough cough. That’s a personal interest of mine. I engraved it myself.”

“Couldn’t you have drawn something else, something prettier?”

“Do you find it ugly?”

“A little. It has an indescribable feeling.”

Yu Lian always felt it was an improper design, though she couldn’t quite articulate why.

Bai Lingyi turned away with a faint smile. At that moment, two maids pushed open the door, holding suitable undergarments and outer clothing. They slowly helped her dress, piece by piece.

“You take your time washing. I’ll wait for you outside.”

“Oh.”

Bai Lingyi exited with the maids.

Yu Lian let out a long sigh of relief. To be honest, she was more accustomed to bathing by herself. Having others around created immense pressure, preventing her from truly relaxing.

However…

She might adapt to Lingyi’s presence in the future. She found herself not particularly resistant to Lingyi, and she truly enjoyed Lingyi’s older sisterly aura; it was very comforting.

Perhaps…

She had truly fallen for Lingyi.

‘Love at first sight?’

‘Possibly. She wouldn’t deny it if someone called it lust at first sight.’

Lingyi was undeniably attractive, exactly her type, both in appearance and personality.

‘Then… later, she’d see if there was a chance to win her over, then escape this Bai Manor with Lingyi, to wander the world freely and happily.’

‘Why did she feel a perverse thrill, as if she were cuckolding someone?’

An unspeakable sense of exhilaration welled within Yu Lian. It was as if Lingyi were the Second Miss’s subordinate, her personal maid, and she had snatched her away, watching the other woman weep with sorrow.

‘Do I have some peculiar fetish?’

Yu Lian slapped her cheeks, shaking her head vigorously.

How had she become so strange?

Nine-tenths of this felt utterly wrong.

‘Never mind, never mind. I’ll think about it after I’m clean. I shouldn’t keep Lingyi waiting outside for too long.’

Yu Lian spread her legs and cast her gaze downwards. Though not her first time seeing it, she still felt shy about her own body. Even without the intense heat she felt when facing Lingyi, her heart still pounded wildly, threatening to burst from her chest.

‘As expected of me, I truly am beautiful.’

Yu Lian swelled with pride for her own body.

However, she let out a small cry of surprise, her eyes falling into a brief bewilderment. ‘What is this?’

Yu Lian reached out to wipe it away, then retracted her hand and rubbed her fingers together. ‘Is this water from the pool?’ She frowned in thought, then her brows relaxed. ‘It must be. The pool water must have precious medicinal ingredients added, which is why it feels viscous.’

Having figured it out, she immediately set her thoughts aside, focusing on using the towel to scrub away impurities, humming a tune softly with her lips tightly sealed.

Knock knock.

A sound came from the door. A maid outside inquired if Yu Lian had finished bathing, presumably wanting to enter and help her change.

Yu Lian pressed the towel to her chest, concealing the alluring white skin that threatened to spill forth. Not wanting the maid’s assistance, she said, “You may simply place the clothes inside and then leave. I will dress myself.”

The maid outside respectfully acknowledged the command, pushed open the door, and placed the fresh clothes on the floor before retreating to stand guard outside again.

Just as Yu Lian stood up, she saw the door being pushed open once more. She assumed it was the maid returning for something else and was about to crouch down when she realized it was Lingyi who had entered.

“I imagine you’d feel uncomfortable with the other maids, so I’ll attend to you,” Bai Lingyi said.

“Oh, there’s no need for such trouble. I can dress myself.” Having hands and feet, and having grown up, Yu Lian truly couldn’t get used to being waited on; it always felt strange.

“Are you still being so polite with me? You are Second Miss’s concubine, and I am Second Miss’s personal steward. I frequently attend to her dressing and washing. For you, this is simply what I ought to do.”

There was no fault to be found in her words, and Yu Lian agreed. Since she had become a concubine, she might as well enjoy the benefits before she could truly escape.

Bai Lingyi picked up the undershirt and approached Yu Lian, patiently helping her dress. Yu Lian gazed at Lingyi, who was now so close, emitting a faint fragrance. She yearned to gently peck Lingyi’s fair, smooth cheek.

But she couldn’t. No matter how much she wanted to, no matter how impulsive she felt.

Such a presumptuous action would only startle Lingyi.

“Miss Yu Lian, are you looking at me?”

Bai Lingyi looked up and asked, her sparkling eyes as beautiful as emeralds.

“Cough…”

Yu Lian guiltily turned her head away, but she quickly realized, ‘Wasn’t that an admission without being asked?’ She turned her head back, met Bai Lingyi’s eyes, and nodded generously, saying, “That’s right. Who wouldn’t take a second look at such a gentle and lovely Lingyi?”

‘No need to feel guilty, be frank. That way, she wouldn’t reveal any flaws, otherwise, wouldn’t the other person see her hidden, unusual feelings for her?’

Sure enough, Bai Lingyi’s eyes curved into a smile, without much suspicion, and she chuckled, “Miss Yu Lian’s words are truly sweet, but you should save them for Second Miss. Praising me won’t earn you any rewards; it’ll just be empty praise.”

‘Your smile is the best reward for me.’

Yu Lian had never felt so content. Perhaps, this was the feeling of a secret crush. It seemed being forcefully taken home wasn’t just about resentment and sadness after all.

After putting on her underpants, Yu Lian felt nothing out of the ordinary. However, when she put on her bra, a sensation unlike anything she’d experienced as a man emerged.

‘This… this constriction. Hiss, it’s so restrictive.’

Yu Lian still felt that going commando was a much better experience.

Bai Lingyi then leaned in close and said, “You can take it off when you’re going to sleep. Remember, don’t sleep in your bra.”

Yu Lian didn’t quite understand but nodded obediently.

Fully dressed.

Yu Lian was led out of the bathroom by Bai Lingyi, holding her small hand, and returned to the room. Bai Lingyi was about to leave when Yu Lian suddenly asked, “Then… that, Lingyi, when will Second Miss come to see me?”

Bai Lingyi paused, then showed an ambiguous smile. “Missing her already? You truly do like Second Miss. Don’t worry, she’ll come to see you by the day after tomorrow at the latest.”

‘Who the hell would like her!?’