Nothing to do with romance

At this time, the night grew deeper, and Xiao Menglan led Cao Xueyan to the pool she had mentioned.

This pool was placed in a secluded courtyard, usually kept clean by the puppet maids, so even though Xiao Menglan had hardly ever come here, it looked as though it had just been freshly renovated.

By now, because of Xiao Menglan’s prior orders, the pool was already filled with hot water.

Steam rose from the surface, drifting all the way to the poolside, and together with the antique courtyard walls, it made this place look even more like the dwelling of an immortal.

Both of them wore only a thin bath towel wrapped around their bodies.

Yet though the towels were the same style, they gave off two very different impressions.

Cao Xueyan, still young, was like a fresh green apple—tender on the outside, and if one bit into it and looked closely at the flesh inside… moist and juicy.

As for Xiao Menglan, her age need not be mentioned.

Perhaps because she had weathered many storms, her body bore the traces left behind by the years—traces called “charm.”

But on Xiao Menglan, it could not be called “lingering charm,” it was full-bloomed grace.

Take a bath?

Cao Xueyan looked at the pool in a daze.

This was something she had never done in either of her two lives.

In her past life, because of illness, her so-called baths had only ever been her parents or hospital caretakers wiping her down with hot towels.

As for this life, she had never experienced it either.

Only someone truly leisurely and refined could indulge in such a thing.

Mm, the steam rising from the pool felt so pleasant—warm and damp, so much so that droplets clung to the tips of Cao Xueyan’s hair.

“Why not go in?” Xiao Menglan urged.

She herself had already reached the pool’s edge and dipped her foot into the water.

It was a ritual for her.

Whether the water was hot or cold didn’t matter much to her.

Feeling the warmth through her toes, Xiao Menglan’s face showed satisfaction.

The puppet maids might look wooden, but when it came to chores, they were far more efficient than most people.

“Just go straight in like this?”

Unfamiliar with the process, Cao Xueyan hesitated about whether to take off the towel around her body.

If she untied it, she would be completely bare.

But if she didn’t, wouldn’t the towel get soaked in the water? Wouldn’t that feel uncomfortable?

Such childish questions were exactly the sort only the current Cao Xueyan would fret over.

Seeing her disciple’s shy demeanor, Xiao Menglan couldn’t help but intervene.

She reached out and gave a gentle tug, and the poor towel was mercilessly cast aside to the ground.

Cao Xueyan cried out, like a startled little bird, flapping her hands to cover certain unspeakable places.

“Relax, I won’t look.” Xiao Menglan laughed behind her hand.

But though she said so, her eyes were not entirely honest.

Even after seeing it many times, even after touching it more than once, now—shrouded in the mist rising from the pool—this familiar sight somehow looked fresh and enticing again.

Honestly, it was all this child’s fault, making even me unable to stop my wandering thoughts.

Xiao Menglan inwardly chided herself, but still reached out, caught her disciple’s wrist, and pulled her into the pool.

Before entering the water, she also untied her own towel and tossed it to the side.

Her movements were graceful—first sliding one jade-like leg into the water, then the other, then slowly lowering herself until the water reached her chest.

Only then did she recline against a smooth stone, close her eyes, and let out a satisfied sigh.

Cao Xueyan, in contrast, looked clumsy.

She stood at the pool’s edge, turned her back, one hand covering her chest, the other supporting herself on the stone, carefully dipping her legs into the water.

The heat made her shiver all over at first, and she kept half her body out, hesitant to go further.

After a long struggle, once she adjusted to the warmth, she finally immersed herself fully.

It was, undeniably, very comfortable.

What’s more, she only now noticed the floating petals and bits of herbs on the water’s surface, their fragrance becoming rich in the warm steam.

She leaned against a smooth stone, feeling the cold energy in her hands slowly fade away.

Suddenly, she felt a pair of hands wrap around her waist beneath the water.

She struggled slightly, then gave in.

Of course, it was her good master—lonely and restless, coming to seek her out once she saw her disciple not approaching first.

“This pool was prepared with many precious spiritual herbs. Out in the world, not even spirit stones could buy it. You’d better enjoy it well~” Xiao Menglan whispered in her ear, nibbling playfully.

Literally nibbling.

Cao Xueyan’s earlobe became Xiao Menglan’s little snack—aching, tingling, burning hot.

This shameless master really had a wicked heart!

Cao Xueyan stayed silent, plotting revenge by deliberately ignoring her.

“Why aren’t you speaking?” Xiao Menglan asked softly.

Cao Xueyan turned her head away, saying nothing.

Beneath the water, her pale toes picked nervously at the cracks between the stones.

Xiao Menglan’s gaze shifted—was her disciple sulking?

Such a child, she thought. Clearly, she would have to coax her.

And coax her she would.

After all, she was a grand Core Formation cultivator—she had her methods.

Soon, only Cao Xueyan could be seen above the water’s surface.

As for the other one—well…

“Master!” Cao Xueyan cried out, both embarrassed and startled, her hands searching wildly underwater, like trying to catch a slippery eel.

But that eel was both mischievous and sly—and a Core Formation cultivator besides.

How could a mere Qi-Refining disciple ever hope to catch her?

Before long, Cao Xueyan lost all strength, collapsing weakly in the pool, unable even to lift a finger.

At last, the “eel” resurfaced—it was none other than Xiao Menglan.

Cao Xueyan weakly pounded her small fists against her master’s chest.

“Master, really… how improper! Only a three-year-old child would play tricks like that!”

“And why can’t a three-hundred-year-old play them?” Xiao Menglan replied with a radiant smile.

That little prank—thinking on it now—was really quite satisfying.

In all her centuries, this was the first time.

Cao Xueyan’s shy fury, her flustered fumbling—Xiao Menglan could never tire of it.

Why hadn’t she met this girl sooner?

Hundreds of years of sitting in solitude, day after day, only cultivating…

Sometimes worrying about heavenly tribulations, sometimes about inner demons.

But when had she ever been this happy?

And if, perhaps, this child had appeared before her earlier, instead of Yu… would she still be as she was now?

Tired from struggling, Cao Xueyan nestled into her master’s embrace, closing her eyes like a child.

Xiao Menglan stroked her damp hair and lifted her gaze to the endless stars above.

The stars gave her no reply.

Only her own heart could.

But that answer, she would not say aloud.

Forget it.

Everything in this world was fated by the heavens anyway.

What did rules or restraint matter?

What did indulgence matter?

What was before her eyes, what she could see and touch—that was what truly mattered.

And the one in her arms now was her most precious treasure.

“Why is Master so well-behaved tonight?” Cao Xueyan asked, puzzled, lifting her head.

Xiao Menglan hadn’t touched her—could it be she had changed?

But instead of words, the reply she received was a kiss.

A glance into her master’s eyes revealed a tenderness flowing like water, pouring straight into her heart, filling it completely, leaving no corner untouched.

So sly! Cao Xueyan thought.

But what could she do?

She could only respond—and respond even more passionately.