Chapter 61
Outside the room, there was a small to medium-sized bathroom.
Lin Queli was sitting on a stool, washing A’Xue’s hair. A’Xue sat obediently in front of him, swinging his legs and enjoying Lin Queli’s service.
Lin Queli rubbed the bubbles on A’Xue’s head and looked at A’Xue, who had his eyes closed and was nodding his head. He pinched his cheek and smiled. “You little rascal…”
“Rustle…”
Just as Lin Queli was enjoying himself, he suddenly turned his head in alarm.
Helan Xue had taken off his robes, but because he was facing away from Lin Queli, he could only see the strong and powerful back, the broad shoulder blades, and the cinched waist. Lin Queli did not dare to look any further down.
He turned his head back with a red face and focused on rubbing A’Xue with the soap beans, forcing himself to be calm.
Helan Xue soaked himself in the wooden tub. After half his body was submerged, the steam from the wooden tub kept rising.
Lin Queli could see Helan Xue’s faint features through the steam. He closed his eyes and leaned against the wooden tub, enjoying the bath. A few drops of water hung on his long eyelashes. With a blink of his master’s eyes, the water droplets slid down his well-defined chin, down his throat, chest, and then into the water.
Lin Queli, who had turned away, turned his head back again, his gaze involuntarily fixed on the pectoral muscles that looked so good to touch.
A’Xue turned his head doubtfully. “Why is Brother A’Li’s breathing so chaotic? Is there something wrong?”
Lin Queli was startled. “N-no, no, no! You’re a child, don’t talk nonsense!”
A’Xue crossed his arms. “You’re the child, stupid Brother A’Li.”
Lin Queli’s eyes widened. Was he being called stupid by a primary school student! He said with great vigor, “If I’m a fool, then you’re a big fool!”
“I’m not! You’re a big, big, big fool!”
“You’re a super invincible big fool, your whole family are big fools!”
The two chattered on.
While scolding, Lin Queli took off A’Xue’s clothes and held a gourd ladle to give A’Xue a shower, taking revenge for a private grudge.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” A’Xue was like a white cat being held down for a bath, constantly waving his paws at Lin Queli. “It’s in my eyes! Stupid brother!”
Helan Xue shook his head helplessly, the corners of his mouth twitching almost imperceptibly. He opened his eyes to look at the two, but was stunned.
A longevity lock was hanging on A’Xue’s neck. That longevity lock… was very familiar.
The silver longevity lock had three small bells, which at this moment were making a crisp but not obvious sound with their owner’s movements.
Helan Xue’s gaze sharpened.
He carefully felt the flow of spiritual energy on the longevity lock. It was indeed… the one he had given to Lin Queli.
Thinking of the jade bracelet on Lin Queli’s ankle, Helan Xue thought to himself, perhaps this was also given to him by Lin Queli.
Helan Xue confirmed, “A’Li, is this longevity lock yours?”
Lin Queli shook his head. “No.”
“…?”
A’Xue said with a grin, “I’ve had this since I was born. The older brothers and sisters in my clan said this was a gift from my father before he died, and that I should keep it well.”
Helan Xue only felt his whole body go cold, and he froze for a long time.
Then he stared at A’Xue and asked in a hoarse voice, “Your clan is?”
“The Tiandi tribe.” A’Xue put his index finger to his lips. “But brother, please don’t tell them where I am. I ran away from home!”
Lin Queli smiled and tapped A’Xue’s head.
If it weren’t for the fact that A’Xue’s cultivation was indeed high at such a young age, and he was even said to be the strongest in the clan, he would have “reported” him to his family.
But…
Lin Queli looked at Helan Xue curiously. Why did Helan Xue’s expression become even stranger after hearing this answer?
Helan Xue took a deep breath. “Your parents are?”
“I don’t know. The older brothers and sisters never told me.” A’Xue sat on the stool and let Lin Queli give him a shower, swinging his two little feet and smiling. “But they said that when I grow up and can shoulder the responsibility of the Demon Clan, they will consider telling me. So I have to work hard to grow up. Hmph, hmph, but now I can also protect them!”
A’Xue turned his head to look at Lin Queli, his eyes sparkling. “I can also protect Brother A’Li.”
“That’s true.” Lin Queli pinched A’Xue’s cheek and said seriously, “Brother A’Li is counting on you!”
He had indeed been protected by A’Xue all along!
Helan Xue closed his eyes, his aura a little chaotic.
What’s going on?
Did Lin Queli give the longevity lock to a child of the Tiandi tribe? But that was a gift he had given to Lin Queli. Would Lin Queli just give it to someone else?
Or was it a child born to Lin Queli and another woman… no, impossible. Although he and A’Li were not officially Daoist partners, A’Li wouldn’t… could it be an accident?
But what about this child’s appearance?
Could it be… but A’Li is a man.
Am I overthinking it?
Maybe it’s all a coincidence? Lin Queli doesn’t love me, so it’s normal for him to give the longevity lock to someone else “before he dies.” This child’s appearance is just a coincidence, and the longevity lock is also just a coincidence…
There were too many coincidences.
On the other side, A’Xue had also finished washing. He put on his clothes and ran out with a da da da.
“Slow down.” Helan Xue couldn’t help but remind him gently, “Don’t slip.”
Even if he couldn’t confirm the truth yet, this child was after all a member of the Tiandi tribe and was holding Lin Queli’s longevity lock. Looking at him, Helan Xue’s heart softened a little.
“Oh!”
A’Xue slowed down and left, thoughtfully closing the door for the two of them before he left.
Helan Xue looked at the tightly shut door and turned to ask Lin Queli, “Do you know why A’Xue ran away from home?”
Lin Queli scratched his head. “He said the tribe encountered trouble and was bullied, so he wanted to go to the Myriad Sword Sect to complain. But he wouldn’t say any more when I asked him. Maybe it’s for the safety of the tribe, so he can’t just spread it around.”
Helan Xue frowned slightly.
Lin Queli had lived with the Tiandi tribe before. The Tiandi tribe was Lin Queli’s previous reliance, and also the people Lin Queli was determined to protect later. Now Lin Queli had lost his memory and forgotten this relationship, but if the Tiandi tribe was in trouble, he naturally had to help Lin Queli.
For the past ten years, the Tiandi tribe had been living in seclusion in a distant place, their whereabouts unknown. They had only appeared recently.
Was it because of the “trouble” A’Xue mentioned that they had appeared?
After Helan Xue sent a sound transmission to Shouyang, he saw Lin Queli standing by the tub, a little awkward.
He probably wanted to bathe, but was too embarrassed.
Lin Queli hadn’t taken off his undergarment, and at this moment, the thin undergarment was soaked with water vapor, clinging to Lin Queli’s body and outlining his slender figure, which was faintly visible.
Helan Xue lowered his eyes. “Come in and soak together.”
Lin Queli swallowed hard. “Oh…”
He carefully lifted his leg and stepped in.
Helan Xue looked away to avoid Lin Queli discovering anything.
Although the wooden tub was big enough for two adults to soak together, it was still a little crowded.
Lin Queli struggled to sit down opposite Helan Xue, but he tripped on Helan Xue’s foot and immediately fell forward.
“Whoa!!!”
Splash—!
With a splash of water, Lin Queli came back to his senses and was already sitting in front of Helan Xue, falling onto him and being firmly and securely embraced by him.
Lin Queli looked at the… pectoral muscles that were close at hand, and his exposed skin immediately turned red. He arched his back slightly, like a cooked shrimp in a bucket of water. He crawled out of Helan Xue’s chest and held onto Helan Xue’s shoulder, saying in a fluster, “That, I… I’m sorry, I didn’t do it on purpose, I…”
Helan Xue shook his head. “It’s fine.”
After all, he was the one who did it on purpose.
Lin Queli looked at the immortal-like person before him, on the verge of dying of shame. “How about I-I go out…”
“No need.”
Helan Xue gently turned Lin Queli around. “Wash up.”
“Oh, oh…”
Lin Queli had his back to Helan Xue, and he felt like he was almost in his arms. His heart was pounding.
The person behind him was shirtless, and he was also wearing a thin undergarment. Their skin was touching.
…*Too close, sob, sob.
Helan Xue’s body temperature was low, and even though he was soaking in hot water, he was still cold, making Lin Queli’s whole body even hotter.
He sensed Lin Queli’s nervousness and took a water ladle from the side with one hand, and covered the back of Lin Queli’s head with the other.
“You helped A’Xue wash just now. Now it’s my turn to help you wash.”
“Mmm… I’m not a child.”
“Big children also need it.”
Helan Xue’s palm was very large. His calloused fingers passed through the dark, soft hair, accurately kneading the acupoints. The water remained warm and comfortable under the spell. The surroundings were filled with mist, and there was only the sound of water. Lin Queli slowly relaxed, squinted his eyes, and involuntarily lost his strength, leaning against Helan Xue.
Seeing Lin Queli lying limply and defenselessly on him, like a little dog that had been rubbed until it rolled over and exposed its belly, Helan Xue’s massaging hand moved from his scalp to the back of his neck, and then to his shoulders.
After touching Lin Queli’s waist, Lin Queli immediately let out a small cry of surprise. The end of the sound was alluring, so soft it could squeeze out water.
Lin Queli only felt a little ashamed. Strange, how could he make such a sound? Was his waist that sensitive?
“Sorry.” Helan Xue paused and moved his hand away.
He had forgotten. His hands had long since known all the sensitive spots on Lin Queli’s body, and now he had also subconsciously touched them.
“Whoa…” Lin Queli saw that Helan Xue’s hand had moved to his belly after it was moved away, and said with some embarrassment, “That doesn’t need to be massaged… I-I’ve gained weight recently, don’t touch it…”
Sob, sob, sob, it’s not because I have to sit at my desk and fight for my final exams every day, but because I can only move around after transmigrating.
Helan Xue’s chin rested on Lin Queli’s shoulder. He wrapped his arms around him from behind and pressed Lin Queli’s soft belly, letting out a light laugh.
Helan Xue’s low, hoarse voice sounded in Lin Queli’s ear. Lin Queli could even feel Helan Xue’s breath spraying on his earlobe, making his ears turn red.
Lin Queli was even more embarrassed. “Laugh, what are you laughing at!”
“I’m not laughing.” Helan Xue shook his head. “A’Li is not fat.”
Lin Queli accused, “You’re still laughing.”
“I was just thinking…” Helan Xue lowered his eyes and pressed his belly again. “Can A’Li have children?”
“…?!”
W-what are you saying!!
Of course not…
Holy shit, it seems I can!
Lin Queli remembered what the System had said and was on the verge of dying of shame.
Sob, sob, sob… damn it…
Lin Queli said in a small voice, “W-why do you ask that?”
Helan Xue stared at him.
A moment later, Helan Xue said, “I just asked casually. I’m joking with you.”
Lin Queli breathed a sigh of relief.
Helan Xue then moved his hand away and began to massage Lin Queli’s back and lower back.
“Mmm…”
Lin Queli lay back down comfortably.
After the massage was over, Helan Xue used a water ladle to rinse the foam off Lin Queli’s body. Lin Queli wiped his face and turned to look at Helan Xue.
At this distance, he could feel Helan Xue’s strong aura.
Now that the soap beans and foam had been washed away, the surroundings were still very fragrant.
Before getting up, Lin Queli couldn’t help but rub against Helan Xue. “Brother Wen Chen, you smell so good.”
Helan Xue lowered his eyes. “It’s the scent of the soap beans.”
“No, it’s the woody scent on you.” Lin Queli buried his face in Helan Xue’s neck. “It’s so comfortable.”
Not only was it comfortable and fragrant, but it was also very familiar, making him forget everything in an instant, leaving only dependence and intimacy.
Helan Xue held him and patted Lin Queli’s back, saying softly, “A’Li, don’t rub.”
“…!”
Lin Queli felt that his belly had hit something hot and hard. He immediately woke up as if from a dream and was so scared he almost jumped up.
“S-sorry!!”
He quickly retreated to the other end, splashing a wave of water.
Helan Xue: “…Sorry, I scared you.”
“N-no! It’s normal…! It’s my fault!” Lin Queli wanted to say something more, but he suddenly realized that his evasive action was a bit hurtful.
Lin Queli was annoyed. What did he think of him! Look, the man opposite him seemed to be hurt.
“I’m sorry… don’t misunderstand.” Lin Queli moved closer again and held Helan Xue’s wrist with a compensatory smile. “I definitely didn’t mean to belittle you.”
The water vapor around them was thick.
Helan Xue lowered his eyes and held the slender, fair hand back in the water. “Mmm.”
Shizun starts playing💕
My heart melts 🥲🥲