CHAPTER 233: CHAPTER 206: I TREAT YOU WELL (ADDED 3 IN 1)_2

Chen Yi gazed at her lovingly, gently kissed her forehead, and said softly:

"I won’t punish you anymore. No matter how small the mistake, I won’t punish you. I know you’re very good."

"Mm..." Yin Tingxue responded softly.

He really did enjoy teasing this little fox, but this time, Yin Tingxue had taken the initiative to admit her mistake and even kept the paper flower he gave her so carefully. It made him want to treat her better.

Besides, she was already so lonely, with only himself remaining as both her mother figure and her husband.

Chen Yi softened his tone and said, "When we return to Yintai Temple, I’ll carve a statue of the Bodhisattva for you, plant a maple tree, and make the temple look like it used to. Would that be okay?"

Yin Tingxue was startled, a tinge of ache forming at the corners of her eyes. "Why are you being so kind to me?"

"Because you’re my girlfriend." Chen Yi kissed her forehead again.

Yin Tingxue’s pupils constricted as she looked at him, her fingertips lightly brushing the paper flower on her forehead.

This was proof that they were a couple.

She lowered her head, took a bite out of a steamed bun, and as she chewed, a sweetness seeped through. The little fox extended her other arm and wrapped it around Chen Yi’s waist.

He’d said before that this would make him happy.

Chen Yi embraced her gently.

Come to think of it, ever since they returned from Yintai Temple, he had unconsciously been much gentler with her.

Could it be... that he was starting to adapt more and more to this motherly role?

Chen Yi gave a bitter smile.

At this moment, holding her in his arms, he didn’t let go. The two clung to each other, even as the sound of the rain began to fade, they still didn’t part.

The female crown sitting in the corner of the wall gave a faint hum as she watched the two of them nestled together.

She really wasn’t wrong in her assumptions—this Princess had already become dependent on him, though she probably wasn’t even aware of it herself.

At this thought, Yin Weiyin felt goosebumps rise. After all, she too had been treated as one of Chen Yi’s concubines. Would she ultimately end up dependent on him as well?

Dependent on this person who drains her cultivation day and night?

Would that not mean she’d never achieve enlightenment and ascend to immortality?!

The lessons of the past were lessons for the future. Yin Weiyin was on her guard, silently reciting the Supreme Forget Love Technique as she sat cross-legged, meditating, breathing steadily, trying to steady her heart.

She couldn’t explicitly defy him, so she could only fortify her mental defenses in secret.

She, after all, was a woman who knew how to adapt. Given that she could only be his concubine for now, why not bide her time? Let him indulge to his heart’s content until he becomes deeply infatuated with her, believing she has surrendered her heart completely.

When that moment comes, she’ll ensure he dances in the palm of her hand. Perhaps by then, it won’t be Chen Yi draining her cultivation, but the other way around... she could turn the tables and absorb Chen Yi’s cultivation instead.

Nightfall cloaked the mountain cave, and bedding had already been laid out inside.

Chen Yi embraced Yin Tingxue and lay down.

He glanced over at the other two women—Dong Gong Ruoshu kept watch by the campfire, while Yin Weiyin stayed as far away as possible, avoiding his line of sight.

Getting ready to sleep, Yin Tingxue carefully removed the paper flower, tucking it away safely against her chest.

Her meticulous care was utterly adorable.

Chen Yi reached out and lightly tapped her nose. She shyly lowered her head, her cheeks subtly blushing.

Resting against Chen Yi’s chest, Yin Tingxue couldn’t stop thinking: He’s been pretty nice these days. He gave her the paper flower, listened to what she said, didn’t punish her, and even mentioned planting trees and statues at Yintai Temple.

Would he... always stay like this?

But then again,

the reason he’s being so nice now,

could it be that... he has some ulterior motive?

Yin Tingxue’s thoughts made her wary. She glanced at Chen Yi cautiously, her timid gaze betraying her apprehension.

"What’s wrong?" Chen Yi’s arm tightened around her waist.

"N-Nothing..."

"Speak your mind."

Yin Tingxue’s heart raced at his words. Speak her mind? Could he truly accept her inner thoughts? What if her thoughts upset him?

She had told herself—her goal was to please him. Only by doing so could she avoid bearing children and avoid becoming a mother.

Yet, no matter how much she resisted, with just one look from Chen Yi, she found herself opening her mouth:

"You’re so kind to me... is it because you want to... tease me, bully me?"

Chen Yi froze momentarily and then asked in return:

"What do you mean?"

"Like... like before,"

Yin Tingxue thought of those humiliating memories. Her eyebrows drew together slightly, shadowed by unease.

"When you’re good to me, it’s just to make me let down my guard,"

she muttered quietly.

Chen Yi paused, his gaze lingering on her. After a moment, he chuckled softly:

"And if that’s the case? Would you rather I stop being kind to you?"

Yin Tingxue lowered her face, crestfallen.

Chen Yi pulled her closer, hugging her more tightly. After considering for a moment, he said quietly:

"Do you really think you have anything left to bargain with me for? Whatever I want—you already know you have to give it to me, don’t you?"

Yin Tingxue shrank her neck slightly at his words.

Chen Yi cradled her in his arms and spoke softly,

"So... it doesn’t matter."

"When I’m good to you, it’s because I want to be good to you."

Yin Tingxue stared at him in stunned silence, timidly lifting her little face. It seemed she had never considered that Chen Yi might think like this.

So his kindness... had no hidden agenda?

Chen Yi kissed her forehead again and murmured,

"Didn’t you ask me to be kinder to you? You’re so obedient; of course, I want to be good to you. Sometimes I want to tease you—that’s just because I can’t help myself. But don’t forget, I still like you a lot. And when I think about how pitiful you are, it just makes me want to be nicer to you."

Yin Tingxue widened her eyes slightly, her lips parting in surprise. After a moment, she nodded and softly replied, "Mm." A smile—one she couldn’t quite hide—formed on her face.

Guanyin Bodhisattva, human nature is indeed benevolent. He truly understood how to care for her...

Chen Yi looked at her with a faint smile and said,

"Silly girl, you only have me left. How could I not take care of you?"

The little fox gave a small, silly laugh before leaning against his chest, her fingertips lightly trembling, unsure of where to place them. For a moment, she curled up in his arms, pulling her hands close to her chest.

For her, it was like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She felt genuinely happy now. All this time, she hadn’t had a single day without worry. Chen Yi’s arbitrary teasing made him unpredictable, leaving her with no sense of security—and nothing frightened her more than a lack of security.