CHAPTER 637: DON’T LAUGH

Chapter 637: Don’t Laugh

...

Half an hour later—

"Wah—!"

Li Qingran, like a startled little rabbit, suddenly emerged from under the blankets. She let out a long breath, her slightly disheveled hair clinging to her sweat-dampened temples and flushed cheeks.

She didn't dare look at Chen Huaian, even though she could feel his burning gaze without looking. Instead, she buried her burning face back against her master's chest, nuzzling lightly until she found a comfortable position to quietly nestle.

The silence in the room was thick and lingering.

The air was filled with a faint orchid-like fragrance, yet there still remained a trace of scent that a cultivator could clearly detect.

Li Qingran's nose twitched, obviously catching it.

Her ears reddened even more, and her small toes unconsciously tightened beneath the brocade quilt.

"Master..." Her voice was muffled, carrying a hint of guilt after having done "that naughty thing."

"Hmm." Chen Huaian's voice was hoarse, different from his usual calm composure.

His arms tightened, drawing his little disciple even closer against him. His broad palm gently stroked her slender back in a steady rhythm, soothing the faint tremors running through her.

"Are you tired?" he asked, his fingertips brushing aside the sweat-dampened strands of hair clinging to her face.

Li Qingran shook her head vigorously against his chest, her hair rubbing against his chin.

"Not tired," she murmured softly, pausing for a moment before adding, "It's just... my mouth is a bit sore..."

Chen Huaian had intended to maintain his image as a gentle, elegant master.

But hearing those words made him lose control completely.

He burst into hearty laughter.

His laughter carried obvious delight and smug satisfaction, making Li Qingran's eardrums tingle.

Wasn't this a form of recognition of his prowess?

Li Qingran lifted her head in embarrassed annoyance, glaring at Chen Huaian.

But her eyes were dewy and moist, lacking any intimidating power and instead appearing quite coquettish.

At that moment, a sliver of moonlight happened to fall, illuminating her slightly swollen lips.

"Don't laugh!" She extended her finger, poking Chen Huaian's clearly defined Adam's apple in retaliation.

Chen Huaian caught her mischievous finger, enveloping it in his palm as he looked down at her: "Silly girl, is there something else you haven't done yet? Hmm?" His tone carried teasing, but his eyes were full of tenderness, clearly reflecting Li Qingran's blushing lovely face.

Li Qingran grew embarrassed under his gaze and buried her face against him again, her voice growing even softer as she childishly muttered: "I'm not silly... Your disciple knows what she's doing and what still remains unfinished... But, but I haven't learned the other things yet. Currently, currently I only know how to do this one." s̩

"However, your disciple will study those romance books carefully!" she said very seriously, then paused again, as if savoring their previous intimacy. Her slightly trembling voice held satisfaction and anticipation: "This way... Master won't suddenly disappear again, right? Qingran... can also be of help to Master."

Her words were simple and straightforward, without much embellishment.

Yet they felt like the softest feathers, gently tickling Chen Huaian's heart—his little disciple was just clumsily and persistently using the methods she could think of, trying to leave a mark on him that belonged uniquely to "Li Qingran," an anchor point she believed could tether him.

This showed that his sudden departure without saying goodbye had truly frightened his little disciple.

The dense ninety-thousand-plus pages of longing she'd written were clear evidence.

But this time he had no choice either—he'd been instantly kicked offline by the system, and when he emerged it was straight into high-intensity combat, leaving him no time to check on Li Qingran's situation.

He truly owed his little disciple a great deal.

Chen Huaian hugged Li Qingran even more tightly against him, softly uttering "Hmm."

A thousand words and countless thoughts ultimately transformed into a kiss planted on her forehead—very light, yet carrying the weight of a promise.

Next time, even if he had to leave for a long time, he would definitely inform Li Qingran in advance.

He wouldn't let her wait here foolishly again, unable to eat or sleep peacefully.

Li Qingran sensed Chen Huaian's heartfelt intention.

Like a kitten, she nuzzled further against Chen Huaian, as if determined to burrow into her master's heart and reside there.

Finally settling against that burning heart, she let out a satisfied sigh.

Her previous tension and shyness gradually gave way to dependence and weariness.

For these past twenty-plus days, she hadn't slept even once.

Although for a cultivator at the Great Perfection Nascent Soul stage like her, not sleeping wasn't particularly harmful.

But her nerves had been constantly stretched taut, her heart continuously worrying about Chen Huaian's situation.

Forget about eating and resting—even entering meditative cultivation had been difficult.

Now that Chen Huaian had returned safely.

And after that intense episode they'd just shared, her eyelids were already growing heavy, her consciousness slowly drifting in the familiar scent and warm embrace.

"...Master..." she mumbled indistinctly, her fingers subconsciously clutching the slightly open front of Chen Huaian's robe, her voice gradually fading: "Cool... feels nice..."

Moonlight flowed silently, casting the shadow of their embrace upon the wall.

The chirping of insects had unknowingly grown distinct again, filling the gaps of the night.

Chen Huaian looked down, watching the person in his arms as her breathing gradually evened out, a trace of a satisfied curve seemingly still lingering at the corner of her lips...

As if that bold yet shy young maiden who had served him so devotedly beneath the brocade quilt was merely a dream within his embrace.

He smiled softly, tucked the blankets more securely around Li Qingran, and let her small body curl up against him.

...

The candle has burned out, next chapter will be posted later.