Before long, the sound of running water in the bathroom ceased, yet the young lady remained inside for quite some time.
Xie Qing Ci listened intently for any movement from within but heard nothing, growing somewhat concerned.
“Baby?”
Xie Qing Ci approached the door and called out softly.
Click—
The bathroom door cracked open slightly, slender pale fingers gripping the edge.
“Xie Qing Ci.”
Her voice was as faint as a mosquito’s buzz—had he not been standing right by the door, he would have missed it entirely.
“What’s wrong, baby?”
Xie Qing Ci responded instinctively with equal gentleness.
“There’s no bathrobe in here…”
She had spent considerable time earlier selecting a white sheer-style swimsuit—both innocent and seductive, much like her own demeanor.
This particular piece had been specially chosen by Xie Qing Ci. Though he had provided numerous options for her to choose from, this was the only one that had caught his fancy.
Yu Qing had spent a long time examining herself in the mirror after changing into it.
The swimsuit wasn’t particularly revealing, but it accentuated her figure exquisitely—almost too well…
Just looking at her reflection, she could imagine the expression in Xie Qing Ci’s eyes when he saw her.
Her already steam-flushed cheeks grew even more vividly rosy…
“My apologies, baby, that was an oversight on my part. Could you open the door? I’ll hand it to you.”
In the Sea of Consciousness, Little Milk Candy was utterly stunned by the Emperor Lord’s maneuver.
Using its newly acquired vocabulary: The abacus beads are practically flying in my face!
Yu Qing, consumed by shyness, didn’t overthink it.
Hearing the man coaxing her to open the door for the clothing, she assumed he had genuinely brought it to the doorway.
As Xie Qing Ci watched the bathroom door slowly pull open, his gaze fell upon the young lady’s delicately flushed face, her long pale neck, her slender yet shapely shoulders…
Xie Qing Ci took a sharp breath, closing his eyes briefly, not daring to look further.
He couldn’t help but mock himself inwardly—he had been far too overconfident.
He had intended to tease the young lady a little.
Yet merely seeing her standing there was enough to make him lose all reason and composure.
All phenomena are inherently tranquil—only the mind creates disturbance.
And she was the sole refuge within all his worldly phenomena.
…
Beneath his scorching gaze, Yu Qing felt her face and body growing increasingly warm, as if she might melt at any moment.
Her voice softened as she asked, “Where’s the bathrobe?”
Only then did Xie Qing Ci snap back to reality. Reaching up to the rack by the door, he retrieved a women’s bathrobe, shaking it open and draping it directly over her.
The two made their way to the backyard.
Worried she might slip, Xie Qing Ci kept one arm wrapped around her waist as they slowly descended the steps.
He moved with deliberate slowness, concerned she might not adjust well to the hot spring’s temperature.
After her first step into the water, he waited a moment before proceeding downward, gradually allowing her to acclimate as the warm water rose around her body.
When they reached the bottom of the pool, Xie Qing Ci tightened his arm and lifted her with a single motion, both of them sinking together into the hot spring waters.
The sudden lift startled Yu Qing momentarily. Instinctively, she wrapped her slender legs around his waist, her entire body softening against him in the process.
Holding her with one arm, Xie Qing Ci rested his chin against her cheek, occasionally planting light kisses there.
The warmth of his breath against her ear remained unmistakable even amidst the steaming hot spring.
His breathing tickled her cheeks and neck, sending waves of tingling sensations through her chest.
“Baby—”
Xie Qing Ci was determined to tease her, deliberately leaning close to her ear as he spoke in a husky whisper.
Her pale, slender arms pressed lightly against his chest as she cooed, “A Ci, that’s enough—”
It was time for him to release her…
If he continued holding her like this, they truly wouldn’t be able to properly enjoy the hot spring…
Xie Qing Ci understood her meaning perfectly well, yet deliberately misinterpreted it.
His thin lips pressed against the tip of her ear as he murmured in a low voice, “Is my treasure ready?”
Yu Qing: “???”
His bewitching and flirtatious voice echoed in her ears, each word striking directly at her heart.
Yu Qing knew he was doing it on purpose, and she also knew he was truly ready…
Their intimate position originally allowed Yu Qing to float slightly with the water’s buoyancy.
But Xie Qing Ci’s strong arm encircled her waist, pressing her tightly against himself.
With Yu Qing wearing only a sheer swimsuit, she could clearly feel the man’s physical changes…
Her entire body went soft, as if electrified.
Listening to his pounding heartbeat—strong and powerful, gradually quickening—
Yu Qing finally made up her mind.
Tilting her head back slightly, she traced his jawline upward until she saw his slightly parted thin lips.
This angle reminded her of the times she used to gaze up at the transcendent and peerless Emperor Lord.
In the past, he stood high above all, unmatched in the world, untouched by even a speck of dust.
And she, even while sharing the same celestial palace with him daily, never dared approach him, as if doing so would defile him.
A god without equal should only be admired from afar.
Yet now, she had personally dragged the Emperor Lord—whom she once worshipped as a deity—down from his altar, tainting him with mortal desires.
This strange sensation made her blood simmer.
Her misty almond-shaped eyes grew even more alluring as her soft lips gently brushed against his jawline.
Xie Qing Ci’s body stiffened, his breathing instantly turning ragged.
She followed with kisses, eventually lingering on his thin lips.
Gently sucking, then pecking lightly a few times.
How could Xie Qing Ci withstand such teasing from her?
When he spoke again, his voice was completely hoarse: “Treasure—”
He had only uttered two words when Yu Qing nipped his lips, not too lightly nor too heavily.
“Boom—”
Xie Qing Ci felt as if an earthquake had shattered his mind.
It was the self-restraint and clear rationality he had prided himself on for years.
With a low groan, Xie Qing Ci lifted his hand to grip the young woman’s chin, lowering his head to capture her soft lips.
Unlike the gentle, restrained kisses from before.
This was a deep, storm-like kiss that stole her breath away.
Amidst the surrounding pine forests and emerald bamboo, warm mist swirled and spread.
And they embraced and kissed in the warm spring water.
…
Xie Qing Ci’s endurance had reached its limit.
He urgently wanted to kiss her, yet desired more than just kissing.
…
Because Yu Qing was shy, neither had removed their bathrobes when they first entered the pool.
Now, due to their movements, Xie Qing Ci’s bathrobe had come completely undone.
He simply took off the cumbersome robe and, in the same motion, stripped Yu Qing of hers…
Yu Qing wanted to stop him, but his kisses left her body weak and powerless.
Xie Qing Ci’s thin lips never even left hers.
In just a few movements, they were nearly…
When Yu Qing was completely freed from her bathrobe, her body trembled slightly.
Eliciting a soft chuckle from the man.
Xie Qing Ci turned them over, pressing her against the edge of the hot spring pool, his large hand protectively behind her.
He asked in a hoarse voice, “Is this good, treasure?”
What did he mean by “good”?
She knew.
At a time like this, he could still ask her if it was good.
She wanted to say no!
Xie Qing Ci looked at his sulky little darling.
His gaze grew increasingly tender as he leaned down, pressing his forehead against hers.
He gently pecked her soft lips, asking after each kiss, “Is this okay, my sweet?”
Simultaneously, he let her feel the depth of his longing…
Yu Qing: “…”
Listening to his heavy breathing by her ear and the husky voice he struggled to restrain,
Her heartbeat gradually spiraled out of control…