Shui Miao grabbed Xiaoshuang’s hand and awkwardly pushed her aside. “Sis Xiaoshuang, there’s no need to trouble you with such a small matter. I can handle it myself, really, I can.”
“…”
Xiaoshuang blinked her eyes, watching Shui Miao turn her back. Seeing Shui Miao’s strange movements, Xiaoshuang tiptoed over and, glancing from the side, was immediately shocked into wide-eyed silence.
“Ahh!”
It wasn’t a girl’s scream, but Shui Miao’s.
Feeling awkward, Xiaoshuang quickly turned to leave, hastily saying, “Just take a look at that document. I’ll, uh, wait for you outside…”
“Oh my god…”
After finally adjusting his pants and dressing himself, Shui Miao exhaled deeply in relief. He inwardly sighed—without his spiritual powers, he couldn’t sense his surroundings. That was truly embarrassing. Xiaoshuang was such a pure-hearted girl—how could he let her see something so inappropriate?
Shui Miao almost wanted to stomp the little Shui Miao beneath his waist, but fearing the pain, he reluctantly gave up.
“Shui Miao, are you dressed yet?”
The wind cooled Xiaoshuang’s flushed face, though her heart still raced. She put a finger in her mouth, lowered her head, and her eyes darted around.
“I’m done…”
Shui Miao was looking at the document—it was a proposal for hiring new employees, hand-drafted by Xiaoshuang.
Xiaoshuang took several deep breaths, pressed her hand against her chest to calm herself, and entered the yurt. Glancing at Shui Miao, she murmured softly, “I’m sorry… I was just curious. You’re not mad, are you?”
“Just now… nothing really happened!”
Shui Miao pretended to be calm and handed the proposal back to Xiaoshuang. “The plan looks good. I think we should hire more workers for the new factory. Later, we can weed out the weaker ones and keep the best.”
“O-okay!” Xiaoshuang’s heart was pounding like a little donkey kicking wildly. Her face flushed red as she quickly took the document, her eyes glancing at the bottom right corner. Biting her lip slightly, she said, “Shui Miao, there’s something I’ve been wanting to say…”
“Sis Xiaoshuang, you’re not an outsider. Just say it,” Shui Miao looked at her in surprise. What could she possibly want to say?
Taking a deep breath, Xiaoshuang quickly blurted out, “I’ve studied physiology. You shouldn’t hold yourself back like this. You should find opportunities to release some pressure. Alright, I’m going now.” Before Shui Miao could fully understand, Xiaoshuang had already dashed out.
Dizzy!
A girl actually telling a guy to find opportunities to relieve pressure!
What kind of release she meant wasn’t hard to guess.
Although Shui Miao knew Xiaoshuang had good intentions, he still found it hard to accept—his image of her as the purest girl had been shattered by this conversation about physiological matters.
“What’s going on today?”
“Am I falling again?”
Shui Miao asked himself, twice. After that, his mood calmed.
Shui Miao stepped out of the yurt to wash his face and brush his teeth.
After finishing, Sister Tang directly shoved a plastic bag into his hands and turned away. Inside were fried eggs and sausage.
Looking at Sister Tang’s sexy, curvy backside, Shui Miao opened the bag, took a big bite, and thought to himself—maybe he should loosen his views on relationships. He had to admit, it could be a very pleasant experience. Was it really fair to himself, a young man in his prime, to stubbornly pursue a monk-like existence? Was that too cruel to little Shui Miao down there?
Just then, a Land Rover pulled up.
The driver was Lin Zhiling, that capable and beautiful woman from Taiwan.
Wherever she went, Lin Zhiling preferred to wear a crisp business uniform, looking especially sharp.
“Boss, get in.”
Lin Zhiling parked by the roadside and, in standard Mandarin, softly and clearly said, “The weather is nice today. Let’s go check the factory site options.”
“Alright!”
Shui Miao immediately got into the front passenger seat. “Did you have breakfast?”
“I did. It’s already past nine. Boss, you look good today. Did you dream about many beautiful women last night?” Lin Zhiling covered her mouth and smiled. It was rare for her to tease Shui Miao, but today, for some reason, she was the one initiating the teasing.
Shui Miao felt puzzled. What was going on today? Were all four beautiful women going to flirt with him?
Could that middle-aged scholar have come back to life?
Shui Miao grabbed Xiao Shuang’s hand, awkwardly pushing her aside. “Sis Shuang, no need to trouble yourself with such a small matter. I can handle it myself, really.”
“…”
Xiao Shuang blinked, watching as Shui Miao turned away. Noticing his strange movements, she tiptoed closer and peeked from the side—what she saw left her utterly stunned.
“Ah!”
It wasn’t a girl’s scream, but Shui Miao’s.
Embarrassed, Xiao Shuang quickly stepped back, speaking rapidly, “Um, take a look at that document. I’ll… I’ll wait for you outside…”
“Oh my god…”
After finally adjusting his pants and getting dressed, Shui Miao let out a long sigh of relief. He couldn’t help but lament inwardly: without his immortal powers, he couldn’t sense his surroundings—this was truly awkward. Xiao Shuang was such an innocent girl; how could she have seen something she shouldn’t have?
Shui Miao felt like chopping off his “little Shui Miao” down there, but fearing the pain, he reluctantly let it go.
“Shui Miao, are you dressed yet?”
The breeze had cooled Xiao Shuang’s flushed face, but her heart was still racing. She bit her finger, lowered her head, and her eyes darted around nervously.
“Done…”
Shui Miao was reviewing the document—a recruitment plan drafted by Xiao Shuang herself.
Taking a few deep breaths and pressing a hand to her chest to calm herself, Xiao Shuang entered the yurt. She glanced at Shui Miao and whispered, almost inaudibly, “Sorry about earlier… I was just curious. You’re not mad, are you?”
“Earlier? Nothing happened earlier, right!”
Shui Miao maintained a facade of calm as she returned the plan. “The plan seems satisfactory. For the construction of our new factory, I believe we should recruit additional workers. We can always weed out the less competent ones later and retain the top performers.”
“Okay, sounds good!” Xiao Shuang’s heart was racing like a wild donkey in full gallop. Her face turned a deep crimson as she swiftly grabbed the document, her gaze locked on the bottom right corner. She bit her lip and murmured, “Shui Miao… there’s something I’m not sure if I should mention…”
“Sis Shuang, you’re not an outsider. Speak freely.” Shui Miao looked at her curiously. What was she trying to say?
Xiao Shuang took a deep breath and blurted out, “I’ve studied physiology. You shouldn’t hold yourself back—you need to find a way to release. Okay, I’m leaving now!” Before Shui Miao could fully process her words, she dashed out.
Dammit!
A girl actually telling a guy to “release”!
What she meant by “release” wasn’t hard to guess.
Although Shui Miao understood that Xiao Shuang had good intentions, he still struggled to come to terms with it. The girl he regarded as the purest was actually discussing physiology with him.
“What’s going on today?”
“Am I about to fall again?”
Shui Miao asked himself these questions twice, and gradually, his mind settled.
He stepped out of the yurt to wash his face and brush his teeth.
After he was done, Sister Xiao Tang handed him a convenience bag and turned to leave without uttering a word. Inside the bag were fried eggs and sausage.
Watching Sister Xiao Tang’s sexy, fiery figure and her full hips, Shui Miao opened the bag and took a fierce bite. He thought to himself that maybe he should let go of his rigid views on male-female relationships. He had to admit, it was something that could bring immense pleasure. He was young and full of vitality—was it too cruel to his “little Shui Miao” to live like a monk?
Just then, a Land Rover pulled up.
The driver was Lin Zhiling, the highly capable beauty from Taiwan.
No matter where she was, Lin Zhiling always preferred wearing a professional white-collar uniform, which made her look especially sharp.
“Boss, get in.”
Lin Zhiling parked the car by the roadside and spoke in clear, standard Mandarin: “The weather’s nice today. Let’s go check out the potential factory site.”
“Alright!”
Shui Miao immediately got in and took the passenger seat. “Have you had breakfast?”
“I’ve already eaten. It’s past nine already. Boss, you look great today—must have dreamed of many beauties last night!” Lin Zhiling covered her mouth with a light laugh. It was rare for her to joke with Shui Miao, and she didn’t know why she was teasing him today.
Shui Miao wondered inwardly, what’s going on today? Are all four beauties trying to tease me?
Could it be that the middle-aged scholar has been revived?
Shui Miao felt an unusual sensation—something wasn’t quite right. Could his peach blossom calamity be making an unexpected comeback?
Noticing Shui Miao’s dazed silence, Lin Zhiling chuckled, her standard Mandarin ringing out again: “What’s wrong? Did I hit a nerve? You seem so lost in thought—still reminiscing about some beauty’s great figure?”
“Haha…”
Perhaps they’re all weary of the monotony out here on the plains and have chosen to unite against me. Hmph, I might not dare to take action, but I won’t be outdone in a battle of wits. Shui Miao gave a slight shake of his head and shot back, “Oh, I’m not that fortunate. I was merely pondering how our refined and elegant beauty Lin is in such high spirits today, even deigning to jest with someone as plain as myself. Aren’t you concerned that here on this expansive grassland, with just a man and a woman alone, something that shouldn’t occur might happen?”
“Shouldn’t have happened?”
Lin Zhiling shook her head and spoke earnestly, “I don’t believe anything is ‘unmeant to happen.’ If it occurs, I’m convinced it was destined to. Moreover, even though we’re alone, I’m well aware of the kind of person you are, Boss. So, that concern is entirely unnecessary for me.”
Lin Zhiling’s words, delivered slowly and deliberately, struck at Shui Miao’s insecurities.
These women were all the same—they saw through Shui Miao’s lack of interest in women, so they feared nothing and didn’t take him seriously.
Shui Miao was starting to feel embarrassed. What was the point of being a man if he was constantly mocked by beauties for being impotent?
Seeing Shui Miao silent again, Lin Zhiling spoke up: “Shui Miao, didn’t you decide to return to an ordinary life? Why are you still so hard on yourself? I can tell you have something on your mind—is it because you miss Lin Qing’er too much? I have to say, there aren’t many men as devoted as you in this world. Why aren’t I lucky enough to meet a good man like you?”
“Tell me, what’s going on? Why have you suddenly changed?”
Shui Miao was sure there was a reason. Otherwise, the usually reserved and aloof Lin Zhiling would never speak like this.
“Changed? How have I changed?”
Lin Zhiling blinked, then suddenly pointed ahead to the left. “Look, right there! I think that spot would make a great pasture.”
“Don’t change the subject. What’s going on?” Shui Miao grabbed Lin Zhiling’s wrist.
Lin Zhiling’s eyes widened in surprise. “Shui Miao, you’ve never touched me before. Today, you’re holding my hand—could it be… you have feelings for me?” Her eyes darted around, and her tone, combined with her expression, felt oddly suggestive.
Flustered!
Yes, that was the feeling. Why was she, usually so calm, flustered today?
Thinking quickly, Shui Miao reached out and turned off the car key, startling Lin Zhiling. “What are you doing? That’s dangerous! I’m driving!”
“Don’t worry, we’re on the grassland—nothing will happen.”
After the car stopped, Shui Miao opened the door, walked around, pulled Lin Zhiling out of the car, and pressed her against the vehicle. “Tell me, what’s going on? Why has everyone’s attitude changed?”
“If I don’t, what will you do?” Lin Zhiling wasn’t nervous at all; instead, she smiled and asked.
Shui Miao frowned. “If you don’t, I’ll… I’ll harass you!”
“Really? Then go ahead!”
Lin Zhiling spread her legs, opened her arms, closed her eyes, and smiled.
“…”
Shui Miao was stunned. What’s going on today? Has that middle-aged scholar really been revived?
When Shui Miao didn’t make a move, Lin Zhiling opened her eyes and whispered, “Do you need my help? Or are you too scared? Or maybe… you’re not up to it?”
“Shut up!”
Shui Miao suddenly shouted, grabbing Lin Zhiling’s arms emotionally. “Tell me, what’s going on? Has he returned? Are you him?”
“What?”
Lin Zhiling, clever as ever, instantly guessed what Shui Miao meant. “Who is this ‘he’ you’re talking about? What are you afraid of? Is he an enemy from your past cultivation days?”
Her response demonstrated that she was lucid—she wasn’t under any form of control.
Shui Miao calmed down considerably. If the middle-aged scholar hadn’t been revived, then there was no problem. He walked to the back of the car, sat down, and focused his mind, thinking deeply. Sometimes, you didn’t need to ask questions—just use your brain and observe the other person’s words and expressions to find the answer.
Noticing Shui Miao’s pensive silhouette, Lin Zhiling approached.
“I understand what’s happening. Why are you all doing this?” Shui Miao sighed and spoke calmly. He suspected that everyone might be trying to help him return to a normal life intentionally, so he said this to test Lin Zhiling.
“Not exactly…” Lin Zhiling shrugged. “Shui Miao, don’t be silly. We’re not doing this for you. You have so much property, and you’re such a good person—what girl wouldn’t like a guy like you? Your mother cares about us a lot, and she wants her son to marry and have children soon. There’s nothing wrong with that! What elderly person doesn’t want to hold a grandchild early? So, Shui Miao, please let go of your hang-ups and open your heart to live a good life. If not for yourself, then for your mother. Also, the truth is, we all like you a lot—we just don’t know if you like us.”
Lin Zhiling’s face turned as red as an apple.
She gently knelt beside Shui Miao, wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and said softly, “Life is short—just a few decades. Why make it so hard on yourself?”
Seeing Shui Miao didn’t respond and just stared blankly, Lin Zhiling chuckled again, once more speaking in standard Mandarin, “What’s wrong? Did I hit the nail on the head? You look so deep in thought—could it be you’re still reminiscing about a certain beauty’s figure?”
“Hehe…”
Perhaps they were just bored on this vast grassland and had conspired to tease him. Hmph, I’m a real man—afraid to take action maybe, but surely I won’t lose to them in words! Shui Miao lightly shook his head, not wanting to back down. “Oh please! I don’t have that kind of luck. I was just wondering, why is the elegant Miss Lin in such a good mood today? You’re even making fun of someone as ordinary as me. Don’t you fear something inappropriate might happen between a lone man and a lone woman on this endless grassland?”
“Inappropriate things?”
Lin Zhiling shook her head and said seriously, “I don’t think anything that happens is inappropriate. If it happens, I believe it should happen. Besides, even though we’re alone together, I know what kind of person you are, Boss. So this worry is completely unnecessary for me.”
Lin Zhiling’s words, spoken slowly and deliberately, wounded Shui Miao’s self-esteem.
All these women were the same—they all saw through his lack of interest in women, so they were fearless, not taking him seriously at all.
Shui Miao felt a bit humiliated. Being mocked by beautiful women for being sexually disinterested—what was the point of being a man like this?
Seeing Shui Miao remained silent, Lin Zhiling spoke again. “Listen, Shui Miao, didn’t you already decide to live a normal life? Why do you still force yourself so much? I can tell you still have something on your mind. Is it because you miss Lin Qing’er too much? I have to say, men as devoted as you are rare these days. Why couldn’t I be so lucky to meet a good man like you?”
“Tell me, what exactly happened? Why did you suddenly change?”
Shui Miao was convinced there must be a reason. Otherwise, the usually reserved and proud Lin Zhiling would never speak like this.
“Change? Where did I change?” Lin Zhiling blinked her eyes, suddenly pointing to the left front. “Look quick, that place over there looks great for a pasture.”
“Don’t change the subject. What really happened?” Shui Miao grabbed Lin Zhiling’s wrist.
Lin Zhiling’s eyes widened in surprise. “Shui Miao, you’ve never touched me before. Now you’re holding my hand. Could it be… you have a thing for me?” Her eyes darted sideways, her tone matching her expression in a strange way.
She was flustered!
Yes, definitely flustered.
Why was she panicking today when she was usually so calm?
Thinking quickly, Shui Miao reached out and turned off the car key, making Lin Zhiling scream in alarm. “What are you doing? Don’t you know this is dangerous? I was driving!”
“No worries, we’re on the grassland. Nothing will happen.”
Once the car stopped, Shui Miao opened the door, walked around, pulled Lin Zhiling out of the car, and pinned her against it, threateningly saying, “Tell me, what’s going on? Why have all your attitudes changed?”
“If I don’t tell you, what are you going to do?” Lin Zhiling wasn’t at all nervous, instead smiling as she asked.
Shui Miao frowned. “If you won’t talk, I’ll… I’ll molest you!”
“Really? Then go ahead!”
Lin Zhiling spread her legs, opened her arms, and smiled as she closed her eyes.
“…”
Shui Miao froze. What was going on today? Could that middle-aged scholar really have returned?
Seeing Shui Miao made no further move, Lin Zhiling opened her eyes and softly asked, “Do you want me to help you? Or are you just not brave enough? Or maybe… you’re not up to it anymore?”
“Shut up!”
Shui Miao suddenly shouted, emotionally grabbing Lin Zhiling’s arms. “Quickly tell me, what’s going on? Did he come back? Are you him?”
“What?”
Lin Zhiling was sharp-witted. She immediately guessed Shui Miao’s concern and quickly countered, “Who is this ‘he’ you’re talking about? What exactly are you afraid of? Is he an enemy from your cultivation days?”
This question proved she was clear-headed and not under any control.
Shui Miao calmed down a bit. If the middle-aged scholar hadn’t returned, then there was no problem. He walked behind the car, sat on the ground, and began to think quietly. Sometimes, certain questions didn’t need to be asked directly—you could figure out the answer by observing the other person’s words and expressions.
Watching Shui Miao’s back, Lin Zhiling also walked over.
“I know what’s happening. Why are you all doing this?” Shui Miao sighed lightly, murmuring these words. He guessed it might be that everyone was trying to help him return to a normal life, so he said this to test Lin Zhiling.
“It’s not like that…” Lin Zhiling shrugged. “Shui Miao, stop acting so foolish. We’re not helping you just for your sake. You have so much wealth, and you’re a great person. What girl wouldn’t like a guy like you? Your mother has been very kind to us, and she hopes her son will marry and have children soon. That’s not wrong, is it? What parent wouldn’t want to hold their grandchild as soon as possible? So Shui Miao, please let go of your inner knots and live your life fully. If not for yourself, then for your mother. Also, truthfully, we all really like you. We just don’t know if you like us.”
Lin Zhiling’s face turned red, like a ripe apple.
Gently crouching beside Shui Miao, she hugged his shoulder and softly said, “Life is short, only a few decades. Why be so hard on yourself?”
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