Chapter 278 - 144: Happiness and Crisis

Chapter 278: Chapter 144: Happiness and Crisis

Su Ran’s eyes were fixed on her neck, watching as the feathered scales of a Phoenix slowly materialized. Their faint outlines gradually bloomed into a vibrant, multi-colored pattern.

"Don’t~"

Xie Yiren pushed him away.

He stumbled back two steps.

"Hey, Yiren, why are you so on guard?"

"You can’t."

"Why not?"

"You haven’t even showered. You reek of alcohol; it’s disgusting." She pointed to the next room. "I heated up some water for you. Go take a bath."

"Did you wash up?"

"I did."

"Good."

"..."

Seeing Su Ran’s impatient expression, Xie Yiren laughed, exasperated. "Seriously, Su Ran, I’ve never seen you like this. You aren’t thirsty for the other girls, so why me?"

"You’re different."

"How am I different?"

"Guess."

With that, he walked into the bathroom to take a bath, leaving a baffled Xie Yiren to wonder just how she was different.

To be honest, Su Ran wasn’t usually that interested—except when it came to Xie Yiren. As an otaku who loved his anime, the "baby-faced and busty" Type was his ultimate ideal.

Once, when they were traveling, Aina had asked Su Ran which of them he most wanted to sleep with.

The truth was, the one he wanted most was Xie Yiren.

After all, with her baby-faced, busty figure and the Bathing Fire Phoenix that appeared when she was aroused, it was a double buff no man could resist. Add her identity as the Saintess on top of that, and she was simply invincible.

Who could possibly refuse a baby-faced, busty Saintess, right?

Conditions in the mountains were poor. The bathing area was a small, drafty room with a wooden tub filled with hot water. In a wooden basin beside it lay the underwear Xie Yiren had just taken off.

Bathing in these conditions during the dead of winter required courage. Su Ran was someone who hated the cold; stripped bare, he didn’t even dare to stand up. He just squatted on the ground, using a gourd ladle to pour hot water over himself.

"Yiren, your family needs a water heater."

"No money."

"I’ll sponsor you."

"I don’t need it. Your ’sponsorships’ always come with strings attached. Don’t think I don’t know."

"It’s fine. We’re so close. A water heater doesn’t cost much."

"Fine. You’re the one with the money, so you can handle it. I left your clothes by the door."

Xie Yiren placed the traditional Miao Clan pajamas she had prepared by the door. Undoing her long, tied-up hair, she swayed her way back to the bed and slipped under the covers.

’A woman in love is a fool.’ She scoffed at the whole idea of being a Saintess. ’So what if I’m not a Saintess anymore? It’s not a big deal.’

’Right now, I just want to be a normal girl, doing what couples in love do with the boy I like.’

’I don’t feel any pressure about it. We’ve known each other for so long that taking this step feels natural. If I hadn’t been ready, I obviously wouldn’t have given him the chance to climb through my window.’

’That’s what I think, but I can’t let him have it too easy. A girl has to maintain some coyness.’

’So I’ll just lie down and go to sleep. If he doesn’t coax me until I’m happy, he’s not getting anything.’

...

Su Ran finished his bath, shivering from the cold. PATTER PATTER PATTER. He ran out, dove straight under the covers, and pulled the soft, warm Xie Yiren into his arms.

Xie Yiren watched Su Ran, his teeth chattering from the cold. He really was terrified of it. She smiled and said, "Your room is across the courtyard. This is my room. You’re not sleeping here."

"Not going. It’s too cold. You could kill me and I still wouldn’t go."

Su Ran hugged Xie Yiren tighter. Holding her close, he didn’t feel so cold anymore.

’Having a woman to warm the bed on a cold day really is nice.’

"Don’t hug me so tight, I can’t breathe."

Xie Yiren struggled out of his embrace, popping her head out and taking a few deep breaths of fresh air. HUFF HUFF HUFF.

"Hey, I’m trying to sleep. Don’t bother me."

As she said this, Xie Yiren tried to turn over and go to sleep, but Su Ran flipped her back around.

"Xie Yiren, you’re being a little weird. Did you think I came here just to *sleep* with you?"

"Isn’t that right?"

Su Ran hooked a finger under her chin, looking at her small face as she played innocent. "Yiren~" he said softly.

"Ew~ Don’t call me like that, you’re giving me goosebumps. Stop trying to trick me with your sweet talk. I’m not falling for it."

Xie Yiren put on a haughty expression. ’At moments like these, the woman holds all the power. So what if Su Ran is rich? If I say no, is he going to force himself on me against my will?’

’Xie Yiren seized upon this fact. She had to take this chance to teach him a lesson; otherwise, she might never get another one.’

"Sit up. I have something to ask you."

"Aiyah, it’s too cold. I’m not getting up."

"You..."

Xie Yiren flicked her long hair back, shot him a glare, then flipped over and sat on his stomach. Her long hair cascaded down, tickling his face.

Su Ran stared down the collar of her t-shirt.

Xie Yiren glanced down, then let out a soft laugh. "Like what you see?"

"I do."

"Mwah~ Such a smooth talker. That’s your reward."

’Su Ran felt a little light-headed. Interacting with Xie Yiren was just too much fun.’

Su Ran looked up at Xie Yiren, who was straddling him. Outsiders only ever saw the pure and noble image of Xie Yiren the Saintess. Only Su Ran was fortunate enough to witness this very feminine, tender, and seductive side of her.

"Hmm..." Xie Yiren tilted her head up, tapping her chin with her fingers as she pondered something. Then, she looked down and slapped Su Ran’s hand. "Behave yourself for a minute. I have a question for you, and you have to answer honestly, understand?"

"Your Saintess, please instruct me."

"Hehe, you’re impossible~" After a quick smile, she grabbed Su Ran’s hand to keep it from wandering again. She asked seriously, "Let me ask you... A moment of passion could lead to tragic consequences. You’ve heard what happened to the last Saintess, right? Aren’t you afraid I’ll die?"

"With me, Su Ran, here, who would dare touch a single hair on your head?"

"Haven’t you?"

Pfft—

"Ah, well... Xie Yiren, can you stop making innuendos?" Su Ran hesitated for a moment. "I heard that the last Saintess was burned to death by your Ah Weng’s own hands?"