Lu Lin still had no defense against Shenhe's direct, honest way of speaking. He leaned toward the kitchen and called out, "Master Mao, is it alright if Shenhe leaves work a little early today?"
"Haha, of course! Xiangling will be back soon—we've got plenty of help here!" Master Mao's warm laugh echoed from the kitchen.
Lu Lin took Shenhe's hand. Her slender fingers were pleasantly cool, sending a gentle tingle through his palm.
"Come with me. I have something for you." His voice carried a playful, mysterious note, stirring a faint spark of curiosity in Shenhe's usually calm heart.
The two walked side by side. From the shadows, Xianyun hesitated only a moment before quietly following.
"I was gone for several days. Did you miss me?" he asked, already knowing the answer as he held her hand.
"I did. Master said once you finished learning about mechanisms, you wouldn't come back. I didn't believe her… but when I went to the Dust Song Pot to find you, you weren't there."
Shenhe's tone stayed even and calm, yet Lu Lin could hear the quiet emotion beneath—the confusion and helplessness she must have felt searching for him. A wave of guilt rose in his chest.
Though he had planned this absence, facing her now hurt more than he had expected.
"I'm sorry… I should have told you before I left."
Shenhe turned, gently pressing her fingers to his lips.
"It's alright. You're here now. Just… don't leave me alone again."
"I promise. Never again."
"I believe you." Shenhe nodded and, of her own accord, wrapped her arms around him.
Under the soft moonlight, they held each other closely—quiet, tender, and warm.
Only Xianyun, watching from behind, felt her emotions twist even more tightly.
Ganyu had already fallen deeply. Now it seemed Shenhe could no longer be apart from him either. And what about her? Where did that leave her?
Perhaps returning to Jueyun Karst and living in seclusion really was the best path…
Just as the thought of retreat took root, she saw Lu Lin pull out something small that looked like a piece of candy.
"This is the gift I brought for you."
"What is it… a sweet?" Shenhe accepted it curiously. Around Lu Lin, her expressions naturally became softer and more alive.
"It's not an ordinary sweet. Eat it, and the malevolent qi and killing aura inside you will be completely removed. After this, you won't have to be bound by those red ropes anymore."
She never doubted his words. Without hesitation, she unwrapped it and placed it in her mouth.
It was pleasantly sweet—just an ordinary candy. Earlier, when he had taken Yao Yao and Qiqi home, he had casually picked it up from Bubu Pharmacy.
"How does it taste? Good, right? Try untying the red ropes now—see if the malevolent qi is gone."
The moment she swallowed, Lu Lin had already granted her the trait [Clear Heart, Focused Mind]. From now on, malevolent qi would never trouble her again.
"Mm, good!" Shenhe trusted Lu Lin completely. If he said the ropes could come off, then they could.
"Stop! Don't act rashly!" At that moment Xianyun could no longer stay hidden. She stepped forward to intervene. "The red ropes are what suppress the malevolent qi. If it breaks free—"
Before she finished, her disciple had already calmly untied the ropes. Shenhe's gaze was steady:
"I trust Lu Lin. He would never harm me."
Xianyun instinctively formed a hand seal, ready to cast an adeptal technique—
…Huh?
No surge of malevolent qi?
The disaster she had feared never came.
Shenhe gave her hand a small shake. Even she seemed momentarily stunned. The malevolent qi that had haunted her for years… was simply gone?
It had been as easy as eating a single piece of candy.
Xianyun stepped closer, carefully examining Shenhe from every angle until she was certain: the malevolent qi had been permanently eradicated.
Joy flooded her heart, followed by deep astonishment.
This inborn curse had baffled countless adepti. The best solution anyone had found was the red-rope binding method. Even after consulting Zhongli following the crisis in Liyue, the Geo Archon had offered no better way.
And now… Lu Lin had resolved it so simply?
The ease of it felt almost unreal.
"Come on, don't look so surprised. When I take action, a little malevolent qi is nothing." Seeing her stunned expression, Lu Lin couldn't hide his satisfied smile.
Watching him so openly proud, Xianyun felt no irritation. Instead, she found his straightforward honesty… strangely appealing.
Why did he seem even more captivating after returning this time?
No—stop it, Xianyun. Weren't you already decided on returning to Jueyun Karst to live in seclusion?
"Master… today I'd like to spend a little more time with Lu Lin. Is it alright if I return later?" Shenhe had never asked for anything before. This was the first time.
Xianyun let out a soft sigh—relieved that her disciple was finally free of the ropes' burden, yet quietly pained that it had to be because of Lu Lin.
Very well. Shenhe now had someone to look after her, and no longer suffered from malevolent qi. Xianyun herself could return to Jueyun Karst with peace of mind.
Let them be.
She turned to leave, her voice carrying a complicated mix of emotions:
"Young people who want to enjoy themselves… go ahead. Just be careful and stay safe."
…
Inside the Dust Song Pot.
The same mountain peak, the same two people—Lu Lin and Shenhe.
The difference: the old stone table and benches were gone. In their place stood a graceful open pavilion.
The pavilion offered a clear view on all sides. A large lantern hung from the roof, bathing everything in warm light—no need for Nightstone this time.
Soft bedding had been laid across the floor.
Lu Lin held Shenhe gently in his arms, savoring the peaceful moment.
He had originally planned to take her to the bedroom in the Jade Chamber, but Shenhe had said she preferred the open natural scenery and asked to come to the mountain peak instead.
A cool breeze brushed their faces; distant pines rustled like soft waves. The natural beauty was soothing—though neither of them paid much attention to the view anymore. They had long since drawn close, lost in each other's warmth.
Freed from the red ropes that had bound her emotions for over twenty years, everything she had suppressed came rushing to the surface. Toward strangers she remained as distant as ever, but toward Lu Lin she felt an intense, tender attachment.
She still wore the same form-fitting qipao as before. Now familiar with one another, Lu Lin's hand moved gently along the high slit, fingers carefully undoing the fastenings one by one.
The cool, silken feel of her skin sent a rush through him. With a gentle tug, the qipao slipped away.
Before him lay pure, snowy white.
Shenhe's skin was like fine porcelain—under the lantern light it glowed even more clearly, almost ethereal. Her graceful curves pressed softly against the thin undergarment, full and perfectly shaped.
Lu Lin's hands glided along her slender waist, circling to her back. One last clasp came undone.
The undergarment loosened, soft warmth spilling free.
He brushed the fabric aside. The sensation of cool, tender smoothness filled his senses.
This was his first time truly holding her like this. She truly was like snow-capped mountains—refreshingly cool even to the touch, yet impossibly inviting.
Lu Lin leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to one gentle curve, savoring the moment with quiet care.
"Lu Lin~" The ice beauty let out a soft, emotional murmur, her voice trembling slightly.