Zhu Xian: They've all been reborn

Jiang Xiaochuan hurriedly straightened his clothes, his face so hot it could fry an egg. He wished he could disappear into a crack in the ground. He quickly got up, took his daughter from Tian Ling'er's arms, and buried his face in his daughter's milky-scented neck to hide his embarrassment.

Xiao Bai acted as if nothing had happened, tidied her hair, and smiled sweetly at Tian Ling'er: "Ling'er, you've come at an inopportune time. Remember to remind me next time."

After saying that, she swayed her hips and walked away gracefully, leaving behind a fragrant breeze, a blushing Tian Ling'er, and Jiang Xiaochuan who wished he could disappear on the spot.

"Xiao-Xiao Chuan!" Tian Ling'er stamped her foot, both embarrassed and angry. "You...you people...in broad daylight! What if Meng'er sees this?!"

"I..." Jiang Xiaochuan was speechless and could only hold his daughter and pretend to be a quail.

"Hmph, I'm ignoring you!" Tian Ling'er turned and walked away angrily, but after a couple of steps she turned back, her face flushed, and whispered, "Tonight...you have to stay with me tonight to make it up to me!"

Jiang Xiaochuan: "..."

He felt his back was even more sore.

In the evening, Biyao rushed back, yelling as soon as she entered, "It's so hot! Those old fogies from the Ghost King Sect have to bother me with such trivial matters! Xiao Chuan, get me a glass of chilled plum juice!"

Jiang Xiaochuan was holding Jiang Meng in the yard watching ants move house when he heard this, so he quickly went to pour it. Biyao gulped down a big bowl of it, sighed comfortably, and then noticed that Jiang Xiaochuan looked a little haggard and his eyes were unfocused.

"What's wrong? You look listless." Biyao leaned closer and reached out to touch his forehead. "Are you feeling unwell?"

"N-no." Jiang Xiaochuan shrank back.

Biyao narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing him suspiciously. She sniffed him, then suddenly grabbed his collar and pulled him close, her nose almost touching his neck as she sniffed. Her expression instantly changed: "You smell like a vixen! Did she bully you again?!"

"No, no, it's just... it was hot, so we talked for a while..." Jiang Xiaochuan tried to salvage the situation.

"Speak?" Biyao gritted her teeth and tightened her fingers.

"Can you leave such a strong smell when you talk? Can you even bite your lips while talking?" She noticed a tiny, scabbed wound on the inside of his lower lip.

Jiang Xiaochuan inwardly groaned, "What kind of mess is this?!"

"Fine! You guys are causing trouble while I'm not home!" Biyao's eyes reddened with anger, not from sadness, but from rage.

"Just wait and see how I deal with you tonight!"

That night, Biyao kept her word.

Finally, when Biyao was satisfied, she lay on top of him, her sweaty hair sticking to their skin. She bit his shoulder fiercely, leaving a clear tooth mark.

"Remember, you're mine. If that vixen touches you again, I... I won't let you get away with it!" Her voice was still panting, but it was fierce.

Jiang Xiaochuan didn't even have the strength to nod, and could only mumble a "hmm". His arms were softly wrapped around her waist, but he felt inexplicably at ease. Yao'er's domineering and directness sometimes made people feel at ease.

The next day, Jiang Xiaochuan was practically kept awake by Linglong's herbal medicine.

He looked at the dark circles under his eyes and the teeth marks on his shoulder in the mirror, and smiled bitterly. Linglong served him medicine while gently instructing him, "Biyao is impatient, so please bear with her. This medicine to calm the nerves and replenish qi should be taken twice a day, morning and evening, for three days. Tonight... get some rest and don't let them cause any more trouble."

Jiang Xiaochuan nodded vigorously, but in his heart he thought, whether it was up to him or not seemed to be beyond his control.

That evening, he intended to "get a good rest" as Linglong had instructed, so he washed up early and planned to sneak into his study to "seclude himself." However, he was stopped by Jin Ping'er as soon as he reached the corridor.

"Senior brother."

Jin Ping'er stood in the moonlight, dressed in a plain white nightgown, her long hair flowing freely, holding a small tray with a bowl of steaming bird's nest on it.

"Sister Linglong asked me to send this to you, saying it's good for your health."

"Thank you, Ping'er." Jiang Xiaochuan accepted it, feeling a warmth in his heart. Ping'er was always so thoughtful and quiet.

Jin Ping'er didn't leave, but just watched him drink quietly. After he finished, she took the empty bowl from him. Her fingers accidentally brushed against his, her fingertips were slightly cool. She looked up and the moonlight reflected in her clear eyes, rippling with soft water.

"Senior brother..." Her voice was very soft, with a slight tremor and longing that were hard to detect, "I...I dreamed about you last night."

Jiang Xiaochuan's heart skipped a beat. Looking at her slightly flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes, he immediately understood.

He sighed, reached out and pulled her into his arms. Jin Ping'er stiffened slightly, then relaxed, hugged him tightly, and buried her face in his chest.

"Ping'er, I..." He wanted to say he was tired today, but seeing her dependent yet restrained expression, he swallowed his words. He lowered his head and kissed the top of her head. "Shall we go to your room?"

Jin Ping'er nodded gently, her ears turning bright red.

That night, Jin Ping'er was unusually proactive. Although she was still a bit awkward, her actions carried a resolute tenderness, as if she wanted to pour out all the longing and emotions she had accumulated over a long period of time.

She wasn't as domineering as Biyao, nor as flirtatious as Xiaobai, nor as persistent as Lu Xueqi. She was a complete surrender, gentle yet passionate, making Jiang Xiaochuan feel both heartache and pity, and he could only respond even more gently. When it ended, she fell asleep exhausted, tears still in the corners of her eyes, but a satisfied smile on her lips.

Jiang Xiaochuan held her close, looking at the moonlight streaming through the window. He felt a mix of emotions: sweetness, happiness, and a bit of... panic of being powerless (?). If things continued like this, Linglong's medicine might not be able to save him.

However, what is bound to happen will happen. On the third night, as soon as he stepped out of Jin Ping'er's room (though his steps were unsteady), he saw Lu Xueqi in a moon-white nightgown, standing quietly in the moonlight under the corridor. Her silver hair was like frost, and she was extremely aloof. She was quietly looking at him. Her gaze was calm and unwavering, but it made his scalp tingle instantly and a chill ran down his spine.

"Xue, Xueqi..." he chuckled dryly.

"Mmm." Lu Xueqi responded, walked over, and naturally took his hand. Her hand was slightly cool, and she held it with a firm but not too tight grip. "My turn."

There were no questions, no complaints, just a calm statement.

Jiang Xiaochuan felt more flustered than Biyao's anger and Xiaobai's teasing. He was like a child caught doing something wrong, obediently led back to his room by Lu Xueqi.

That night, Lu Xueqi didn't "guide his studies" or say much. She simply held him quietly, letting him rest his head on her lap, gently combing his hair with her fingers, humming an old, melodious, and simple lullaby. Her embrace was slightly cool, carrying a refreshing, cool fragrance, which miraculously soothed his fatigue and anxiety of the past few days.

He was in her arms, smelling her familiar and comforting scent, listening to her steady heartbeat and soft humming, his consciousness gradually fading as he drifted into a deep, sweet dream.