After being bought by seven rough men and taken to the deep mountains, I was pampered.

None of the brothers slept well all night; they all came out with dark circles under their eyes, still reminiscing about their sister-in-law's bath.

The afternoon sun lazily shone on the newly built connecting corridor of the Qin family compound.

That's the unique aroma of the [Milk and Honey Moisturizing Cream], made by mixing milk with acacia honey and adding a touch of menthol from Space.

"It's done!"

Su Wan emerged from the kitchen, holding a delicate little porcelain jar in her hands, as if presenting a treasure.

The jar was filled with a milky white paste, crystal clear, looking just like freshly solidified mutton fat jade.

"This is a skincare miracle! In the dead of winter, apply it and I guarantee your hands won't crack and your face won't chapped!"

Su Wan was happily thinking about how to recommend this great product to these rough men.

Suddenly a shadow fell.

"What treasure is that my sister-in-law is holding?"

Su Wan looked up and met a pair of smiling, yet unfathomable, peach blossom eyes.

Qin Yue, dressed in a flamboyant purple brocade robe, was leaning against a pillar blocking her way, waving a folding fan (which had actually been broken but secretly glued back together).

Sunlight shone on his handsome, almost demonic profile, and even the shadows cast by his eyelashes exuded a sense of calculation and... lust.

"It's a moisturizing cream." Su Wan handed over the jar. "It's freshly made; I was just about to let you try it..."

"Try it?" A wicked smile instantly spread across Qin Yue's lips. "How can we let those roughnecks try this kind of delicate work? They're too thick-skinned; even applying lard to them would be a waste."

He snapped the folding fan shut and casually tucked it into his waistband.

Then, quite naturally, he reached out and took the small porcelain jar from Su Wan's hand.

"Let's have Fourth Brother help Sister-in-law...inspect the goods."

He claimed to be inspecting the goods, but his eyes weren't on the jars themselves. Instead, they were on Su Wan's hands holding the jars.

Even after finishing her work, her hands remained fair and delicate, with a faint pink tinge at the fingertips.

It's just that the wind in the northwest is so strong that there are faint, dry lines on the back of my hands.

"Tsk." Qin Yue frowned slightly, as if he had seen some rare treasure covered in dust. "Sister-in-law's hands are meant to grasp mountains of gold and silver; how can they have even the slightest flaw?"

Before Su Wan could react...

Qin Yue suddenly reached out his long, slender, well-defined hand and grabbed her wrist!

His palms were dry and warm, calloused from years of using an abacus. As they caressed the inside of Su Wan's delicate wrist, they sent a jolt of electricity through her.

"Fourth brother, you..." Su Wan subconsciously tried to pull her hand away.

"Don't move." Qin Yue's voice was deep, carrying an undeniable force, yet his reason was perfectly legitimate: "I'm doing this for business. If this ointment can't even protect my sister-in-law's hands, how can I sell it for a high price in the capital?"

As he spoke, he picked up a lump of milky white paste with his index finger.

The cream felt slightly cool on my fingertips and had a smooth texture.

"Plop." He applied the ointment to the back of Su Wan's hand.

Then, that large hand with calloused skin slowly covered it.

Spread and knead until smooth.

"Hmm..." Su Wan couldn't help but tremble slightly.

This isn't applying oil; it's clearly... playing with it.

Qin Yue's technique was extremely professional.

He used the pad of his thumb to make circles on the ointment, kneading it into Su Wan's skin. The pressure was neither too light nor too heavy, yet it carried a chilling sense of control.

Slippery. So slippery. Qin Yue felt like he wasn't touching a hand, but a freshly peeled boiled egg, or a piece of warm, soft jade.

That exquisitely delicate touch traveled straight from his fingertips to his brain, making his throat dry and instantly igniting a fire in his eyes.

"Sister-in-law's hands... are so soft." He lowered his head, seemingly focused on the movements of his hands, but his gaze lingered greedily on her snow-white skin: "This moisturizer is so nice, so smooth..."

"From now on... can I help my sister-in-law apply it every day?"

"This...this is just a sample..." Su Wan felt half of her body go numb from his kneading, and tried to pull her hand away, but he held it even tighter.

"It's not evenly spread yet." Qin Yue's voice suddenly became a little hoarse.

Suddenly, his long, slender fingers forcefully squeezed between Su Wan's fingers!

Interlocking fingers!

The milky white paste was squeezed out between the fingers, making an extremely ambiguous "sizzling" sound.

"Here..." Qin Yue lowered his head, his nose almost brushing against Su Wan's hand, his breath hot on her sensitive skin: "The spaces between your fingers are most prone to dryness and cracking... You have to apply it evenly first."

He slowly moved his fingers in and out. The smooth, oily friction tugged back and forth between their tightly pressed fingers. In. Out. In again.

Su Wan felt a surge of heat rush from the soles of her feet to the top of her head! This action... this hint... is too unfair! She could even feel the slight sweat seeping from Qin Yue's palms and the frantic beating of his pulse.

Boom!Boom!Boom!

"Fourth brother! Let go!" Su Wan's face turned as red as a ripe shrimp as she struggled to break free.

Qin Yue suddenly stopped. He kept his fingers intertwined, raised his head, and his peach blossom eyes shimmered with a deep affection that could drown a person: "Sister-in-law."

"I'll buy this moisturizer."

"My bid...is my entire life enough?"

Boom! This straight shot left Su Wan completely disoriented.

[Beep! Strong "greedy" impulse detected!]

[Target: Qin Yue (Fourth Brother). Status: Adorably fond of him + A businessman's scheming (wanting to possess him)!]

Heart rate: 170...190!

[Congratulations, host! Your Heartbeat Farm has received "nourishing" irrigation!]

[Bumper harvest in cash crop areas! New varieties unlocked: 1. Premium aloe vera (a moisturizing wonder). 2. Rose essential oil extraction technique (this small bottle can sell for an astronomical price; of course, it can also be used for... something sensual).]

Just when the atmosphere between the two was getting so ambiguous that it was about to become intimate.

"Cough cough!" Two heavy coughs suddenly came from behind.

Qin Yue's eyes turned cold. He didn't immediately let go, but slowly and deliberately squeezed Su Wan's fingertips one last time before reluctantly releasing her. Turning around, his face had returned to its usual nonchalant smile: "Oh, Second Brother, are you ready?"

All that could be seen was the end of the covered walkway.

The second brother, Qin Mo, dressed in a blue robe and carrying a book box, stood in the shadows.

He wasn't wearing his gold-rimmed glasses, and his phoenix eyes, usually hidden behind the lenses, looked exceptionally deep and lonely at that moment.

He just watched their clasped hands quietly, a fleeting hint of melancholy in his eyes, but it was quickly masked by a gentle smile.

"Sister-in-law." Qin Mo walked over, his gaze falling on Su Wan's still oily hand, and said softly, "It's time." "I... I should go."

Su Wan's heart skipped a beat. She'd only returned temporarily last time, and now it was time to go to the capital again…

The romantic feelings that the fourth brother had stirred in her vanished instantly, replaced by a deep sense of reluctance. "Second Brother..."

"Second Brother..."

Su Wan's heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly pulled her hand away from the fourth brother's.

The romantic feelings that Lao Si had stirred up vanished instantly, replaced by a deep sense of bitterness.

Qin Mo stood in the shadows of the corridor, carrying a book box on his back. Today he was wearing a faded blue long robe, which made his figure appear even more upright and sturdy.

Those phoenix eyes, usually hidden behind glasses, were now quietly looking at Su Wan, their depths unfathomable.

"Sister-in-law." He stepped forward, his gaze falling on Su Wan's still oily hand, his voice as soft as the wind, "Everything's packed, I... I should go."

Su Wan's eyes instantly reddened when she saw his thin and frail appearance.

She quickly wiped her hands on her apron, turned around, picked up the heavy package she had prepared beforehand, and stuffed it into Qin Mo's arms: "Inside are three pairs of new shoes and fifty taels of silver... Don't be stingy with them while you're out there."

The capital is cold, if…

At this point, Su Wan's voice choked up: "It's okay if you don't pass the exam. We have land and brothers at home, you won't go hungry. Just don't push yourself, just come back safe and sound."

She really couldn't bear to part with it.

In this family, the eldest son is the one who takes the lead in physical strength, the fourth son is the god of wealth, but the real backbone, the one who silently supports you from behind, has always been the second son.

With his departure, Su Wan felt as if a piece of her heart had been ripped out.

Seeing Su Wan's two lines of tears rolling down her cheeks, a crack finally appeared on Qin Mo's usually calm face.

He sighed, shaking his head with a mixture of helplessness and indulgence.

"Silly sister-in-law."

Qin Mo suddenly reached out. Not to take the package, but towards Su Wan's face.

Those long, slender fingers, still carrying the scent of ink, gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes. The fingertips were rough, yet the movement was incredibly gentle.

"Why are you crying?" A playful smile suddenly appeared at the corner of his lips, and a sly glint flashed in his phoenix eyes, as if a refined scoundrel had finally revealed his true colors.

"Who told you I was going to the capital?"

Su Wan sniffled, still sobbing, completely stunned: "Huh? No... not going to the capital? Then where to?"

Qin Mo chuckled and pulled out a red-and-gold-embossed invitation from his sleeve, waving it in front of Su Wan.

"Guigu Academy"

He slowly adjusted his non-existent glasses, his voice deep and magnetic: "It's in the next county. No more than thirty li from home."

"If we ride the third brother's fast horse, we can be back for dinner in half an hour."

Thirty li?!

Su Wan stood there, tears streaming down her face, completely stunned.

"You...you lied to me!" Su Wan realized what was happening, her cheeks flushed with anger. She raised her hand and punched him in the chest. "You made me cry for nothing! I thought...I thought I was going to marry you off!"

The punch was soft and weak, and Qin Mo didn't dodge it. He took the opportunity to grab Su Wan's fist as she swung it.

His palm enveloped her fist.

The moisturizer that Lao Si had just applied wasn't completely dry yet, and it was still slippery. Qin Mo, however, didn't seem to mind at all. Instead, he gently rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb, enjoying the delicate texture.

"The capital is too far away. I went there last time, and I miss my sister-in-law very much."

Qin Mo suddenly stopped smiling, leaned forward slightly, and the cool fragrance of ink instantly enveloped Su Wan.

He lowered his head, leaned close to Su Wan's ear, and spoke in a low voice, carrying a chilling possessiveness:

"I'll never go to places that are too far away again."

"I'm not comfortable leaving you alone in this den of wolves in this house..."

Su Wan's heart skipped a beat, her face flushed crimson: "W-what wolf's den? That's your own brother..."

"Heh." Qin Mo glanced meaningfully at his fourth brother, Qin Yue, whose face had already darkened, a cold glint flashing in his eyes: "Precisely because they are brothers, we must be even more wary of them."

"and……"

Qin Mo looked at Su Wan again, his eyes instantly becoming tender and passionate.

He released her hand, gently tidying the stray hairs at her temples, his fingertips lightly brushing against her earlobe.

"I can't bear to part with it either."

"The academy is nice, but it can't compare to the aroma of my sister-in-law's cooking. If I can't see her..."

He paused, his handsome eyes narrowing slightly: "I get flustered, and I can't concentrate on my studies."

These sweet words are even more deadly than the fourth brother's actions!

Su Wan felt a chill run down her spine from the teasing, so she quickly took a step back and shoved the package into his hands: "Alright, alright! Since it's only thirty li, I'll take out all the dry rations. You can just take something lighter!"

"No need." Qin Mo slung his satchel over his shoulder, gave her one last deep look, and said, "I'll take them all. This is my sister-in-law's thoughtfulness. Even if I'm just studying at the village entrance, I'll still take them with me."

After saying that, he turned and strode out. His steps were light and quick, without any trace of the heaviness of parting, but rather exuding a spirited air of "I'm going to conquer the world."

As he reached the door, he suddenly turned back and shouted to his brothers in the courtyard:

"Fourth brother, keep your hands to yourself. I come back to check the accounts on the first and fifteenth of every month. If I find that your sister-in-law's hands are even a little bit rough..."

The lens flashed with a cold light.

You know the consequences.

After saying that, the figure in the green robe disappeared outside the door.

In the courtyard, Su Wan held the remaining half-jar of moisturizing cream, her heart still pounding.

I still left, but when I found out it was only thirty miles, the huge weight on my heart instantly lifted.

It's even... a little sweet.

"Tch." Fourth brother Qin Yue waved his folding fan, looking at the door with a displeased expression. "Going to the academy is like a life-or-death separation... Second brother is really cunning, he even had to make his presence known before leaving."

He turned to look at Su Wan, immediately putting on a smiling face, and reached out again: "Sister-in-law, don't mind him! Come on, let's continue, we haven't coated that little finger yet..."

"You big dummy!" Su Wan glared at him, her face flushed, then turned and ran back into the house. "It's getting dark, and the wind is picking up. I'm going to check the windows!"