Hmph, by saying this, Sister Qingzhu would be even more moved, and then she’d work harder to help him sell the pills, right?
Mao Qingzhu looked at Chen Ye complexly, indeed feeling touched, but more so helpless.
Her sworn younger brother truly is a fool...
He’s willing to work like a horse for a female cultivator; if he encounters a demoness in the future, wouldn’t he get skinned and have his marrow extracted?
Though she thought this in her heart, she still explained to Chen Ye:
"Though I want to waive Brother Ye’s commission, Brother Ye is an alchemist; he will have a continuous stream of pills for me to sell in the future... I naturally don’t mind, but over time, someone in the Mao family might grow suspicious, causing unnecessary misunderstandings. After all, selling these pills requires the power of the Mao family and even the Xu family."
Upon hearing this, Chen Ye understood.
Sister Qingzhu’s words seem all business, but each sentence is actually considering him.
In a big family, there are many people and eyes, and the entanglement of interests is deeply rooted. Although she’s the legitimate daughter of the Mao family, every move she makes is surely watched by someone—aside from other matters, Sister Qingzhu does not have a harmonious relationship with her father.
If she selflessly helps him handle these pills of unknown origin for a long term, there may be no problem in the short term, but certainly, over time, criticism will emerge, possibly someone seizing the opportunity to attack her, accusing her of profiting herself and harming family interests.
At that time, not only would it bring trouble to herself, but it might also involve him.
Chen Ye solemnly bowed to Mao Qingzhu: "Sister Qingzhu, your great kindness is beyond words. In the future, should there be anything you need, Chen Ye will undertake it without hesitation."
"There’s no need for such words between us."
Seeing his solemnity, Mao Qingzhu felt more assured in her thoughts, promptly helped Chen Ye up, and seemingly unconsciously held his hand.
Chen Ye suddenly stiffened, instinctively wanting to retract his hand.
Indeed!
Mao Qingzhu thought to herself, Brother Ye is not adept at interacting with female cultivators—he commands decisively in Lisong Valley, skilled in alchemy and combat, yet he panics when touching a young woman’s body, like an inexperienced young bird.
But she didn’t realize that Chen Ye simply wasn’t accustomed to this sudden closeness.
While he cared for Zhiwei, Qing Jun, and the other girls, he’d seen enough of young girls crying and laughing, hugging and cuddling, but today, Mao Qingzhu’s pull really startled him.
She didn’t let go but instead tightened her grip, face showing a sincere expression, earnestly advising:
"Brother Ye, you shouldn’t say things like being a workhorse for others in the future. The prettier a woman is, the more likely she is to lie. If you sacrifice yourself for someone’s slight goodwill, you will suffer enormously later."
"Is... is that so?" Chen Ye was confused.
He was simply making a polite remark, how did it elevate to such a level?
If Lin Qiongyu were here and heard Mao Qingzhu’s words, she’d be flabbergasted... It can only be said that Mao Qingzhu sees him through too obvious a filter.
Seeing his expression, Mao Qingzhu thought Brother Ye was still shy, and her heart grew ever more tender.
Brother Ye has numerous talents that reach the heavens and earth, yet in matters concerning female cultivators, he’s so naive and bewildered. If he ever encounters those honey-tongued, dagger-hearted demonesses, how would he withstand them?
She should guide him well.
With a swift motion of her wrist, she gently but firmly pulled Chen Ye’s head toward her chest.
Chen Ye was caught off guard, bumping into her cheek.
Mao Qingzhu’s bones were well-proportioned and delicate, yet when her chest stuck out, it was without question invincible.
If Chen Ye were to describe it, it would be like new peaches in March blossoming in the wind, warm and smooth, with a trace of the fragrant sweetness of a daughter’s secluded chambers.
"!"
Chen Ye’s breath hitched, his mind going blank.
"Over the years, you’ve cared for Qing Jun painstakingly..."
Mao Qingzhu’s voice was low and gentle, but her finger didn’t pause, delicately brushing over his slightly trembling temple, fingertips lingering and twining through his thick hair, like caressing a frightened little beast.
Chen Ye felt a surge of shame.
Sister Qingzhu certainly regards him purely as a sworn brother, coupled with Divine Mist Valley’s constant seclusion, filled with female kin; she might indeed not understand the proper distance between men and women.
He... actually entertained subtle impure thoughts, truly disgraceful!
Mao Qingzhu sensed his body’s stiffness and the burning heat on his cheeks, seeing his clumsy and embarrassed posture, she couldn’t help but draw a subtle smile.
Brother Ye’s reaction was even more innocent and delightful than expected.
She didn’t let go, instead pressed his head deeper against her bosom, her head lowered slightly, cherry lips nearing his ear, her gentle breath feather-light:
"That girl Qing Jun, stubborn and tricky in nature, owes to your patience and meticulous care... Hmm, once her Dragon Sleep Mountain baptism is done, I will certainly bring her back soon, so you won’t have to worry."
"Hmm... with Sister Qingzhu around, I... I’m naturally reassured."
Chen Ye’s voice was somewhat hoarse.
Silently, he apologized to Zhiwei in his heart.
Why?
At this moment, I suddenly recalled the comforting touch of my young disciple’s lap pillow but realized how immature it seemed compared to Sister Qingzhu’s warmth now.
"Oh?"
A mischievous smile flickered in Mao Qingzhu’s phoenix-like eyes as she nonchalantly remarked,
"Brother Ye, who is usually so eloquent, seems a bit flustered today? Heh... it seems you, Brother Ye, are still somewhat lacking in the ways of Yin and Yang, not understanding the mysteries within, right? That’s why you’re so uneasy, even in front of Sister Qingzhu."
How infuriating!
Chen Ye inwardly grumbled, it was clearly Sister Qingzhu who didn’t understand the mysteries within!
She talks with the tone of someone experienced, as if she’s so remarkable... has she forgotten that Qing Jun isn’t even her daughter?
Just seeing this situation.
Chen Ye couldn’t openly tell of his past life’s learning, where he understood everything about matters between men and women, right?
If Mao Qingzhu curiously pressed for more, it would be awkward...
Thinking of this, Chen Ye went along with it, letting that refreshing fragrance linger around his nose, suppressing his heart’s flutter, and spoke with a hint of restraint:
"Well... so Sister Qingzhu has seen through me. Little brother... usually only buries himself in diligent cultivation, and any spare time is spent on Spirit Plant Refining Pills, rarely interacting with the outside world, and in these matters... I indeed have no understanding."
"No wonder you’re so inexperienced."
Mao Qingzhu chuckled knowingly.
This was all within her expectations.
For Brother Ye to attain today’s realm, he must have been cultivating day and night, single-mindedly without distractions, how could he have time for such distractions of romantic affairs?
Moreover, he had already reached the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer, at the peak of his vitality, and yet... still retained his Primordial Yang body.
If it’s not ignorance, then is it some hidden ailment?
But that day, a brief glimpse at the hot springs showed Brother Ye to be full of youthful energy.
Alas...
Poor Brother Ye, possessing great skills yet because of his naive innocence, he doesn’t understand the theory of harmony between Yin and Yang, leading to surging qi and blood, fiery hot temperament, afraid he hasn’t even learned how to relieve it.
"Ah! Sister Qingzhu... you... what are you doing?"
Chen Ye was shocked. Suddenly feeling a warm, soft touch through the silk-like fabric, gently covering the most restless and uncalm place below his Dantian.
His whole body trembled suddenly, and his words got stuck in his throat.
Mao Qingzhu’s expression was solemn as she explained earnestly:
"Brother Ye, do not be alarmed. This is the juncture in the human body where the ’convergence of the Qi Sea, the first stirrings of the dragon and tiger’ occurs. Brother Ye must often feel unbearable heat, qi, and blood surging? This is the root cause. If this point is not smoothly resolved, it will also impede your cultivation."
She just gently but firmly placed her soft palm on the ’convergence of the Qi Sea, the first stirrings of the dragon and tiger’ juncture.
"Let Sister Qingzhu help you free up some blockages."
"But... but..." Chen Ye’s forehead was covered with fine sweat beads, this sudden contact caught him off guard.
Even if it is the Dantian, in the end, it was too ambiguous!
Mao Qingzhu’s forehead also felt a slight chill of sweat.
Oh no!
Just now, she was only focusing on teaching Brother Ye, and in her impulsiveness, she reached out... indeed impulsive!
Brother Ye, surely he can’t be this naive...
But... since things have come to this point, withdrawing would show timidity.
She had to forcibly suppress her pounding heart and, pretending calmness, retorted:
"But what? Could it be that Brother Ye... really doesn’t know the importance of this place?"
She slightly increased the reassuring pressure from her palm.
Chen Ye’s throat bobbed as he swallowed hard, struggling to pull out a slightly dry smile:
"So... that’s how it is. This little brother... indeed had a moment of confusion. It’s just... never having been cared for in such a manner, it’s somewhat unfamiliar. Much, much thanks to Sister Qingzhu for pointing it out."
Mao Qingzhu’s tense expression eased slightly, and she let out a long breath in her heart.
It seems he really doesn’t know...
She silently encouraged herself, caressing patiently, her jade fingers moving softer, her cherry lips slightly parted as she whispered, exhaling like orchid:
"Brother Ye, this method of channeling junctures is a secret transmission of my Mao family’s lineage, the mysteries within... must not be told to others. Today’s matter, let’s keep it between you and me, not a word even to... those few of your disciples, remember well."
"Um... but..."
"Don’t be afraid, be good..."