I've already been given the title of Douluo, and you want me to be reasonable?

Chapter 174 Tender as Water, A Dreamlike Encounter

The sun sets, and the mountains in the distance look like sunrise.

Inside the Ye family mansion in Tiandou City, Madam Ye Yao, dressed in a cool dress, was eagerly looking towards the entrance, seemingly waiting for Lin Yuan and her daughter to return.

There was a lot of food on the table in front of him, all of which were Lin Yuan's favorites. Whenever the food got cold, he would arrange for servants to reheat it, just so that His Majesty Lin Yuan could have a hot meal.

Just then, the gate of the Ye family mansion was slowly pushed open, and Ye Lingling, holding Lin Yuan's wrist, returned home, happily saying, "Mother, the teacher is here."

Upon hearing the news of Lin Yuan's arrival, Ye Lingling's mother, Ye Yao, was overjoyed. She immediately stood up and looked at the man in front of her, her beautiful face filled with longing.

Because it was a hot summer day, Madam Ye Yao was wearing very thin clothes, and since this was her home, her attire was not visible.

When Lin Yuan noticed this, he couldn't help but be taken aback. He had to admit that Ye Lingling's mother was definitely still very attractive.

Ye Yao stepped forward and made a noble gesture toward Lin Yuan, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty Lin Yuan."

Lin Yuan walked over with a smile, put his arm around the other woman's shoulder and said, "Sister Ye Yao, you're too kind. Just call me by my normal name. There's no need for so much formality between us."

Madam Ye Yao raised her slender hand, tidied her hair behind her ear, and said with a gentle smile, "I thought Brother Lin Yuan didn't like his sister and was deliberately avoiding her."

Lin Yuan touched his nose, looking awkwardly at Ye Lingling beside him. However, Ye Lingling smiled and didn't speak to him, but instead took Lin Yuan's hand and walked into the hall.

Ye Yao sat down next to Lin Yuan, but her cheeks were slightly flushed. She had never been so close to another man before. Lin Yuan's scent filled her nostrils, making her face even redder.

Lin Yuan looked at Ye Yao beside him and said softly, "Sister Ye Yao, why is your face so red?"

"Have it?"

Ye Yao immediately turned around, placed her jade-like hand on her flushed cheek, and said shyly, "It seems the weather is a bit too hot, but it's alright."

Ye Lingling blinked her bright eyes, looked at her mother, and then at her teacher Lin Yuan, seemingly unhappy that they were sitting so close together.

"Mom, please sit over there. I'll sit next to the teacher."

Ye Lingling also pushed Ye Yao aside and stood next to Lin Yuan herself, seemingly disliking having her mother and teacher so close.

Ye Yao almost lost her balance when her daughter jostled her. A hint of surprise flashed across her face, but she quickly recovered with a gentle smile.

She gently scolded, "Lingling, why are you still so distant with your mother? Aren't you afraid that your younger brother Lin Yuan will laugh at you?"

Lin Yuan watched the interaction between the mother and daughter and couldn't help but find it amusing. The corners of his mouth turned up slightly, and his eyes were full of smiles.

Ye Lingling seemed to have received great recognition. She glanced at her mother triumphantly, then snuggled close to Lin Yuan, her little hand still tugging at his sleeve.

After the three sat down, they began to eat, enjoying the delicious food prepared by Ye Yao herself, as well as the fine wine specially supplied by the royal palace.

Although Ye Yao was sitting a little further away, her gaze kept drifting towards Lin Yuan. Watching Lin Yuan eat, she felt a mix of emotions.

On one hand, she was grateful to Lin Yuan for his guidance and care of her daughter; on the other hand, the unique charm emanating from this man stirred something else within her. After all, Ye Lingling's father had passed away many years ago, and given her noble birth, she rarely interacted with other men, making Madam Ye Yao feel unbearably hot at this moment.

Perhaps it was the sweltering heat that made her want to take off the last of her clothes...

At this moment, Lin Yuan also felt Ye Yao's gaze. Occasionally, when their eyes met, Ye Yao would hurriedly look away, and a blush would reappear on her face.

This subtle movement did not escape Ye Lingling's eyes, and she couldn't help but feel a little puzzled, as she felt that her mother's behavior today was a bit strange.

After three rounds of wine, five flavors of food.

As dusk fell, the sunset on the horizon grew increasingly magnificent.

Ye Lingling suggested taking a walk in the garden, and Lin Yuan and Ye Yao readily agreed.

In the garden, the air was filled with the fragrance of flowers, and a gentle breeze brought a touch of coolness. Ye Lingling, like a cheerful little deer, skipped and hopped ahead, occasionally turning back to urge Lin Yuan and his mother to hurry up.

Lin Yuan and Ye Yao walked side by side. For a moment, neither of them spoke, only the sound of their footsteps and Ye Lingling's laughter echoed in the air.

After a long silence, Ye Yao finally broke the silence: "Brother Lin Yuan, thanks to you, Lingling has made great progress recently. I... am really grateful to you."

Madam Ye Yao's voice was soft and sincere.

Lin Yuan turned to look at Ye Yao and said with a smile, "Sister Ye Yao, you don't need to be so polite. Lingling is a very talented child. I just did what I should do."

Just then, Ye Lingling suddenly ran back, grabbed their hands, and said, "Teacher, Mom, hurry up! The flowers in front are so beautiful!"

As she spoke, Ye Lingling pulled them forward, as if she didn't want the two of them to have any time alone together.

Under Ye Lingling's pull, Lin Yuan and Ye Yao's hands accidentally touched, and they both quickly let go as if they had been electrocuted.

Ye Yao lowered her head, her heart racing, while Lin Yuan coughed awkwardly twice, seemingly having not experienced anything like this in a long time.

Ye Lingling, however, remained oblivious, excitedly pulling them deeper into the garden, unaware that her action had created a subtle atmosphere in the air.

Ye Yao gently bit her lower lip, tenderly taking Lin Yuan's wrist. She glanced at her daughter, Ye Lingling, and only after confirming that the other hadn't reacted did she speak, "How about having a drink with me tonight?"

Lin Yuan looked at Madam Ye Yao, who was drenched in sweat beside him, and stopped, saying, "Lingling is still here..."

"It's alright. Lingling needs to cultivate every night, and no one will come here. I've prepared fine wine from the palace. Wouldn't it be wonderful for us to drink wine under the moon?"

Ye Yao blushed slightly, secretly glanced at her daughter Ye Lingling, and spoke softly.

Upon hearing this, Lin Yuan did not refuse. Besides, the fine wine of the palace could not be enjoyed at any time. Since it was already placed in front of him, how could Lin Yuan refuse?
Lin Yuan sat in the chair, quietly watching Ye Lingling in front of him. Little did he know that Madam Ye Yao was already feeling extremely hot, as if she had returned to her youth.

(End of this chapter)