Yang Guo: I'm invincible in the opening battle against Aunt Guo!

Cheng Ying's face turned as red as if it were about to bleed. She covered her ears and cried out, "Don't...don't say that!"

Lu Wushuang pulled her hand down and said earnestly, "Cousin, I'm serious. Brother Yang is a trustworthy person. Although he's affectionate, he's never promiscuous. He treats every woman who's with him sincerely and does his best to protect them. How many men like that are there in this world?"

She paused, looking into Cheng Ying's eyes: "Cousin, if you like him, don't let those social conventions bind you. Life is short, and it's not easy to meet someone you truly like. If you miss out, you'll regret it for the rest of your life."

Cheng Ying fell silent.

Lu Wushuang's words struck her heart with every single one.

Yes, life is short.

She recalled the scene when Yang Guo saved her when they first met at Mount Hua.

I recall his solitary figure as he played "The Rising Tide of the Blue Sea".

She recalled the burning gaze in his eyes as he approached her in the corridor earlier that day…

The feelings that had been suppressed in my heart for so long seemed to be about to burst forth.

"But..." she murmured, "I'm his martial uncle..."

"So what if he's a martial uncle?" Lu Wushuang said dismissively. "Cousin, think about it. Brother Yang could even accept a female demon like Li Mochou and reform her. Would he care about the title of martial uncle?"

These words reminded Cheng Ying.

Yes, Yang Guo could even win over Li Mochou and resolve the hatred of his family's massacre...

When has he ever acted in a way that was bound by worldly customs and etiquette?

"Cousin," Lu Wushuang grasped her hand again, her eyes full of earnestness, "if you really have feelings for Brother Yang, why not give it a try?"

As for dual cultivation... if you're shy, I can accompany you.

The first time, I was very scared, but with Brother Yang's gentle guidance, it was actually...it was actually quite wonderful.

Cheng Ying was stunned, staring at her cousin in disbelief: "You...you mean..."

Lu Wushuang nodded, a blush rising on her face: "Cousin, wouldn't it be wonderful if we sisters could stay together forever? Besides... Brother Yang... he's really strong, he can't handle it alone."

The words were spoken cryptically, but Cheng Ying understood them nonetheless.

She recalled that day, when Yang Guo pinned her against the desk, that burning, hard feeling...

Her face turned even redder.

"I...I need to think about it." Cheng Ying turned her face away, her voice barely audible.

Lu Wushuang knew that her cousin was wavering, so she stopped pressing her and simply smiled:

"Okay, cousin, take your time thinking about it. Anyway, we'll be staying at the Guo residence for a while longer, so there's no rush."

She stood up and stretched, "My back is sore from sitting for so long. Cousin, I haven't taken a bath since I finished my cultivation yesterday. Do you have a bathtub here? I'd like to take a bath."

Cheng Ying nodded: "Yes, I'll have the maid bring hot water."

She got up and left the room, instructing the maids outside the courtyard to prepare for her bath.

Standing under the eaves, watching the swaying bamboo shadows in the courtyard, Cheng Ying's mind was in turmoil.

My cousin's words, dual cultivation... Yang Guo... those enchanting images lingered in my mind.

She raised her hand to press her burning cheeks and took a deep breath.

Maybe...maybe we should really give it a try?

At least, Yang Guo was sincere towards her.

At least, my cousin is very happy.

At least... she didn't want to miss out.

Footsteps suddenly came from outside the courtyard, interrupting her thoughts.

A maidservant hurried over and bowed, saying, "Miss Cheng, Madam requests your presence here, saying she has important matters to discuss."

Cheng Ying composed herself and nodded, saying, "Understood, I'll go right away."

She went back into the room and said to Lu Wushuang, "Wushuang, my senior sister is looking for me. You should take a bath and rest first. I'll be back in a bit."

Lu Wushuang agreed, and Cheng Ying then tidied her clothes and headed to Huang Rong's study.

However, she was still thinking about the conversation between the two sisters.

What exactly is the experience of dual cultivation?

And how will Yang Guo treat her?

As I thought about it, my cheeks started to feel hot again.

Never mind, let's get down to business first.

These matters of personal feelings can be considered later.

But once the lake of the heart has been stirred, how can it be easily calmed down?

After Cheng Ying left, Lu Wushuang soaked in the warm water and sighed comfortably.

Looking at her increasingly slender figure in the water, she recalled the gentle touch of Yang Guo's caress, and a sweet smile involuntarily appeared on her lips.

Cousin, you can't escape this.

Once someone like Brother Yang falls in love, he will relentlessly pursue her.

And you... you've clearly fallen for me too.

Steam rose from the bathtub. Lu Wushuang closed her eyes and began to look forward to the days to come.

With my older cousin there, and Brother Yang there...

This kind of life is wonderful.

At this time.

In the back garden of the Guo family mansion.

A gentle evening breeze carries the fragrance of flowers.

Yang Guo and Guo Fu sat side by side on the stone bench in the small pavilion in the middle of the lake.

The pavilion is surrounded by water on all sides, and is connected to the shore by only a winding covered bridge.

The blue sky and white clouds are reflected on the water, and koi carp frolic among the lotus leaves, occasionally leaping out of the water and splashing up tiny droplets.

Today, Guo Fu wore a pale yellow silk dress with delicate butterfly and flower patterns embroidered on the hem. A golden hairpin was inserted in her hair, swaying gently with her charming laughter.

She rested her chin on one hand and linked her other arm with Yang Guo's, laughing so hard she almost fell over.

"Hahaha... Brother Yang, where...where did you hear that joke? It's...it's hilarious!"

Yang Guo turned his head to look at her smiling face, his eyes crinkling with mischief:

"What's so special about that? I have something even more amazing to share. Once upon a time, there was a scholar..."

"No, no!" Guo Fu quickly waved her hands, tears welling in her eyes from laughing. "If you keep going, my stomach will hurt from laughing!"

As she said that, she involuntarily leaned closer to Yang Guo, almost completely nestled in his arms.

Yang Guo naturally reached out and put his arm around her shoulder, whispering in her ear:

"What does Sister Fu want to hear? I have plenty of stories to tell."

A warm breath brushed against her ear, and Guo Fu's cheeks flushed slightly, but she didn't flinch. Instead, she rested her head on his shoulder and spoke in a soft, sweet voice:

"I love listening to whatever Brother Yang says."

The afternoon sunlight slanted down, flowing over their clothes and casting their shadows in a soft, bright light.

The water shimmered, and laughter filled the pavilion—truly a beautiful scene.

However, this painting, in the eyes of some, became an eyesore.

At the entrance to the garden, the brothers Wu Dunru and Wu Xiuwen stood side by side, each holding a small wooden box. They had clearly prepared something to please Guo Fu.

At this moment, both of their faces were extremely pale.

They could see the intimate couple in the pavilion in the middle of the lake from afar.

Guo Fu nestled in Yang Guo's arms, laughing so hard she was shaking.

Yang Guo put his arm around her shoulder, looking relaxed and content, as if the most beautiful woman in the world was already in his arms.

"Big...Big Brother," Wu Xiuwen's voice trembled, and he almost crushed the wooden box in his hand, "Look at them..."