Douluo Continent: Thunder Roar

Ma Xiaotao waited for a long time but received no response. Her anxiety grew, and she tightened her grip on his clothes, her voice carrying a barely perceptible hint of grievance and probing: "You don't want to?"

Ling Yu remained silent for a few seconds before finally speaking slowly. His voice was still calm, but it carried a hint of honesty and a trace of barely perceptible worry: "Your personality isn't suited for this."

Ma Xiaotao paused for a moment, then abruptly lifted her head, breaking free from his embrace and lying back on the water's surface. Her long red dress rippled around her, and her pale pink eyes stared intently into his, reflecting his face. A hint of doubt and resentment lingered in her eyes: "Are you afraid I'll cause trouble?"

Ling Yu didn't speak, but simply shifted his gaze away, avoiding her eyes. His expression remained calm, which could be considered an admission of her guess.

Ma Xiaotao is arrogant, impulsive, and acts without considering the consequences. However, that organization cannot tolerate the slightest mistake or anyone acting recklessly.

Ma Xiaotao stared at him for two seconds, then suddenly smiled. The smile on her pale, tired face was still arrogant and unruly, but now it had a touch of seriousness, and her eyes shone with a firm light: "I promise."

Using the buoyancy, she leaned forward slightly, her upper body rising a little, her red dress slipping down a bit to reveal her delicate shoulder line. Her gaze was fixed on him, her tone extremely serious, carrying a solemn promise: "I promise not to cause trouble, I promise to be obedient, I promise to do whatever you say, and I will never make decisions on my own."

Ling Yu slowly raised his eyes, his gaze returning to her face. Seeing the determination and seriousness in her eyes, his expression was complex. He did not respond immediately, but simply watched her silently.

Ma Xiaotao met his gaze without flinching or backing down. The determination in her eyes grew stronger, and her voice gradually softened, carrying a hint of tenderness and pleading. All her arrogance had faded, replaced by a touch of vulnerability: "I know I have a quick temper, I know I sometimes can't control myself and am easily impulsive. But if you let me join, I will change, I definitely will. I will learn to control my temper, learn to be obedient, and I will never cause you any trouble."

She paused, her fingertips curling slightly, her voice lowered, carrying a hint of dependence that even she herself was unwilling to admit: "I know your organization, it's definitely not a place just anyone can join. There must be a reason why Sister Lexuan and Nannan were able to get in."

I also want a... a place where I can be with you.

Ma Xiaotao added in her mind.

Ling Yu remained silent for a long time, long enough for the wind on the lake to ripple several times, and long enough for a hint of grievance to gradually well up in Ma Xiaotao's eyes.

Ma Xiaotao lay quietly on the water, looking at him with eyes full of expectation and pleading. She didn't say anything more, but patiently waited for his response. Her fingertips gripped the hem of her skirt tightly, and even her breathing became cautious.

The wind on the shore rustled through the bamboo forest, carrying the fresh scent of bamboo leaves. It rippled across the lake, making the figures of the two people in the center of the lake appear even more gentle. Ma Xiaotao's red dress swayed gently with the waves, making her look stunningly beautiful.

Finally, Ling Yu spoke slowly, his voice still calm but with a hint of relaxation, breaking the long silence: "Candidate."

Ma Xiaotao paused, her aggrieved and pleading expression freezing instantly. She then frowned, repeating with some confusion, "A substitute?"

Ling Yu looked at her and slowly explained, "Let's observe you for a while and see how you perform. If you're suitable, we'll officially let you join; if not, consider it... a chance for you to experience it."

Ma Xiaotao blinked, the doubt on her face gradually fading away, and the grievance and tears in her eyes were instantly replaced by surprise.

She wasn't angry or dissatisfied; she just stared at his face intently for several seconds, as if trying to confirm whether what he said was true.

Suddenly, her cheeks flushed slightly, the faint blush spreading from her cheeks to her ears, like a ripe apple, delicate and beautiful, shedding all her arrogance and becoming more shy and charming.

She quickly propped herself up, buried her face in his chest again, and pressed herself tightly against him. Her long red dress accentuated her alluring curves, and she let out a soft "Mmm" with a hint of shyness in her voice.

On the shore, Wang Dong'er clenched her fists even tighter, her knuckles turned white, and even her fingertips trembled slightly, her nails almost digging into her palms.

She stared intently at the two figures nestled together again in the center of the lake, at Ma Xiaotao's head buried in Ling Yu's arms, at Ling Yu's hand hanging by his side, still not pushing her away. Her lips were almost pressed into a straight line, and the grievance and resentment in her eyes were about to overflow.

Jiang Nannan stood beside her, her gaze still fixed on the center of the lake. Jiang Nannan's head drooped even lower, her fingertips unconsciously twisting her sleeves, and the sting in her eyes intensified.

Zhang Lexuan's smile deepened, revealing a hint of knowing everything, a touch of teasing, and a trace of envy that she herself couldn't quite explain.

On the lake, the wind remained gentle and the waves remained calm.

Ma Xiaotao remained nestled close to Ling Yu, the blush on her cheeks still lingering, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. Her breathing was steady, as if she were truly exhausted and gradually relaxed. Her long red dress rippled gently in the water, outlining her alluring curves.

Ling Yu's hand finally fell slowly. He didn't push her away, but gently placed it on her shoulder. His movements were gentle, with a hint of doting affection. His voice was clear, yet tender: "Your injury isn't fully healed yet, don't make a fuss."

Ma Xiaotao didn't move, but snuggled closer to him, her lower body gently brushing against the water's surface, causing tiny ripples to spread across her long red dress. Her voice, muffled against his chest, was soft and gentle, with a hint of coquettishness: "Just a little longer, just a little longer, okay?"

Ling Yu was silent for two seconds after hearing this. He slowly bent down, put one hand under Ma Xiaotao's knees, and gently supported her back with the other hand. With a little effort, he lifted her up horizontally.

Ma Xiaotao froze, even her breathing paused for a beat.

She never expected Ling Yu to hug her like this. She subconsciously wanted to look up and meet his eyes, but was gently stopped by Ling Yu's soft voice.

"Don't move."

Two words, spoken in a flat tone, revealing little emotion, yet carrying an undeniable power.

Ma Xiaotao's body stiffened for a moment, then she obediently buried her head back in his chest, her cheek pressed against his warm fabric, not daring to move an inch.

The blush on her face had already spread from her cheeks to the base of her ears, burning hot, even the skin at the base of her ears was slightly hot, and an unconcealable shyness and joy quietly crept into her heart.

Ling Yu carried her, his steps steady as he walked towards the shore. With each step, the lake surface was only disturbed by tiny ripples that quickly disappeared.

Sunlight peeked through the gaps in the clouds, casting dappled golden rays upon the two, giving their soaked clothes a soft, warm glow, dispelling some of the chill of the lake water, and making their embracing figures appear even more tender and affectionate.

Ma Xiaotao pressed her face tightly against his chest, clearly hearing the heartbeat emanating from his chest. The faint smell of burnt lightning still lingered on his body, mixed with his own clean and crisp aura, plus the lingering wildness from his martial soul possession. The three scents intertwined, creating an exceptionally pleasant aroma that made her take a deep breath, secretly imprinting this unique scent of his deepest memory.

Anyway, she's injured now, weak and her wounds haven't healed. Injured people deserve to be taken care of, and all of this is only natural.

Thinking of this, a smug smile crept onto her lips, and she nuzzled her head gently into his arms, like a clingy kitten, becoming even more affectionate.

She couldn't help but recall the way Jiang Nannan dragged Ling Yu to sign the contract that day; her affected smugness and the undisguised smugness in her eyes were still vivid in her mind.

Now, not only has she successfully joined the Akatsuki organization, but she can also be publicly carried in a princess carry by her little brother Xiaoyu. Such an honor is not something everyone can have.