Courtyard House: My Time Travel is a Bit Too Strong

Just like Chen Xueru earlier, although she was older, she was inferior to Zhu Zhuqing in terms of appearance and demeanor.

But even the most dazzling physique cannot conceal the youthful spirit. He usually wears a cold face, like an unyielding block of ice, but in reality, he is naive and his innermost thoughts are written all over his face.

Facing Lin Quan, she was still hesitant and full of concerns; but Qiao Jingjing had already seen clearly in her heart—the moment she signed the contract, her fate and Lin Quan's fate were already intertwined, and there was no way to retreat.

Having spent these past few days together, Lin Quan may seem lazy and prone to lounging around, but compared to the unpredictable nature of the apocalypse, his frankness and measured actions make him a rare and reliable person.

Last night's approach before dawn was not accidental at all—she had taken the initiative to push open that door.

Since they've already committed their lives to each other and have genuinely developed feelings for each other, they'll eventually have to break through that barrier.

Especially now that Zhu Zhuqing has arrived, there's no doubt that there might be a third, or even a fourth...

Instead of waiting for others to make the first move, it's better to secure your position first.

As the first woman to enter Lin Quan's life, even if many other beauties come along in the future, her place in Lin Quan's heart has already taken root and cannot be replaced.

She withdrew her gaze, her eyes shifting back to Lin Quan with a gentle yet resolute look.

Noticing that intense gaze, Lin Quan raised an eyebrow slightly, his heart fluttering.

"What should I call you from now on?" Her voice was soft, with a hint of probing and intimacy. "Husband? Darling? Or like Sister Zhuqing, sweetly call me—Brother Quan?"

Before he could finish speaking, she leaned closer to him, her hair brushing against his ear, her warm breath carrying a delicate fragrance that caressed his skin, causing his fingertips to tremble slightly.

But thinking about what he would do later, his Adam's apple bobbed, and he forcefully suppressed his restlessness.

His hands moved faster than his brain—he swiftly pulled her into his arms and drew her firmly into his embrace.

"Call me whatever you like."

"Once you've taken care of the important business..."

"See how I punish you."

With that, Lin Quan raised his hand and gently tapped Qiao Jingjing's shoulder blade.

"Giggle..."

"I'm going to get back to work now—"

Before the words were even finished, the person had already dashed away like the wind.

Qiao Jingjing let out a series of crisp laughs, nimbly slipping out of Lin Quan's arms. She touched the ground with her toes, spun around, and vanished into the night in an instant, leaving not a trace of her clothes. Watching that slender figure disappear at the courtyard gate, Lin Quan's lips unconsciously curled into a smile.

After a long while, he slowly withdrew his gaze.

Without saying much, Lin Quan turned around and started finishing up the work.

The tableware in the restaurant was cleaned up neatly and tidyly in just a few minutes.

As he stepped into the main living room, he happened to run into Zhu Zhuqing, who had just finished taking a shower—she was wearing a thin, soft, and cool nightgown, with water droplets still dripping from the ends of her hair, making her neck look exceptionally smooth and delicate.

As soon as his gaze fell upon that spot, Lin Quan paused slightly, his eyes also freezing for a moment.

"Quan... Quan-ge..."

She called out softly, her voice barely audible, and her cheeks instantly flushed crimson. She turned and slipped into her room, the door closing as lightly as a feather falling to the ground.

Lin Quan sat down on the sofa and slowly brewed a cup of hot tea.

Not long after, Zhu Zhuqing quietly peeked out again, still wearing the same pajamas, but with a light-colored cardigan over them, the sleeves loosely rolled up to her forearms.

Even so, the blush of shyness still lingered on her ears and neck, and her figure was even more defined in the soft light—Lin Quan's heart stirred slightly, as if a ripple had crossed the surface of the water.

But the ripples only lasted a moment before returning to stillness. His eyes remained clear as ever, without a trace of distraction.

He did have a good impression of Zhu Zhuqing and admired the girl's tenacity and fighting spirit from the bottom of his heart.

But he has always been clear about his bottom line.

Even if that day ever comes, as long as she is underage and her mind is not yet stable, he will never cross the line.

At this moment, his gaze towards her was filled with pure admiration.

Like admiring a meticulously detailed painting or listening to a clear and melodious tune, he never hesitates to linger over anything truly beautiful.

Zhu Zhuqing lowered her eyelashes under his gaze, her fingertips unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes, and she even breathed very softly.

Lin Quan then composed himself and smiled, a hint of interest in his voice: "Zhu Qing, would you mind letting me see your spirit rings?"

"Um...okay, okay..."

She nodded like a chick pecking at rice, her ear tips so red they almost bled.

As soon as she finished speaking, two bright yellow spirit rings suddenly rose from beneath her feet, like two warm, luminous wheels, slowly rotating around her body before hovering steadily at her waist.

"Meow~"

With a soft, delicate meow, Zhu Zhuqing's aura suddenly changed—a pair of fluffy cat ears emerged from the top of her head, and a nearly two-meter-long, bushy tail swung out from behind her, its tip slightly curled.

Even more astonishingly, after the martial spirit possessed her, her already upright figure seemed to be bathed in moonlight, quietly stretching out, with every line radiating a familiar and vibrant luster.

If we were to say that she usually has a hint of naivety in her eyes and brows, the rest of her has long since shed her childishness;

At this moment, she is like a fruit ripened by the morning dew, full, juicy, and exuding a subtle fragrance.

Coupled with the wisp of dark mist that always lingered around it, seemingly there yet not there, its cat ears trembled slightly and its tail tip swayed gently, making its whole appearance indescribably lively and eerie.

Even Lin Quan was momentarily stunned—

Stunning.

These two words struck his heart without reservation.

But after a moment, his gaze steadily shifted and landed on the two floating soul rings.

The more I look at it, the more mysterious it seems.

Especially the patterns that run along the toroidal surface, as fine as star trails, flowing like a living thing...

Before he knew it, he had slowly stepped forward, stood in front of Zhu Zhuqing, and bent down to examine her closely.

Despite repeated scrutiny, its meaning remains elusive—those patterns seem to breathe, yet they keep people at arm's length.

On the contrary, Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks grew hotter and hotter under his focused gaze, and even her breathing became erratic.

At that very moment—

"Cough, cough, cough!"

A deliberately suppressed cough suddenly rang out.

On the blue bricks in the courtyard, Qiao Jingjing's figure had appeared at some point, her skirt still and her face beaming with smiles.

Lin Quan then snapped out of his reverie, looked up and smiled, "Jingjing's back? I was just lost in thought, trying to figure out Zhu Qing's soul ring."

As soon as Lin Quan finished speaking, Qiao Jingjing lifted her eyelids and secretly rolled her eyes.

But in an instant, her gaze fell on Zhu Zhuqing, and her eyes lit up, her interest suddenly piqued.

She strolled around Zhu Zhuqing slowly twice, looking her up and down, her eyes darting around as if appraising a rare treasure.

Finally, he reached out and touched Zhu Zhuqing's waist, his fingertips poking directly at the two glowing spirit rings—

But as soon as the fingertips touched the edge, it was as if passing through fog, leaving only a slightly cool, ethereal feeling.

"Tsk tsk tsk..."

"Sister Zhuqing's figure and charm are so captivating, even my heart is itching..."

"Not to mention this spirit ring, it's both real and ethereal, it's ridiculously wonderful!"

She smiled as she stared at Zhu Zhuqing's flushed earlobes and slightly tense shoulder line. A teasing remark slipped out of her mouth, carrying three parts playfulness and seven parts burning passion.

"I...I'll go rest for a bit first..."