Chapter Eighty-Three: Lovers' Bath

"Taking a lovers' bath, of course!" Lin Yang grinned mischievously, his feet never pausing as he made straight for the bathroom.

In Tang Yixue's villa, the bathroom and bathing area were separately designed; inside the spacious bath, not only was there a tub, but also a special yin-yang bath and matching showerheads, crafted for couples to enjoy romantic moments together.

He lifted his foot and gently kicked open the bathhouse door, hooked it closed behind them, and only then did he set Tang Yixue down. When it came to undressing in front of a woman, Lin Yang was a seasoned hand. Before Tang Yixue could even react, he had already stripped himself bare, his lascivious eyes fixed hungrily on her blushing cheeks.

He reached out and turned on the nearby faucet; the sound of running water echoed through the bath chamber.

Despite having been intimate before, Tang Yixue was still a little shy. Awkward and hesitant, she was half-pushed, half-persuaded by Lin Yang into the bath.

"Yixue, do you always bathe with your underwear on?" Lin Yang asked incredulously, seeing her step into the tub still wearing her undergarments.

"Um, well, Xiao Yang, how about you go first? I'll bathe after you," she stammered, unused to the idea of sharing a bath, naked, with a man—even if that man was her own. The innate modesty of a young woman made her feel restrained.

This was the time to see a man's prowess, and Lin Yang, shameless as ever, had his ways. He refused to back down. "Come on, Yixue, we're practically an old married couple now. What's there to be shy about? Last time in bed, you were pretty enthusiastic. Why so bashful now? Here, let your husband help you undress tonight."

As he spoke, his mischievous hands reached straight for her chest, half-exposed above her lace bra. Instinctively, Tang Yixue tried to block him, but he shifted swiftly, bypassed her guarding hands, and in one deft movement behind her, unclasped her black lace bra. It hung loosely, half-revealing her delicate curves—a tantalizing sight that made Lin Yang swallow hard. He cursed himself for being too rushed last time, for not having properly admired this full, enticing beauty before him.

With a practiced flick, Lin Yang removed the last barrier, exposing her to his gaze. In reflex, Tang Yixue crossed her arms tightly over her chest, frustrating Lin Yang's attempt to enjoy her softness. The familiar scene reminded him of the afternoon, when Leng Nini, Zhang Qiqi, and Su Qin had blocked him in the women's changing room with their hands.

"Yixue," Lin Yang called earnestly, his eyes fixed on her blushing face.

"Yes? What is it?" she replied, glancing up and then quickly lowering her gaze.

Ah, women—always shy when the moment arrives.

"Put your hands down," Lin Yang commanded, his tone brooking no disobedience. He swore inwardly: Damn it, as if I can't handle you.

"Yes, that's better. Now, stretch your legs, raise your hips higher... higher still... that's it." With a satisfied grin, Lin Yang slid her panties off her upturned hips, his expression that of an unabashed wolf, enough to make anyone want to punch him.

"Yixue, I'm coming in. Don't worry, I'll be gentle this time." Spreading her legs, Lin Yang gazed at the dewy garden before him, leaned close to her ear, and whispered tenderly.

With a shy nod from Tang Yixue and a gasp of pleasure, Lin Yang mounted her, plunging into the primeval dance of passion.

...

Night fell quickly; the sun had long dipped behind the mountains, and the cool autumn wind sent fallen leaves swirling. Leng Nini and Zhang Qiqi, after an hour and a half in the pool, finally climbed out, refreshed.

Their time together had made them as close as sisters, especially Zhang Qiqi, who had grown up with Lin Yang and shared a wet nurse with him—she delighted in recounting his childhood embarrassments.

When the two, laughing and chatting, came downstairs after changing, Su Qin was just finishing with dinner. The villa's dozen or so bodyguards were busy setting dishes on the table, their faces aglow with happiness.

"Aunt Qin, thank you for your hard work. Come, sit down—I'll go call the young ladies for dinner," said the leader of the bodyguards cheerfully.

For these men, whose lives hung by a thread each day, such a chance to gather for a home-cooked meal was rare. The new mistress of the house had gone out of her way to cook for them, and their gratitude was heartfelt.

Because of the small dining table, Su Qin had the men push tables together to accommodate everyone.

Before the leader could call them, Leng Nini and Zhang Qiqi descended the stairs together, still radiant from their swim. Their skin glistened like water lilies, and a natural fragrance stirred the men's hormones. Several bodyguards gawked openly, some even drooling.

"Uh, is there a special occasion today?" Leng Nini asked, puzzled by the festive atmosphere.

Having lived here for nearly a month, she'd never seen such a scene. Her own family, proud and ambitious, had never gathered happily for a meal, so this kind of homely gathering was foreign to her.

But Zhang Qiqi, raised in a humble neighborhood and used to visiting neighbors, missed such times. Since starting work, life had become distant and tainted by the stench of money, leaving little room for these simple joys.

"Where's Brother Yang? I don't see him," Leng Nini asked, scanning the table.

Su Qin, busy in the kitchen, remembered only that Lin Yang had made a phone call, but shook her head, unsure of his whereabouts.

"Brother Yang went out on business. He said he'd be back soon," the lead bodyguard replied respectfully.

Nini gave a soft "oh," but her face betrayed her displeasure. She knew all too well what was going on—he was off chasing women again. Ever since she learned that Tang Yixue, Lin Yang's childhood sweetheart, was also in Jinhai, she'd felt uneasy.

It was a deep-seated rivalry—perhaps even the jealousy of a rival in love. After fleeing her family, she'd come straight to Jinhai, her intentions clear. Yet despite her seductive efforts, Lin Yang had remained oblivious, which had wounded her pride. In a way, she felt he was deliberately avoiding her.

"Nini, what's wrong? You seem unhappy," Zhang Qiqi asked, concerned.

"It's nothing. Let's eat. Maybe I'm just feeling homesick," Leng Nini forced a smile, making excuses.

Homesick? Not likely. If the girl who hated home most was suddenly homesick, the sun must be rising in the west.

"Come on, let's eat! Aunt Qin made so much delicious food—I'm not holding back," Zhang Qiqi declared, and without waiting for the others, reached for her chopsticks.

...

Meanwhile, Lin Yang was proving his manly prowess with Tang Yixue. Thanks to cultivating the Celestial Blade technique, his stamina was formidable—after five rounds, it was only because Tang Yixue was utterly exhausted that he finally stopped.

But there was more. Last time, he had discovered that the Celestial Blade could be advanced through yin-yang harmony. Sure enough, as he carefully circulated his inner energy during their lovemaking, he felt a breakthrough. The technique, of the fire element, had always been held back by his excess yang energy; now, after this union, his inner power was more stable and even improved. Though, he had to admit, the progress was less than last time.

"Xiao Yang," Tang Yixue murmured, pulling the covers up to shield her naked body, her head nestled against his chest, tracing circles with her finger.

"Yixue, what's up? Want to go another round with your beloved husband?" Lin Yang teased, his hand straying to her soft curves.

"Stop bullying me. I have a serious question!" She glared at him, batting his hand away.

"What is it?" Lin Yang asked, seeing her earnest expression.

"Don’t you want to go home? You’ve been away for nearly half a year and haven’t called Aunt Yun or Uncle Cheng," she said softly.

She remembered Lin Yang’s mother asking her to look out for him when she came to Jinhai, worried for her son who had left home without a word.

"Go home? To take over a life I don’t want?" The idea was like a deep pit to Lin Yang, and at the mention, he bristled like a wounded tiger, his voice rising in indignation.

Sighing, Tang Yixue wisely dropped the subject, resting her head on his chest to listen to his heartbeat and savor his warmth, content.

Just then, the doorbell rang, shattering the tranquil moment.

"Who could be so annoying, ringing the bell at a time like this?" Lin Yang grumbled as Tang Yixue quickly dressed, her graceful curves hidden once more. Muttering complaints, he began searching for their scattered clothes, already determined to give the unwelcome visitor a piece of his mind.