Chapter 431 Lin Che and Li Muwan’s Tenderness

Lin Che heard this, his gaze retracting from the stream and falling upon the white porcelain dish Li Muwan held.

The osmanthus cake in the dish was a lustrous white, its surface sprinkled with tiny golden osmanthus petals. Before even tasting it, a sweet fragrance wafted over with the breeze, dispelling some of the earlier melancholy caused by Yun Quezi's demise.

"Wan'er's cooking skills are getting better and better."

Lin Che reached out and picked up a piece. His fingertips touched the cool surface of the pastry, and upon tasting it, it was soft, glutinous, and sweet. The fragrance of osmanthus bloomed on his tongue, bringing with it a familiar warmth.

This taste gradually merged with the osmanthus cake she had offered him when they first met at the Heng Yue Sect, as if time had briefly overlapped at this moment.

Li Muwan sat beside him, a faint blush rising on her cheeks from his compliment. She softly said, "Husband, you're always busy traveling outside. It's rare for you to return, so of course, I have to prepare some of your favorite dishes."

"And after years of cultivation, it's also time to relax your body a bit," Li Muwan looked at the lingering fatigue in Lin Che's eyes, her voice tinged with concern. "Elder Yun Quezi's matter… don't dwell on it too much. He was able to wait for your return, so he must have fulfilled his wish."

Lin Che's fingertips paused, and he slowly nodded.

"He protected the Immortal Relic Clan and guarded Vermillion Bird Star his entire life. He is a respected elder, but the karma of the Great Dao ultimately cannot overcome birth, old age, sickness, and death."

Lin Che looked at Li Muwan beside him. If he hadn't helped Wan'er cleanse her meridians and improve her strength, with Wan'er's talent, it would have been very difficult for her to break through to the late Net Nirvana stage in this lifetime.

Li Muwan sat on Lin Che's lap, looking at her older brother Li Qiqing, and softly whispered, "Brother, you are the strongest on this Water Blue Star now. What do you plan to do next?"

Li Qiqing replied, "I am no longer the Vermillion Bird Son. The matters of Water Blue Star will be left to them to handle themselves. As for the rest, they are merely minor details."

"Do you want to go out and gain experience?"

Li Muwan's delicate brows furrowed slightly, a little worried about her brother.

Li Qiqing picked up his teacup and took a sip. Amidst the swirling tea mist, his eyes held a distant look: "There's no need for training."

Setting down the teacup, Li Qiqing looked up at the scenery before him, his fingertips caressing the rim of the cup.

"When I was young, I always wanted to compete and win, single-mindedly focused on securing the position of the Vermillion Bird Son. Later, watching you find your home and Elder Lin Che supporting this world, I realized my past obsession was too heavy."

Li Qiqing looked up at the continuous bamboo forest beyond the pavilion. Sunlight filtered through the leaves onto his face, adding a touch of softness. "These past years, Water Blue Star has been peaceful, the Immortal Relic Clan and mortals live in harmony, and the disciples of the Heng Yue Sect are thriving. Guarding this land and watching them grow feels more grounded than constantly rushing about."

"Besides," Li Qiqing's tone shifted as he looked at Li Muwan, a smile in his eyes, "Elder Lin Che is going to the Outer Realm, and your body needs quiet recuperation. If I leave, who will watch over Zhao Country for you? I remember Elder Yun Quezi's dying wish."

Upon hearing this, Li Muwan's hanging heart finally settled. She reached out and gently patted his arm, "Brother, you're still the most reliable."

She turned and leaned her head on Lin Che's shoulder, her tone lighter, and with a gentle smile, she said, "This way, I can also feel more at ease and not constantly worry about home."

Lin Che naturally put his arm around her waist, his gaze at Li Qiqing filled with a touch of approval. "It's best that you stay to preside over the overall situation."

"Although the unusual aura deep within the star core has not yet erupted, it is ultimately a hidden danger. With you here, I can be more at ease when I go to the Outer Realm."

"You go ahead."

Li Qiqing waved his hand, his tone firm. "Although I haven't reached the Net Nirvana stage, with the token and insights you left behind, protecting Water Blue Star is more than enough. If there's truly something I can't handle, just crush a communication jade slip, and you wouldn't just sit by, would you?"

This remark made all three of them laugh, and the oppressive atmosphere in the bamboo pavilion completely dissipated.

Li Muwan picked up a piece of osmanthus cake and offered it to Li Qiqing. "Brother, you try it too. This is a new recipe I've been experimenting with. I added a bit of spirit honey; it's even smoother than before."

Li Qiqing took a bite and exclaimed with admiration, "It really is better than before. Lin Che, this kid, certainly has good taste."

He looked at Lin Che, a hint of teasing in his voice, "You should come back more often in the future; don't always leave Wan'er missing you in an empty bamboo pavilion."

Lin Che's fingers tightened, pulling Li Muwan closer, his gaze gentle. "Don't worry. This time, after returning from the Outer Realm, I will spend more time with her. Once all matters are dealt with, I will accompany her to plant osmanthus trees all around this bamboo pavilion and no longer concern myself with external disputes."

Li Muwan's eyes lit up, and she looked up at him. "Really?"

"Of course, it's real."

Lin Che lowered his head and gently kissed her forehead, whispering softly, "When have I ever lied to you?"

Li Qiqing watched their intimate display, smiling as he shook his head, raising his teacup to hide the smile on his lips.

The sun was just right, the stream gurgled, and the sweet fragrance of osmanthus cake mingled with the breeze, filling the bamboo pavilion. This moment of tranquility became the warmest hope in their hearts… As the sun set, the distant mountains were like painted brows.

In the quiet room, candlelight flickered brightly. Lin Che gently caressed Wan'er's beautiful face.

"Wan'er, you are so beautiful."

Li Muwan's pretty face flushed slightly. She nestled in Lin Che's embrace, her thin lips gently pursed as she said, "Husband~"

Lin Che's throat subtly moved, his gaze sliding from her flushed cheeks to her gently pursed lips. His fingertips traced softly downwards along her temple, finally stopping at her chin, which he gently lifted.

Li Muwan's eyelashes trembled slightly, and the moment she closed her eyes, his kiss descended.

There was no eager plunder, only careful lingering, carrying the lingering sweetness of the osmanthus cake and his unique, reassuring spiritual energy.

Li Muwan's arms unconsciously wrapped around his neck, pulling herself closer to him, responding to this long-awaited intimacy.

The candlelight flickered, casting their intertwined shadows on the wall, soft and without a single sharp edge.

Lin Che's kiss deepened gradually, his fingertips gently caressing her back, as if to melt years of longing and concern into this single kiss.

Only when Li Muwan's breathing quickened did he slowly pull back, his forehead resting against hers, their noses touching.

"Wait for me," Lin Che's voice was hoarse from the kiss, his eyes bright as if filled with starlight. "When I return, I will stay with you like this every day."

"This journey to the Outer Realm is fraught with danger. I plan to have you all stay here first, and I will return to find you after I've resolved everything."

"I understand, Husband. You must be careful, though."

Li Muwan buried her face in Lin Che's neck, giving a muffled hum. Her arms tightened further, pressing her face against his warm skin, feeling his strong heartbeat.

The moonlight outside the window streamed through the lattice, falling upon them, serene and tender.