As night fell, the lanterns were lit.
Under Li Daoyuan's kind invitation, Lin Langyue and the other two stayed at the Li residence and stayed in a room not far from Li Ran's room.
In the side room, the candlelight in the room flickered.
Aqin held Shen Ning in her arms and rubbed her face affectionately. From time to time, she even gave her a kiss.
Shen Ning's baby fat face was covered with faint red marks. Her eyes were numb.
Corners of Li Ran's mouth curled up. "Shen Ning, how do you feel about having an older sister?"
Shen Ning's voice was teary, but her tone was very calm. "Sister is good everywhere. She's just too clingy."
Li Ran couldn't help but laugh when he saw the helpless expression.
Aqin didn't mind and happily said, "Thank you, my Lord, for allowing us sisters to meet."
Li Ran waved his hand. "You've been with me for ten years. It's just a small matter."
He thought of something and asked, "By the way, did the Shen family come to look for you?"
"No." Aqin shook her head and said, "The housekeeper has already arranged to forbid the Shen family from entering the side courtyard."
Li Ran nodded. "If anyone comes to bother you, just tell me. In front of me, you're still that Aqin, but in the Li family, you're an honored guest!"
Aqin's status depended on his attitude.
To the Shen family, Aqin had climbed up the branch and turned into a phoenix.
It was inevitable that someone would take advantage of her to gain some benefits and even get rid of her status as a slave.
Aqin might not be able to do anything to such a person, but Li Ran would not show any mercy.
Aqin looked at him, her eyes shining. "Thank you, Lord Sheng Zi…"
At that moment, Shen Ning said, "Sister, your heart is beating so fast."
"Ah?" Aqin was stunned for a moment, then she stammered, "A heartbeat is a sign of good health."
"But your face is red too."
"Shut up!"
Li Ran smiled at them.
It was rare to see that side of Aqin.
There was less cowardice and fear and more natural and cheerful.
Her entire person was much more bright.
Shen Ning quietly observed Li Ran, her clear eyes filled with worship and dependence.
She jumped out of Aqin's embrace and walked in front of Li Ran. She nervously pinched her clothes. "Young Master can I, can I hug you?"
Li Ran smiled and said without hesitation, "Of course, you can."
She reached out and hugged Shen Ning.
This little girl's body was very light and carried a faint fragrance of milk.
"Thank you, Young Master," Shen Ning said with a smile.
Li Ran smiled. "You're no longer a slave. You don't need to call me Young Master… Yeah, just call me brother."
"Brother?" Shen Ning blinked her big eyes as if she was unfamiliar with this name.
Although she didn't say anything, the joy in her eyes indicated that she was very happy.
Aqin looked at the two of them with envy in her eyes. "My Lord, I also want to hug you…"
She only reacted halfway before she covered her mouth.
"It's over. I accidentally spoke my mind!"
Her pretty face was red, and her heart was nervous. She was worried that she would make Li Ran unhappy.
At this moment, a large hand grabbed her slender waist and pulled her into his embrace.
When Aqin regained her senses, she realized that Li Ran was sitting on the bed while she was sitting on Li Ran's leg!
"Sister!" She raised her head blankly.
Li Ran smiled. "Didn't you say you wanted to hug me?"
Looking at that brilliant smile, her pretty face instantly turned red.
Her head gently leaned against his chest, her heart beating very fast.
"So this is the feeling in the embrace of the Sheng Zi… It's really warm."
Shen Ning blinked and said in a sweet voice, "Brother, you're so strong."
Li Ran burst into laughter.
Two of them weren't heavy, so how could they need any strength?
Just as he was about to say something, Aqin's face turned red as she leaned close to his ear and said, "Brother, Aqin likes to be carried by you."
Li Ran's body instantly stiffened.
After a long silence, he gently placed the two of them on the bed.
"It's getting late. You guys should rest early. I'll go back to my room first," he said.
Then, he walked out without looking back.
Shen Ning was at a loss. "Brother, what's wrong?"
Aqin lowered her head and rebuked herself, "I must have been too rash and angered you. How can I call you brother?"
...
Outside the room…
Li Ran leaned against the wall, and his breathing became a little chaotic.
Spirit Maiden Body combined with the Light Sutra, its power was really too strong.
Just now, that soft "big brother" almost made Sheng Zi Li surrender.
"It hasn't even reached the foundation building yet, and its power is already so shocking. If she could cross the tribulation, how strong could it be?" Li Ran shuddered.
What kind of existence could withstand such a test?
He blew the night breeze for a while before walking towards his room.
As soon as he opened the door, the dim room lit up with candles.
Lin Langyue was standing by the window in white, looking at him nervously.
Li Ran was puzzled. "Chief Lin, why are you here?"
Lin Langyue was embarrassed. "When I came to knock on the door, someone happened to pass by, so I had to hide."
Li Ran scratched his head. "It's just knocking on the door. Why are you so nervous?"
Lin Langyue shook her head. "You don't understand. If this were to spread to Uncle Li, he would think that I'm a bit of an unruly person."
Li Ran didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "You're thinking too much. Oh, right. Why are you looking for me?"
Lin Langyue blushed. "Actually, it's nothing. I just wanted to see you…"
"See me?" Li Ran walked up to her and laughed. "What do you have to see?"
It seemed that the distance was too close, causing Lin Langyue to be a little nervous. Her breathing became hurried.
She looked away and said softly, "I heard that after you left the Tianshu Institute, you had a conflict with the Joyous Unity Sect. Are you hurt?"
"No." Li Ran said, "Fortunately, Qing… Cough cough Daoist Yi took action, letting me escape."
Bloody hell, he almost slipped up.
Lin Langyue didn't realize it. She was silent for a while before asking, "Is it for Qin Ruyan?"
Li Ran didn't avoid it, either. "Sort of…"
Lin Langyue's heart tightened, and she clenched her Daoist robe tightly. An inexplicable impulse suddenly surged in her heart.
She walked forward and slowly wrapped her arms around his strong waist. Her voice trembled slightly. "I miss you, Master Li."
Li Ran's heart skipped a beat, and her entire body stiffened like a sculpture.
What is happening tonight?
One by one!