In the bathroom, Zhu Zhuqing lay in the bathtub, her body trembling uncontrollably as though she had endured a magnitude ten earthquake.
With each labored breath, the flush on her face gradually subsided, though her charming expression lingered, reluctant to fade.
The alternating sensations of heat and cold left her slightly disoriented, yet strangely, she enjoyed every moment.
As the intensity began to diminish, her dizzy mind and dazed eyes slowly regained clarity.
She raised her gaze and found Tang Yin grinning mischievously at her.
Recalling how she had repeatedly pleaded with Tang Yin earlier, asking him to make her feel unparalleled joy, Zhu Zhuqing flushed with embarrassment, wishing she could vanish into thin air.
"Tang Yin, I... I..." Zhu Zhuqing stammered, not knowing what to say.
Tang Yin, understanding her cool and reserved personality, knew that saying such things was already a significant step for her. He held her soft, delicate body and whispered gently, "I understand. That wasn't really you—those words just slipped out because you couldn't hold back, right?"
Zhu Zhuqing blushed even deeper, nodding ever so slightly with a barely audible "Mm."
*Splash!*
Without saying much else, Tang Yin finished bathing and carried the limp Zhu Zhuqing out of the bathroom.
After allowing her to rest for a while to regain some strength, they checked out of their room and began heading back to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
However, Zhu Zhuqing, though slightly recovered, was still weak and found it difficult to walk on the way back. Tang Yin had no choice but to carry her on his back.
On the Road
Zhu Zhuqing clung to Tang Yin's neck, leaning against his sturdy back. To her surprise, she found herself enjoying being carried like this.
The unfamiliar sense of comfort left her feeling dazed. Bit by bit, as the exhaustion from last night and today's exertion caught up with her, Zhu Zhuqing drifted off to sleep on Tang Yin's back.
Feeling her breathing even out, Tang Yin realized she had fallen asleep. Not wanting to disturb her, he continued his steady journey toward Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
Noon Arrival
By noon, Tang Yin and Zhu Zhuqing arrived at the gates of the academy.
To Tang Yin's surprise, Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong were descending the steps just as they arrived.
Having finished a lesson taught by Tang Yin earlier, the two girls had decided to look for Zhu Zhuqing. However, as soon as they stepped out of the academy gate, they were stunned to see Tang Yin carrying Zhu Zhuqing on his back.
After a moment of shock, they rushed over, concern etched on their faces.
"Tang Yin, what happened to Zhuqing?" they asked anxiously.
Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong, being Zhu Zhuqing's closest friends, were visibly worried to see her in such a seemingly unconscious state.
Tang Yin replied calmly, "She's fine. She just passed out from exhaustion and needs some rest."
"Exhaustion?" Ning Rongrong repeated in astonishment, her gaze growing curious and slightly suspicious as she looked at Tang Yin.
Xiao Wu also appeared puzzled.
How could Zhu Zhuqing suddenly be so tired? And why was Tang Yin carrying her back? The two of them had been absent the entire night, and now Zhu Zhuqing was passed out. What on earth had happened?
Curiosity and confusion were evident in both their expressions.
Tang Yin, not wanting to put Zhu Zhuqing in an awkward position, naturally avoided explaining the intimate details of their time together.
"Last night, I took Zhuqing to a place for combat training to help with her cultivation. She's pushed herself too hard during the practice, which is why she's so exhausted now. You know how relentless she can be when it comes to training."
Hearing his explanation, Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu immediately checked Zhu Zhuqing's spirit power and found that she had indeed broken through to level 30.
Realizing Tang Yin wasn't lying, they were relieved and happy for Zhu Zhuqing.
"Let's get her back to rest," Xiao Wu said. "Rongrong, go inform the others about Zhuqing's breakthrough."
"Got it," Ning Rongrong nodded enthusiastically.
Zhu Zhuqing's breakthrough to level 30 was a significant achievement, not just for her but also for the Shrek team as a whole. It was a moment worth celebrating.
Now that Zhu Zhuqing had reached level 30, they would also need to help her hunt for her third spirit ring.
Xiao Wu carried Zhu Zhuqing back to her room to rest, while Ning Rongrong went to inform Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang and the others of Zhu Zhuqing's breakthrough.
Tang Yin, on the other hand, headed to his adoptive mother Ah Yin's office.
### In Ah Yin's Office
At that moment, Ah Yin was busy with her work. Since joining Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, she had fully embraced her role as a teacher and handled her daily responsibilities with utmost seriousness.
Seeing Ah Yin seated at her desk, diligently working, Tang Yin was momentarily captivated by her graceful demeanor.
Quietly, he approached her, picked her up, and set her on the desk. He began to admire her closely.
"Naughty child, this is still the office, you know," Ah Yin said. She had noticed Tang Yin enter but was too focused on her work to greet him right away. She didn't expect him to lift her onto the desk and look at her with such a mischievous expression.
As Tang Yin's adoptive mother, Ah Yin was well aware of his intentions. However, this was still an office, and with others just next door, any indiscretion might be discovered.
Tang Yin, unconcerned with such details, leaned close to her neck, inhaling her delicate fragrance as he placed soft kisses on her fair, smooth skin.
"Mm..." Ah Yin murmured softly, wrapping her arms around Tang Yin's neck and pulling him closer.
However, just then—
*Knock knock!*
A knock came from the door, followed by Qin Ming's voice.
"Teacher Ah Yin?"
Hearing Qin Ming, Tang Yin paused and looked at Ah Yin, asking, "Does he often come looking for you?"
Ah Yin shook her head. "I'm not sure what he wants."
"Alright, it probably isn't anything urgent," Tang Yin said, releasing Ah Yin before walking to the door and opening it.
*Creak—*
When the door opened, Qin Ming had been full of joy, expecting to see the woman he admired most—Ah Yin.
Even though he knew Ah Yin was Tang San's mother and Tang Yin's adoptive mother, Qin Ming couldn't help his feelings for her. If given the chance, he was determined to pursue her.
However, the moment the door opened and he saw Tang Yin instead of Ah Yin, Qin Ming's expression fell instantly, his excitement vanishing without a trace.
Awkwardly, he stammered, "Tang Yin, you... you're here too?"
"Teacher Qin Ming, is there something you need from my adoptive mother?" Tang Yin asked casually, observing Qin Ming closely. He was fully aware of the man's feelings.
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