After lingering in the embrace a little longer, both Lin Mei and Lin Fang's biological mother, Lin Yanxi, reluctantly pulled away, their hearts still unsettled by the warmth they had felt.
Lin Yanxi broke the silence first, her voice tinged with motherly affection. "Alright, enough of this. Go and clean yourself up. You're still in the clothes you wore yesterday," she said, gesturing at him.
Lin Fang glanced down at himself and noticed the bloodstains and dirt on his clothes from the previous night. The sight was a grim reminder of the humiliation he'd faced, but he simply smiled and nodded. "Don't worry," he said, his tone light. "I'll take my bath… after finishing my morning training."
Lin Mei's brows furrowed in concern as she stepped closer. "You're planning to train again? Fang, don't you think it's too soon? Your body needs more time to recover. Pushing yourself now could make things worse," she said, her voice filled with genuine worry.
Lin Fang shook his head, his determination unwavering. "No, Mother Mei. If I skip my training, I'll feel hollow for the rest of the day. Even if I can't meditate to gather Chi anymore because of my broken Dantian, I can at least, still keep my body strong."
Both women fell silent, their expressions clouded with sorrow and suppressed fury. Lin Yanxi and Lin Mei exchanged a glance that spoke volumes, their shared anger and helplessness reflected in their eyes.
They wanted nothing more than to storm into the Zhao Clan's compound and tear it apart, exacting revenge for the suffering inflicted upon Lin Fang. Yet the grim reality held them back—the Zhao Clan wasn't an opponent they could challenge lightly.
The Zhao Clan stood at the apex of power within the city, supported by alliances with other prominent clans. They wielded influence like a blade, ensuring that any opposition would be crushed before it could gain traction.
To strike at the Zhao Clan recklessly would not only spell doom for Lin Yanxi and Lin Mei but also bring disaster upon the entire Lin Clan. It would mean losing everything—homes, lives, and even the last shred of their dignity—all while accomplishing nothing in return.
Even so, their anguish softened slightly as they watched Lin Fang. Despite everything he had endured, he remained unbroken. His spirit, like a flame in the wind, refused to be extinguished. Lin Mei sighed softly, her gaze filled with a mixture of pride and sorrow. "You really are strong, Fang," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lin Yanxi smiled faintly, though her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "Yeah... My son is the strongest," she added, her tone gentle. Deep down, they both resolved to do whatever it took to protect him, even if it meant standing against the world.
Lin Fang smiled faintly, hiding the truth he could never share. The Lin Fang they knew was gone, replaced by someone who was an intricate blend of his past and present lives.
Yet, for their sake, he would play his role. "Alright," he said with a chuckle, "enough of this somber talk. Let's get on with our day. Mother, you still have the clan's business affairs to handle. And Mother Mei, don't you have your daily clan duties to see to? If you two stay here any longer, our Lin Clan might just go bankrupt, and we'll all starve for a day."
Both Lin Yanxi and Lin Mei couldn't help but smile at his playful words. They rose from the bed, their gazes lingering on him with a mix of affection and worry.
"Don't overexert yourself," Lin Yanxi said, her tone laced with maternal care. "I'll send someone to keep an eye on you."
Lin Mei stepped closer, leaning in to place a soft kiss on his cheek. "Don't worry about anything, alright? Just take care of yourself," she added gently.
Lin Fang nodded with a reassuring smile. "Understood," he said.
The two women shared a final glance at him before leaving the room. Though their outward behavior remained much the same, their hearts were far from calm. Lin Mei, in particular, felt a strange, unfamiliar heat rising within her.
That fleeting kiss on Lin Fang's cheek had stirred something she couldn't quite put into words—something she never imagined herself feeling. If not for Lin Yanxi's presence, she might have let her emotions get the better of her.
As the door closed behind them, Lin Mei let out a soft sigh, casting a furtive glance at Lin Yanxi. Meanwhile, Lin Fang watched them leave with a composed expression, fully aware of the silent turmoil brewing within their hearts. He leaned back against the bedpost, his mind churning with thoughts.
'The changes have already begun,' he mused. 'Sooner or later, they'll come to realize the truth of their feelings. When that time comes…'
He let the thought trail off, a smirk forming on his lips. For now, he would let things unfold naturally, just as they were meant to.
After his mothers left, Lin Fang swung his legs over the edge of the bed and stood up. He glanced down at himself, running a hand over his torso, and nodded with a hint of satisfaction. "I'm far better than my past life self," he remarked to himself.
With a casual motion, he untied the knot of his robe, letting it slide off his shoulders and fall to the ground in a fluid motion. Standing there in the soft light of the room, his physique was revealed in its full glory.
His body could only be described as perfection—a masterpiece seemingly sculpted by divine hands. Muscles rippled subtly beneath his flawless skin, a balance of strength and grace that exuded raw power. His long, straight black hair cascaded down his back, framing a face that could make gods envious. His sword-like eyebrows, chiselled jawline, and piercing eyes radiated a commanding presence.
If one were to look at him, they would be struck by his transformation. Gone was the boy who could be dismissed as merely handsome. Now, he stood as a man whose very existence demanded attention.
His very aura had shifted—from the image of a noble and virtuous hero to the dark, irresistible allure of one who walked the razor's edge between redemption and destruction.
His presence was intoxicating, a blend of danger and desire that no woman could resist. He was the kind of man who could make anyone's heart race—whether they dreamed of him as their husband, lover, or even entertained forbidden fantasies.
His newfound charisma was magnetic, a force that would draw others to him like moths to a flame, whether they realized it or not.
Lin Fang chuckled softly to himself, his lips curling into a faint smirk as he ran a hand through his hair. 'This is just the beginning,' he thought. 'If even I'm this mesmerized by my own reflection, how will the women resist when they see my true self?'