Happy New Year, everyone! Here's to hoping this year is way better than the last. Let's aim to live past 2080, or even longer!
I would like to inform you that a new work is available. If you find it interesting, please consider adding it to your libraries: "I evolved as an intelligent zombie in the multiverse."
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{Chapter: 362 Misty Encounters and Playful Tease!}
Not long after Jiang Rou had quietly slipped away from the pool area, the laughter and splashes faded, replaced by a calm serenity. Lin Yuan and the other girls, who had been soaking in the luxurious heated pool for quite some time, finally began to feel the chill of the evening air brushing against their damp skin.
Dripping with water, their swimsuits clinging to their figures, they decided it was time to get out.
"We should go shower and change," someone said casually, and they all agreed with nods and smiles, beginning to file toward the villa.
Despite the bathhouses near the poolside being available, those were mainly for quick changes. Everyone preferred the comfort and warmth of the indoor bathrooms—complete with elegant decor, scented soaps, and better privacy.
Lin Yuan trailed slightly behind, leisurely wrapping a towel around his shoulders. The idea of returning inside gave him a sudden playful thought. He turned his head toward Qiu Wanxi, her figure glowing softly in the dim lights around the pool.
Originally, Lin Yuan had been thinking of inviting Qiu Wanxi for a Mandarin Duck Bath—an affectionate term in Chinese that described a romantic, shared bath between lovers. He imagined it for a moment, smiled to himself, and was just about to speak.
But before he could get the words out, Xiao Lian and Xiao He—always brimming with energy and mischief—rushed up and tugged Qiu Wanxi by the arms with sparkling eyes.
"Wanxi! Come shower with us! Let's go to the first-floor bath, it's huge!" Xiao He beamed.
"Yes! Let's all go together!" Xiao Lian chimed in excitedly.
They didn't even give Qiu Wanxi a chance to react properly. Laughing and giggling like a trio of teenage girls at a sleepover, they all disappeared inside—pulling even Chen Yu in with them.
Lin Yuan raised a brow in amusement.
It was clear to him now—Qiu Wanxi's gentle charm, her pure-hearted nature, and her innocent beauty had fully melted the hearts of the other girls at Hope Cake Shop. What once may have been polite camaraderie was quickly turning into true sisterhood. Their chemistry was sincere. The atmosphere among them was no longer awkward but warm, like family.
From behind the slightly ajar bathroom door, Xiao Lian suddenly peeked out.
"Young Master~" she called in a teasing tone. "Are you coming in too? You can help rub the manager's back!"
"Hehe~ Yes, Young Master," Xiao He added, winking at him. "We don't mind at all... come in and join us!"
All three girls giggled mischievously from the steamy threshold.
Lin Yuan chuckled and raised his eyebrows, pretending to consider their offer.
"Well then…" he smirked, taking a slow step forward. "How could I turn down such a warm welcome?"
His voice was calm, composed, and laced with mock seriousness.
But just as he approached, Xiao Lian and Xiao He panicked, their faces flushing crimson.
"W-Wait, are you really coming in?!"
In a flurry, they quickly pushed the door shut and leaned against it from inside, their laughter echoing beyond the wooden panels.
Lin Yuan stopped just short of the doorframe, lifting his foot as if to step in—then dramatically retracting it with a teasing grin.
"Relax, I'm not that shameless," he said with a light chuckle. "Get out of those childish swimsuits first. Maybe we'll talk about the bath again next time."
"Hmph!" came twin grunts of defeat from the other side of the door.
Xiao Lian and Xiao He could only shake their heads in exasperation, realizing once again that Lin Yuan was a master of banter—utterly shameless when he wanted to be, and yet always just out of reach. Against someone like him, their playful teasing backfired more often than not.
Lin Yuan gave one last smirk and turned away, heading up the grand staircase.
---
This Riverview Villa wasn't your average home. It was a towering luxury residence with sweeping balconies, carved wood railings, multiple floors, and opulent amenities built into every level. Each floor came equipped with its own lavish bathroom and private relaxation area.
Though there were changing rooms by the pool, those were too cramped and lacked the cozy touches that made bathing a true pleasure.
Lin Yuan, now holding a neatly folded change of clothes under one arm, ascended to the second floor. His body felt refreshed, but his mind still buzzed with the energy from the earlier swim.
Reaching the bathroom door, he noticed it was shut but didn't think much of it. After all, this was his house. Privacy wasn't usually a concern for him here.
Without hesitation, Lin Yuan pushed the door open.
But the moment the door swung wide, time seemed to pause.
Inside the bathroom, a gentle haze hung in the air. Warm steam still clung to the marble walls and fogged the large mirror across the vanity. The scent of fresh body wash lingered in the room—floral, delicate, clean.
And there she was—Jiang Rou—standing barefoot on the bath mat.
Her hair, slightly damp and cascading over her shoulders like silky strands of ink, clung softly to her smooth skin. Beads of water traced down her neck and collarbone. The elegant slope of her back shimmered faintly in the light, and the droplets on her shoulders glistened like pearls.
She had just turned off the shower and reached for her towel—only for the door to swing open before she could wrap it around herself.
Their eyes met.
Lin Yuan didn't flinch, but his brows lifted slightly in surprise.
Jiang Rou froze. Her entire body stiffened as she instinctively looked toward the door. Her eyes widened the moment she realized who it was.
"Ah—!" she opened her mouth, a small gasp escaping her lips, but no coherent words followed.
It wasn't that she disliked Lin Yuan. In fact, her heart harbored a growing fondness for him—a quiet, deep warmth she rarely let show. But this?
Although she has a high favorability towards Lin Yuan, but after all, she is still a girl.
Jiang Rou rarely had contact with the opposite sex since she was a child.
And being seen like this by the opposite sex is extremely embarrassing.
She had never, not once in her life, been seen like this by a man.
Jiang Rou, always calm, graceful, and collected, was now completely disarmed. Her face turned crimson as she stood exposed amidst the misty warmth.
And in her panic… she forgot to cover herself.
Just for a moment.
Just long enough for the silence to stretch between them.
Then, as the heat rushed to her face and the fog in her mind finally cracked, she moved—
But before she could utter a word or raise her hands to cover herself, Lin Yuan had already closed the distance between them in one swift step.
Gently, but firmly, he placed a hand over her mouth.
"Shh," he whispered, eyes locked onto hers with calm control. "Don't scream. It's me."
Jiang Rou's heart pounded furiously in her chest. Her breath hitched against his palm.
Her eyes flickered with surprise—and something else. Confusion. Shyness. A tiny trace of fear? No... not fear of him. Fear of herself. Of this moment.
The heat from the shower was nothing compared to the flush that now spread across her entire body.
Her legs felt weak. Her voice, gone.
Lin Yuan didn't move. He simply gazed at her for another second, then slowly pulled his hand away once he saw she had calmed.
"I didn't know anyone was inside," he said with a calm tone, his voice as smooth as velvet. "You forgot to lock the door."