However, before long, she felt a gentle yet persistent movement on her back.
“What are you doing?” Lu Qiancha turned around and snapped irritably, splashing a wave of water.
“Helping you scrub your back.” Ling Wanbai answered matter-of-factly, towel in hand, as if this was the most natural thing in the world.
“No need, I don’t like you right now. Stay away from me.” Lu Qiancha puffed up like an angry kitten, scooting a large distance to the side, pressing her back tightly against the warm wall of the pool, eyeing her warily.
“Then…” Ling Wanbai tilted her head, logically raising another question, “Before… did you like me?”
“Of course not, I disliked you even more before.” Lu Qiancha rebutted instantly, cheeks puffed up with indignation.
“So…” Ling Wanbai’s gray eyes blinked, filled with innocent curiosity, “Now you like me more than before?”
“Eh?!!”
Lu Qiancha felt as if a bolt of lightning had struck her brain, instantly short-circuiting her thoughts.
Unconsciously, she followed the peculiar yet seemingly flawless chain of reasoning Ling Wanbai had laid out—
She used to dislike her a lot, but now, she didn’t dislike her as much? So, the dislike had lessened…
Didn’t that mean…
Her favorability had increased?!
The Wolf Cub was completely stunned, soaking dazedly in the warm water, oblivious even as droplets splashed on her face, her little mouth slightly open, muttering in bewildered confusion, “I-it seems so… Compared to before… I guess now, I do like you a bit more…”
Lu Qiancha’s voice was airy and filled with self-doubt.
A subtle, almost imperceptible light flashed in the depths of Ling Wanbai’s gray eyes. Seizing the momentum, she tilted her head and gently asked, “Since you like me so much… shouldn’t you call me ‘Elder Sister’?”
“Uhm…” Lu Qiancha was a bit dizzy from this sudden demand for a title. Her little mind worked furiously: Like → call Elder Sister… logically, that kind of made sense?
So, Lu Qiancha softly and a little tentatively said, “Greetings, Elder Sister…”
“Since little Qiancha called me ‘Elder Sister,’” Ling Wanbai blinked, seamlessly following up with another question, “doesn’t that mean… you like Elder Sister even more now?”
“Seems like it…”
Lu Qiancha nodded in a daze.
“Then,” Ling Wanbai leaned forward a little, her voice carrying a hint of gentle coaxing, “can little Qiancha forgive Elder Sister for being a bit hasty just now?”
“O-okay. I forgive you, Elder Sister…”
Lu Qiancha still felt that something was a bit off, as if she was being led by the nose by something invisible, but Ling Wanbai’s barrage of questions left her no space to think it over.
“Good girl,” Ling Wanbai’s lips curved ever so slightly, a rare hint of a smile, as she patted the small stool by the bath, “Come here, little Qiancha. Let Elder Sister scrub your back and wash your hair properly.”
“Okay, thank you, Elder Sister~” Lu Qiancha nodded obediently and scooted over as told, sitting on the short stool in front of Ling Wanbai.
The smile in Ling Wanbai’s eyes deepened. She picked up the towel and Soap Bean, and gently, meticulously began washing Lu Qiancha’s long hair, scrubbing her smooth back. Water flowed down her delicate skin.
“Little Qiancha,” Ling Wanbai’s voice sounded especially gentle amidst the steam, “Elder Sister will help wash the rest for you too, okay?” Her hands moved naturally.
“Okay, Elder Sister.” Lu Qiancha squinted comfortably, sitting at the edge of the bath, her two smooth little feet swinging leisurely in the warm water, sending out gentle ripples. Not having to do anything herself felt quite nice…
But when Ling Wanbai’s hands, covered in Soap Bean bubbles, slipped under her arms and reached for the soft area in front—
“Ah! That tickles~!” Lu Qiancha shivered sensitively, her cheeks reddening as she let out a soft sound.
“Elder Sister, wash quickly, it really tickles.” The Wolf Cub complained in a small voice.
Ling Wanbai agreed and immediately quickened her movements, though her touch remained gentle.
A short while later, when Ling Wanbai’s fingers inadvertently brushed over a particularly sensitive spot, Lu Qiancha, who had just regained some strength, felt it slip away again, her body softening.
“The—The tail, I’ll do it myself! No need to trouble Elder Sister.”
Lu Qiancha’s face grew even redder as she hurriedly grabbed her fluffy big tail, cradling it in her arms like a treasured possession, and started scrubbing it herself.
“Alright.” Ling Wanbai didn’t insist, simply nodding calmly, her gaze following Lu Qiancha’s movements.
Once Lu Qiancha was freshly washed and fragrant, Ling Wanbai finally spoke in a calm voice, “Little Qiancha, can you help Elder Sister scrub her back now?”
“Of course, Elder Sister!”
Lu Qiancha nodded readily, upholding the spirit of reciprocation. She scurried behind Ling Wanbai, half-crouched down, picked up a brand new towel, and earnestly began scrubbing Elder Sister’s smooth back.
When both of them were clean, their bodies faintly scented with Soap Bean, they activated their spiritual power, instantly evaporating the water from their bodies.
Lu Qiancha quickly dressed, waved her little hand at Ling Wanbai, her voice bright and clear: “Elder Sister, I’m going to practice now! Bye-bye~”
“Mm.” Ling Wanbai nodded softly, the image of Lu Qiancha reflected in her gray eyes, “See you tonight.”
When Lu Qiancha left the small courtyard with light steps, Ling Wanbai murmured to herself, “So easy to fool.”
Then, Ling Wanbai walked back to her bedroom alone.
***
As soon as Lu Qiancha stepped out, the scene in the courtyard under the morning light came into view—Gantang was gritting her teeth, drenched in sweat, repeating the monotonous practice of sword swings, while Shifu Xuanya stood beside her like a green pine, her gaze sharp as she supervised.
“Shifu!” Lu Qiancha’s eyes lit up, and she happily waved in Xuanya’s direction.
She then trotted over on her short legs, stopping before Xuanya, and naturally stretched out her little arms, tilting her face up, acting spoiled, “Hug~”
Off to the side, Gantang saw Lu Qiancha run into Xuanya’s arms and act spoiled, and a surge of envy welled up in her heart—Shixiong had never once run to her like that and opened his arms for a hug.
A hint of sourness crept into her heart, but Gantang quickly shook her head, suppressing the untimely emotion.
What good is envy? Only by becoming stronger and being someone Shixiong can rely on is what really matters.
She gritted her teeth and poured all her small frustrations into strength, her sword swinging faster and harder, the sound of it slicing through the air unending.
Xuanya bent down, scooping up the little Wolf Cub into her arms with a steady arm.
She lowered her eyes, gazing at the soft little bundle in her arms, and asked offhandedly, “Have you finished today’s training?”
Lu Qiancha nuzzled into Shifu’s embrace, curling up into a comfortable position, shaking her head at first, then, in a slightly spoiled tone, said softly, “Not yet, I’ll go cultivate in a bit, okay? I still feel a little soft, not much strength left right now.”