Luckily, Zhao Mengli didn't wake up.
Yin Qinghe breathed a small sigh of relief, but—the petite melon was being used as a pillow, and Zhao Mengli's breath seeped in through the thin gauze, gently sweeping across…
It tinted her cheeks with a blush.
At some point, their breathing started to sync up, rising and falling in tandem.
Before she knew it, she…
...
[Four hundred thirty-two words omitted here]
...
[Emotion Point +8 from Lin Qianqian]
[Emotion Point +1 from Yin Qinghe]
[Yin Qinghe Romantic Point: 10 (Initial Acquaintance)]
[Flame Point: 38]
Qin Yu, who had just gained Flame Points three times, was already exhausted and lying down, but happened to catch some unexpected action out of the corner of his eye.
At first, he thought he was seeing things.
Then, he focused all his attention on the little flames.
He wasn't mistaken.
"Yin Qinghe?"
"Wait, could it be… the Master's Wife?!"
Qin Yu actually didn't know the Master's Wife's name yet, but only five people lived in this courtyard now, and that 'senior sister' should be surnamed Zhao.
So the answer was clear!
It had to be the Master's Wife!
For some reason, a stunningly pretty face popped up in his mind, along with those plump little melons…
Nope, nope!
That's my Master's Wife, how could I have improper thoughts about her?!
I'd get beaten to death for sure, right?
Nevermind Danxin Herb Hall's overall strength—even the Master's Wife herself could easily take him down.
Thinking this way, Qin Yu quickly calmed himself down.
But wait, this isn't right—how did I somehow gain the Master's Wife's Emotion Point?!
I haven't done anything, I'm just in my own room…
Hold on!
Qin Yu remembered—his room was almost connected to the main house, which meant there was maybe only a wall between him and the Master's Wife?!
That's actually really close!
So… how did the Master's Wife get an Emotion Point?
Let's first rule out extreme fear.
This area's part of the city, and they're in the courtyard too—no way anyone's suffering deadly threats. Which leaves one possibility…
Could it be…
The Master's Wife could hear him?!
Yikes!...
Qin Yu's eyes went wide, shock—and some indescribable emotion—surfacing in his gaze.
Maybe from exhaustion, he soon wrapped Lin Qianqian in his arms and drifted off to sleep.
Morning.
Zhao Mengli got up pretty early, instinctively wanting to snuggle—but found nothing there.
"Did Mom already get up?"
She didn't think much of it, stretched lazily—her beautiful figure on full display—then threw aside the quilt.
"Huh?"
She noticed there was a damp spot under the quilt.
Did it rain last night?
Zhao Mengli instinctively glanced outside the window.
No, that's not it.
The covers weren't wet, so how come only the inside…
"Time to eat."
Yin Qinghe's voice drifted in; she responded and got out of bed.
When she came out with messy clothes, Yin Qinghe frowned instantly, "You're all grown up now—why are you still acting like a little kid? What if someone outside sees—"
"Hehe!"
Zhao Mengli bounced over to act cute, "Mom, who else is even in our courtyard…"
Oh wait, we do have outsiders now!
Thinking about it, she went back to her room to change clothes.
As she was eating, Zhao Mengli suddenly said, "Mom, I think I broke my bedsheet. I'll just swap it for a new one later…"
Yin Qinghe's hand paused mid-motion. After a moment, she replied, trying to sound normal, but her face wasn't quite right, "Got it."
"Big kid already, still ruining the covers, honestly…"
...
Qin Yu had slept great that night, but woke up a bit late.
"Ow!"
This waist is getting less and less reliable.
He immediately decided… it's time to buy something to recover!
These days, lack of money wasn't a problem for him.
Qin Yu was a guy who knew his manners.
After leaving his room, he originally planned to pay respects to the Master's Wife, but found the main house's door tightly shut.
Not sure whether she'd gone out or hadn't gotten up yet.
Thinking of his business, Qin Yu headed for the front hall.
The pharmacy was already open, clerks busily cleaning up the shop and jars. Qin Yu stared at those herbs and spirit fruits of various effects, paused, and sidled up to the shopkeeper's spot.
"Shopkeeper, up early, huh."
That kind of greeting got him a weird look from the shopkeeper.
Early? This?
"Ahem, so, your herbal selection's pretty complete, yeah."
Qin Yu coughed dryly, changing the subject.
As one of the few who knew Qin Yu's story, the shopkeeper treated him with extra politeness, smiling, "Fellow Qin, getting used to living here?"
"Yep, yep, way better than before."
"That's good. Fellow Qin, my name's Xu An—older than you by a few years, so just call me Old Xu."
With the courtesy extended, Qin Yu played along, "Brother Xu, you're too generous."
Since they'd be seeing each other all the time, getting along was essential; Qin Yu accepted, then leaned in closer and lowered his voice, "Brother Xu, I'd like to buy some herbs…"
"Just tell me what you want, I'll tally up the price for you."
"Name whatever you like, don't worry about anything else—as far as herbs go, our shop has it all."
Just that one change in address, and their relationship got instantly closer.
Xu An was experienced, but at the end of the day, Qin Yu was just taken in as the Master's Wife's disciple—if you really ranked it, Qin Yu's status was several tiers above his.
That's the perk of working in the pharmacy—Qin Yu didn't have to go out anymore.
"I remember Tiger Bone Strength Powder works great, and Rongyang Fruit…"
Truth be told, Qin Yu didn't really know much—he'd always been single before, so he never had any use for these!
But after naming those two, Xu An instantly got it.
He glanced toward the backyard, then shot Qin Yu a knowing grin only men shared, "Gotcha, gotcha!"
"Don't worry, Fellow Qin—I'll pick out some of the highest quality ones for you!"
Qin Yu called him brother, but Xu An didn't really dare call him that in return. As he spoke, Xu An rummaged through the cabinet, "Fellow Qin, we're all one family here now—for herbs, I'll give you the cost price, just so I can keep track in the books."
Qin Yu was delighted—retail and wholesale prices were worlds apart, and on his first day as a disciple, he was already getting perks: "Thanks so much, Brother Xu!"
Not long after, Xu An came over holding two small wooden boxes—one held what looked like a dried bone whip, the other a plump, vibrant fruit.
"Here, Fellow Qin—take these after meals and before bed, works best…"
"Thank you, thank you! So, how much do I owe you for these?"
Just as Xu An was calculating, the curtain to the back hall lifted.
Yin Qinghe appeared with no makeup, her stunningly beautiful face instantly energizing all the clerks.
"Greetings, Master's Wife!"
Everyone respectfully paid their formalities—Yin Qinghe's daily routine was to make a round and check on things.
Qin Yu quickly saluted her as well, "Disciple pays respects to Master's Wife!"
Head bowed, Qin Yu noticed Yin Qinghe was still wearing that oversized robe—her majestic curves securely hidden away.