“It’s just that… Junior Sister has no experience in these matters. I might be clumsy.”

Xiao Qingge buried her face in her hands, her voice barely a whisper, thick with feigned shyness. Perched upon Han Lie’s lap, her heart hammered against her ribs—a frantic rhythm that betrayed her composure.

“Heh, it doesn’t matter. I’m not exactly an expert either,” Han Lie lied without a flicker of shame. His eyes danced with amusement. “It’s perfect, isn’t it? We can explore together. Think of it as… mutual cultivation.”

“Really? Even Brother doesn’t know how?” She peeked through her fingers, skepticism warring with hope. “I find that hard to believe.”

“Truer than pearls,” Han Lie vowed solemnly, placing a hand over his heart. “If you don’t believe me, why don’t we test it and see?”

“Then… let’s try. Just don’t laugh if I’m stupid.”

“Relax. I would never.”

Xiao Qingge slowly lowered her hands. Under the pale wash of moonlight, a flush of crimson stained her cheeks, extending down her elegant neck. She looked like a dewy, ripe peach waiting to be plucked—a picture of delicate, pitiful charm that stirred a restless fire in Han Lie’s gut.

I can’t hold back anymore.

Han Lie licked his lips, savoring the anticipation. He gently cupped her face, marveling at skin that seemed ready to break at a touch, and leaned in.

Xiao Qingge’s pulse spiked. Instinctively, her eyes fluttered shut.

A wave of intense, raw masculinity washed over her, filling her senses before his lips even touched hers. Then came the warmth.

She gasped, her mind going blank. The world narrowed down to the pressure of his mouth and the overwhelming heat radiating from his frame. Her thoughts short-circuited.

After what felt like an eternity, she regained enough clarity to open her eyes. Han Lie’s face was inches from hers, his breath hot and heavy, teasing her senses. She felt herself melting, sinking into his embrace like wax near a flame, her responses clumsy but eager.

Finally, they broke apart, gasping for air. The silence between them was heavy with the scent of arousal.

“See? I told you I wasn’t very good at it. Do you believe me now?” Han Lie murmured, his voice rough.

“Mmm.” A sweet, satisfied smile played on Xiao Qingge’s lips. “So this is what kissing feels like. It’s wonderful. If I hadn’t met Brother, who knows how long I would have had to wait to experience this?”

“Want to go again?” Han Lie grinned, a predatory glint in his eyes.

“Okay!” She leaned forward, offering her lips with surprising eagerness.

“Wait.” Han Lie caught her chin, stopping her. “Has your good Junior Sister ever told you there’s a step beyond simple pressing of lips? It involves the tongue.”

“Junior Sister didn’t say… but I’ve heard rumors.”

“Shall we try?”

“Okay. I… I’ll do my best to cooperate, Brother!”

Time seemed to dissolve.

“Brother… haa…”

Xiao Qingge was now flushed scarlet, her face burning like a cooked prawn. Her eyes were glazed and misty, and she slumped against Han Lie, her bones seemingly turned to water.

“No strength left… let’s rest a moment, okay?” she panted.

Han Lie’s hands rested on her willow-thin waist. It was impossibly slender, fragile enough to snap, yet supple. beneath his palms, he felt a fine tremor running through her body.

It wasn’t the dramatic shaking of a performance; it was a subtle, involuntary vibration of nerves overloaded by new sensations.

Is this actually real?

Han Lie had suspected she was putting on a show of purity to manipulate him. But that physiological reaction—the micro-tremors of her muscles—was difficult to fake. Perhaps this really was her first intimate interaction with a man.

“Mmm.”

Han Lie didn’t push immediately. The night was long, and he was a patient hunter. As the saying went, one could not eat hot tofu if they were in a hurry.

While she caught her breath, his hands began to wander. He slipped a hand beneath the outer layers of her robes, testing the waters.

Instantly, Xiao Qingge’s body jolted. Her waist twisted reflexively, a shy retreat, but she didn’t voice an objection. Emboldened, Han Lie’s hand drifted upward, claiming more territory.

“Brother… don’t be so rough,” she whispered into his ear, her breath fragrant as an orchid. “I read somewhere that rubbing too hard makes them smaller!”

Han Lie nearly choked, letting out a sharp laugh. “Pfft… who told you that nonsense?”

“No one told me! It’s just… Junior Sister feels like that’s how it works!” she insisted, her logic delightfully flawed.

“Alright, alright.”

He respected her strange logic, lightening his touch. Her skin was incredibly tender, smooth as jade and cool as water. It was addictive.

However, just as his hand moved to explore further down, her grip tightened on his wrist.

“Brother!”

She stopped him firmly.

“What’s wrong?”

“No… I’m not ready yet.” Xiao Qingge looked up, her beautiful eyes shimmering with unspoken emotion, her gaze swirling like autumn waves. Her tone was soft, laced with a pleading edge. “Just this one thing… can you grant me this mercy?”

“Mm. Alright.”

“Don’t be angry, Brother. It’s just… don’t you think this is developing too fast?”

Seemingly terrified he might lose interest, she quickly added, “I know we have mutual affection, but we haven’t known each other that long.”

She bit her lip, looking at him with wide, innocent eyes. “Next time, okay? Next time, I promise to satisfy you completely!”

Han Lie pinched her cheek, his expression softening into a faint smile. “It’s fine, you little fool. I’m not in a rush. We can wait until you are fully prepared.”

“Mmm! Brother is the best!” She beamed, snuggling back into his chest.

And so, the night passed in quiet intimacy. Xiao Qingge remained curled in his arms, using him as a living mattress until the darkness faded.

As the morning sun crested the horizon, casting its first golden rays through the canopy, the world began to wake.

“Brother!”

Xiao Qingge’s voice was sharp, tinged with sudden anxiety.

Han Lie groaned, reluctantly pulling his head out from the warmth of her robes where he had been nuzzling. He blinked against the light, scanning the surroundings. Far down the forest path, a figure was approaching.

They quickly adjusted their disheveled appearances. Xiao Qingge draped her arms around his neck, a mischievous smile replacing her earlier panic.

“Is Brother satisfied?”

Han Lie smacked his lips, savoring the lingering fragrance of her skin. He smiled, looking like a cat that had just finished the cream. “Mmm. A bit unsatisfied, honestly. But since we have company, we should pause here.”

Xiao Qingge flashed a row of pearly white teeth, her eyes curving into crescents.

“It doesn’t matter, you know. If Brother hasn’t had enough fun yet… we can always go deeper into the woods where no one can see us…”