85: Chapter 85 Chan'er is back

Ji Chanxi stood at the entrance of the backyard, her mind buzzing.

The scene before her eyes completely exceeded her expectations.

She had assumed that even if Ye Xiaoyao needed treatment, the partner would be Second Senior Sister Fu Hongxue, who had long since fallen deeply in love with him.

She had even prepared herself mentally that upon returning, there might be an additional "sister."

But she never imagined that the one flirting and being intimate with her husband in the pool would be Senior Sister Song Yu!!

That oval face with a hint of baby fat, those brows and eyes that were elegant yet spirited—who else could it be but Senior Sister?

Looking at them, Ye Xiaoyao's hand was still resting on her bare shoulders and back, gently kneading, their posture natural and intimate as they talked and laughed...

This was clearly a sign that they had already shared intimate relations!!

A sour, bitter feeling surged into Ji Chanxi's heart, leaving her feeling bloated and stifled.

It was an unexpected wave of jealousy, mixed with a bit of grievance from being kept in the dark and sheer disbelief.

How long had she been away?

By any calculation, it had been less than three months!

How could her husband...

And Senior Sister, how could she also...

Ji Chanxi couldn't help but mutter to herself, a complex mix of emotions swirling within her.

Almost at the same time, Ye Xiaoyao and Song Yu in the pool sensed something amiss.

Their happy conversation came to an abrupt halt. Both turned their heads simultaneously and saw Ji Chanxi standing not far away, her expression shifting uncertainly.

The air instantly froze.

A sense of embarrassment, akin to "being caught cheating," quickly spread.

Song Yu's cheeks flushed red in an instant; she instinctively wanted to shrink into the water, but there was nowhere to hide.

She looked at Ji Chanxi, a trace of panic and guilt flashing in her beautiful eyes. She opened her mouth, her voice weak: "Junior Sister, I..."

She couldn't finish her sentence.

Ye Xiaoyao reacted faster.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the momentary awkwardness, and quickly rose from the hot spring.

Water splashed lightly as he channeled his spiritual energy to evaporate the droplets on his body. With swift movements, he grabbed the cyan Daoist robe from the side of the pool, draped it over himself, and tied the sash.

He walked quickly toward the frozen Ji Chanxi, his face displaying composure, but also a hint of earnestness to explain.

"Chaner, you've returned."

Seeing him walk toward her, the annoyance in Ji Chanxi's heart made her unconsciously take a small step back, as if wanting to avoid him.

But Ye Xiaoyao was faster; he stretched out his long arm and pulled her into his embrace without hesitation.

"Ah!"

Ji Chanxi let out a small cry as she collided into his embrace, which was filled with steam and warmth.

Ye Xiaoyao wrapped one arm around her slender waist, while his other hand gently stroked her cheek, his fingertips still warm from the hot spring.

He lowered his head, looking into the beautiful eyes of the person in his arms, which held shyness, annoyance, and grievance. His voice dropped, becoming low and gentle, filled with sincere apology: "Chaner, if you want to blame someone, blame me. It's my fault. The Yang Qi in my body had accumulated too much and was on the verge of spiraling out of control; I was about to explode... In my desperation, I really had no other choice, so I... I had no choice but to beg Senior Sister to help me channel it. I forced Senior Sister; the fault is entirely mine."

He took full responsibility upon himself, his tone sincere, without a shred of deflection.

Ji Chanxi hadn't expected him to be so direct, nor had she expected him to apologize instead of making excuses.

Held tightly in his arms, wrapped in his familiar warmth and scent, and listening to his honest explanation, that sudden surge of jealousy and grievance was strangely smoothed over.

The ice in her heart quietly melted a little.

She lifted her eyelids and looked at Ye Xiaoyao, the anger in her eyes mostly dissipated, replaced by confusion: "Then... what about Second Senior Sister?"

Ye Xiaoyao understood what she meant.

Why seek out Senior Sister instead of Second Senior Sister, who clearly also had feelings for him?

He immediately explained: "Chaner, Xue'er is currently in seclusion, attempting to break through to the Middle Stage Core Formation. She has been in seclusion for nearly two months and is at a critical juncture. I really... couldn't disturb her."

He sighed and held Ji Chanxi tighter.

"You also know how dangerous the accumulation of Pure Yang Qi is. At the time... I really had no choice; I was at the end of my rope."

So that was it...

Hearing this, the last bit of resentment in Ji Chanxi's heart vanished into thin air.

She certainly knew the hidden dangers of the Pure Yang Sacred Body and could imagine the agony Ye Xiaoyao suffered from the Yang Qi.

Second Senior Sister was in seclusion, and she and Revered Master were far away in the Outer Territories; how much must he have suffered at that time?

Seeking out his Senior Sister seemed... like the only option.

This was surely a hundred times better than finding some other female cultivator!

Ji Chanxi pursed her red lips, the shyness and annoyance on her face completely fading, replaced by heartache and a touch of lingering fear.

She reached out, gently hugging Ye Xiaoyao's waist, and pressed her face against his chest. Her voice was muffled, carrying a hint of grievance, but mostly concern: "I don't blame you. It's all our fault—Revered Master and I weren't by your side. For such a long time, you... must have been in so much pain, right?"

"Mm, it's fine now."

Ye Xiaoyao stroked her long hair, feeling a weight lift from his heart.

Though Chaner could be a bit tsundere, she was still so understanding.

While the two whispered in each other's arms, Song Yu remained soaking in the hot spring, her head slightly bowed, feeling somewhat at a loss.

She had intended to explain clearly to her Junior Sister and take some responsibility, but she hadn't expected Ye Xiaoyao to preemptively take all the blame and explain the reasons in just a few words.

Watching her Junior Sister soften quickly in Ye Xiaoyao's arms and turn to concern herself with him, Song Yu felt no displeasure at being left aside; instead, she felt even more affection for Ye Xiaoyao.

He was responsible and willing to protect those around him; no wonder the Junior Sisters were so devoted to him.

At this moment, Ye Xiaoyao released Ji Chanxi, turned to look at Song Yu in the pool, and then glanced at Ji Chanxi in his arms. He said gently: "You sisters haven't seen each other for a long time. Chaner, Yu'er, you two should talk and have a good chat. I'll go grill some Spirit Fish, and you can try some when you come out later."

He was thoughtful and knew that Song Yu and Ji Chanxi had not seen each other for many years and must have much to say.

Now, with the added complexity of their subtle relationship, the sisters needed space to communicate alone.

If he stayed here, it would only make it inconvenient for them to talk deeply.

Hearing this, Song Yu and Ji Chanxi exchanged a glance and almost simultaneously replied softly: "Alright, Husband."

Ye Xiaoyao smiled at them, squeezed Ji Chanxi's hand, and then turned to leave the backyard, leaving this space, filled with steam and complex emotions, to the sisters who had long been separated.

Hearing Ye Xiaoyao's footsteps fade away, Song Yu instinctively wanted to rise from the pool and put on her clothes before speaking to her Junior Sister.

After all, the current situation was truly a bit awkward.

Unexpectedly, Ji Chanxi moved first.

She raised her hand and untied the sash of the black dress she was wearing.

The skirt slid down her smooth skin and piled at her feet, revealing her shapely, fair, and dazzling body with its exquisite curves.

Without a moment's hesitation, she leaped lightly into the warm pool water, sending ripples gently spreading out.

The next moment, like a swallow returning to its nest, she threw herself directly into Song Yu's open arms.

Their small melons and lanterns collided with a soft thud.

"Senior Sister!"

Ji Chanxi's voice carried the joy of reunion, along with a hint of imperceptible, relieved intimacy.

She hugged Song Yu's bare shoulders and back tightly, burying her face in the crook of her neck.

Song Yu was stunned for a moment, then a warm current surged in her heart.

She also hugged Ji Chanxi back tightly, her palm gently patting her Junior Sister's wet back, just as she used to comfort her when she was little.

Years of separation and longing seemed to vanish into nothingness in this embrace.

She lowered her head and whispered softly in Ji Chanxi's ear: "Junior Sister..."