253: Chapter 253 Kobayashi, help! I can't swim!

The two chatted for a while longer, talking about life before the apocalypse, stories from Su Yuran and Su Yuling's childhood, and various random topics.

When Li Ran spoke, her voice was very light and soft, as if she were whispering secrets to Qin Lin, while also testing the waters of certain forbidden matters.

Qin Lin listened, responding occasionally.

Time ticked by, and the shadows under the lights slowly lengthened.

Before they knew it, over an hour had passed.

Li Ran checked the time and said, "It's getting late, I should head back to sleep."

Qin Lin opened his eyes. "Alright."

Li Ran turned her body, intending to stand up from the lounge chair, but having lain there for so long—perhaps because her legs had gone numb—she tried but couldn't get up.

Li Ran looked at Qin Lin and reached out a hand. "Xiao Lin, give me a hand. I've been lying down too long and can't get up."

Qin Lin looked at her outstretched hand, understanding her intent in his heart.

She was perfectly capable of getting up slowly on her own without his help.

But since she asked him to pull her up, it meant she wanted him to do it.

Qin Lin didn't call her out. He stood up, walked over to her, and reached out his hand.

Li Ran placed her hand in his palm.

Her hand was very soft and her skin was smooth, as if she had no bones.

Qin Lin gave a firm pull, preparing to lift her up.

Whether it was intentional or not, the moment Li Ran was pulled up, she lost her balance and crashed right into Qin Lin.

Qin Lin was knocked back a step, his foot missed its mark, and he fell backward into the swimming pool.

In the panic, his hand was still holding Li Ran's, pulling her into the water along with him.

Water splashed everywhere, and the lights wavered across the surface of the water.

Qin Lin fell into the water, instinctively floated up, and wiped the water from his face.

Li Ran was beside him too, but her reaction was much more extreme than his.

"Ah—!"

"Xiao Lin, help! I can't swim!"

Li Ran's voice was filled with terror as her hands flailed wildly against the surface, sending up sheets of spray.

She cried out while lunging toward Qin Lin, grabbing his arms and pressing her entire weight against him.

The pool wasn't very deep; Qin Lin was tall, and when he stood straight, the water only reached his chest.

Li Ran seemed truly panicked, gripping Qin Lin tightly and clinging to him while her legs kicked frantically in the water.

Qin Lin was stunned for a moment, and then he smiled.

Can't swim?

Qin Lin felt a bit of pain from her grip, so he reached out to wrap his arms around her waist to steady her body.

"Don't be afraid, I'll take you up."

Li Ran's head rested on his shoulder, her body pressed tightly against his; Qin Lin could clearly feel the softness of her chest.

It had to be said, Li Ran's figure was indeed very good.

Even through the soaked clothes, the sensation was very distinct.

Qin Lin took a deep breath to calm himself, then supported Li Ran as he moved toward the edge of the pool.

But Li Ran kept holding onto him, her hands moving restlessly over him—one moment grabbing his shoulders, the next clutching his neck.

"Stop moving around."

Li Ran lifted her head to look at him, her face covered in water droplets and her eyes bright. "I'm scared."

Qin Lin looked at her, feeling a bit suspicious.

Could she really not swim?

Her performance just now was indeed exactly like the reaction of someone who couldn't swim falling into the water.

But why did he feel like something wasn't right?

Yet her terrified expression, panicked movements, and trembling voice—everything was perfectly executed.

Qin Lin didn't expose her; he just held her tight and swam toward the edge of the pool.

Li Ran's camisole was soaked through and clung tightly to her body, making the skin beneath partially visible.

Qin Lin could clearly feel the softness of her chest pressed against his own.

That sensation was too intense.

He took a deep breath, wanting to take a step back to create some distance.

But Li Ran's hands were still clutching his arms, refusing to let him retreat.

"Don't move, I'm afraid," Li Ran's voice was very soft, carrying a hint of a tremble.

Qin Lin had no choice but to stand in place, motionless.

The two of them stood in the water like that, face to face, bodies pressed together.

The lights shimmered on the water's surface and shone on Li Ran's face; her face was red, though whether from embarrassment or the recent fright was unclear.

"You really don't know how to swim?" Qin Lin asked.

Li Ran shook her head. "No, I never learned since I was a child."

Qin Lin nodded and didn't ask further.

Reaching the edge, Qin Lin climbed out first, then reached down to pull Li Ran up.

The two stood by the pool, soaking wet, with water dripping down from them.

Li Ran's camisole clung to her body, almost transparent, revealing the outline of her underwear underneath.

Qin Lin averted his gaze, found a fresh bath towel, and handed it to her.

"Dry off first, don't catch a cold."

Li Ran took the towel, wiped the water from her face, and then wrapped it around her body.

"Thank you, Xiao Lin," she said softly.

Qin Lin smiled. "It's nothing."

The two sat by the pool, neither speaking.

After a moment, Li Ran suddenly said, "Xiao Lin, do you think... I'm very useless?"

Qin Lin was taken aback. "Why do you ask that?"

"I don't even know how to swim; you had to save me." Li Ran lowered her head.

Qin Lin looked at her, feeling a bit conflicted.

No matter how he looked at it, Li Ran seemed to be acting, but he didn't call her out.

"It's normal not to know how to swim, it's not a big deal."

Li Ran looked up at him. "Really?"

"Really."

Li Ran smiled, an indescribable tenderness in her eyes.

"Mom, you should go change your clothes first so you don't get a chill." Qin Lin felt very uncomfortable under her gaze.

Li Ran nodded. "You go change quickly, too."

She turned and left after saying that, but after a few steps, she looked back at Qin Lin once more before walking away quickly.

Qin Lin stood there, watching her back.

This mother-in-law was starting to change as well.

Qin Lin shook his head and stopped thinking about it.

He returned to the third floor, changed into dry clothes, and sat on the sofa, but the images from the water were still in his mind.

The feeling of Li Ran pressed against him, her hands grabbing at him, the softness of her chest against his...

While Qin Lin was on the third floor, Han Qing arrived.

She was wearing a cream-colored silk nightgown with her hair down, looking both gentle and sexy.

She saw Qin Lin and was startled. "Why is your hair wet? Didn't you blow-dry it after your shower?"

Qin Lin touched his hair. "I fell into the pool."

Han Qing frowned. "How did you fall into the pool?"

Qin Lin recounted the afternoon's events, naturally omitting certain details that weren't meant for outsiders.

Han Qing listened, remained silent for a moment, and then laughed.

"Li Ran doesn't know how to swim?"

"Yeah."

"Do you believe that?"

Qin Lin looked at her. "What do you think?"

Han Qing leaned against his shoulder. "I think she's faking it."

Qin Lin didn't say anything.

Han Qing continued, "Her previous living conditions were so good; there was definitely a pool at home. It's impossible she never learned."

Han Qing leaned against his shoulder. "Li Ran isn't the clumsy type of woman; she's quite shrewd. She's doing all this just to get close to you."

Qin Lin sighed. "I think she's faking it, too."