254: Chapter 254 Seduction

Han Qing smiled: "If she really didn't know how to swim, her first reaction to falling into the water would be to close her mouth, not open it to scream. Screaming causes you to choke on water, yet she screamed so loudly and didn't choke once. Do you think she really can't swim?"

Qin Lin thought about it and felt that Han Qing's words made sense.

Han Qing continued: "Besides, the way she grabbed you wasn't right either. Someone who truly can't swim would desperately try to climb up by pushing down on your shoulders to stay afloat. She was just groping you all over; that wasn't a cry for help, that was clearly... seduction."

Qin Lin thought for a moment: "What do you think I should do next?"

Han Qing was stunned for a moment, then smiled: "Since she wants to pretend, then just keep pretending you don't know. Anyway, she's not in a hurry, and neither are you. Take it slow."

Qin Lin sighed: "I suppose that's the only way."

The two sat in silence for a while before Han Qing suddenly spoke:

"Qin Lin, what do you think Li Ran will do next?"

Qin Lin shook his head: "I don't know."

Han Qing looked at him: "Don't you have any thoughts on it?"

Qin Lin smiled bitterly: "Why do I feel like you're gloating a bit?"

Han Qing laughed: "I am gloating. Who told her to have an issue with me before? Now look, she's about to jump in herself."

Qin Lin didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

...

The next morning, Qin Lin went downstairs for breakfast and saw Li Ran sitting in the living room.

She was wearing a light blue shirt and white trousers, with her hair tied up, looking very efficient.

Seeing Qin Lin come down, Li Ran smiled slightly: "Xiao Lin, morning."

Qin Lin nodded: "Mom, morning."

He walked over and sat down opposite her.

Li Ran looked at him and asked, "You didn't catch a cold last night, did you?"

Qin Lin shook his head: "No, the RV has Physique enhancement and self-healing functions; it's not that easy to get sick."

Sitting opposite him, Li Ran would glance at him from time to time, a hint of a smile in her eyes.

Li Ran nodded: "That's good then."

The two ate breakfast in silence, neither mentioning what happened yesterday afternoon.

But Qin Lin noticed that the way Li Ran looked at him had changed.

Before, it was testing; now, it was... confirmation.

She seemed to have confirmed something and no longer hid it, looking at him openly.

Qin Lin felt a bit uneasy under her gaze and lowered his head to eat.

After breakfast, Qin Lin went to the Drivers Cabin.

Li Ran watched his retreating figure, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly.

For the next few days, everything was very peaceful.

Qin Lin spent a few hours in the Drivers Cabin every day, and the rest of the time he wandered around the RV.

Li Ran was the same as usual, often appearing where he passed by to chat with him.

But since that pool incident, the relationship between the two seemed to have undergone a subtle change.

Li Ran was no longer as cautious as before, becoming more natural and relaxed.

She would joke with Qin Lin, talk about family matters, and even laugh so hard in front of him that she bent over, giving Qin Lin quite an eyeful again.

Qin Lin could feel her slowly getting closer to him.

But he didn't take the initiative; he just let things take their course, as he preferred the feeling of others taking the lead.

On Su Yuling's side, things were still the same.

She didn't seek him out and never came to the third floor.

But Qin Lin noticed that the look in her eyes grew deeper and deeper when she saw him.

That look was as if she were brewing something, or perhaps waiting for something.

Qin Lin knew the critical point was approaching.

He decided to keep waiting.

That afternoon, while Qin Lin was watering vegetables in the Ecological Plantation, Lin Fang walked in.

"Qin Lin, need some help?"

Qin Lin looked up and saw her wearing a light green dress, her hair tied in a low ponytail, looking very gentle.

"Help me water the lettuce over there."

Lin Fang took the watering can, walked over to the lettuce, and began watering it seriously.

The two chatted while they worked, talking about everyday matters.

When Lin Fang spoke, her expression was relaxed, not as tense as before.

Looking at her profile, Qin Lin suddenly said: "Sister Fang, you've changed a lot lately."

Lin Fang was stunned: "How have I changed?"

"You've become more cheerful and love to smile."

Lin Fang lowered her head, her face flushing slightly: "Is that so?"

"Yeah." Qin Lin nodded. "You're much better looking than before."

Lin Fang's face turned even redder; she kept her head down and continued watering without saying a word.

Qin Lin smiled and said nothing more.

After watering, the two sat on a bench to rest.

Lin Fang suddenly asked: "Qin Lin, do you think... the baby in my belly is a boy or a girl?"

Qin Lin thought for a moment: "I don't know, but I hope it's a girl."

"Why?"

"A girl would look like you; she'd definitely be beautiful."

Lin Fang's face turned red again: "I... I'm not good-looking at all compared to them."

Qin Lin laughed: "Who said that? If I say you're good-looking, then you are."

Lin Fang lowered her head and touched her belly, the corners of her mouth turning up.

That evening, while Qin Lin was on the third floor, Lin Xiaoyue arrived.

She was wearing loose pajamas, her hair damp, clearly having just showered.

"Qin Lin, I told Sister-in-law," Lin Xiaoyue said as she sat on the sofa.

Qin Lin was startled: "Told her what?"

"About... us being together."

Qin Lin looked at her: "What did she say?"

Lin Xiaoyue sighed: "She didn't say anything. Her face was red for a long time, and then she said, 'You're crazy'."

Qin Lin laughed: "And then?"

"And then there was no 'and then'." Lin Xiaoyue leaned on his shoulder. "But she didn't refuse; she just said, 'You're crazy'."

Qin Lin thought about it: "That means she doesn't object."

Lin Xiaoyue looked up at him: "You think she doesn't object?"

"If she really objected, she wouldn't just say 'You're crazy'. She would have scolded you directly or ignored you for days."

Lin Xiaoyue thought about it and felt it made sense: "Then when do you think... it'll be okay?"

Qin Lin stroked her head: "Wait a bit longer. Let your sister-in-law adapt for a while more."

Lin Xiaoyue pouted: "Still have to wait?"

"What's the rush?"

Lin Xiaoyue blinked: "Of course I'm in a rush. I want to try what that kind of feeling is like."

Qin Lin felt an itch in his heart from her teasing and reached out to pinch her cheek: "You little..."

Lin Xiaoyue laughed and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

...

Days passed, and the RV continued flying west.

Qin Lin repeated the same daily rhythm, but he was constantly calculating a few things in his mind.

When exactly would Su Yuling's critical point arrive?

When would Han Qing get pregnant?

And then there was Li Ran...

These questions were tangled in his mind, causing him to space out sometimes.

That afternoon, while Qin Lin was in the Drivers Cabin, the System's notification sound suddenly rang out.

[Large crystal stone mineral vein detected ahead, distance approximately 120 kilometers]

[Estimated reserves: 80-100 crystals]

Qin Lin's eyes lit up as he changed direction and flew towards the target.

An hour later, they arrived at the target area.

Below was a range of snow-capped mountains, a vast expanse of white with no trace of life to be seen.

Qin Lin activated the automatic extraction function.

[Automatic extraction in progress... Estimated time: 24 hours]

He stepped out of the Drivers Cabin and went to the living room.

Su Yuran was chatting with Lin Wanwan. Seeing him come out, she asked with a smile, "Found the mine?"