Senior Brother Caught in the Middle

"Oh, Elder Sister Lan… I didn't even notice you."

Xiu Meixiang still wore that terrifying smile on her face.

Yu Lan's expression quickly mirrored hers after hearing her junior sister's arrogant words.

Liu Ming glanced at their smiles and then at his wrist, gripped tightly by Xiu Meixiang. He started regretting why he hadn't moved faster.

While he was no expert on women, he knew a few things deeply ─ the more intense the fake smiles hiding anger and jealousy between two women, the quicker a man should make himself scarce.

It felt like being in a room with a ticking time bomb, all glammed up with sequins and mascara. This theory suggested that his presence only fueled their volatile reaction.

"Ahem!"

Yu Lan dramatically cleared her throat, maintaining a smug and unprovoked expression. She completely ignored her junior sister and gave a warm smile to Liu Ming.

"Mm~ Senior Brother, I think it's about time we left Flame Cauldron Peak, don't you? You've seen everything you wanted to, right?"

She gave Xiu Meixiang a sly side-eye.

"And honestly, there's not much happening here, quite uneventful."

Undoubtedly, Yu Lan enjoyed fanning the flames of violence.

Liu Ming realized this too late and was already screaming in his head. "Shit…" he muttered.

Xiu Meixiang loosened her grip on Liu Ming's wrist. Instantly, the young man wore a happy expression, believing Xiu Meixiang wanted to be mature and let the matter die out.

However, he was far from right.

"Oh~? Maybe Flame Cauldron Peak isn't all that exciting for you, Elder Sister. But I'm sure Brother Ming enjoys my company. Especially when he finds out about the new sweets I'm planning to make for him. Tee-hee!"

Despite her tender voice, the junior sister made her words sound more powerful by interlocking her fingers with Liu Ming's.

Liu Ming still had one free hand, which Yu Lan grabbed.

She approached Xiu Meixiang with an equally dreadful smile.

"Junior Sister, it would be wise for you to step back and let me handle Senior Brother as I see fit. You're too young for him to be involved with. If you were any younger, I'm afraid Senior Brother might already be in trouble."

To emphasize her point, Yu Lan pushed out her springy chest a bit, highlighting their difference in "size".

No matter how hard Xiu Meixiang tried to pretend the topic didn't bother her, it was obvious from the throbbing veins on her usually cute face that she was deeply affected. Now, she resembled tough, rugged men you see on city posters, the type that could scare off cats.

'I should do something right? Right? No, of course not.'

Liu Ming was sweating profusely.

These women were gripping his hands so tightly, pulling as if they thought his body was made of rubber. Even if it were, it would have snapped right then.

Liu Ming felt the need to act tough, not because it was entirely necessary, but because he suddenly recalled words his grandfather had told him when he was just four years old.

Ming Ming, look here, your grandfather was quite the heartbreaker in his younger days. I once charmed a fiery vixen, and there was also that ice-cold sect master who wouldn't give me the time of day. But in the end, I gathered myself a small harem of beauties.

Hehe~

You see, women appreciate a man who's gentle and caring, but sometimes you've got to be tough and rugged. Oh ho-ho! That really gets their wet engines going, my boy!

It was like those words popped into his mind precisely when he needed them most. At that moment, Liu Ming was grateful enough to consider that memory a life-saving treasure.

Liu Ming cleared his throat loudly and called out, "Ladies."

The two beauties were still bantering and completely ignored him, which made his face scrunch up like he had just tasted a thousand-year-old lemon.

They dared to ignore their patriarch like this? Liu Ming was really surprised. He realized he needed to show more authority. If he couldn't control them now, they would probably keep arguing about him more and more.

"Ahem!"

He cleared his throat even louder.

"LADIES!"

This time he shouted at the top of his voice and finally grabbed Xiu Meixiang and Yu Lan's attention.

They both looked at him and released their tight grips on his wrists.

Liu Ming noticed painful, red imprints from their hands on his wrists, but he didn't care. He'd finally gotten their attention.

With care, he adjusted his sky-blue robes, smoothing out the luxurious fabric. He cleared his throat, preparing his words.

Closing his eyes briefly, he spoke, trying to sound casual despite his awkwardness.

"Meixiang, I really appreciate the work you're doing here on Flame Cauldron Peak. It'd be best if you continued improving your talent in pill refinement here. Um, would you be interested in spending some time with me when you're free?"

────Stillness~~

There was a moment of silence.

'Di-, didn't I say it right?'

Liu Ming cautiously opened one eye to gauge their reactions.

The two women, especially Xiu Meixiang, seemed taken aback.

"Uh, because, well, you know, I'm kind of outstanding?"

Liu Ming added, trying to sound confident.

Suddenly, Xiu Meixiang blushed, her cheeks turning as pink as her hair. Her ears also twitched in excitement. "So Brother Ming does want my company!" She grinned widely, revealing her bright, white teeth.

Yu Lan rolled her eyes. "Such a child…" she mumbled.

Liu Ming smiled warmly and gently tucked a stray bang of Xiu Meixiang's hair behind her ear. "Of course, I'd really like that," he said softly.

The junior sister stared softly at him──her pretty green eyes locked onto his blue ones.

Yu Lan placed her arm over Liu Ming's shoulders and pulled him close. His face pressed against the soft curve of her bosom, and she casually said, "Ahh~ I think it's time we leave, my lord."

Liu Ming's eyes widened as he felt the softness and warmth of her skin. Even more enticing was her delicate scent that surrounded him. Now that he was much closer, he could smell more parts of her, and it felt so refreshing.

Xiu Meixiang's cheeks puffed up.

Hmph──!!

Immediately, she pouted and held her hands close to her comparatively smaller chest. Leaning forward, she squeezed her face a bit and grumbled, "Elder Sister Lan, you're trying to seduce Brother Ming with those things, aren't you?!"

Gently throwing her head back, Yu Lan chuckled, "Hm? I don't know what you're talking about~"

The senior sister walked away, keeping Liu Ming close beside her.

Seeing them leave, Xiu Meixiang frowned, but Liu Ming, caught up in Yu Lan's scent and the softness of her milky-white skin, managed to turn and wave goodbye to Xiu Meixiang.

"Bye…" he whispered.

Instantly, the anger on Xiu Meixiang's face softened, and she waved back with sparkling eyes.

The Medicine Hall fell silent once more.

The argument between Yu Lan and Xiu Meixiang had now faded into memory.

Sect Master Maomao stroked his chin thoughtfully and remarked, "Hrmm... hard to believe flat Yu Lan sprouted such marvelous heavenly orbs so quickly." He chuckled lecherously and nodded in approval.

Xiu Meixiang shot a sharp glance at the heavily perverted cat, saying firmly, "Sect Master!"

The cat laughed like a mischievous old man and hurried back to his workstation.