**Chapter 26: What You Like Should Be Held in Your Hand**

After everyone had made their choices, Wang Yanran smiled and said, "Senior Sister Liu, you choose first."

Liu Mei slowly scanned the four remaining people. Seeing Lin Fengmian trying to avoid her gaze like the plague, her lips curled into a smile.

She raised her hand, pointing in his direction, which startled him.

But, unexpectedly, she shifted her finger at the last second and pointed at Xie Gui, smiling, "How about you, Junior Brother Xie? You don't mind, do you?"

Xie Gui forced a smile, "Of course not, Senior Sister."

Wang Yanran then looked at Chen Qingyan, but Chen Qingyan remained calm, "You go ahead; I'll choose last."

With a chuckle, Wang Yanran picked a young man named Dong Gaoyi, who looked like a refined scholar. After all, everyone knew that no one dared to choose Lin Fengmian, especially after seeing Liu Mei avoid him. Who else would dare?

When it was Chen Qingyan's turn, only Lin Fengmian and another disciple named Yuan Jiazhi were left.

Chen Qingyan's cool eyes swept over the two of them and then briefly glanced at Xia Yunxi. She smiled slightly.

Lin Fengmian sighed in relief, thinking he was safe for the night!

However, Chen Qingyan raised her hand and pointed directly at Lin Fengmian, saying, "Junior Brother Lin, come with me."

Everyone was stunned, including Lin Fengmian and Xia Yunxi. Even Liu Mei was surprised.

Xia Yunxi looked regretful, just about to say something, but Chen Qingyan caught her gaze with calm eyes.

With a serene voice, Chen Qingyan said, "Junior Sister Xia, let me teach you a lesson: when you like something, you should hold it in your hand. Don't leave the choice to others."

After saying that, she turned to Lin Fengmian, her tone gentle, "Junior Brother Lin, follow me."

Xia Yunxi opened her mouth to speak, but in her ear, she heard Chen Qingyan's whispered message, "Don't worry, Junior Sister, I'll leave him with a breath of life."

Her face turned pale as she bit her lip, looking on the verge of tears.

Liu Mei found the whole situation amusing and laughed, "Well then, I hope you all have a pleasant night, Junior Brothers and Sisters!"

Laughter echoed throughout the cave as they paired up and left for their respective rooms, except for Yuan Jiazhi, who was left confused and alone in the hall. He had hoped Xia Yunxi would change her mind, but she was already shut away in her room, leaving him utterly lost.

Meanwhile, Lin Fengmian followed Chen Qingyan into her quarters, feeling both anxious and apprehensive, with a hint of anticipation.

Inside, Chen Qingyan closed the stone door, sealing the room off from the outside world.

She calmly removed her outer robe, hung it up, and sat at her dressing table. As she removed a wooden hairpin, her long, black hair cascaded down, and she began to comb it slowly.

Her thin clothing did little to conceal her curvaceous figure, accentuated by her posture. Despite the tantalizing sight before him, Lin Fengmian didn't dare harbor any inappropriate thoughts, knowing that the cost could be his life.

The faint fragrance from her body wafted over, making Lin Fengmian even more nervous. Was this the infamous "Entangling Fragrance"?

"Are you afraid of me, Junior Brother?" Chen Qingyan asked curiously.

Lin Fengmian forced a smile, "Of course not."

"Do you blame me for breaking up a pair of lovebirds?" Chen Qingyan continued, her expression indifferent.

"Senior Sister is joking. I'm just friends with Junior Sister Xia."

Naturally, Lin Fengmian wouldn't admit anything. It wasn't about being a scoundrel but avoiding causing more trouble for Xia Yunxi.

Chen Qingyan seemed unfazed, "What I said earlier applies to you as well: if you like something, hold it in your hand."

"Yes, Senior Sister, I understand," Lin Fengmian responded politely.

Chen Qingyan, who wore no makeup, finished combing her hair and moved toward the bed.

"It's late. If there's nothing else, let's get some rest."

Lin Fengmian hesitantly approached, searching for an excuse. But to his surprise, she threw him a pillow and a blanket. "You sleep on the floor."

Baffled, Lin Fengmian held the bedding in confusion.

Chen Qingyan smiled slightly, "They don't dare touch you. I won't either."

"I'm not a saint, but I don't have such interests. I just wanted to scare Junior Sister Xia a little. Her soft nature will get her in trouble if she doesn't change. It's getting late; you should rest."

She lay down on the bed, pulled up the covers, and with a wave of her hand, the light stones illuminating the room dimmed.

Lin Fengmian stood there for a moment, unsure whether to be relieved or disappointed, then couldn't help but chuckle.

In the darkness, Chen Qingyan's bright eyes sparkled as she asked curiously, "What? Did you want to sleep on the bed?"

Lin Fengmian shook his head and laid out his bedding on the floor. Despite his exhaustion, he found it hard to sleep.

Before long, the sounds of moaning and heavy breathing from the neighboring rooms began to rise and fall, each louder than the last. It was as if they were competing to see who could make the most noise, making Lin Fengmian blush and his heart race.

Chen Qingyan, seemingly used to it, remained silent.

Lin Fengmian, however, found it impossible to fall asleep, especially with his dream girl nearby and the suggestive sounds filling the air. Eventually, he gave up and sat up, starting to meditate instead.

These women were going to drain those men dry, and they probably wouldn't survive long.

After a while, Chen Qingyan's voice broke the silence, "Junior Brother, can't sleep?"

Lin Fengmian sighed, "I didn't realize you were still awake, Senior Sister."

Chen Qingyan responded casually, "I'm not used to having someone else in the room."

It dawned on Lin Fengmian that she was unused to company. Those she had been with before had all been drained of life and left for him to clean up afterward. This might very well be the first time a man had shared her space and lived to tell the tale.

"Should I step outside?" he offered.

"No need," Chen Qingyan shook her head. "It's just... they're being a bit too noisy."

Lin Fengmian smiled wryly, "Yeah, they are."

Suddenly, Chen Qingyan chuckled and said, "I can make them quiet down."

"How?" Lin Fengmian asked, intrigued.

"Mmm~" Chen Qingyan let out a soft, sultry moan, low but incredibly seductive.

Just like that, the neighboring rooms fell eerily silent.

Meanwhile, Xia Yunxi, who had been pressed up against the wall, tears streaming down her face, thought to herself in despair, *Senior Brother, you're suffering because of me. It's all my fault!*

In the adjacent cave, Liu Mei paused, confusion flickering across her face as she listened intently. She had just heard *that* voice.

Was she for real?

Liu Mei quickly rushed to the wall, pressing her ear against it, but no more sounds could be heard.

Frustrated, she huffed and returned to her bed. The room was now littered with Xie Gui's clothes, while her own remained untouched.

*Damn it!*