Anyone encountering this situation…
Would first gulp.
Then, their gaze would linger on two specific areas, first the upper, then the lower. This is the standard procedure.
Finally…
In the inner struggle, reason slightly lost, and the body, uncontrolled, embraced the other. A flurry of pats followed—back pats, front pats, rear pats… amidst a wave of pleasant sensations, they drifted off to sleep.
At this moment…
Lin Fan asked, "Are you doing this to thank me?"
Li Se shook her head. "No, I truly like you."
"But we've only just met. This is a bit hasty." Lin Fan voiced his inner thoughts. For him, some things developing too quickly wasn't a good thing. He wouldn't do this because he thought of his wife back home. While away, one must protect oneself, because whether man or woman, temptations exist.
"But I really like you," Li Se said, her head lowered.
Lin Fan replied, "You don't like me. It's because I saved your people and you that you have this misconception."
If Mu Qing were present…
She would definitely say:
You can counsel her, but could you at least let her put some clothes on first? Talking while naked feels… inappropriate.
"I don't," Li Se insisted.
She truly didn't feel the way Lin Fan described.
While she was at a loss, Lin Fan came to her side. Her heart beat rapidly, as if anticipating what would happen next.
However… Lin Fan picked up the clothes from the floor and carefully and patiently helped her dress. When his fingers brushed against Li Se's skin, it flushed slightly. It seemed her constitution was sensitive, easily affected by touch…
"Go back to sleep. I'm already married," Lin Fan said.
The best way to reject someone is to tell them your situation directly, rather than being ambiguous and giving them false hope.
"I don't mind," Li Se said, a little heartbroken.
Lin Fan replied, "I'm afraid she would."
These words hurt Li Se deeply.
Lin Fan was merely being honest, not trying to hide anything. Li Se, tearful, pushed open the door and left. Even in her sadness, she politely closed the door behind her for Lin Fan.
Watching Li Se's departing figure, Lin Fan sighed and touched his face, harboring a suspicion, though unsure if it was true.
It reminded him of a movie line:
Is this face of mine truly irresistible?
Morning…
The Snow Fox territory was covered in a layer of white mist. Inhaling it felt cool and refreshing, invigorating every cell in the body.
"Morning!"
"Morning!"
The diligent Snow Fox people were already out working hard. Seeing Lin Fan, they greeted him with smiles. Some of the women even giggled furtively as they looked at him.
Their smiles held a deeper meaning…
As if they knew Li Se had entered his room last night.
"Good morning."
Li Se brought breakfast over, seemingly unchanged, with a smile on her face, though a hint of sadness lingered in her eyes. It seemed last night's conversation had affected her.
Perhaps she had come to terms with it.
As long as she understood, that was good.
He hoped she would understand.
"Good morning!" Lin Fan smiled.
He always maintained this friendly smile.
"This is the breakfast I prepared for you. It's a Snow Fox specialty," Li Se said. Last night's events had saddened her. She truly liked Lin Fan, but he had rejected her. She hadn't slept all night, pondering the situation.
Finally, she understood.
Liking someone doesn't necessarily mean possessing them.
Keeping them in your heart is enough.
"Thank you." Lin Fan smiled, accepted the breakfast, and began to eat. "Mmm, this is really delicious. I haven't had such a tasty breakfast in a long time."
He was being sincere.
Every race and region has its unique delicacies.
"Really?" Li Se was delighted. Being praised felt wonderful.
"Mmm, really," Lin Fan affirmed.
Meanwhile, as Lin Fan, the father, enjoyed his breakfast, his daughter and her friends faced various difficulties.
West Sand Town!
Ke Lan said solemnly, "This place is more dangerous than we imagined."
They had arrived in West Sand Town and discovered that beneath its seemingly peaceful surface lurked endless danger. Many thugs were hidden here. Sometimes, even while eating, they would find people eyeing them menacingly.
If the Pope knew what Ke Lan and her friends were thinking…
He would definitely smile and tell them:
Children… Surprise! Isn't this exciting? Everyone in this town, except you, is one of mine. To help you grow, I, Pope Boke, have truly put in a lot of effort.
Just any ordinary person couldn't achieve this.
Only the Church of Light had such capabilities.
In a very short time, they had transformed members of the Church of Light into residents of this town, acting alongside the four young girls.
If Lin Fan knew what the Pope was doing…
He would definitely praise him.
Truly impressive.
Such dedication!
Snow Fox Territory.
"Your farming speed is so slow. Why don't you use some tools?" Lin Fan noticed that the Snow Fox tribe's farming tools were primitive; they were still using stone tools. This would naturally be slow, and they could easily injure themselves.
Li Se explained, "We don't have any craftsmen here, and it's dangerous to go to the city to buy tools. Traders will capture us, so we can only use simple tools."
Lin Fan smiled. "Don't worry, I happen to be a blacksmith. I'm quite confident in my blacksmithing skills. I'll make some tools for you later."
He had a wide range of hobbies and interests.
He was proficient in farming, cooking, drinking, blacksmithing, reading, and so on.
He was truly a rare talent.
Li Se looked at him with admiration. "You know so much."
"It's alright," Lin Fan replied modestly. Although what she said was true, he wasn't one to boast. Only by staying humble could one go further.
He stayed in the Snow Fox territory for a while.
He personally forged some farming tools for the Snow Fox people.
He realized that the Snow Foxes had very little self-preservation ability. He could save them once, but he couldn't stay with them forever.
Thinking of this…
He decided to leave them something.
Protection might seem like a high-level concept…
But for Lin Fan, it was the simplest thing.
At this moment…
A group of Snow Fox children surrounded Lin Fan, curiously watching him. Their benefactor stood before a large stone, carving it with tools in his hands.
"What is that?"
A child asked.
Lin Fan replied, "A statue. A statue that can protect your Snow Fox tribe."
"Ah, is it really that magical?"
The children were amazed, clearly disbelieving.
"Of course." Lin Fan enjoyed being with children. Seeing their questioning eyes, he knew the most mysterious thing was about to succeed.
Li Se stood there, silent.
Her heart felt uneasy, as if she knew what was coming.
Separation.
Yes, separation. She could sense that he was about to leave. This wasn't his home, after all. Although she wanted to ask him to stay, she ultimately didn't.
Not long after…
The originally large stone had been carved into a human shape, except for the face, which remained untouched.
Just as he was about to carve the face…
He paused and lowered his arm.
It was better not to leave a face. The current state was just fine.
As the carving was completed…
An invisible aura infused the statue.
It was Lin Fan's own aura, a divine ability he had learned in a past dream. By carving with his own hands, he could infuse his aura into the creation.
It possessed unimaginable power.
"Why didn't you carve a face?" Li Se asked.
Lin Fan replied, "No need. It's good this way. It will protect the Snow Fox tribe. If any bad people come again, it will protect this place."
As he spoke…
He took Li Se's hand, and a flower pattern appeared on the back of her hand.
"In the future, if you encounter someone who can take your place in protecting the tribe, pass this pattern on to them," Lin Fan said with a smile.
Li Se looked down at the pattern on her hand. "It's really beautiful."
Lin Fan said, "It's not only beautiful, but also very powerful."
Li Se asked, "Are you leaving?"
"Yes, I've been here for several days. I need to go back. But don't worry, I'll come visit you when I have time. Your breakfast here is really good, it tastes amazing," Lin Fan said.
Hearing these words…
Li Se lowered her head.
She was truly reluctant.
But she knew that even if she was reluctant, there was nothing she could do.
"Will you really come back?" Li Se held onto this hope in her heart, that Lin Fan would return to see her.
Lin Fan smiled. "Of course, I'll definitely come back."
Afterwards…
Lin Fan carried the statue to the entrance of the Snow Fox territory and placed it on the ground. The tribe members looked at it curiously, unsure of what it was. But when they learned that Lin Fan said it could protect the Snow Fox tribe from being captured by human traders, smiles appeared on their faces.
For generations, they had lived here…
Always in fear.
Now, they finally didn't have to worry about these things anymore.
Lin Fan looked at Li Se, whose eyes were filled with affection. He waved and said, "I'll go back now. Goodbye."
Li Se watched him…
Until Lin Fan's figure disappeared.
She softly said, "Goodbye."
Days passed, one after another.
Lin Fan's life remained leisurely, but Ke Lan suffered. Under the Pope's meticulous arrangements, they were either on their way to an adventure or in the midst of an adventurous battle. The situation escalated, taking on a grand, map-wide scale.
Ke Lan and her friends felt there was no turning back.
They could only continue towards the truth.
A new year arrived.
Ke Lan didn't return. It wasn't that she didn't want to, but she didn't dare to. She feared her whereabouts would be discovered, and her pursuers would follow her back to her hometown, bringing disaster upon it.
But during this year…
Ke Lan had changed greatly, becoming stronger and braver than ever before. Her strength had grown by leaps and bounds, reaching a realm that ordinary people could hardly touch.
Great Warrior, Great Mage.
A dual cultivator of magic and martial arts.