Turn Off a Light

"Hello, these are clothes shipped from another branch. You can have the young lady try them on."

In addition to the prepared swimwear cover-ups, the clerk had also brought other styles of swimsuits for Lan Xiaoke. After all, she was a big client, and the service had to be up to par.

"Let me see… this maid-style swimsuit might be worth trying," Ye Chuan said, knowing Lan Xiaoke had a fondness for maid outfits.

"Of course."

After accepting the swimsuit, Ye Chuan called Lan Xiaoke over to change.

Lan Xiaoke leaned in, slightly bending to examine the clothes in Ye Chuan’s hands. "Me? Does it come in my size?"

"It should fit. Give it a try."

"Okay."

A short while later, Lan Xiaoke emerged wearing the maid swimsuit. The design cleverly blended classic maid aesthetics with the breezy appeal of swimwear. The base was a creamy white, adorned with small black bows at the chest, the ties fastened neatly at the back—retaining the sweetness of a maid outfit while adding a playful, youthful charm.

The sleeves featured fluffy puff designs trimmed with lace, and as she moved, glimpses of her fair legs peeked through—neither too revealing nor too modest, striking just the right balance.

"Me… it’s okay," Lan Xiaoke said, adjusting herself, clearly fond of the style.

"It does look good," Ye Chuan agreed after a moment of observation. He tugged lightly at the straps, ensuring they were sturdy enough, then nodded in satisfaction.

After each of them picked out a few swimsuits, Ye Chuan led the group home. Since they weren’t leaving until the next day, there was no need to rush.

Each girl carried her own bag, and Bai Qianshuang, noticing that no one seemed bothered by the skimpy swimwear, felt her own discomfort easing.

She was slowly getting used to it.

"Chuan, my mom made some egg dumplings. Want to come with me to pick them up?"

Back at the entrance of the urban village, Luo Xi asked.

"Yeah, sure."

Ye Chuan told Lan Xiaoke and the others to head back first while he went with Luo Xi to get the dumplings.

"Then we’ll go back now~"

"Go ahead."

Once Lan Xiaoke and the others had turned away, Ye Chuan glanced sideways to find Luo Xi grinning at him. "Hmm?"

"Chuan, do you ever feel like you don’t understand girls sometimes?" Luo Xi asked.

"Maybe," Ye Chuan raised an eyebrow, then wrapped an arm around Luo Xi’s slender waist. "Want a kiss?"

"No, we’re outside. Save it for home."

Even so, Luo Xi quickly pecked his lips when no one was around, then skipped back a few steps with a giggle.

As they walked side by side, Luo Xi suddenly remembered something.

"Oh yeah, Chuan, I’ve been having a lot of dreams lately."

"Dreaming is normal. Didn’t you always dream about striking it rich before?" Ye Chuan said.

"Hehe, true." Luo Xi hooked her arm around his as they walked.

"But now that I’ve started cultivating, I keep dreaming about it—and it feels so real!"

"Like what?"

"I dreamt I was holding a sword, and shink—I stabbed right through someone!" Luo Xi mimed a sword thrust, playfully poking Ye Chuan’s chest. "Hah! Take this!"

"Hah!" Ye Chuan mirrored her, poking back.

"Tch."

Luo Xi pretended to sulk, though she couldn’t shake the vividness of her dream. "I remember everything about it, even the place names."

"Like what?" Ye Chuan asked casually.

"Something like the Tianxuan Continent, or the Realm Beyond… Wait, didn’t Qianshuang say she’s from the Tianxuan Continent too?"

"Probably just because of Qianshuang." Ye Chuan didn’t dwell on it. As they reached her building, he gave Luo Xi’s backside a light pat.

"Go on, Pikachu. Fetch the dumplings."

"Hmph." Luo Xi dashed upstairs on her slender legs, returning shortly with a small container. "Here."

"Alright, I’ll head back then."

"Not before you kiss me."

"Weren’t you the one who refused earlier?" Ye Chuan smirked.

"Ugh, there were people around then!" Luo Xi smacked his arm, putting on a faux-fierce expression. "Kiss me or I won’t kiss you ever again."

"Fine, fine." Ye Chuan feigned reluctance before giving her a quick peck.

"Okay, I’m going up now~"

"Go ahead."

Watching her bouncing ponytail disappear, Ye Chuan lingered for a moment before calling out, "Don’t forget—beach trip tomorrow!"

From the empty stairwell, Luo Xi’s voice floated down. "I know~"

Ye Chuan looked up to see her leaning out of a stairwell window, wrinkling her nose cutely before vanishing again.

Once his senses confirmed she’d gone inside, Ye Chuan carried the dumplings back to his own place.

"Woof!" The little black dog in the yard stood up, wagging its tail at the sight of him.

"What are you barking for?" Ye Chuan asked.

The dog: "?"

Aren’t I literally a dog? Feels like you’re insulting me.

"Here, have one." The container held plenty of dumplings, so Ye Chuan tossed one to the dog, who caught it mid-air, tail wagging like a fan.

"Want another?"

"Woof!" The dog nodded eagerly, tongue lolling.

"Next time."

"Woof?!"

Ignoring the dog’s pleading eyes, Ye Chuan stepped inside.

Only Lan Xiaoke was in the living room, hugging a pillow while watching TV.

"You’re back~ Qianshuang went to her room to stream, and Ke Ning’s busy too." Lan Xiaoke tilted her head back to talk to him, her long white hair nearly brushing the floor.

Ye Chuan stashed the dumplings in the fridge before flopping onto the sofa.

The TV played a romance drama—something like Picked Up by a Hidden Gem After Unemployment. After a few minutes, Ye Chuan rested his head on Lan Xiaoke’s plush thighs.

"You like this show?"

"It’s okay~ The female lead’s kinda dumb but cute," Lan Xiaoke said.

"Just a drama. Wish a rich woman would pick me up," Ye Chuan mused, recalling his past struggles. He stretched his legs and yawned. "Gonna nap for a bit. Xiaoke, turn off the lights."

"Turn off the lights?" Lan Xiaoke glanced at the distant switch, then down at Ye Chuan sprawled across her lap.

A bit tricky.

"Bend down a little," Ye Chuan said.

"Like this?"

"Mm. Dark enough." With his makeshift "eyemask" in place, Ye Chuan sighed contentedly, ready to doze off to the sound of the TV.