Pure Trash

"Then... does this mean you dislike me?"

Bai Qianshuang's voice carried a faint trace of melancholy, mingling with the sea breeze that brushed past them, prompting Ye Chuan to glance up.

Truthfully, he wasn’t oblivious to the girl’s feelings.

But Ye Chuan harbored no romantic affection for Bai Qianshuang. Everything he had done was merely to secure the rewards from his tenants.

When her affection meter had peaked, and Bai Qianshuang’s emotions became unmistakable, Ye Chuan neither deliberately avoided them nor fully embraced them.

If it were purely a physical relationship—like with Lan Xiaoke—he could handle it. But faced with genuine sincerity, Ye Chuan felt an inexplicable guilt.

Mutual benefit was his preference, but Bai Qianshuang wasn’t like that.

Moreover, what worried Ye Chuan the most was Bai Qianshuang’s memories as an Empress.

That power sounded even more terrifying than ascension—an absolute powerhouse.

What if she decided to kill him? This was the real world; there were no respawns.

"......"

Silence stretched between them, broken only by the waves crashing against the shore.

Ye Chuan’s prolonged silence seemed to give Bai Qianshuang her answer.

"I see..." she murmured softly. "So you do dislike me."

"I..." Her lashes lowered. "I do eat a lot, I know..."

“Though we have a Heavenly Oath, if this is how you feel, I’ll leave. Thank you for taking care of me all this time.”

"No!" Ye Chuan cut her off. "That’s not it at all. You’re beautiful, kind, gentle... Sure, you eat a bit much, but that’s just part of your charm."

Bai Qianshuang stared at him silently, her eyes filled with skepticism.

Had Ye Chuan checked her affection meter now, he’d have seen it plummeting to rock bottom.

"Actually, there’s something I haven’t told you," Ye Chuan said.

"......" Bai Qianshuang blinked in confusion. "Are you... impotent?"

"Definitely not," Ye Chuan replied instantly.

"Then...?"

"My constitution is special. I absorb others' spiritual energy, especially those with exceptional physiques." He held out his hand, gesturing for her to place hers atop it.

Bai Qianshuang instinctively raised her hand. The moment their palms touched, she felt her spiritual energy being rapidly drained!

Ye Chuan immediately pulled away.

"See?"

"......" Bai Qianshuang studied him quietly, recalling that night when her energy had been similarly sapped.

"If we were to harmonize yin and yang, your spiritual energy would be completely depleted," Ye Chuan explained.

"......"

Bai Qianshuang frowned. "Then how come your junior sister can?"

"She’s pure trash."

Some distance away, a certain big-breasted girl stacking sand suddenly sneezed. "Achoo!"

"My constitution craves strength," Ye Chuan continued. "For your safety, I’ve avoided... harmonizing with you. I’m sorry, Qianshuang. I didn’t mean to mislead you."

Bai Qianshuang fell silent for a long moment, as if piecing together a puzzle. "If that’s the case, I can understand. But... what about the harmonization in the future?"

"You’re looking forward to it?" Ye Chuan teased.

Bai Qianshuang stiffened, her fair cheeks flushing crimson like a boiled lobster.

Ye Chuan chuckled and pulled her into his arms. "We could always try."

Her long lashes fluttered shut as she trembled slightly.

Ye Chuan’s fingers danced skillfully, and Bai Qianshuang—highly sensitive—soon squirmed free, collapsing weakly onto the rocks.

"Come here," Ye Chuan said, ready for a playful match. But then, a voice called from behind them.

"Chuan Chuan—!"

Ye Chuan turned to see Luo Xi waving in the distance. "Bring Qianshuang back for watermelon!"

"Got it," he called back. When he turned around, Bai Qianshuang was already on her feet, her face still flushed.

"Leaving already?"

"......" She averted her gaze. "Let’s go."

Ye Chuan grinned. "Alright."

......

"Here, have some watermelon." Under the sunshade, Wang Yanran had prepared sliced watermelon. Lan Xiaoke was already digging into half a melon with a spoon.

These watermelons had been bought by Luo Xi the day before and stored in her spatial ring—undoubtedly a priceless treasure.

"Qianshuang, did Chuan Chuan bully you again?" Luo Xi waved her fist playfully. "Tell me, and I’ll teach him a lesson."

"No." Bai Qianshuang glanced at Ye Chuan. "He... was considerate of me."

"Just a misunderstanding," Ye Chuan added with a nod.

Seeing them at ease, Luo Xi relaxed. "Alright then, dig in."

After their talk, Bai Qianshuang’s heart seemed lighter—even Lan Xiaoke didn’t seem as irritating anymore.

She settled onto a stool and began scooping watermelon just like Lan Xiaoke.

Meanwhile, Ye Chuan admired the girls in their swimsuits, though he lamented not getting to see Lilith’s.

"What are you thinking?" Lilith’s voice echoed in his mind.

"Just wondering how you’d look in a swimsuit."

"Not happening."

"But you’re so adorable. It’d be a waste not to."

"...Hmph." Though she feigned annoyance, her tone betrayed a hint of pleasure.

A violet glow flickered, and Lilith materialized before them.

Bai Qianshuang and the others were used to her presence, but Wang Yanran stared in shock before deciding to play it cool.

Lilith now wore a purple swimsuit, though compared to the others, her proportions were... modest.

"I’ll just have some watermelon," she declared, only to find the table empty.

"What?!"

"Where’s the watermelon?!"

She turned to see Bai Qianshuang and Lan Xiaoke innocently munching away, seeds stuck to their lips.

"Here," Bai Qianshuang offered her bowl.

"It’s empty," Lilith deadpanned.

"Then take mine," Lan Xiaoke pushed forward her share.

"That’s just the rind!"

As Lilith fumed, Luo Xi produced another chilled watermelon. "I’ve got one more, Lilith."

"......" Lilith composed herself, sitting primly on an invisible chair and flicking her twin tails. "Hmph. Not like I wanted any anyway."

"Fine, I’ll put it away then," Luo Xi teased.

"W-Wait, no!" Lilith protested, then—perhaps realizing how her tone had sounded—cleared her throat with a blush. "Hmph, I suppose I could have a little."

"Do you like it, then?" Luo Xi pressed with a playful grin.