Thinking (Bonus Update)

For the next two days, Ye Chuan and the others spent their time playing by the seaside.

They even ventured out to the reefs at night in their swimsuits, leaving only a quick sweep of the "Adventure World" game.

"Ah—I got tanned!"

The moment Lan Xiaoke got home and saw herself in the mirror, she immediately realized the problem.

The girl in the reflection now had a clear tan line—her once fair skin had darkened by a noticeable shade. Though it gave her a healthier glow, Lan Xiaoke couldn’t quite accept her newly bronzed self.

"Waaah!" She turned left and right, scrutinizing herself before glaring at Bai Qianshuang and the others. Bai Qianshuang and Luo Xi remained as fair as ever, while Ke Ning, who hadn’t been exposed to the sun at all, looked just fine. As for Ye Chuan, his skin had never been particularly pale to begin with, so he didn’t stand out either.

"How come none of you got tanned?" Lan Xiaoke demanded.

"The sun was strong, so I used spiritual energy to shield myself," Bai Qianshuang explained, slightly taken aback by Lan Xiaoke’s dramatic reaction. Though she enjoyed the beach, the heat had been a bit much for her, so she had instinctively protected herself with spiritual energy.

Perhaps by sheer luck, the shielding effect had also blocked UV rays, leaving her complexion unchanged.

"Didn’t you put on sunscreen before going to the beach? I had Chuan apply some for me," Luo Xi asked with a smile. "Didn’t he do the same for you?"

Ye Chuan: "…"

He really hadn’t. Lan Xiaoke had been too busy playing around, and honestly, her slightly tanned skin gave her a certain… attack-speed-buffing charm.

Plus, he’d been a little distracted watching other things at the time.

"So… I’m the only one who got tanned?" Lan Xiaoke pointed at herself.

Everyone nodded.

Lan Xiaoke silently crouched in the corner, looking like an abandoned puppy. "Only me… only I got darker…"

"It’ll fade in a couple of days," Ye Chuan reassured her. After all, it was just two days of sun exposure. Back during military training in school, even the girls who slathered on sunscreen ended up tanned.

"Xiaoke, drink more lemon water these next few days," Luo Xi suggested cheerfully.

"Mmm…" Lan Xiaoke immediately got up and rummaged through the fridge for lemons.

"There really are some!" She pulled one out and popped it straight into her mouth—only to immediately grimace. "So sour?!"

"Who eats a lemon raw?" Ye Chuan sighed.

"But you guys eat them all the time!"

"That’s oranges, dummy!"

Watching Lan Xiaoke roll around on the floor in agony, Ye Chuan couldn’t tell if she was genuinely this clueless or just pretending. Then again, if she were faking it, she wouldn’t have gotten her butt zapped by Wang Yanran back then.

---

That afternoon, Ye Chuan stayed in his room, reviewing his skills and equipment.

His gaze drifted to the corner, where an egg sat—the one they’d retrieved from the Godzilla-like monster rift. Lilith’s words had convinced him to keep it, but even after all this time, there was no sign of it hatching.

"Lilith, when’s this thing gonna hatch? If not, maybe we should just grill it."

As if sensing his stare, the egg trembled slightly, almost as if it had a mind of its own.

"No need to rush." Lilith floated out of the jade pendant, casually opened the mini-fridge in Ye Chuan’s room, grabbed a drink, and plopped down on his desk.

"Hey, my keyboard." Ye Chuan frowned as Lilith sat right on it.

"Hmm?" Lilith shot him an unimpressed look. "I’m a spirit. It’s not like I leave anything behind."

"Still feels weird." Ye Chuan smirked.

"Excuse me?!"

"Never mind."

"Annoying brat." Lilith took a sip before tilting her head at him. "Honestly, it’s baffling how so many girls like you. You’re warm on the outside but ice-cold inside."

"Is that an insult?" Ye Chuan didn’t care—other people’s opinions had never mattered to him.

Lilith swirled her drink. "Obviously not a compliment. I’d say the only one who’s really in your heart is Luo Xi. The others? Good luck getting through to you."

"Oh? You think you know me that well?" Ye Chuan chuckled.

"Better than they do. I’ve read your memories," Lilith said casually. "Not that I meant to—it’s just part of my abilities."

Ye Chuan paused, but quickly dismissed it. Given Lilith’s nature, it wasn’t surprising.

Lilith shrugged. "Well, losing your parents young and struggling just to survive… it makes sense you’d put up walls. But my advice? Try being a little more genuine. Lies are convenient, but they’re not always the best tool."

Finishing her drink, Lilith stretched lazily before dissolving into a purple mist and vanishing back into the pendant.

Ye Chuan sat on the edge of his bed, lost in thought for a long while.

---

By nightfall, the aroma of dinner filled the house.

"Food’s ready! Time to eat!" Lan Xiaoke knocked on Ye Chuan’s door. Hearing no response, she cracked it open and peeked inside. "Huh?"

The room was pitch black. "Where’s Ye Chuan?"

Just then, a hand landed on her shoulder.

Lan Xiaoke froze, a chill shooting up her spine. She whipped around—only to see a shadowy figure looming over her. "EEK! GHOST!!!!!!!"

"Scaredy-cat." Light from the hallway illuminated the figure’s face—Ye Chuan’s grin and gleaming teeth.

Seeing Lan Xiaoke curled up on the floor, arms over her head as if bracing for a beating, Ye Chuan’s lip twitched. "You’re a ghost who’s lived for decades, and this is how you act? Where’s your dignity as a cultivator?"

"Why didn’t you turn on the light?!" Lan Xiaoke grumbled, scrambling to her feet once she recognized him.

"Was napping. Dinner ready?" Ye Chuan flicked the light switch.

"Yep! Qianshuang and I made it." Lan Xiaoke puffed out her chest proudly.

"Alright." Ye Chuan patted her head and walked out.

Lan Xiaoke scratched her head, puzzled. For some reason, she felt like Ye Chuan seemed… off?

In the dining area, Bai Qianshuang was finishing up dinner, stirring a pot of soup with a contented hum, her usual cowlick swaying gently.

Ye Chuan took a seat, his mind drifting back to Lilith’s words as he silently watched Bai Qianshuang.

"What’s wrong?" Bai Qianshuang’s voice snapped him out of it as she set the soup pot on the table.

"Ah… nothing."