Chu Linfeng watched as Selena Yale dashed behind the screen, his heart a mix of frustration and amusement. He was just about to finally enjoy a tender moment with her, only to have it spoiled by someone barging in.
At that moment, the door opened again. This time it was Selena, who saw Chu Linfeng sitting at the table and called out, "Linfeng, why aren't you resting at this hour?"
"Aren't you up too? Did you miss me so much you came just to keep me company? My Xuan'er is the best, always thinking of her man and understanding how hard I work. Thank you, Xuan'er." Chu Linfeng grinned.
"You only know how to run your mouth! I only came because none of the other sisters wanted to bother with you, so I had no choice. Who told me to be your woman anyway?" Selena retorted.
"Alright, alright! What about Lan'er? She's probably asleep by now, right? Shouldn't we sleep too? It's been so long since I held you close—I've missed you to death!" Chu Linfeng said with a mischievous smile.
"Lan'er is already asleep. I asked the maid to watch over her. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have left her side. Let's talk for a while—you have no idea how much I want to say to you." Selena said.
Chu Linfeng could only look at Selena with helplessness. Why couldn't she take the hint? After a long separation, shouldn't this feel like a honeymoon? Why talk so much—the spring night is short and he's dying of impatience.
But he didn't dare argue, since Selena Yale was still behind the screen. "Xuan'er, what do you want to talk about? It's already late—why don't we talk in bed? Sitting here is so dull."
Selena nodded, then sat by the bed. Chu Linfeng immediately pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Selena didn't dodge at all—she'd been longing for this kiss and responded eagerly.
Behind the screen, Selena Yale felt extremely awkward. She couldn't leave, but staying was even worse—especially as she overheard their conversation and Selena's rapid breathing, making her feel even more uncomfortable.
Just then, footsteps sounded outside the room. "Linfeng, are you asleep?" It was Serena Dream's voice—she had come too, but was too shy to enter directly and called from outside the door.
Hearing Serena Dream's voice, Selena quickly climbed out of Chu Linfeng's arms, straightened her clothes, and hid herself under the blanket.
She whispered to Chu Linfeng, "Don't tell her I'm here, or she'll laugh at me. That would be so humiliating!"
"I get it, don't worry!" Chu Linfeng replied, but inside he felt like crying—his good thing had just been ruined by the always gentle Serena Dream.
"Come in, Serena! The door's open!" Chu Linfeng called, quickly moving over to the desk.
Serena Dream walked in and glanced at Chu Linfeng. "Linfeng, I only came because none of the other sisters wanted to keep you company. You don't think I'm that kind of woman, do you?"
Serena Dream blushed after saying this, feeling a bit embarrassed. But Chu Linfeng said, "Of course not! I'm really glad you came. But didn't you say your body wasn't clean? Isn't it bad for you to be here with me?"
"That's not true—I only said that in front of the other sisters so I wouldn't seem like I was hogging you. I had to make a show of it, or they'd all laugh at me." Serena Dream explained.
"So you know how to play tricks too! If that's all, then great. I haven't been with you in ages—I've missed you like crazy. Did you miss me?" Chu Linfeng asked, his eyes flashing with mischief.
"What do you think? If I didn't miss you, why would I come so late? If the other sisters find out I snuck over, they'll definitely laugh at me. I'm only here for you!" Serena Dream whispered.
Chu Linfeng secretly smiled bitterly to himself: "They already know—and some even came before you. If you run into them now, who knows what you'll think." But on the surface he just smiled and said, "Thank you, Serena. You really understand me. It's late—let's go to bed!"
Serena Dream nodded, but before she could reach the bed, footsteps sounded outside again. Chu Linfeng's forehead was covered in metaphorical black lines—could it be Lynne Nie this time?
Was he ever going to get a proper night with his wives? If they weren't coming, fine—but now all four showed up at once. He was honestly a little lost.
Serena Dream's face changed instantly. She whispered, "Linfeng, don't tell her I was here!" and quickly hid behind the screen—only to find someone already hiding there. It was Selena Yale.
Serena Dream was so shocked she nearly cried out, but Selena Yale quickly covered her mouth. "Don't make a sound! If you do, we're finished." Serena Dream could only nod obediently as the two of them hid behind the screen together.
Sure enough, Lynne Nie came in next. This time, Chu Linfeng spoke first: "Lynne, why are you up so late? Is something wrong?"
"I... I saw that none of the sisters were keeping you company, so I quietly snuck over. You're not mad, are you?" Lynne Nie said softly, a blush rising on her beautiful face.
"Of course not! But tell me—are you really clean, or did you just say you weren't?" Chu Linfeng asked.
"How did you know? What do you mean? Has someone said that before? Was it Serena Dream? Did Serena Dream come by?" Lynne Nie asked.
Chu Linfeng hadn't expected his slip of the tongue to almost give them away. He laughed, "I was just guessing, but I hit the mark! Last time in the underground chamber, you suffered a lot, but this time you won't."
"Linfeng, are you hiding something from me? Why are you sweating so much—are you sick?" Lynne Nie asked.
Chu Linfeng was truly frustrated now—so close, yet so far. It was torture. "No, nothing's wrong. Don't overthink it," he said.
"Big brother, why aren't you asleep yet? Xiao Xiao brought you some food—after all, you haven't really eaten in a year. She has something to say to you!" came the voice of Alex Xiao, the Violet Thunder Fox, from outside.
"Heavens, what is going on tonight? If you weren't coming, fine—but now you all show up at once. Are you doing this on purpose?" Chu Linfeng said helplessly.
Although Alex Xiao, the Violet Thunder Fox, wasn't officially Chu Linfeng's woman yet, once she grew her ninth tail and became fully human, she would be. Chu Linfeng said helplessly, "Xiao Xiao, come in! Your sisters-in-law are all here!"
As soon as he said this, everyone was stunned. Selena Yale was fine—she'd been the first to arrive and knew about the other three. But the other three were shaken, especially Lynne Nie, who was right next to Chu Linfeng.
"Linfeng, what did you say? Everyone's here?" Lynne Nie's forehead was now covered with metaphorical black lines, climbing higher and higher...