The air was blocked.

  The refreshing mist was confined within the small room of the elegant pavilion.

  The door to the small room was replaced by a soft gauze curtain, also layered one after another, hanging down from the top, separating the space.

  He gritted his teeth, his jaw clenched in restraint. It was inconvenient to barge in, but even through the translucent gauze curtain, the movements inside the small room could be discerned.

  Within, five slender figures moved back and forth.

  In opposite corners, two exquisite bronze stands, as tall as a person's waist, were placed. On each stand rested a shallow, intricately carved large bronze basin. Two girls each guarded a basin, placing processed flower petals, herbs, and other ingredients from bamboo baskets into the large basins already spread with medicinal herbs.

  White smoke billowed out, and a fragrant mist permeated the surroundings. Although confined to the small room, the scent subtly penetrated the gauze curtain, reaching the man's nostrils. He sniffed lightly, and with a few breaths, he could discern the general types of fragrant herbs in the basins.

  He understood spices, and his livelihood depended on them, yet he never knew such a method could be used to cure his sister's madness.

  Inside the small room, Lan Qi'er, having just bathed in fragrant petals, was obediently placed on a soft cushion. Three women surrounded her. Two massaged her limbs with gentle and skillful force, while one took heated golden needles and carefully, one by one, acupunctured her body's pressure points.

  The man's sharp eyes narrowed further and further, fixed on the figure responsible for the acupuncture. His gaze felt like it was burning through the layers of gauze, making the person inside feel the intense pressure.

  That graceful figure stirred slightly, raising her delicate head and looking in his direction.

  Sweet, arrogant, with a half-smile.

  Although several large steps separated them, and the gauze curtain and fragrant mist also intervened, he knew exactly what her beautiful face looked like at that moment.

  Damn it!

  He cursed her, and possibly himself as well.

  He exhaled heavily, then decisively shook his head, turned, and his sheepskin boots stepped out of the elegant pavilion without hesitation, to calm himself outside.

  Half an hour passed.

  He wandered around for a while and returned to the elegant pavilion. He didn't go in, but directly sat on the steps outside the pavilion.

  Another quarter of an hour passed.

  Unconcealed footsteps approached slowly from behind. They were unhurried. He naturally heard them. His broad back tensed almost imperceptibly, but he remained still.

  "Are you that angry?" Her voice cleared, as if trying to sound more serious, but the slight waver at the end softened it. From that slight softness, a sweet smile emerged.

  "You roared, I also shouted; you pressed me, I embraced you; you were watched, I was also watched. I have nothing to be angry about. You, a dignified man of Western Han, should be able to let go, shouldn't you?" As she spoke, she used a thin willow branch she had just broken to playfully hook his tightly clenched jaw.

  The man's large hand snatched the willow branch, snapped it, and threw it far away.

  She really was angry!

  The woman shrugged her delicate shoulders with good humor, sighing like a fragrant breeze. "Alright, alright, you're angry. Be as angry as you like until you're happy. I won't keep you company for now. Let me know when you're done being angry."

  She gracefully stood up and turned to leave. But as soon as she took half a step, her feet became difficult to move. Her silver anklet was stepped on by his sheepskin boots.

  "That's right, I almost forgot. I haven't settled the score with you about this chain yet, and you're already giving me a cold shoulder!" Her steps were suddenly impeded, and her body swayed unsteadily. But she was too lazy to exert herself to regain balance, so she simply let her soft, fragrant body, freshly bathed, fall towards the man sitting on the steps.

  Fortunately, in his fury, he still extended his arm to hold her slender waist, preventing her from falling awkwardly.

  She smiled, her beautiful eyes revealing a charming posture like a drooping willow.

  Her heart softened. Her fragrant fingers replaced the thin willow branch that the man had just crushed, and playfully poked his chin.

  "I didn't expect Master Lei Salang to be so thin-skinned. So thin-skinned, your cheeks are flushed with anger. Such a handsome man is a feast for the eyes!"

  It turned out that a person could truly be so angry they vomit blood, their blood flow backward, or even faint, die, or become possessed. Lei Salang grabbed her hateful, soft hand and took a deep breath again, trying to suppress the urge to strangle her.

  Although Lan Qi'er was present throughout the "performance" in her boudoir, her gaze was never on the two of them. As the purple gauze curtain fell, he was startled to see his sister sitting there, so close. He indeed felt extremely embarrassed, indignant, and extremely awkward, but that was not the most infuriating situation for him.

  Just as he was gritting his teeth and about to withdraw from her soft, yielding embrace, the women of "Flying Cloud Pavilion" coincidentally rushed into the楼主's boudoir.

  Since the楼主 had not appeared for a long time, the women below were puzzled and came up to investigate. There were more than ten of them. Later, they were shocked to see the楼主 having just finished an intimate act with a man. The women were extremely excited and didn't go anywhere else. They even called for more sisters, surrounding the two of them. They surrounded them so naturally, discussing his physique and posture in a flurry of chatter!

  "Sir, don't be shy, just do it, try your best. You're big, and the size between your legs must be considerable. But don't worry, our楼主, though delicate, has been trained. She can definitely swallow all your essence! Sir, give her more opportunities to practice. In the future, our楼主 hopes you will continue to guide and care for her!"

  "...Oh dear, you just finished a round! Hahaha... Good, then don't rush, don't panic... Don't pull out! Don't rush to pull out! Come, come, follow my breathing. I'll teach you the breathing method to regulate your energy and replenish your essence. Within three cups of tea, you'll be able to raise your head and wag your tail again, showing your might, like a flying dragon soaring into the sky."

  "Sir, my nose is sensitive. If you don't mind, let me sniff you! With just a sniff, I'll know if your body is strong and how long your essence will last..."

  Enraged!

  How could he not be furious?

  Those terrifying women, each one speaking, covering him like wolves and tigers, he couldn't block them at all. In his life, Lei Salang had never been so embarrassed!

  "Alas, I've helped you out of this predicament. Knowing that the Twelve Golden Hairpins and other sisters would pester you with questions, and fearing you would be restless and impatient, unable to handle the seventy-two beauties' tactics, I brought you here." She sat, while he adhered to the principle of "if you can lie down, don't sit." She reclined on his lap. "Don't you like this place, 'Waves and Reeds Water Pavilion'?"

  Lei Salang withdrew his large hand from her slender waist, but did not push her away.

  When he had walked out of the elegant pavilion alone earlier, he had casually surveyed this secluded residence by the serene river and lake.

  Setting aside the chaos of "Flying Cloud Pavilion" and ignoring the surrounding women, she casually grabbed a piece of purple gauze, draped and tied it around herself in a few strokes, leaving him with only one sentence:

  "Bring your 'precious heart' and follow me."

  Wearing purple gauze, she floated down from the rooftop. She seemed certain he would follow her, and he did, picking up Lan Qi'er as instructed and leaping down after her.

  It seemed her provocative gaze had provoked him, as if to say – come if you dare, it depends on your courage!

  "Flying Cloud Pavilion" was built by the river. As soon as they leaped down from the rooftop, she was waiting on a boat at the shore.

  Thus, the three of them in a boat, on a long waterway, with her in control of their destination.

  She didn't rush to explain, and he patiently pursed his lips and didn't ask, merely sitting cross-legged, holding his sister in his arms.

  The clear spring river and lake were like a mirror, with faint scents wafting. They headed towards the misty waters.

  Somewhere, fallen blossoms were in full bloom. No one knew where those petals and stamens came from. They gently chased the flowing water, as if they had a long, lingering relationship before having the fate to float beside the boat that had already entered the heart of the lake.

  The boat moved very fast.

  The calculation of the waterway made him, who had lived in the Western Desert beyond the domain for many years, somewhat unable to grasp the details. He only knew that after about an hour, just as he thought they were about to stop and dock, the long boat suddenly cut into a water forest.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  The trees rooted at the bottom of the water towered into the sky. They navigated the narrow water surface in a winding, dizzying path. After a long while, the end of the water forest surprisingly opened up. The woman rowing the boat glanced at him and smiled lightly, speaking with a half-joking, crisp voice:

  "Master Lei Salang, you are the first man I've brought home."

  "Home."

  He savored this word from her sweet mouth, trying to discern something from her cunning, almost affectionate, beautiful eyes. She had already turned her gaze away again.

  This "Waves and Reeds Water Pavilion" wound around the water. Buildings were scattered along the water, following the terrain.

  At first glance, one could see five or six elegant pavilions and painted towers behind the weeping willows. Surrounded by waterways, almost every pavilion had small bridges and winding corridors extending to platforms over the water. Of course, to facilitate travel within the water pavilion, several small boats were essential.

  There were many trees here, and it was still spring. Willows, maples, and chestnut trees were abundant. Peach, plum, and apricot blossoms vied for spring, and even red plum blossoms were reluctant to fade. Coupled with bright red azaleas and some other flowers and grasses he could no longer name, the water pavilion was filled with the rich fragrance that he should have detested.

  He had always disliked overly soft fragrances, hadn't he?

  But why, sitting on the stone steps of the long corridor outside the elegant pavilion, as he breathed in all this, did the anger burning in his heart seem to be gradually controlled? From extreme anger to a dull ache, his heaving chest inexplicably slowed down, as if the air here was mixed with a calming, intoxicating scent that soothed his soul with prolonged inhalation.

  Why?

  Was it merely because this water pavilion lacked the vulgarity and clichés of the Zhou Mansion's gardens, which were merely for show, allowing him to finally breathe? Or was he already numb to places of misty romance? Or perhaps... could it be because of her half-joking, half-serious "coming home"?

  The last thought strangely dissipated much of the anger in his heart.

  His slightly lowered thick eyelashes fluttered, and his voice suddenly emerged from his lips, which seemed to be about to speak but didn't:

  "In the Western Desert, in the tribe where I grew up..."

  "Hmm?" The man finally deigned to speak. Bao Duo Mei's heart quickened, unaware that she was acting nervous.

  "If a woman leads a man back to her tent..."

  "Hmm?" Alas, she didn't finish speaking in one go, making it so suspenseful!

  She couldn't wait, so she flipped over and sat on his lap. If not for the silver chain around her ankle, she would have wanted to spread her legs wide and straddle him.

  Lei Salang held her waist. He had been shocked by her audacious behavior several times, but now he was gradually getting used to it.

  "Tell me, what does that mean?" she asked, raising her eyebrows, her hand playing with the slightly curly brown hair by his rugged, stern cheeks.

  "It means the woman has chosen this man, and will only choose this one for the rest of her life." His deep eyes were dark and profound.

  Her untamed willow brows rose even higher. "Then what if a man leads a woman back to his tent? Does the man also choose this partner for life?"

  "Men in the Western Han tribes can have countless women."

  Her willow brows were about to stand on end. "See, such an unfair thing! If men can have countless women, women should have equal rights. That would be fair."

  Perhaps because her reaction was exactly as he had expected, Lei Salang's lips curved slightly, as if he were smiling. His angry thoughts faded again.

  He slowly uttered a sentence. "You brought me back to your tent. Do you intend to choose me for the rest of your life?"

  "Where do I have a tent—" She paused abruptly. Her beautiful face froze, her dark jade eyes rolled halfway around, and only then did she understand.

  She then smiled. "Unfortunately, 'Waves and Reeds Water Pavilion' is not in your Western Han. This 'tent' is under my jurisdiction. If you enter my territory, you must follow my customs. The girls here, as long as they are happy, can be with whomever they please. Even treating men as playthings, to be toyed with in their hands, is considered a woman's true skill."

  Her jade finger again slid to hook his jaw, her tone changing to a soft, mournful sigh. "Heh heh... I say, Master, 'choosing' is such tiring work, don't you know?" She was like a lock, unable to move.

  Why did she bring this man here?

  Bao Duo Mei couldn't find a satisfactory answer for herself for a while.

  Her first man.

  The first body she craved, that made her heart itch so much that she had to possess it.

  The first person she wanted to spend her efforts to see through, explore, and play a game of attack and defense with.

  Later. She would wait a while longer. She was still in the mood, and she couldn't let go of him yet.

  "'Choosing' is indeed tiring work," Lei Salang agreed in a low voice, unexpectedly.

  Seeing her slightly surprised blink, he smiled, a genuine smile. "But when it comes to matters between men and women, I prefer a one-on-one relationship. If the楼主 wants to do business with me, trading spices and medicinal herbs, let business be business, and carnal desires be carnal desires. You are interested in me, and I admit I have desires for you, and I don't intend to restrain them. But I sincerely hope that at least during the period of our business dealings, this body of yours will 'choose' only me."

  "'Choose you...'" Her lips, which always spoke in a sweet voice, murmured softly.

  "Yes," he nodded. "I am possessive. I don't like sharing a woman with other men. If we have no further transactions in the future, you can have as many men as you like, and I won't be able to control it."

  "But I—"

  "This is the condition. If you promise, you will also receive my promise. I will give you the formula and primer for 'Dragon's Bewitching Incense'." His voice was deep and powerful, his words assertive. He refused to be controlled any longer. Since things had reached this point, he would take what he deserved and what he desired.

  Her fragrant, beautiful body actively threw herself into his embrace. His mind was made up, and his large hand followed his desire, caressing her slender, beautiful body and her well-proportioned, beautiful legs, lingering.

  He was regaining control.

  Those deep, well-like eyes, yet trembling with fire, were so focused.

  Bao Duo Mei's heart pounded faster and faster. She couldn't take her eyes off him as he gazed at her.

  What was this? She was playing with him, and he was playing with her too?

  No, neither of them was playing. It was a sincere promise and a transaction?

  "I..." Her throat was dry. She moistened her saliva and took a deep breath. "Why does it feel like... I'm at a disadvantage?"

  "Is that so?" His rough fingers hooked the silver chain and pulled it towards himself. The woman's slender ankle could not go anywhere, so she could only obediently lean towards him. Her delicate, snowy feet landed in his large palm. He felt the pleasure of control, and the corners of his mouth deepened.

  Bao Duo Mei shook her head and sat up in his arms, saying crisply, "Of course! When we do business, it's mainly about exchanging goods for money. But I'm sacrificing myself to have fun with you, serving you to your utmost satisfaction, and even taking care of your 'precious heart' by bringing Lan Qi'er to stay with me! You've seen it with your own eyes, she's much better off with me than with you. The secret techniques of 'Flying Cloud Pavilion' include a 'Burning Incense Therapy,' which is very effective in expelling the madness poison from her body. It's much more effective than your 'Calming Spirit Incense'! Do you dare to deny it with a clear conscience?" She poked his firm chest muscles, but fearing she would crack her round, beautiful nails, she only poked him once, and the rest were just light touches.

  Lei Salang controlled his facial muscles and shook his head. "I dare not."

  "That's exactly it!" She patted the spot she had poked, as if saying, "You can be taught." "Now you're asking for 'choosing'! I intend to do business with you for a long, long time. Long-term business requires long-term 'choosing.' This is blocking my 'Spring River Road,' it's very hurtful!"

  Spring River Road? He squinted slightly. "The楼主 can refuse. I'm not forcing you."

  "You—" She had already invested so much effort in dealing with him, how could she give up halfway? How infuriating!

  The more she thought about it, the more she felt at a disadvantage. Her eyes narrowed like a cat's, wild and charming. Her small hand suddenly cupped the man's stern face and she bit his nose. "Damn it... you big swindler... taking advantage of our Han girls... none of you Western Desert men are good— Ah!" He actually reached under her skirt and pinched the inside of her thigh!

  A deep laugh rumbled from his chest, rich and pleasant. He hadn't laughed like this in a long time. Lei Salang felt an unprecedented joy, and the lingering anger truly vanished without a trace.

  The woman unwillingly gnawed at him with her teeth, biting his nose, nibbling his chin, sucking his lips. He happily accepted the challenge, finding pleasure in fighting back.

  It's really bad, playing with women is addictive, especially this one in his arms.

  It was indeed him who was taking advantage.

  Although he didn't say anything, seeing Lan Qi'er today and carefully examining her features and demeanor, he was filled with surprise and joy. He never expected that in just ten days, her pale, bloodless little face could regain its rosy complexion.

  He had initially scoffed at the "secret techniques" she constantly mentioned, but now he could not afford to underestimate them. Or, perhaps, they were truly good for Lan Qi'er...

  She's much better off with me than with you...

  Do you dare to deny it with a clear conscience?

  His mouth, about to smile, was again covered by her dense kisses. She was truly wild, messy, unpredictable, fierce, untamed, licentious, and charming. But it seemed that as long as he was by her side, many things became... much better.

  Even his gloomy mood had inexplicably improved.

  The only thing not so beautiful was that there were "eyes" everywhere here, even more so than in "Flying Cloud Pavilion"!

  He glanced around casually. On both sides were people hiding and peeking. Some were half-hidden behind trees, some were sweeping or tending to flowers while looking this way, and some were peeking out from behind pavilion windows.

  If he decided to "hang out" with her, and "hang out" on her territory, he would definitely have to learn the skill of "not being afraid of being watched." He mocked himself inwardly.

  "Big Sister! Big Sister! Aunt Tian said you brought back a little lady who doesn't speak, and also a wild man—uh... a brave man who isn't afraid of death!" A crisp, pearly voice came from the river not far away.

  He looked in the direction of the sound.

  A small boat was winding its way from a small open pavilion above, carrying three young girls. The girl rowing seemed to be the oldest, and her technique was extremely skilled. In a short while, she had docked the boat, helped the youngest one out, and the other followed her off the boat.

  Seeing the man and woman embracing like twisted dough strips, the three young girls did not avoid them or feel embarrassed. They stood frankly and openly before them, tilting their heads slightly, watching with great interest.

  His large hand was still holding the woman's pretty buttocks. Planning to practice the skill of "not being afraid of being watched" from now on, Lei Salang merely tilted his head slightly, then remained motionless, confronting the young girls. He vaguely thought that all the girls associated with the woman in his arms were strange. Not only were they not afraid of him, but they all loved to stare at him.

  Bao Duo Mei smiled at the three of them, calling out their names for him:

  "Second sister, Xiao Xiang, third sister, Ye'er, and little sister, Hong Hong."

  "Big Sister's nickname isn't 'Xiao Mei,' nor 'Mei'er' or 'Mei Mei.' She's called 'Da Xiang'." Hua Yuhong, the youngest sister of the Hua family, who had just turned fifteen, smiled at the dark, sturdy man. She was like a delicate pearl.

  Lei Salang was slightly stunned, instinctively feeling that this young girl would also be a "menace" in a few years.

  His gaze then swept across the three young girls, sighing inwardly, and silently correcting himself. Not just the young ones, but the entire Hua family were likely "trouble."

  He smiled faintly. "I know. Your eldest sister told me." So "Da Xiang" was indeed her name, her nickname.

  The pretty third sister of the Hua family smiled broadly. "Heh heh heh~~~ Nicknames are only for family members. Eldest sister told you, she must really like you. Brother-in-law~~~"

  The man and woman clinging together were stunned, their eyes widening, their eyebrows rising simultaneously, and then they looked at each other at extremely close range.

  Bro... Brother-in-law? Family?!

  Family? Brother-in-law?!

  "You were brought into our water pavilion, and you're close with Eldest Sister, so you're going to settle down here. We should call you Brother-in-law, shouldn't we?"

  It was unclear which of the Hua sisters asked tentatively. Lei Salang didn't look to see, his gaze fixed on the charming face just inches away.

  Then, joy quietly spread in his chest, rippling wave after wave. His blood felt hot, his muscles softened, and he felt a surge of energy emanating from every pore.

  He nodded slightly and replied, "Yes. It is appropriate to be called that."

  Brother-in-law.

  He happily discovered that these three words could make her face turn red, even her neck.

  Ah, she's shy? So, so, this lawless woman actually knows what blushing is.

  Perhaps, he could really settle down here, and "hang out" with her...