RPDPHW Chapter 33

“I don’t want to sleep here!”

Zhong Shujin, completely bare, curled up under the blanket, clutching it tightly as she warily eyed the dark wooden beams above. Though her sobs had stopped, her voice still trembled slightly.

“Tell someone to change my room. I don’t want to sleep here…”

Gu Qingyin stood by the copper basin, carefully washing her hands. She responded with a smile, “It’s too late. What a hassle.”

“What do you mean hassle?! Didn’t you just go out to call them to bring you hot water for a bath? When they come, you can just tell them then!”

“Alright, alright. “I had already chased those things away. “It’s fine now.” Gu Qingyin dried her hands, walked toward the bed, and said with a chuckle, “Switching rooms wouldn’t really make a difference. In Shu, no matter where you are, there will always be some of those creatures. But don’t worry, they don’t dare come near me. As long as you stay by my side, they won’t dare come near you either.”

Looking at the person standing on the bed, smiling so cheerfully, Zhong Shujin pouted in frustration. “This is all your fault! “If you hadn’t played tricks, there wouldn’t have been venomous snakes in the first place!”

“Alright, alright, it’s all my fault!” Gu Qingyin didn’t argue. Instead, she sat beside Zhong Shujin, gently wiping away the lingering tears from her eyelashes. Her voice was soft as she coaxed, “There, there, don’t cry anymore. I really chased them all away. They won’t come back.”

Zhong Shujin lowered her head in grievance, muttering, “If you do this again next time, I really won’t talk to you anymore.”

“I won’t, I won’t. “I promise you, I’ll never do this to you again, alright?” Gu Qingyin cupped Zhong Shujin’s face, carefully wiping away the last traces of tears. She comforted her gently, “Now, can you stop being scared? Those things are really gone. If you don’t believe me, take a look?”

Following Gu Qingyin’s lead, Zhong Shujin glanced at the floor. Sure enough, the snake’s corpse had already been cleaned up.

“What about the beams…?”

Thinking back at the rustling sounds, Zhong Shujin couldn’t help but shudder in fear.

She didn’t even want to imagine what would have happened if she hadn’t begged for mercy…

Noticing Zhong Shujin’s attempt to act calm despite her lingering fear, Gu Qingyin chuckled softly. She scooted closer, wrapped an arm around Zhong Shujin, and gently patted her shoulder in comfort. “It’s really fine now.” I’ve already spread repellent. Nothing poisonous will dare come in here anymore. Don’t be mad, alright?”

“Hmph.” Zhong Shujin huffed. Just thinking about what had happened made her upset again. For once, she mustered the resolve to push Gu Qingyin away. “Don’t touch me.”

Since she was the one who had scared her in the first place, Gu Qingyin obediently withdrew her hands and even shifted a little further away, raising her hands in surrender. “Like this? Satisfied now?”

Zhong Shujin was genuinely surprised by Gu Qingyin’s sudden compliance.

Though her mood had improved slightly, she remained stubborn. “Not enough! I want to change rooms! Those things were crawling around here—I refuse to sleep here!”

Seeing Gu Qingyin shake her head with an amused smile, Zhong Shujin got so worked up that she forgot she was still completely bare. She lunged forward, straddling Gu Qingyin and pinning her down. Tugging at Gu Qingyin’s cheeks, she huffed, “Are you going to let me change rooms or not?! If you don’t, I won’t let go!”

Her fair, bare skin was exposed in full view.

Gu Qingyin’s eyes gleamed slightly. She licked her lips, clasped Zhong Shujin’s waist with both hands, and pulled her in tightly, pressing their bodies firmly together. Only then did she speak in a doting tone, “Alright, alright, I’ll listen to you. Whatever you want, I’ll do. Is that okay now?”

Zhong Shujin froze for a moment.

She gazed into those deep, affectionate eyes just inches away, momentarily losing herself.

At last, they were no longer the distant, unreadable eyes she had grown used to.

This gaze was far too familiar.

Back at the medicine hut, Gu Qingyin had always looked at her like this—her eyes brimming with undisguised tenderness, silently expressing an unspoken love.

As memories surfaced, Zhong Shujin’s grip loosened slightly, and even her tone softened.

“You really mean it? You’ll listen to me?”

“Mhm. “I’ll listen to you,” Gu Qingyin said, her eyes locked onto Zhong Shujin’s with a gentle smile. “Tonight, everything will be up to you.” If you want to change rooms, we will. If you say it hurts and don’t want to continue, we’ll stop. Alright?”

Zhong Shujin was utterly stunned.

Warm breath brushed against her ear.

“Ah Jin,” Gu Qingyin murmured, “I care about you.”

This long-overdue explanation left Zhong Shujin momentarily dazed.

She tilted her head slightly and found herself locked in Gu Qingyin’s gaze.

Her eyes were filled with a tenderness as soft as water, and within that reflection, besides Zhong Shujin herself, was a faint trace of desire.

Zhong Shujin held her breath, waiting in silence for those lips to descend upon hers.

At the same time, the hands roaming around her waist stirred certain thoughts in her mind.

She could already imagine what was about to happen.

Unfortunately, just as that kiss was about to land, and before their passionate moment could truly begin, a knock at the door interrupted them.

“Doctor Gu, the room has been prepared. Shall I take you there now?”

Clearly, when Gu Qingyin had gone out earlier to request hot water, she had also arranged for a new room to be made ready.

A warmth spread through Zhong Shujin’s heart.

Just then, the hands at her waist began to caress a particularly sensitive spot.

“Mm…”

The teasing touch sent shivers through her body, and she couldn’t help but let out a soft moan. The once dignified and commanding leader of the sect was now weakly leaning into Gu Qingyin’s embrace.

She bit her lip, inwardly cursing herself.

How could she be this easy to seduce? Just a few simple touches, and she was already melting.

“Alright, I understand. I’ll be there soon.”

After that, Gu Qingyin simply placed a soft kiss on Zhong Shujin’s hair and stopped her movements.

Unlike Zhong Shujin, who was still lost in a daze, Gu Qingyin remained calm. Aside from her slightly heavier breathing, she showed no hint of frustration at having their intimate moment interrupted.

The good mood that Zhong Shujin had barely regained was instantly shattered by Gu Qingyin’s composed demeanor.

The warmth within her gradually faded as well.

She didn’t quite understand why she was suddenly upset, but she didn’t show it either. Taking a moment to steady her breath, she bit her lip, lowered her gaze, and climbed off Gu Qingyin.

However, before she could even set foot on the ground, Gu Qingyin effortlessly pulled her back.

“Don’t tell me you plan on going out like this?”

Gu Qingyin tapped Zhong Shujin’s chest lightly, a helpless smile playing on her lips.

Zhong Shujin looked down and immediately turned crimson with embarrassment.

Who said she intended to walk out like this…

Without teasing her further, Gu Qingyin casually grabbed the blanket beside them and wrapped Zhong Shujin up tightly.

On the way to the new room, Zhong Shujin remained quiet, curled up in the blanket, obediently resting in Gu Qingyin’s arms. Only her arms peeked out, loosely wrapped around Gu Qingyin’s neck.

Once the maid led them to the room, she quietly took her leave.

The new room wasn’t much different from the previous one.

The best part was that no poisonous insects or snakes had crawled through this one.

“Zi Yan lied. She clearly has plenty of guest rooms, yet she deliberately said there weren’t many…”

After Gu Qingyin placed her on the bed, Zhong Shujin stayed wrapped up in the blanket, only her head peeking out as she mumbled under her breath.

Gu Qingyin felt touched by her friend’s thoughtfulness. At times like this, saying too much would only lead to mistakes, so she chose to ignore Zhong Shujin’s complaint. Instead, she ruffled her hair and smiled. “I got you a new room. Are you satisfied now?”

Now, Zhong Shujin was truly pleased. She decided not to hold a grudge over Gu Qingyin’s earlier mischief, though she still tried to maintain a serious face as she replied, “A little more satisfied than before.”

Seeing that Gu Qingyin simply smiled and then turned to leave, Zhong Shujin quickly reached out and grabbed her arm.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going outside to sprinkle some repellent, just in case any unwanted creatures decide to sneak in and scare you again,” Gu Qingyin said meaningfully. What? Can’t bear to let me go?”

Too embarrassed to admit she was afraid of being alone, Zhong Shujin stiffened her expression and said, “No need to trouble yourself. Just stay here.”

“As you command, my dear Cult Leader.”

Gu Qingyin gazed at her tenderly and obediently took a seat beside the bed.

“You…” Zhong Shujin couldn’t shake the feeling that it was a little unfair—she was lying here completely bare, while Gu Qingyin was still fully dressed. Without hesitation, she gave a direct order: “Take off your clothes! Get in!”

Gu Qingyin’s smile deepened.

She had promised that she would listen to Zhong Shujin tonight, so she did exactly that.

Stripping down to just her undergarments, Gu Qingyin finally stopped and met Zhong Shujin’s unblinking gaze with an amused smirk.

“Is this enough? Or do you want me to take everything off, just like you?”

“Cough, cough.” Zhong Shujin blushed and quickly averted her eyes from Gu Qingyin’s chest. She cleared her throat and muttered, “This is fine, this is fine. Just get in already.”

With that, she scooted further inside, making space for Gu Qingyin on the outer side of the bed.

After all, since those creatures didn’t dare to come near Gu Qingyin, having her close by was probably more effective than any repellent.

Once Gu Qingyin lay down under the same blanket, Zhong Shujin instinctively snuggled closer, unapologetically burrowing into Gu Qingyin’s embrace.

She declared boldly, “This Cult Leader will allow you to sleep beside me tonight, so you don’t have to go back to your room.”

Hearing this, Gu Qingyin effortlessly wrapped an arm around her, chuckling, “Many thanks for your grace, Cult Leader.”

Resting her head on Gu Qingyin’s shoulder, Zhong Shujin lifted her eyes slightly—only to be met with that affectionate, indulgent smile.

And just like that, she couldn’t hold it in anymore.

With a sudden giggle, she burst into laughter.

She reached out, cupping Gu Qingyin’s chin, and raised an eyebrow teasingly. “Poison Doctor, since you listen to this Cult Leader so well, why not consider serving under me? I’ve always cherished talent. If you join my Bloodflame Cult, I guarantee you won’t be mistreated!”

Gu Qingyin’s hand was slowly trailing down Zhong Shujin’s spine, stroking each vertebra one by one. She responded leisurely, “And what benefits would there be in serving the Cult Leader?”

Once the idea took root, it was hard to dismiss. Zhong Shujin actually began to seriously consider it.

“Well, for one, we could see each other every day.”

“Just seeing each other daily? That doesn’t seem like quite enough.”

Gu Qingyin’s hand slid further down, rubbing slow circles on Zhong Shujin’s lower back. The moment Zhong Shujin let out a soft whimper and melted into her touch, Gu Qingyin flipped their positions, pinning her down beneath her. Lowering her voice, she coaxed, “Why don’t we start with a trial? Let me serve you tonight, and if you’re satisfied, we can discuss whether I should continue serving you in the future. How does that sound?”

That wandering hand was anything but well-behaved.

Zhong Shujin gasped, wrapping her arms around Gu Qingyin’s neck.

“You… mmh… How exactly do you plan to ‘serve’ me?”

“You’ll know once you experience it,” Gu Qingyin murmured, capturing Zhong Shujin’s lips in a deep kiss. Her voice was hushed, seductive. “My dear Cult Leader, all you have to do is enjoy yourself. Leave everything else to me—I’ll take care of you.”

With tenderness like this, how could anyone bear to refuse?

It wasn’t until the soft flesh of her chest was covered that Zhong Shujin realized she had once again dug a pit for herself.

But this time, she could no longer escape.

Desire threatened to consume her whole.

Yet, if someone was there to accompany her in this endless abyss—

Falling in didn’t seem so terrifying anymore.