**Chapter 257: Creamy Delight**
What a massive daifuku! Yun Zhonghe was utterly amazed.
This was the first time he had seen a daifuku the size of a palm. The ones he knew were like exquisite little soup buns, small and cute, perfect for one bite—easy and tasty.
But this daifuku before him was like someone had hit the enlarge button, resembling a piece of art that was just a joy to behold.
That round, plump form, that delicate smooth surface, all screamed the craftsmanship and skill of its maker.
He wondered how much such a giant daifuku could sell for. Lately, his finances had taken a hit, and he couldn’t help but wonder if selling this would become a new trend in the Cultivation Realm.
Of course, Yun Zhonghe was only daydreaming. He could barely find time to cultivate, let alone run a business.
So he shook the thoughts away and focused on the daifuku before him.
With a gentle hand, he began to unwrap it, as if unveiling a mystery treasure.
Bit by bit, he peeled it away, finally revealing its white, tempting interior!
Not only was this daifuku gigantic, but it was also meticulously made, adorned with cherry blossom-colored embellishments that made it look even more delicious!
Such careful craftsmanship!
Holding back his excitement, Yun Zhonghe carefully reached out to touch it.
Warm and tender, the texture was incredibly inviting—like a stress-relief toy from his previous life, it simply felt amazing to the touch.
Wait… is daifuku supposed to feel warm? Shouldn’t it be cold? Never mind that!
Meanwhile, Qin Hongye stood in front of him, looking as if she was floating on a cloud.
Yun Gongzi is looking at me, Yun Gongzi is looking at me, Yun Gongzi is looking at me…
Her face flushed, like a blooming peach flower in spring, radiating beauty.
Her legs instinctively crossed tighter, as if trying to hold back some indescribable urge.
Her heart pounded fiercely against her chest, begging to burst free.
Nervous? Sure, a little—but mostly it was an uncontrollable excitement!
It felt like a kid who had stolen the forbidden fruit—afraid of getting caught but loving every moment of the thrill. She realized maybe there was a bit of a naughty side hidden within her.
How utterly horrible!
But she just couldn’t help it.
Swallowing hard, Qin Hongye tried to sound casual, “Yun Gongzi, don’t just play around; you should try it… this is… made with care just for you.”
“Oh yes, I definitely need to savor this.”
Yun Zhonghe smiled seriously, leaned in, and took a gentle bite!
In that moment, his taste buds awakened.
So soft and smooth!
Soft, sweet, silky, warm…
What a marvelous flavor.
Beneath the tender skin, sweet cream burst out, leaving a lingering taste on his lips.
But why did Qin Hongye seem to quiver at that moment?
So strange…
Yun Zhonghe paid it no mind; after all, under the magic mirror’s influence, everything felt perfectly reasonable and natural.
Feeling his strong desire for food, Qin Hongye felt like he had a grip on her, and she pouted teasingly, “Yun, Yun Gongzi, slow down…”
(30,000 words omitted here)
After a long while, Yun Zhonghe slowly wiped his mouth, where a phantom yet tempting scent of cream lingered, even though he had only enjoyed an illusion created by the magic mirror.
After gorging himself, he sighed contentedly, realizing it had been ages since he tasted such heavenly creamy sweets, and indeed the experience was greatly rewarding.
Plus, he wondered what mysterious ingredient Qin Hongye had used since this daifuku didn’t feel greasy at all and left him feeling far from full—he could probably eat ten more!
“Ha… Ha… Yun Gongzi… how did it taste?” Qin Hongye asked, panting slightly, eager for his feedback.
Yun Zhonghe nodded without hesitation, a satisfied smile creeping onto his lips. “Mmm, it was immensely tasty and really to my liking.”
Qin Hongye’s face broke into a radiant smile, “Me too… I went for seconds!”
Yun Zhonghe: ?
Suddenly, he felt dizzy, some strange force twisting the meaning behind her words in his mind.
Oh, so while he was lost in the daifuku, Qin Hongye had left to brew tea twice.
Oh dear, how embarrassing! He had lost all decorum.
Feeling bashful, he scratched his head, then sipped his tea to calm himself down.
So distracted by food, he had completely forgotten to discuss serious matters.
Setting down his teacup, he looked at Qin Hongye with utmost seriousness. “Miss Qin, actually, I came today to—”
But before he could finish, Qin Hongye interrupted.
Licking her lips, she slowly placed another carefully prepared daifuku in his hands while her delicate fingers brushed against his.
“Yun brother, since you liked it so much, why not have another?”
“Drizzle it with sauce for extra flavor!”
“Why not give it a try?”
Her cheeks blushed, as she poured a bit of oil on her chest, moistening her skin.
A patch of white.
A patch of temptation.
The oil-soaked skin seemed to emit an enticing heat under some mysterious spell, making her already tender skin glow invitingly.
Yun Zhonghe’s eyes widened.
Was that daifuku drizzled with strawberry sauce?
Qin Hongye smiled shyly, “Please, Yun Gongzi, enjoy it.”
Yun Zhonghe looked at the drizzled daifuku, his fingers twitching, licking his lips—he couldn’t resist the allure of the sweet treat.
“Well then… I have to oblige. Thank you, Miss Qin.”
With that, he reached out and pulled Qin Hongye closer, wrapping his arms around her tiny waist.
…
“Yun Gongzi, savor it slowly.”
“There’s plenty more; if this isn’t enough, I can make some more for you.”
“Yun Gongzi…”
The sweet sounds in the room gradually became clearer and harder to contain, blooming like flowers in spring, overflowing to the outside, intertwining with the breeze and drifting far away.
Mu Jixue was strolling alone in the main courtyard of the sect.
Her footsteps were light, and her gaze wandered, but her mind was elsewhere.
“I wonder how that guy is doing lately.”
Mu Jixue couldn’t help but think of Yun Zhonghe.
Since that time in his room during the herbal bath, when his bizarre and unique techniques had touched her, she hadn’t seen him again.
She had no idea what he had done to her after she inexplicably fainted.
“Hmph, it’s ridiculous if that guy has the guts for that.”
She huffed, her feelings a mix of discontent, reproach, and a touch of something more complex.
But she couldn’t deny that since that herbal bath, she felt a significant increase in her vitality. The issue with her Extreme Cold had effectively resolved, and her control over that spiritual energy reached new heights.
Even Master Youyue was surprised by her physical changes and told her that her chances of reaching the Golden Core had increased.
Now, Mu Jixue was acutely aware that Yun Zhonghe had done far more for her than she had imagined.
The scene in the bath lingered in her mind, imprinted like a brand on her heart, making her cheeks flush involuntarily.
Before she even noticed, her feelings for Yun Zhonghe began to shift.
During intense and tedious training with Master Youyue, every time she got a moment of freedom, his image flooded her mind like a tide that simply wouldn’t recede.
In the past, even with her softened personality, if she realized that she was always thinking about Yun Zhonghe, she might have proudly scoffed at herself, exclaiming, “Why am I thinking about that yellow-haired punk?!”
Yet now, she found herself lacking that proud resilience.
Her entire face was glowing.
She wondered how he was doing now.
Was he diligently cultivating or like usual, leisurely spending time with Su Xiaoxiao?
Ha… she suddenly hated her own exceptional talent just a little.
Thankfully, due to her recent diligent efforts, Master Youyue was very pleased with her performance and said she could go out for a while soon, to get some fresh air and change her mood.
Being cooped up in the cave all the time was going to drive Mu Jixue insane!
It’s not safe to go out alone, so it would be best to ask someone to accompany her.
Lin Zhongyu was currently off with the Yin-Yang Sword God heading to the Western Continent and wouldn’t be back anytime soon.
So Mu Jixue wanted to invite Yun Zhonghe.
But just thinking about taking the initiative to invite him made her feel a bit embarrassed.
Mu Jixue even visualized the scenario.
If she were to invite Yun Zhonghe…
“Oh dear, oh dear, you’re so eager to go out with me? How cute~,” she imagined him teasingly laughing at her from above.
Just thinking about that made her face turn beet red.
“I just want to go with you… is that wrong?”
Mu Jixue forgot she was only imagining, her shimmering violet eyes trembling slightly, her voice weak yet carrying a hint of shyness, mixed with a stubborn determination.
If Yun Zhonghe saw her like this, he would probably act like he’d just seen a ghost.
“Hmm~ ah…”
Just then, a series of ambiguous sounds drifted through the air, interrupting Mu Jixue’s train of thought.
The sound seemed to be coming from nearby, making her body tense up involuntarily, her face turning even redder.
Mu Jixue suddenly realized she had unknowingly walked into a strange place.
“What was that…?”
It felt oddly familiar.
