Soul Land: Heartbreak Makes Me Stronger

In the quiet of the night, with the lights off, the silvery glow of moonlight gently streamed into the room, serene and beautiful.

On the massive bed formed by two smaller ones pushed together, Qin Jian remained blissfully unaware that a single comment from him had sent Shui Bing'er's imagination running wild—even to the point of considering names for future children.

"Don't worry. I won't cross the line," Qin Jian said calmly.

His words brought Shui Bing'er a mix of emotions—first a sigh of relief, then a twinge of disappointment.

"You seem regretful," Qin Jian teased, leaning slightly closer.

"I'm not!" Shui Bing'er hastily clutched the blanket and edged toward the window, her voice tinged with wariness.

"Bing'er…"

Qin Jian's playful expression faded, replaced by an indescribable tenderness. His voice softened. "Are you sure you don't want to sleep next to me?"

Shui Bing'er froze for a moment, but her embarrassment quickly overtook her resolve. She buried her face in the blanket. "No way!"

She silently resolved to resist any temptation, no matter how alluring he seemed.

"Well, if that's your decision, I won't push you. But don't blame me later…" Qin Jian said cryptically.

Before Shui Bing'er could decipher his words, Qin Jian swiftly shifted, moving to her side.

"You! You're crossing the line!" she exclaimed indignantly. "Qin Jian, you broke your promise!"

"I didn't! Don't twist my words," Qin Jian retorted with a grin. "I only promised not to sleep on the inside. I never said I couldn't come closer. Besides…"

Before she could react, Qin Jian scooped her up. Amid her surprised gasp, he turned them around and settled on the outer part of the bed, holding her in his arms.

"See? Now I'm not sleeping on the inside. You are."

Stunned by his logic, Shui Bing'er looked up at him in disbelief. "How…how is this even allowed?"

Qin Jian chuckled, hugging her gently. "Now you can't accuse me of breaking my word, can you?"

"You—! Qin Jian, I never knew you could be so shameless!" Shui Bing'er glared at him, unsure whether to feel angry or amused.

"Then shameless I'll be," Qin Jian said with a light laugh, his arms tightening slightly around her. He leaned closer, inhaling the faint fragrance of her hair. "Why settle for the scent on the blanket when the real thing smells even better? I'll take the scolding if it means being this close to you."

Peeking up at him, Shui Bing'er saw not a trace of lust in his smile—only a gentleness that melted her heart.

Without a word, she shifted closer, nestling fully into his embrace and resting her head on his shoulder.

Qin Jian tightened his hold, and the room fell into a serene silence.

"Qin Jian…" Shui Bing'er eventually whispered, "Why did you help me regain my confidence? Why did you pick the Ice Phoenix Flower for me? Why are you so good to me?"

"There's no grand reason," Qin Jian replied softly. "I've always followed my heart. When I feel like doing something, I just do it."

"Then…" Shui Bing'er hesitated for a long moment. "What about Ning Rongrong?"

This time, Qin Jian didn't react as strongly as he had the last time she brought it up. He had finally come to understand how he should handle each of his relationships.

It was easy to say but hard to act. Yet he resolved to follow his heart, treating each connection with sincerity and genuine affection.

He now realized how foolish it had been to think he could flirt without feelings. That simply wasn't who he was.

"Bing'er…" Qin Jian gently stroked her silky hair. "All I know is that right now, the person in my arms is you."

Shui Bing'er fell silent, her beautiful eyes reflecting a swirl of emotions—both joy and worry.

"Bing'er, have you ever thought about what you truly want?" Qin Jian suddenly asked.

"What I truly want?"

Shui Bing'er shook her head. "I don't know… My father always wanted me to become a powerful Soul Master, so I pursued that path. But I've never really thought about what I want for myself."

"Everyone should figure out what they truly desire and dedicate their life to it. That way, even if you look back with some regrets, you won't feel remorse," Qin Jian said softly. "I think the best outcome is to have regrets but never remorse."

"Regrets but no remorse…"

Shui Bing'er quietly gazed at Qin Jian's profile, lost in thought.

"If I had to say what I want right now…" she murmured hesitantly. "Could I say… I want you?"

The next morning, as Qin Jian and Shui Bing'er stepped out of their room together, they were immediately met with six pairs of sharp, curious eyes.

"What now?" Qin Jian sighed, covering his face. The déjà vu was overwhelming.

But the six pairs of eyes didn't linger on him; instead, they all focused on Shui Bing'er.

"She doesn't look any different," Qiu Ruoshui observed.

"Maybe it's because Soul Masters have superior physiques. They wouldn't show normal signs," Yu Hairou speculated, stroking her chin.

"So, Sister, do you want to rest today? Or should we wait until tomorrow to face Huo Wu?" Shui Yue'er asked.

"What…what are you all talking about?" Shui Bing'er asked, bewildered.

Xue Wu stepped forward, giving her a once-over with an amused smirk. "They all think something happened between you and the captain last night!"

"Something…happened…"

Shui Bing'er's confusion didn't last long. When she noticed where their gazes were concentrated, she finally realized what they were implying. "What are you even looking at?! Nothing happened!"

"Come on, Bing'er, we're just concerned!" Qiu Ruoshui giggled. "I even heard your conversation last night—something about 'I'm only staying outside, not going in.' Who would believe that?"

Qin Jian pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm honestly impressed by your imagination."

"It's confirmed! Confirmed!"

Suddenly, Shen Liuyu dashed down from the second floor, exclaiming, "Confirmed evidence!"

"What evidence?" Shui Yue'er and the others asked eagerly.

Shen Liuyu glanced at Qin Jian and Shui Bing'er, her tone dripping with mischief. "I just snuck a peek into their room. Guess what? Their beds were pushed together!"

"Ah!"

The group collectively gasped, their eyes now brimming with certainty.

"So, still denying it? What else can you say now?"

"I…I…"

Blushing furiously, Shui Bing'er didn't know how to respond. She glared at Qin Jian, who was watching the scene unfold with a bemused smile. Desperate, she hid behind him and shoved him forward. "You explain it to them!"

"What's there to explain?" Qin Jian replied nonchalantly.

"Explain that nothing happened last night!" Shui Bing'er demanded, her cheeks puffed in frustration.

Shrugging, Qin Jian spoke with a helpless tone, "Explanations are pointless. They've already imagined the whole story. No matter what I say, they won't believe me. Besides…"

He suddenly turned with a playful smile. "I wouldn't mind if what they're saying were true."

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