CHAPTER 113: CHAPTER 113: JEALOUSY? NONEXISTENT.

Luu Qi stroked her chin, watching with curiosity.

"You’ll know once you drink it."

Xia Liang didn’t explain further. After all, a matter like this was too shocking for words and could only be believed through personal experience.

Seeing that Xia Liang wasn’t going to elaborate, Luu Qi glanced at the Gene Potion. She was dying of curiosity.

「Thirty minutes later...」

After her bath, Xi Yiqian came out dressed in her pajamas. Having been waiting impatiently, Luu Qi grabbed the Gene Potion and her own pajamas and rushed into the bathroom.

Looking at Xi Yiqian’s soaking wet hair, Xia Liang patted the sofa.

"Come here."

Xi Yiqian didn’t ask why and obediently sat down beside him. Xia Liang fetched a hairdryer, plugged it in, and started blow-drying her hair. Of course, the hairdryer was just a cover. He was actually using his Spiritual Power to steam her hair dry while also conditioning her body.

As Xia Liang’s hands touched her, Xi Yiqian felt a warm current spread through her body, identical to the one she’d felt when he treated her foot. A sense of ease followed wherever the warmth flowed. It felt so good she wanted to let out a sound, but she was too shy. She could only bite her lip, close her eyes, and endure the pleasant sensation.

「In the bathroom.」

After holding back for so long, Luu Qi downed the Gene Potion in one gulp.

Hm? Apple-flavored Mirinda?

That was her first thought. What is he playing at! That cousin of mine is such a trickster. To think I was on pins and needles for half an hour over a bottle of soda!

Luu Qi fumed. Just as she was feeling her own intelligence plummet for falling for such a childish trick, a foul stench suddenly assaulted her senses. Looking closely, she saw a disgusting black substance oozing from her once-fair skin.

"AH!"

Luu Qi was so frightened she let out a piercing scream.

「In the living room.」

Hearing Luu Qi’s scream, Xi Yiqian was startled and stood up to see what was wrong, but Xia Liang pulled her back down.

"It’s nothing," he said, then called out towards the bathroom. "Just wash it off and you’ll be fine."

He then continued to condition Xi Yiqian’s body. Hearing no further sounds from the bathroom, and since Xia Liang had already reassured her, Xi Yiqian didn’t press the issue and sat obediently, enjoying the treatment.

「In the bathroom.」

Hearing Xia Liang’s words, the panicked Luu Qi quickly calmed herself. She trusted that Xia Liang wouldn’t harm her. If he said it was nothing, then it meant there was nothing wrong. With this in mind, Luu Qi hurriedly started to wash herself.

Hm? It’s true.

Luu Qi discovered that the black substance oozing from her skin washed away easily with water. The smell, however, was truly awful. She decided to wash herself several more times.

"All done."

As Xia Liang withdrew his Spiritual Power, Xi Yiqian keenly felt the warm energy inside her dissipate. Even so, her body still felt indescribably light. The usual soreness in her neck from always keeping her head down had also vanished.

Seeing Xi Yiqian’s curious expression, Xia Liang didn’t explain. Some things were better left unsaid. He simply stated, "I have something to do tomorrow, so I won’t be able to pick you up. You and Xiao Qi can go home together."

"Okay," Xi Yiqian nodded. She tilted her head and thought for a moment before asking softly, "Is it because of that phone call from earlier?"

In truth, Xia Liang’s phone call had just been to handle matters related to registering a company. After all, Xia Liang’s motto had always been to do things thoroughly, leaving no loose ends. But since Xi Yiqian had brought it up, he decided to go along with it.

"Yeah, there are some company matters I need to deal with," Xia Liang said nonchalantly.

This time, Xi Yiqian didn’t ask any more questions, knowing she couldn’t be of much help anyway.

「Meanwhile, in the bathroom.」

After washing herself for the eighth time, Luu Qi could finally no longer smell the awful stench. She was practically grinding her teeth in annoyance at Xia Liang. This prank is just too mean! When I get out of here, I’m definitely going to... tickle him mercilessly!

Having made up her mind, Luu Qi walked over to the mirror and wiped the condensation from the glass. She was immediately startled by her own reflection.

Holy crap! This... my skin! When did it get so good?

If Luu Qi’s skin had been merely fair before, now it was supple and radiant, like a baby’s. Not only that, but she was astonished to find that the toned abs she’d trained so long for but never managed to get had finally appeared! Looking at her own sexier, slender waist, Luu Qi couldn’t have been more excited.

After admiring herself for a moment, she hurriedly put on her pajamas and rushed out. But when she saw Xi Yiqian sitting with Xia Liang, her excitement was instantly suppressed.

Since my cousin gave this to me in secret, it must mean this magical potion is in short supply. And since he gave it to me, I can’t cause any trouble for him.

Thinking this, Luu Qi took a deep breath to calm herself.

"Cousin, I’m done. You can go wash up."

"Okay," Xia Liang agreed readily. He went to his room, grabbed his pajamas, and entered the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

Now, only the two young women were left in the living room.

Xi Yiqian first scrutinized Luu Qi so seriously that it made her slightly uncomfortable, before finally speaking.

"How did your skin get so fair?"

Luu Qi’s body tensed, and she replied with an awkward laugh, "It did? Maybe it’s just because I took a bath."

But Xi Yiqian shook her head, looking curious herself. "This isn’t something that can happen just from a bath."

Perhaps it was due to her personality, but Xi Yiqian was very sensitive to her surroundings. She had noticed the change in Luu Qi the moment she stepped out of the bathroom.

Hearing Xi Yiqian’s certainty, Luu Qi no longer wanted to deceive her kind, future sister-in-law. She had to confess.

"My cousin gave me a potion just now. He said it was a miracle drug that would make me stronger. I drank it, and this happened."

"Oh."

Hearing this, Xi Yiqian simply nodded.

Seeing that Xi Yiqian’s eyes didn’t show even a hint of envy, Luu Qi was shocked. She sat down next to her.

"Sister Yiqian? Aren’t you envious at all?"

Clearly, Luu Qi’s question puzzled Xi Yiqian.

"Why should I be envious?"

"Uh..."

The question caught Luu Qi off guard. Then she remembered what Xi Yiqian had told her before—that she kept her head down to protect herself, and that sometimes she even wished she were a bit uglier.

She’s probably the only person on Earth who thinks like that.

Luu Qi quickly pushed the thought aside. "Then aren’t you angry? I mean, he only gave it to me, not you. He didn’t even ask you."

At this, Xi Yiqian looked even more perplexed. "Angry? Why should I be angry?"

"Uh..."

Once again, Luu Qi was at a loss for words.

Xi Yiqian looked at her seriously and said, "The potion belongs to Xia Liang. He can give it to whomever he wants, why should I be angry about it? Besides, you’re his younger sister. Isn’t it only right that he gave it to you?"