Qin Yu immediately realized the crisis Danxin Herb Hall was about to face.

Survival of the fittest.

No matter which world, it’s always the same.

As soon as you show weakness, someone will pounce and feast on your flesh.

Danxin Herb Hall is no exception.

So everything happening now makes sense.

"Five years!"

Qin Yu remembered his Master’s wife mentioning it before, but honestly, he hadn’t paid much attention. Now it dawned on him—what she meant was, Danxin Herb Hall can only hold out for five more years at most!

He did a rough calculation, but still felt uneasy.

Sure, his Root Bone could improve, and his cultivation speed would increase, but... his waist really couldn’t handle it.

Even if you rely on supplements, you’ve got to have some balance.

Qin Yu suddenly felt a bit jealous of his little wifey.

Why doesn’t he have that kind of recovery ability?!

Gritting his teeth, Qin Yu said again, "Master’s wife, rest assured! Your disciple will give it all he’s got and strive to become an Alchemist within five years!"

Yin Qinghe’s peach blossom eyes finally lit up with a glint of hope.

Yes.

There was still a sliver of hope left.

If Qin Yu could really keep his promise, then Danxin Herb Hall would still have a foothold!

Yin Qinghe’s heart warmed involuntarily.

This apprentice—she really didn’t pick wrong!

Given the situation now, Qin Yu had already gained insights; after guessing the Hall’s predicament, with his talent, he could’ve chosen a better future—no need to keep up pretenses here with her.

"The fact you have this intention is good enough."

Yin Qinghe finally spoke, her voice a bit hoarse.

"Master’s wife, please trust me!" Qin Yu suddenly said seriously.

Yin Qinghe paused, then turned her head to look at him.

She saw Qin Yu’s expression was earnest, not like he was just talking big.

A hint of doubt flashed in her eyes.

Because even if Qin Yu had Top Grade Mortal Bone, worked himself to the bone, and had enough Spirit Stones, it would still be really hard to get from Second Layer to Eighth Layer in just five years.

So where did Qin Yu’s confidence come from?!

Yin Qinghe couldn’t figure it out, but her gaze softened as she thought of Li’Er. Taking the opportunity, she asked, "What do you think of how I treat you?"

Qin Yu replied, "Master’s wife, your kindness is as heavy as a mountain!"

Wait, could it be...

He instinctively glanced at his Master’s wife lying on the soft couch.

What a beautiful woman reclining, indeed!

Is Master’s wife about to imitate that move Lin Qianqian made back then?!

He felt a little warm inside.

This Master’s wife had already granted him three Flame Points.

"Mm!"

Yin Qinghe was pleased and continued, "What do you think of your master... Li’Er?"

She’d meant to say "senior sister," but it felt too formal, so she switched words.

Qin Yu didn’t overthink it and replied without hesitation, "Senior sister is pure-hearted and treats me well..."

He hadn’t finished when Yin Qinghe cut him off and asked directly, "I mean, if I were to marry Li’Er to you, would you be willing?"

She still felt in her heart that just showing kindness to Qin Yu wasn’t enough, but if Zhao Mengli and Qin Yu became Dao Companions, things would be different. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Qin Yu was so devoted to Lin Qianqian.

As long as he also treated Zhao Mengli just as well, that would be enough!

"Huh?"

If she hadn’t cut him off, Qin Yu had almost said he’d treat his senior sister like Lin Shuishui, but suddenly, there was this twist?!

"What, you don’t want to?"

Yin Qinghe’s eyes narrowed, her voice instantly turning stiff.

The thing she feared most had happened!

Clearly, his little sister-in-law was so flirtatious with him, but he acted totally indifferent.

Could it be, he was truly only infatuated with Lin Qianqian?

This moment, a strange flash of envy crossed Yin Qinghe’s heart.

Wait a second.

What was she jealous of?

"It’s not that I’m unwilling," Qin Yu replied immediately.

Zhao Mengli was beautiful, carrying a bit of Yin Qinghe’s allure, yet with the innocent sweetness of a young girl.

With a girl like that, what man could say no?!

At least, Qin Yu couldn’t.

Only, if he married Zhao Mengli, then Master’s wife...

Ugh!

Qin Yu felt ashamed of his inner thoughts.

How could he have designs on his Master’s wife?!

She’d treated him like a mountain of kindness. As the saying goes, a drop of kindness should be repaid with a spring.

Mountain-sized kindness deserves...

Cough.

How to repay it?

While he was overthinking, Yin Qinghe finally let out a breath, "So, you’re willing to marry Li’Er?"

"Well..."

Qin Yu hesitated for a moment before explaining, "Master’s wife, your disciple and senior sister have only been together two days... isn’t it a bit fast?"

"And senior sister might not even want to."

"As long as you want to, I’ll bring it up with Li’Er myself!"

Yin Qinghe snorted quietly in her heart, like that girl wouldn’t be willing?

She’d even picked out names for their kids!

Finally, a burden lifted. Yin Qinghe’s heavy mood eased a bit, but inexplicably, she felt like she’d lost something.

Her heart felt oddly empty.

Seeing Qin Yu just standing there, not sure what to say, she added, "Alright. Go rest now."

"But Master’s wife, you..."

"It’s nothing serious. I’ll be fine after I recuperate here for a while."

Seeing he really cared, Yin Qinghe’s heart warmed, but her face showed none of it; she almost pretended to shoo him away.

This guy—he cares, but he’s really comfortable about it!

She lay on the couch; Qin Yu stood nearby, but she deliberately avoided looking his way, even on purpose.

Because this guy’s robe had a very obvious arc in it.

And it was facing right at her.

So annoying!

She’s his Master’s wife, and possibly his future...

How could he have those kinds of thoughts about her?!

Hmph!

Thinking of something else, she said, "Clean the Alchemy Furnace."

If Li’Er saw it tomorrow, that’d be bad.

"Yes!"

Qin Yu answered and started cleaning up. After tidying the place, instead of leaving, he went back to his own spot.

Aside from other reasons, he couldn’t just leave Master’s wife here alone. What if something happened?

He took out Spirit Stones to refine, but part of his mind stayed alert, always sensing Master’s wife’s movements.

Seeing he wouldn’t leave, Yin Qinghe didn’t say anything more and closed her eyes to rest.

But for some reason, the corners of her mouth faintly lifted in a barely-there smile.

The night passed quickly.

Zhao Mengli walked in with the morning light, and at a glance, saw Yin Qinghe lying on the soft couch.

She stepped closer.

And immediately sensed something was off: "Mom, what happened to you?"

Yin Qinghe’s brows were slightly furrowed, her face still pale. Even after a whole night, the pain between her brows hadn’t eased much.

Hearing her voice, Yin Qinghe opened her eyes and comforted her, "It’s nothing, just a little accident while making medicine."

However, Zhao Mengli wasn’t so easily fooled, "Mom, did you do Alchemy?"

Obviously, whether it was making medicine or purifying, no matter how big the mishap, it shouldn’t have hurt Yin Qinghe.

Seeing she couldn’t hide it, Yin Qinghe played it down, "I just tried it a bit—after some rest, I’ll be alright."

[Sob sob, still no character art. Everyone, send some pics!]

[Thank you all for your rewards, thank you!]