Chapter 18: The Adopted Sister with the Body of Nine Yin

“Teacher, I’m sorry! I was wrong!” The boy apologized to Li Youran, his voice nearly breaking into tears. He had only tried to tease the beautiful teacher with a few words, never expecting someone would actually step in to defend her.

“Alright, you may sit down. And thank you, you can return to your seat as well.”

Li Youran didn’t spare another glance for the boy; her gaze swiftly shifted to Ling Tian. She gave him a smile as graceful and ethereal as a fairy’s, leaving Ling Tian momentarily dazed.

“Sis, there’s no need to be so polite with me. From now on, if anyone dares to make trouble in your class again, I’ll make sure they regret it!” Ling Tian said, flashing what he thought was a very handsome smile at Li Youran. That single word—sister—nearly made Li Youran swoon.

“Alright, go back to your seat and let’s continue the lesson,” Li Youran replied, still a bit muddled, inadvertently finding herself with an extra younger brother.

From then on, no one dared cause any more trouble. Ling Tian pretended to listen attentively, but in truth, he was simply admiring the beautiful woman before him.

A beauty in traditional dress was something usually seen only on television. To see one so close in real life was a first for him. He felt an almost irresistible urge to touch her waist-length hair and the exquisite hanfu she wore—and, of course, if he could touch a bit more, he wouldn’t mind at all.

Initially, Ling Tian had planned to use the same tactics he’d used to pursue Lin Youya—relentlessly calling her his wife—to chase after Li Youran. But Li Youran’s serene and classical temperament left him awestruck. He knew that if he acted so childishly, she would simply find him immature. Clearly, Li Youran was more mature, both in age and character, than Lin Youya, and her disposition was far better.

He’d always dreamed, in his past life, of having a doting older sister, and suddenly Li Youran seemed to fit that role perfectly. The word “sister” escaped his lips naturally—not as an empty term of politeness, but from the heart.

Of course, he didn’t want a mere brother-in-law relationship; Li Youran was destined to be his woman. Yet, alongside that affection, there was a new kind of closeness he’d never felt before.

“Class dismissed!” Li Youran announced at the end of the period. As the students dispersed, she gathered her books and prepared to leave. Ling Tian approached her.

“Is there something you need? And thank you again for before,” Li Youran said, expressing her gratitude once more.

“Sis, I already told you, there’s no need to be so formal. From now on, I’m your sworn little brother. Come on, let me treat you to a meal,” Ling Tian said, actually taking her hand and leading her outside, to the astonishment of the remaining students.

The renowned beauty Li Youran had always been above rumors, yet here she was, hand-in-hand with a boy calling her “sister.” Could he truly be her brother? But their expressions didn’t seem to match that story.

Seeing that Li Youran didn’t resist, Ling Tian felt a rush of delight. Her hand was so soft, its touch as smooth as jade. But then his expression grew complex. In the heat of summer, Li Youran’s hand was cold as ice. Could it be…?

Almost unconsciously, he let a finger brush the inside of her wrist, quickly taking her pulse.

The Body of Nine Yin!

Li Youran truly possessed the legendary Body of Nine Yin—a constitution so rare that only one in millions might have it, just as his own Body of Nine Yang was equally unique.

But without a special stroke of fate, having such a body was more a curse than a blessing. After the age of eighteen, a man with the Body of Nine Yang would have desires far greater than the average man.

It was said that Ji Xiaolan, the famous Qing dynasty scholar, would be with women at least five times a day: once before entering court at dawn, once after returning home, again at noon, at dusk, and finally before sleep. If he missed a day, his whole body would itch unbearably, even developing sores.

Ji Xiaolan, it was rumored, had the Body of Nine Yang.

As for a woman with the Body of Nine Yin, if she passed the age of eighteen without a man, her health would steadily decline. An ordinary man might have to be with her frequently—dozens of times—to alleviate the symptoms, but if she were fortunate enough to meet a man with the Body of Nine Yang, then just one would suffice.

Most women with that fate had short lives, for even if they felt the need, it was unlikely they would find enough partners.

Li Youran was twenty-two, four years past eighteen, and had never been with a man. No wonder her hand was so cold and her body so frail. Ling Tian suddenly felt their meeting was destined by heaven—he was determined to help her recover as soon as possible.

He had three ways to help her: one was to use medicines to strengthen her body; another was to teach her the Art of Yin and Yang, which she could practice to heal herself; the third was to be with her, using his Body of Nine Yang to nourish her Body of Nine Yin.

Ling Tian decided on the latter two methods. Medicine always carries some poison—better to avoid it if possible. More importantly, what man could refuse such an intimate opportunity with a beauty like Li Youran? The second method, teaching her the Art of Yin and Yang, was necessary too, since dual cultivation with a woman of Nine Yin would rapidly increase his own power.

Li Youran had wanted to pull her hand away, but this boy had just helped her, calling her “sister” with such sincere eyes that she felt embarrassed to make things awkward for him. She allowed him to hold her hand, thinking she might as well accept an extra brother.

Ling Tian walked through the school with Li Youran in tow, inwardly thrilled at how quickly things had progressed between them. Though she hadn’t agreed to be his girlfriend, she had already accepted him as a sworn brother—sworn, but in his mind, she was sure to become his woman eventually.

Jianghai University was as picturesque as a painting, and Li Youran was the most beautiful scene within it. Next to her, however, Ling Tian’s casual attire was a bit of an eyesore—he looked like a little sidekick.

“Sis, what would you like to eat?” Ling Tian asked, genuinely eager to please her.

“It’s inconvenient for me to go out dressed like this. Why not come to my apartment? I’ll cook for you. Since you call me sister, I won’t treat you as an outsider. You’ll be the second man to enter my apartment,” Li Youran replied with a gentle smile.

Aside from her stunning beauty and occasional traditional attire, Li Youran was a low-key girl. She rarely wore formal hanfu on the streets outside campus; if she did, it was usually a modernized dress or a cheongsam—nothing too eccentric.

“Thank you, sis. Who was the first man to enter your apartment?”

Ling Tian had been over the moon at the prospect of Li Youran cooking for him, but her next words left him frustrated. He had to find out who the first man was.

“You’re a jealous little thing, aren’t you? He’s my cousin, Li Feng. He studies here too, and sometimes comes by to visit. Though this is our first meeting, I felt an instant closeness with you. I’ll treat you like a real brother from now on.”

Li Youran felt inexplicably comfortable around Ling Tian, drawn to his presence.

“Better to treat me as a sworn brother than a real one,” Ling Tian said, flashing a mischievous grin.

“Why? Isn’t a real brother better than a sworn one?” Li Youran asked, puzzled.

“Because I like it when my sister ‘does’ me, so I want to be your sworn brother,” Ling Tian replied, deliberately giving her a naughty look, leaving Li Youran unsure whether he was joking or serious.

“Alright, enough nonsense, you rascal. I’m your teacher and your newly sworn sister—how can you say such outrageous things?”

She decided he was just trying to make her laugh, but his words still brought a flush to her cheeks, making her even more enchanting. Ling Tian was momentarily captivated.

As they walked toward Li Youran’s apartment, they ran into an acquaintance.

“Youran, there you are! No wonder you weren’t in the office. Is this young man your brother?”

A tall, slender man in a suit approached them. Though he was young—about twenty—his attire made him seem older. His features were reasonable, but not as handsome as Ling Tian’s. At least, that was Ling Tian’s opinion.

“Zhang Ye, how many times must I tell you to call me ‘teacher’, not by my name? What do you want?” Li Youran made it clear she didn’t wish to be too familiar with the man, using the title of teacher to draw a line between them, which made Ling Tian feel quite pleased.

When he’d called her “sister,” he’d expected Li Youran to insist on formality, but she had readily accepted him as a sworn brother. Clearly, this man couldn’t compare to him in charm.

“Uh, Youran, don’t be so distant. I wanted to invite you to dinner—do you have time?” The man clearly didn’t agree with her attitude and persisted in using her name.

“I’m going to my apartment to make dinner for my brother. I’m not eating out. Goodbye.” Li Youran took Ling Tian’s hand and walked away, not wanting to get entangled with him. He was just one of her pursuers—she had no interest.

“Sis, who was that man? Need me to teach him a lesson?”

Ling Tian noticed the unwilling look in the man’s eyes and knew he wasn’t about to give up. It seemed he’d have to deal with another rival in the future; best to find out more about him now.

“He’s a senior here, about to graduate. He took my elective course and then started getting close, but I don’t like him,” Li Youran replied indifferently.

“He’s got guts, pursuing a beauty like you. What’s his background?” Ling Tian asked, sensing the man might have some kind of backing.