NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5: Chapter 5: Lin Xia
After his victory in the clan competition, Lin Dong was surrounded by cheers from the Lin Family members. Despite the loud celebrations, his mind wandered to his parents' rare smiles of pride and the approving nod from his grandfather, Lin Zhentian. Those fleeting moments, etched in his memory, filled his chest with warmth and purpose.
As the sun dipped low, casting a golden hue over the Lin Clan estate, Lin Dong felt the weight of the day lift. Craving solitude, he made his way toward the serene lake nestled within the estate. The tranquil waters shimmered under the evening light, mirroring the vibrant hues of the sky.
Lin Dong removed his outer robes and boots, placing them neatly on the grassy bank. His lean, toned physique bore the marks of rigorous training, but there was a boyish charm to him that remained untarnished by the trials he had faced. Taking a deep breath, he dived into the cool waters, the sensation refreshing and soothing. As he floated on the surface, his thoughts began to drift.
[Ding!]
A familiar system notification broke the quiet of the moment.
[Host's latent memories from the previous life have been sealed to protect mental clarity. Memories will naturally unlock as host grows stronger.]
Lin Dong frowned, water dripping down his face. "Sealed memories? Previous life?" he muttered to himself, his voice low but tinged with curiosity.
He rubbed the back of his head, perplexed. "System, are you saying some memories of mine are sealed ?"
[Yes. Further details are inaccessible until host's cultivation reaches the required threshold. Focus on growth to uncover the truth.]
Lin Dong let out a resigned sigh, deciding to set the matter aside for now. "Great. Another mystery," he muttered before diving underwater again.
Not far from the lake, Lin Xia, the jewel of the Lin Clan, strolled toward the water with a bundle of fresh clothes in her arms. She was a vision of elegance, her beauty radiant even in the dimming light. Her delicate face, framed by long, silky black hair that cascaded down her back, seemed carved from the finest jade. Her eyes sparkled like autumn stars, carrying both mischief and intelligence, while her lips, soft and rosy, held a natural allure that left admirers mesmerized.
Her slender yet curvaceous figure was wrapped in a light robe that hugged her in all the right places, the thin fabric teasing glimpses of her creamy skin beneath. Her movements were graceful, each step embodying an air of noble confidence.
Reaching the lake, Lin Xia smiled faintly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. She placed her belongings on a nearby rock, oblivious to the neatly folded pile of clothes nearby.
With a soft sigh, Lin Xia slid her robe from her shoulders. The garment pooled around her feet, revealing her flawless, snow-white skin. Her body was the embodiment of perfection, from her delicate collarbone to the smooth curves of her hips. The cool evening air kissed her bare skin, causing her to shiver slightly as she stepped toward the water.
She waded into the lake, the gentle ripples caressing her legs and thighs. The water embraced her, rising slowly as she walked further in. Her bare chest, full and perfectly shaped, reflected the glow of the evening light, while droplets of water clung to her like tiny jewels.
Unbeknownst to Lin Xia, Lin Dong had resurfaced some distance away, completely unaware of her presence. He took a deep breath, about to dive again, when something—or rather, someone—caught his attention.
His eyes widened as Lin Xia stepped deeper into the lake, the rippling water gently kissing her porcelain skin. The curve of her back, the slender line of her neck, and the subtle sway of her hips left an impression so striking that Lin Dong momentarily forgot to breathe.
Before he could process the situation or quietly escape, an unforeseen current sent him plunging underwater. As he tried to regain his balance, his path led him directly toward Lin Xia.
Lin Xia hummed softly, her arms skimming the water. Suddenly, she felt something—or someone—collide with her. A gasp escaped her lips as she stumbled backward, only to feel a warm, solid grip against her arm for balance.
When she turned, she was met with the wide-eyed, panic-stricken face of Lin Dong, who had, quite unfortunately, landed face-first against her soft, ample chest.
Her smooth, snow-white skin felt soft yet firm against his touch, and the awkward collision left her blushing furiously.
"YOU!" Lin Xia's voice was a mix of shock and embarrassment as her hands instinctively pushed him away.
Lin Dong flailed, nearly choking on water as he sputtered, "It's not what it looks like!"
"Oh?" Lin Xia raised an eyebrow, her face flushed but her tone oddly playful. "So you always happen to dive into women's chests while bathing? Is this some secret Lin Family technique I don't know about?"
Lin Dong opened his mouth, only to close it again, his face growing redder by the second. He turned away, his hands raised defensively. "I-I didn't mean to! I didn't even know you were here!"
Lin Xia tilted her head, crossing her arms over her chest. "Really? You expect me to believe that? Then again," she added with a teasing smirk, "you don't seem smart enough to plan something like this."
Lin Dong gritted his teeth, feeling both indignant and embarrassed. "I'm telling the truth!"
Lin Xia leaned closer, her voice dropping to a mischievous whisper. "Well, whether it was an accident or not, you'd better keep this little… incident to yourself, or I'll make sure you regret it."
Her words sent a shiver down Lin Dong's spine, though the hint of amusement in her tone left him unsure if she was serious.
"I won't tell anyone," Lin Dong muttered, his face still flushed.
"Good boy," Lin Xia said with a chuckle, splashing a bit of water his way before turning to leave.
[Ding!]
The system's voice chimed in, cutting through his thoughts.
[Lin Xia's favorability has increased: 60 points (Friendly-Interested).]
Lin Dong's eyes twitched as he read the notification. "Friendly-Interested? What does that even mean?"