Gradually, a blush spread across Xia Xue's face.
Her body, no longer tense, became soft and weak, occasionally letting out a soft moan.
"Sister-in-law, does that feel good?"
Lin Fan carefully controlled his inner energy, keeping his hands at around forty degrees Celsius.
"Mmm."
Xia Xue responded in a muffled voice, "Xiao Fan, what did you put on your hands?"
"Nothing," Lin Fan replied. After a moment's thought, he explained, "I guess my hands got warm from pressing for so long."
"Sister-in-law, please don't move. This way, it's more effective."
Xia Xue indeed felt the soreness in her shoulder gradually disappear, so she didn't question him further.
Lin Fan then worked even harder, kneading and pressing with his left and right hands, soon breaking into a fine sweat.
Xia Xue noticed the temperature of his hands gradually decreasing and his breathing becoming more rapid. She considerately said, "Xiao Fan, I feel much better now. That's enough."
"Okay, we'll leave it at that for now."
Lin Fan was exhausted.
He let out a ragged breath and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Suddenly, his knees buckled, and he collapsed forward.
"Ugh~"
Silence fell over the room.
Lin Fan wanted to move away, but an indescribable sensation, like a devil, held him rooted to the spot.
"Xiao Fan, get up."
Xia Xue's face was flushed with embarrassment.
She struggled a few times, but her limited strength not only failed to dislodge Lin Fan but also left her completely drained.
Lin Fan wasn't about to let such a golden opportunity slip away.
"Sister-in-law, you know how I feel about you."
Lin Fan shifted upwards, his lips brushing against her earlobe, and whispered softly, "I want to take care of you for the rest of my life."
Xia Xue let out an annoyed huff, "Are you getting up or not?"
"No, I won't get up."
Lin Fan's playful tone carried nine parts of unwavering determination.
"You... I'll hit you!"
"Even if you hit me, I won't get up."
Lin Fan firmly held down her arms.
"Xiao Fan, I'm serious. I am your sister-in-law."
Xia Xue's voice was stern, and she didn't sound like she was joking.
Lin Fan was overwhelmed with emotion and could no longer hold back.
"Sister-in-law, I want you to be my wife. I only want to marry you, sister-in-law!"
"Aren't you afraid people will call you a scoundrel?"
Xia Xue's eyes welled up with tears; her heart was in turmoil.
If she truly gave in, she and Lin Fan would inevitably face countless rumors and gossip.
"I'll accept being called a scoundrel. I only want to marry you in this lifetime."
Xia Xue was silent for a while, then finally refused, "Forget it, I don't agree."
"I don't care," Lin Fan pressed her down forcefully. "I don't care whether you agree or not."
The situation had been on the verge of becoming irreversible before, and now he was being rejected face-to-face. How could Lin Fan accept this?
Were all the things that happened before just a dream?
Impossible!
Lin Fan hardened his heart. If all else failed, he would act first and report later!
"Xiao Fan, are you trying to force me to my death?"
Xia Xue turned her head, looking at Lin Fan askance. "Don't you know I'm your sister-in-law?"
"Do you know what everyone in the village will say about me if something happens between us?"
"How can I show my face to anyone?"
Xia Xue sighed and continued, "Xiao Fan, sister-in-law wasn't careful before. Sister-in-law apologizes to you."
"From now on, I'll be your sister-in-law, okay, Xiao Fan?"
As Xia Xue spoke, she became more distressed, and tears began to stream down her face.
These tears were clearly for Lin Fan, but he didn't seem to grasp it. "Sister-in-law, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."
"Get off me!"
Lin Fan apologetically took her hand. "Sister-in-law, don't cry. I was wrong."
Xia Xue turned her head away, remaining silent.
Her mind was a mess; she didn't know what to say.
After all, in this situation, there was no third option other than agreeing or disagreeing.
"Sister-in-law."
Lin Fan gently put his arm around her delicate shoulder and said with determination, "Sister-in-law, no matter what others think or say, my feelings won't change."
"If it really comes to that, we'll move to the town. If anyone there recognizes us, we'll move to the city, far away from here."
"Wherever we go, I can support you and give you a good life."
Xia Xue lowered her head, her face still flushed, still unable to find the words.
If there was any happiness left for her in this life, it would be to be with Xiao Fan.
But...
"Xiao Fan, I'm going back."
Xia Xue gently removed Lin Fan's hand and gave a wry smile. "It seems it's time to find a wife for you."
"Alright, I need to go back."
Only when Xia Xue gently pushed him did he reluctantly let go.
"Sister-in-law, you look so beautiful."
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
Xia Xue playfully chided, "Don't say such things in front of outsiders from now on."
"Also, I'm telling you, no more touching me like this, understand?"
Lin Fan stuck out his neck, "Sister-in-law, I..."
He looked conflicted, completely unwilling.
"Alright, don't look so dejected."
Xia Xue sighed softly. "I am your sister-in-law, and your brother... we haven't heard from him in so long. We can't be together, understand?"
"Sister-in-law, I've thought a lot about my brother's situation."
"If he were still alive, he would have returned by now."
"If he is indeed alive but doesn't come back, then he probably has someone else elsewhere and doesn't want us anymore."
"Of course, there are other possibilities, but the probability is very low."
Lin Fan spoke rapidly, having analyzed this thoroughly.
"That's still not acceptable. Until there's closure, no one can be sure."
Although Xia Xue said this, her thoughts were similar to Lin Fan's.
"Does this mean that as long as we don't have news of my brother, we can't live a normal life?"