Even though I had no idea how the topic shifted from determining Zhu Jiu's physical condition to Zhu Shi and I entering an intimate phase, we all just went along with the flow.

However, it was probably too early for anything further. We just simply leaned against each other. I tried to follow Little Bowl's encouragements, and I could feel Zhu Shi hesitantly reaching out from the other side, but in the end, it was just a fleeting touch. The tip seemed to taste something very soft and moist, but the next moment, she withdrew like lightning.

Zhu Shi's face turned so red it looked like she might explode. Like a startled fawn, she quickly jumped off the floor, burst through the door, and fled, leaving me wanting more.

Mazao looked in the direction Zhu Shi ran off, then curiously at me, and asked Little Bowl, "Can I continue with Zhuang Cheng what Zhu Shi couldn't finish? I want to try too..."

Little Bowl replied seriously, "The atmosphere might not be right now, Sister Mazao would become a substitute."

Saying this, she glanced at the empty doorway, sighed in frustration, and added, "Zhu Shi is still a child. She's obviously falling behind, she should be more proactive at least in actions. Anyway, there will be plenty of opportunities later. The tasks she missed this time can be made up next time."

"Why do you talk about such unsuitable things for minors as if it's some 'study well and improve every day' lesson?" I retorted.

Despite saying this, I also wanted to continue. I just didn't feel the urgency to do it right away. Zhu Shi needed time to adapt, and this was originally a gradual process to reach the main act. I'm patient enough to move forward step by step, and sooner or later, Zhu Shi will fully unite with me.

Moreover, I enjoy this gradual, relentless approach. Bit by bit, each time I advance my closeness with Zhu Shi. Watching Zhu Shi, who has a strong sense of common sense and shame, under various proper reasons, move her boundary each time and accept my deeper intrusion, I felt an unspeakable joy that was completely different from when I was with Mazao.

It's a primal instinctual pleasure, and even I have some unsettled emotions about it. This is clearly similar yet opposite to my feelings for Mazao. If I hold a taboo fondness for the young Mazao, then for the beautiful Zhu Shi, it's another kind of taboo affection.

Frankly, I clearly know Zhu Shi doesn't like me — she considers me a very good friend, a partner, but there are no feelings beyond friendship. In the foreseeable future, at most, we could become confidants, but not lovers. Precisely because of this, I felt a guilty thrill from the forced situation created by various reasons.

Zhu Shi must have sensed my excitement too; when she fled, she cast a resentful glance at me.

However, it wasn't a look of refusal. What I sensed was a mixture of grievance and consent. She consented to my continued intrusion in the future. This became an unconscious temptation — she certainly didn't realize how her attitude would attract me like this.

Will this desire of mine really lead to a true love? I won't comment for now.

After a while, Zhu Shi finally returned to the room, her face still flushed, and as soon as our eyes met, the embarrassed color seemed to have signs of revival.

"I'm sorry, but... it was my first time, suddenly... suddenly something so difficult..." She touched her lips.

I didn't know how to soothe her, so I earnestly said, "It's my first time too."

"Is that so..." she said, at a loss.

"Let's continue next time," I said.

She shyly lowered her head, "Mm..."

"Could this be a new track?"

On the other side, Little Bowl seemed to have fallen into strange contemplation.

-

By evening, we returned to the residence at the Luoshan Headquarters. To celebrate my return with Little Bowl, we decided to gather for a good meal together.

The gathering place was set in the courtyard, with tables and chairs moved there.

Lu Chan also returned to the residence, congratulated me on my return, reported the recent situation, and took charge of the cooking. Zhu Shi and Mr. Zhu were completely unable to cook, and Mazao, due to her past experiences, although somehow mastered making custard, could hardly prepare normal dishes, and my culinary skills could only be described as passable. The most capable cook here was the all-round talent Lu Chan, who mastered potential duplication skills.

Little Bowl seemed to have absorbed comprehensive cooking skills from Zhu Jiu's memory and enthusiastically volunteered to enter the kitchen. Lu Chan, who had learned about Little Bowl's origins from Mr. Zhu, agreed casually.

At this moment, Zhu Shi suddenly hugged Little Bowl from behind. To an observer, it might look like a sister protecting her little sister. She watched Lu Chan warily, saying, "No, no, you need to stay away from Little Bowl."

"Why?" Little Bowl asked curiously.

Lu Chan was also puzzled; he looked at Little Bowl, seemed to realize something, and with a sudden understanding expression, coughed and said helplessly, "No, wait a minute, Zhu Shi, I think you have many misunderstandings about me..."

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