Chapter 014: See No Evil

Not far away in the pool of water, a flawless, pure white back was revealed, turned away from me. The lines and curves on her back perfectly showcased the slender grace of a woman’s figure. Due to the angle, a slight hint of a rounded edge peeked from the side. It was faint, yet carried an air of mystery.

She stood there, back to me, immersed in the emerald pool. The water level just covered a little below her waist, the silky contours intersecting with the surface like a delicate cross. Upon seeing this scene, I immediately froze in place.

Damn! A beauty bathing here! How was I supposed to pass by?

I glanced toward the mountain summit, caught in a dilemma. This pool lay directly on the only path up the mountain. But I faintly recalled no such pool existed when I climbed here as a child. Could the landscape have changed so much in fifteen years?

Peering around the pool’s edge, I noticed mountain paths on either side. If I quietly slipped past and then took one of those paths, I could avoid her. With that resolve, I began to move forward slowly, my hands already sweating as if guilty of some crime.

As I neared the pool, a gentle mist enveloped me, warm and soothing. Though dawn had yet to fully break, the fog resembled that rising from a hot spring, temperate and comforting. My energy, once abundant, now lulled me toward a nap. Yet the thought of a young maiden bathing nearby urged me to stay alert, forcing myself not to stare at her form.

But my eyes betrayed me, as if guided by some unseen compass, constantly drawn toward the woman in the water.

The sound of flowing water grew louder. The once vague, enticing silhouette now stood vividly before me. I found myself fixated on the subtle curves at her side and the gentle arc just below her slender waist. My mouth dried instinctively; I licked my cracked lips and slowed my steps.

Unaware of my presence, she played in the pool, her slender arms like sleek water snakes. Clear water streamed down her body, as if my gaze itself brushed against her skin. Her hair was long, reaching her waist, soft and flowing. Entranced, I stopped dead, staring blankly.

Then, a faint, delicate giggle floated from behind me, pulling my dazed gaze away. It seemed close, right behind me. I turned instinctively—and nearly lost my soul from fright.

A furry face was pressed against mine, its tiny green eyes locking with mine. “What the hell?!” I shouted, startled out of my reverie. Just moments ago immersed in beauty, now confronted with this creature—the shock was overwhelming. I lifted my leg to kick, but the thing seemed to anticipate me, vanishing in a blur before I could strike. It darted swiftly into the nearby bamboo grove; I barely saw what it was.

My commotion had clearly disturbed the bathing woman. “Who’s there?” a sweet, innocent voice called out toward me. I froze again, cursing the creature for the scare and now for getting me caught.

The water rippled as she moved, and I turned toward the pool. My mind short-circuited at the sight.

The delicate figure in the pool had turned toward me and was walking over. Her exquisite face framed by large, lively eyes held my attention—not because of beauty alone, but because she was utterly exposed. Two ample, rounded forms were fully visible, her waist free of any excess flesh, merging seamlessly with her flat stomach. Even her navel was strikingly pretty.

I felt breathless. Just as I prepared to look further, she caught my unwavering stare, quickly covering herself with her hands and snapping, “You lecherous scoundrel! What are you staring at?”

I hurried to explain, “No, miss, you’ve misunderstood. I was just passing by on my way up the mountain—I didn’t mean to disturb you or act improperly!”

“Well, then stop looking!” she shouted again.

I raised my hands to cover my eyes, “Miss, please get dressed first.”

Ignoring me, she turned and picked up a garment from a rock by the pool, beginning to dress with her back still to me. Through the gaps between her fingers, I saw her lift one leg to step into her pants. That movement offered an even clearer view of her lower back and waist.

I swallowed hard once more.

“Stop staring, you pervert!” she scolded.

Through my fingers, I insisted, “I’m not looking! I’m covering my eyes. Hurry and get dressed, please!”

Finally dressed, she wore a white T-shirt and denim shorts—youthful and vibrant. Coupled with her large eyes, she looked every bit a city college girl. Yet, somehow, she seemed vaguely familiar.

She approached and slapped my hand, which was still shielding my eyes.

“Stop pretending! That won’t block anything!” she said irritably.

I lowered my hands and smiled, “It quiets my restless heart.”

She paused, flashing me a skeptical look. “Smooth talker. Come back to the village with me, you rogue and lecher. The village chief will give you a proper scolding!”

Grabbing my hand, she began pulling me down the mountain. Her hand was cold—likely from the cool pool water.

I quickly said, “Miss, I really was just passing by on my way up. Besides, if you bathe in a public place, whose fault is that?”

Hearing this, she let go of my hand, placing both on her slender waist. “Who would know someone would be climbing Qingqiu Mountain so early before dawn? Are you crazy? I think you came just to spy on me! Stop lying—come back to see the village chief!”

She tried to pull me again, and I realized this was my chance to connect, or else my reputation as the village’s guardian child would be lost.

“Are you the daughter of Er Pozi?” I asked.

At this, she stopped, looking at me with suspicion. “You know me?”

I was right—her features resembled that shrew from the village, Er Pozi, and judging by her attire, she was clearly the one studying in the city.

There was only one girl from the village attending school in the city—the daughter of the very woman who had bullied my grandfather back then. When my grandfather tried to reduce my fever, it was Er Pozi who led the opposition.

So, this girl must be the one brought by her mother to the ancestral hall to have her spirit sealed when I was just born. She was four years older than me, just the right age for college.

I never imagined that little girl from childhood had grown up to be so... mature.

At that moment, the strange, eerie laughter echoed again from the forest.

“Giggling...”