Free Web NovelChapter 176: Chapter 176: His Family
’How is He Hanshi so good at this?’
The thought suddenly popped into Shi Lan’s head. He didn’t kiss like it was his first time at all; his movements were very skilled. And now, he could even say such sweet nothings so naturally.
’Hasn’t he always been single?’
’Could his persona on the Star Network be just an act?’
Shi Lan suddenly felt a little unhappy. She grabbed his sleeve and asked directly, "He Hanshi, have you really never been with any other females before?"
In this world, males usually married at twenty-five. He held such a high position, was so outstanding, and was admired by so many females. He was almost thirty-eight. Could he really have stayed single for so long?
He Hanshi didn’t know why she was suddenly asking this. Although he didn’t understand how Shi Lan’s train of thought could jump so quickly, a male’s intuition about his partner’s mood still made him tense up instantly.
’Could it be? Is Lanlan starting to find me old?’
He Hanshi’s mood plummeted from heaven to hell in an instant. His pupils contracted. Even though he feared that this beautiful moment was just a fleeting dream, he didn’t ignore Shi Lan’s question. With a hint of apprehension, he said, "No, Lanlan. I’ve only ever liked you. I’ve never been involved with any other female, and I’ve never even participated in the state-sponsored matchmaking."
As he spoke, he clung to her like a child—a rare sight—and tried to coax her. "Lanlan, please don’t think I’m too old, okay? I’m only a little over ten years older than you..."
As he said this, even He Hanshi himself began to lose confidence.
Shi Lan pushed him away in surprise, almost laughing in exasperation. "What are you thinking? When have I ever said you were old? Besides, you’re so handsome. You’re not old at all."
"Really?"
He Hanshi was still a bit insecure. Shi Lan hadn’t expected that just by asking if he’d ever been with other females, his thoughts would wander so far.
Helpless, she cupped his face and nodded firmly again. "I’m serious. And I like you a lot."
"That’s good."
A smile instantly spread across He Hanshi’s face, the light returning to his downcast blue eyes. He gazed at her, his expression serious and gentle. "So, what was Lanlan trying to find out from me? Ask me anything. I’ll tell you everything I know."
The blush that had just faded from Shi Lan’s cheeks crept back up. Too embarrassed to press the issue, she just shook her head, deciding to just assume he was a natural.
In truth, it wasn’t that he was a natural. It was just that she had appeared in his dreams so many times that he had learned without even realizing it.
As for sweet nothings, he wasn’t someone who typically wore his heart on his sleeve. But when it came to Shi Lan, his words were simply a natural outpouring of his true feelings.
Worried he would keep asking about it, Shi Lan quickly tried to change the subject. "Check your current spiritual power collapse value for me."
He Hanshi stared at her for a long moment. After confirming that she wasn’t upset anymore, he temporarily set aside his earlier questions.
Although he didn’t want to bring up anything that might ruin the warm atmosphere, he also didn’t want to deceive her. He opened the testing function on his chip.
Testing his spiritual power collapse value daily had become a habit during his years on Black Star, so He Hanshi was well aware that his collapse value had risen quite a bit recently.
Perhaps it was due to the stubborn Spiritual Poison still lingering in his spirit sea, but he found that he was now more easily affected by the Insect Clan’s toxins than before.
Soon, the spiritual power test results were displayed.
Shi Lan glanced at it. She had just treated him for a little while, but it was still at 28%. Based on the effects of her Basic Healing just now, He Hanshi’s original collapse value must have been at least 35%.
Her brow furrowed instantly. She could clearly sense it too—He Hanshi’s spiritual power collapse value was increasing too quickly.
It had only been about a month, and it had already risen by more than ten percent. At this rate, it would only take another two or three months to reach a High Level again...
Shi Lan wasn’t wrong. When He Hanshi had measured his spiritual power collapse value that morning, it had already reached 36%. The sudden drop now was, without a doubt, because Lanlan had partially healed him while he was asleep.
His heart melted once again. ’How can my Lanlan be so wonderful?’
He couldn’t help but hug her tightly again. After a long moment, he stared intently into her eyes, his Adam’s apple bobbing. "Lanlan, can I kiss you again?"
He was so happy—happy that his confession had been successful, happy that she had feelings for him, and happy that he had met such a wonderful female...
All these joyous feelings mingled in his chest, leaving him at a loss for the first time as to how to handle such overwhelming delight. There was also a sense of unreality, as if something this good couldn’t possibly be happening to him.
This beautiful reality made him so happy that he paradoxically became even more terrified that it was all an illusion. He urgently needed to prove that what was before him was real.
Deep within his pleading gaze, there seemed to be hidden panic and helplessness. Shi Lan glimpsed the insecurity in his heart and found it impossible to say no. Besides, subconsciously, she didn’t want to refuse him either.
She nodded lightly, and in the next moment, He Hanshi’s kiss swept over her like a sudden, violent storm.
Shi Lan could only tilt her head back helplessly to receive it. But in their moment of intimacy, she seemed to feel his lips trembling slightly, so she took the initiative to soothe and guide him.
As a novice, her own movements were even more clumsy and inexperienced. Yet, each of her gentle explorations was like a soothing balm, effortlessly dispelling the anxiety in He Hanshi’s heart.
His movements unconsciously softened. With all other thoughts gone, they slowly savored the sweetness of their lips pressed together.
The sounds of heavy panting gradually turned into a peaceful rhythm, until finally, their breathing was almost perfectly in sync.
This kiss lasted even longer than the last. He didn’t pull away until the panic in his heart was completely soothed.
Still wanting more, he pecked her lips a few more times. He held her gently, patting her back as if coaxing a child, and suddenly spoke in a husky voice.
"Did you know? I come from the slums. And my parents... they died because of me."
Shi Lan’s heart trembled. She looked up at him, her eyes filled with heartache.
He Hanshi pressed his cheek against hers reassuringly and continued, "A genius with 3S Spiritual Power appeared in the slums. Everyone knows the value of 3S Spiritual Power. Their future is destined to be limitless. If they were on the Capital Star, they would have had a smooth ride and easily become a winner in life."
"But it just so happened to be the slums. My parents couldn’t protect me, so they had no choice but to let go when the military came to take me away. But later, I secretly ran back home."
"The military gave my parents more than enough money, but they didn’t have the ability to protect it. When I returned, all I saw were their bodies. The house had been ransacked, and even their chips had been dug out."
"In the slums, someone dying is all too common. Sickness, disputes, fights, robberies... it never ends. No one would care about two lives as insignificant as dust. But at my request, and to make me willingly join them, the military helped me find the murderers."
"Only then did I learn how powerful human jealousy can be. A man from the neighborhood, who always used to smile at me when I was a kid, spread the news that my parents had a huge sum of money. They didn’t even have time to move to another planet before they were cornered by some bastards from the slums..."
"So I often wonder... if I had never been born, would they still be alive and well today?"
He Hanshi slowly recounted the story he had kept buried in his heart, his tone dejected. Shi Lan hugged him back, her heart aching, as her eyes reddened without her even realizing it.
