Chapter 170: Walking the Beach with Aishi
At night, Luo Han and the others were resting on a small mountain-shaped island, planning to depart for Ring Tree Island the next morning.
After dinner, Luo Han invited Aishi to take a walk on the beach. At first, she flatly refused no matter what, but when he mentioned he had a gift for her, she reluctantly agreed.
To this, Luo Han had only two words: "Heh-heh." If his spiritual sense hadn't picked up on the excitement practically spilling off her, he might've just walked away. After all, as a "normal" person, he preferred directness. If you don't want to come, fine. Sigh… Sometimes, a woman's acting was just too perfect. Without a built-in cheat, it was impossible to take the lead in the flirting game.
A soft breeze blew. The sound of waves gently rolled along the shore. Their bare feet pressed into the soft, pale golden sand. It should've been a relaxing stroll, but Aishi was far from at ease.
"What's this guy thinking? He brought me all the way out here… I'm not ready for this! Isn't this moving a little too fast?" she thought, her mind spiraling.
Can't blame her. The two had walked almost halfway around the island by now. And Luo Han just kept going—this was the furthest point from Sister Shao and the others. If something were going to happen, well… this was a quiet place.
"We're here. This spot'll do," Luo Han suddenly said, stopping and turning around.
Thud! Aishi , lost in thought, ran straight into Luo Han 's chest. Her face flushed red as she tried to pull away, but strong arms wrapped around her. Her hands instinctively pushed against his broad chest, trying not to press against him too much.
"W-What are you doing?" she asked softly, unable to break free.
A wave of masculine energy washed over her, flustering her even more. She bent slightly, trying to minimize physical contact.
"Sigh... what a shame. That soft warmth… far too brief. At least I recorded that exciting moment," Luo Han sighed inwardly, enjoying the memory for a fleeting second before letting her go.
"What?! You're letting go now? I was doing my best to lean away… and you still—ugh," Little Luo Han pouted mentally as Big Luo Han scolded him into submission.
"You brought me all the way out here just for this?" Aishi mumbled, voice confused, surprised, maybe a little scared. Emotions mixed inside her like a cocktail.
"Miss, what are you thinking? You're the one who crashed into me. I just caught you so you wouldn't fall," Luo Han lied shamelessly. Truthfully, he hadn't brought her out here to make a move—he really did have a gift for her.
"You…" Aishi narrowed her eyes, nearly choked by his blatant denial. You think I don't know what that reaction meant?
"Alright!" Seeing that she was about to blow, Luo Han quickly summoned a flame of rainbow-colored aura and held it out to her. "This is your gift. That earlier thing? Total accident."
"What kind of flame is this? It's beautiful!" Aishi dropped her anger and looked at the flame curiously, her eyes sparkling.
Luo Han smiled but didn't elaborate. Instead, he said seriously, "This is a beauty-enhancing flame I created using my Devil Fruit powers. It locks in deep moisture, protects your skin inside and out—makes you radiant. Secondary benefit? Enhances physical strength."
He looked at her expectantly. Surely this would impress her. Skincare and beauty? What woman didn't love that?
But Aishi just gave him a look usually reserved for people in a special needs ward. Luo Han silently withdrew the flame, lips twitching. Maybe I overshot the mark here…
And then the scolding began.
"You think I already need skincare? Using flame to retain moisture? Are you out of your mind?!" Aishi glared. "What kind of person even thinks of that?!"
She was secretly touched by the effort he made just for her—but this? This made her feel old. She was only 22! She didn't need moisture-locking skincare flames!
Yep… I'm terrible at this romance stuff, Luo Han sighed. Time to get real.
He extended his right hand again, the flame reappearing.
"This is a talent-infused aura flame. It can be merged into your body to enhance your physical strength and combat power," he explained, then added seriously, "You know what kind of people we're going to face. Without strength, you'll end up stuck in safe zones again, just like before.
"There are too many weird powers in this world. I can't always be there to protect you. And honestly, you don't want to need my protection forever, right?"
He turned to look at her, expecting resistance or even sadness—but what he saw was a bashful smile.
"You mean… you will always protect me, right?" Aishi said quietly, blushing.
What the hell? Luo Han was stunned. That's not what we're talking about!
"Are you taking it or not?" he asked, voice slightly irritated. "If not, I'm leaving."
"I'll take it!" Aishi replied quickly, sensing his growing impatience.
That actually caught Luo Han off guard. So this is what it takes? You just have to be firm with women?
"Come here," he said, raising the flame again.
Aishi didn't argue. She walked over obediently, lowering her head. Her cheeks flushed pink, standing so close that her breath brushed across Luo Han 's chest.
Is she… misunderstanding something? Luo Han blinked. She probably thinks the merging requires this kind of close proximity… maybe calling her over gave her the wrong idea.
He looked at her weirdly, but didn't stop. With a smooth motion, he gently pressed the flame into her shoulder.
Aishi 's face turned redder as a warm aura flowed through her body. She felt energized—like she didn't want to sleep tonight. She wanted to move.
…
Time passed. Aishi still stood there, head lowered, as Luo Han 's hand remained on her shoulder, occasionally shifting slightly.
"Are you… not done yet, Luo Han ?" she asked hesitantly.
"…Ah! Almost there!" Luo Han snapped out of it. He had finished ages ago, but couldn't let her know that—or she'd blow up again.
"Oh," Aishi replied, slightly confused. Why did the warmth disappear so quickly?
Luo Han smiled smugly, exhaled dramatically, and then lifted his hand. "Done."
Aishi stepped away immediately. That sudden retreat gave Luo Han a small pang of regret.
"Alright. Let's head back. If we stay out too long, Sister Shao might start worrying about you," Luo Han said, grabbing her hand and taking off—no room for protest.
Aishi didn't respond. Her face flushed even redder. She definitely knew what he meant by "Sister Shao might worry."
(END CHAPTER)
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