Chapter 223: Bronya on the Left, Seele on the Right! Su Mu: Oh No, My Kidneys!
Wuntang Town is located in the Yuanzhou District of Yichun City, Jiangxi Province, situated to the southwest of the district. Its most famous feature is the hot spring that continuously gushes from the granite at a depth of 470 meters.
Wuntang Hot Spring has a history of over 800 years. It is distributed within an area of 0.8 square kilometers in the town, with a daily output of more than 10,000 tons. The water temperature remains constant between 68°C and 72°C. It is sulfur-free, characterized by low mineralization, low sodium, and high levels of selenium and metasilicic acid, making it a rare drinkable selenium-rich hot spring. Here, one can also experience a "temple fair" atmosphere, with performances by folk artists and rich local customs.
Su Mu's party stayed at the Grand New Century Resort Mingyueshan, one of the best hot spring resort centers in Wuntang. Backing onto Mingyue Mountain, the ecological environment was excellent. Since it wasn't a holiday, the volume of tourists wasn't as high as imagined, which was a relief as it saved them the trouble of queuing.
In Shenzhou, holiday travel numbers always push the boundaries of reality. During long breaks, it's not just a sea of people; it's like sardines packed into a tin. Whether a holiday is fun is debatable, but you're guaranteed to be squeezed silly... This was why Su Mu rarely traveled during holidays; he preferred beautiful scenery over a black mass of crowds.
"The environment here is quite nice..." Su Mu stood by the hotel window, looking at Mingyue Mountain. The fresh mountain air was a world away from the city. Today's weather was comfortable, perfect for an outing.
Since he was already here, he decided to make the best of it. Although uncomfortable with being forced on vacation, he didn't want to ruin Seele's excitement. He had done his homework and planned to visit the Mingyue "Eternal Love" Scenic Area on the first day.
"Legend says Mingyue Mountain is where Chang'e ascended to the moon. The theme of 'Eternal Love' is 'May all lovers in the world be united,' which is a very auspicious sentiment," Su Mu explained to Bronya and Seele. Though it was his first time, he had researched thoroughly.
Despite being the off-season, the scenic area was lively. The crowd size was just right—not crowded, yet not desolate. This environment was the most relaxing.
Entering the area, Seele looked around curiously. Shijing Street and Flower Street were perfect for photos, with shops related to local customs like movable type printing and specialty snacks. Interestingly, the vendors were dressed in traditional ancient costumes, making it feel like a true time-slip.
The park offered ancient costume rentals. An enthusiastic Seele dragged Bronya along, and both changed into classical attire. Bronya wore a white ruqun with exquisite cloud patterns embroidered on the hem. Her silver hair cascaded like a waterfall over her shoulders, with stray strands brushing her eyes, making her look exceptionally gentle and elegant. Seele wore a simple, elegant cyan-green dress that swayed with the wind, giving her a delicate, pitiable charm.
Watching the sisters walk toward him, Su Mu froze. They possessed a unique, classical grace.
"Brother Su Mu? How is it? Do we look good?" Seele's voice brought him back to reality. Bronya didn't speak but nervously fiddled with her hair, also waiting for his evaluation.
Su Mu gave a sincere review: "Truly like a lotus emerging from clear water, naturally beautiful without any artificial adornment..."
"What does that mean?"
"It means you are as pure and simple as a lotus flower that just bloomed, without a trace of being over-sculpted."
"Ugh—Brother Su Mu is so insincere. couldn't you just say 'you look good'? Using classical poetry... are you trying to bully me and Sister Bronya because we don't understand it?"
"Haha, no, no. you really look beautiful." Su Mu felt it was a pity. If Fu Hua, Senti, or Sushang were here, they would understand why he blurted out that line. Cultural differences were unavoidable.
"Then does Brother Su Mu think Seele is prettier, or Sister Bronya?"
It was here! The classic "death trap" question! Su Mu shivered and looked at Seele. Her lips were curled into a mischievous, "bad girl" smile. No doubt, only the little vixen "Veliona" would ask something like that to see him struggle.
Bronya still didn't speak. she seemed to be looking around, but her gaze shifted toward Su Mu with such frequency that she was basically staring. she clearly cared a lot.
"I heard the food plaza on Shijing Street is great. I'm a bit hungry." Escape was shameful but effective. Facing a death trap, the best way was not to answer. Playing dumb was a survival skill for any societal member.
"Hmph, running away. Brother Su Mu is such a coward," Veliona put her hands on her hips and made a face at his back. "Is Sister Bronya disappointed too? Not hearing Su Mu's evaluation..." she smiled at Bronya.
"You're the 'other' Seele right now, aren't you?" Bronya looked at her with a complex gaze.
"As expected of Sister Bronya, telling us apart so easily~ but don't worry, regardless of which Seele it is, we both love Sister Bronya, okay?" Veliona hugged Bronya's arm, drawing envious looks from passersby.
"Such energy, quite unlike the usual Seele." Bronya felt helpless.
"Isn't it great having two sisters? Sister Bronya?" Looking at the fox-like Veliona, a strange doubt surfaced in Bronya's mind. Seele and Veliona are two personalities in one body. When Seele is intimate with Su Mu, what is Veliona's status?
Uh... Bronya realized she might not even be the "second" one. If Seele and Veliona were counted as two people, she was technically third in line... Goodness... Bronya sighed. Her happiness wasn't just Seele's concession; even Veliona had sacrificed for her. This meant she was taking away love from both of them. Her heart grew heavy, and her resolve began to waver.
As night fell, the day of sightseeing ended, and relaxation began. Wuntang Town's hot springs were built along a slope, getting higher as you went. They were divided into the Zodiac series and Taiji-Bagua series, leading all the way to the "Dominance" pool at the summit, where one could overlook the night view while soaking.
Being the off-season, there was almost no one else around. It felt like they had booked the whole place. Since the springs were mixed-gender, Su Mu wore swim trunks. Seele and Bronya wore bold swimwear. Bronya was in a white bikini; her curvaceous "Big Duck" figure paired with the sexy suit was a magnet for Su Mu's eyes. Meanwhile, Seele—who seemingly gathered all the nutrition of the orphanage—wore mature, bold black. It was truly "baby-face with a bombshell body." Su Mu finally understood the meaning of "angelic face and demonic physique."
"Su Mu, your eyes are stuck. Is it really that good?~" Veliona smirked, leaning forward to display her curves. "Now can you answer my question? Me or Sister Bronya, who is prettier?"
Facing her teasing, Su Mu wanted to spit blood. If Bronya weren't there, he would have loved to spank that little brat.
"Alright, Seele, don't make it hard for Su Mu," Bronya smoothed things over. "It's cold at night. Let's head back after soaking."
Veliona looked disappointed. "Fine~ Seele says she's tired too. Let's just relax." Her lips curled into a smirk before she suddenly lunged at Su Mu, who had just sat down.
"SPLASH—!"
Water sprayed everywhere. Su Mu instinctively caught Seele as she jumped in, their bodies pressing tightly together. Whether from the water temperature or embarrassment, Seele's face turned bright red in the steam.
"Wh-What is my other self doing! Jumping in just like that!" Su Mu and Seele broke apart as if they'd been electrocuted. In front of Bronya, they still had to pretend nothing was going on.
Bronya's expression didn't change at their intimate move. she entered the pool and soaked, though she intentionally kept some distance from them.
"Sister Bronya, what's wrong?" Seele moved to sit beside her.
"Nothing... Seele, are you happy?" "Happy! Being out with you and Brother Su Mu makes me very happy!" "Is that so..." "What about Sister Bronya? Are you happy?"
Bronya looked at Seele gently and pinched her cheek. "Seeing Seele happy makes me happy... but..." she trailed off. The words were on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn't say them. Is now the time? Is it right to come clean here?
"Sister Bronya." Seele held Bronya's hand against her own cheek. "Seele feels very blessed now. As long as I'm by Sister Bronya's side, I feel at peace... so, Sister Bronya, will you stay by Seele's side in the future too?"
Bronya's fingers trembled. The girl's eyes were watery and warm, filled with a trace of pleading. It was a look like a small animal, impossible to refuse.
"..." But how could she answer? What could she say? she had an answer in her heart, but she couldn't speak it.
Deep in the night. Su Mu lay on his hotel bed, staring at the dark sky outside. The single suite was nice, with good soundproofing and a comfortable mattress. But he couldn't sleep. He had thought deeply over these days, yet he still lacked a perfect plan to keep Bronya by his side. He realized now: feelings aren't like work or game development. There is no such thing as a "perfect plan."
"...?" A knock sounded at the door. Who could it be at this hour? He walked to the door and looked through the peephole. It was Bronya.
she was wearing a white bathrobe, still trailing a bit of steam from her shower. Her face was slightly flushed. Her finely carved features made one want to take a bite.
"Bronya? Is something wrong?" Su Mu opened the door. she entered, and as he was about to turn on the lights—
Rustle. The sound of fabric sliding off hit his ears. The next moment, he felt a tightening from behind. Bronya hugged him, her body pressed against his. He could hear her ragged breathing.
"Bronya...?"
"If it's Bronya... is it not allowed?" Her voice whispered in his ear, but all Su Mu heard was endless pain and pleading.
"Bronya... calm down," he tried to comfort her.
"Aren't we lovers? Isn't this supposed to be normal?"
Su Mu didn't know how to respond.
"Or... can this only be done with Seele?" Bronya leaned against his back, and Su Mu felt hot liquid dripping onto him. These were Bronya's tears. The strong, proud Bronya was crying.
"You... you know everything?" Su Mu let out a long sigh. Life truly has no rehearsals; it's all a live broadcast. No more time to prepare—he had to face her now. He should have noticed sooner.
Regardless of everything, he wanted both Bronya and Seele to be happy. Because he overthought and worried too much, he had been indecisive. He wanted everything to be perfect, but how can emotions be perfect? How can one side not be hurt? If love were a math problem, there would be one correct answer. But this had no standard solution.
Su Mu took a deep breath. He just wanted to live without regrets. He turned around to face Bronya. Her milky skin and beautiful curves under the dim light were intoxicating. But her tear-streaked face made Su Mu's heart tighten.
"I'm sorry, Bronya... I always wanted to tell you in person. But I thought for so long and couldn't find a way not to hurt anyone." Su Mu reached out to wipe her tears, but she brushed his hand away.
"...If that's the case, why not just abandon me?" she turned her head away, her face full of unspeakable loneliness. "From the start, you only pursued me because Seele asked you to, didn't you? The one you truly love is Seele. For her, you forced yourself to like someone you didn't..."
"..."
"You never really had feelings for me, did you? It was just Seele's charity... because of Seele, you stayed with me!"
"..."
"What do you take me for? What do you take Seele for? do you think I would be happy like this? do you think a happiness bought at the cost of Seele's own is what I want?"
Facing Bronya's accusation, Su Mu remained silent. He had to say something, or everything would be lost. It's not like that, he argued internally. He had liked Bronya for a long time, but back then he was too busy to face those feelings, feeling like an outsider in this world. Seele's arrival made him realize this world was his reality.
Perhaps initially he did pursue Bronya because of Seele's request. But... later he realized he had long fallen for this strong, hardworking, seemingly cold yet gentle girl. Without Bronya, there would be no MiHoYo. Su Mu recognized this clearly. while others saw MiHoYo as his creation, he knew: without her help and her night-and-day efforts, his ambition would never have been realized. Bronya was indispensable on his path to his dreams. she was irreplaceable. Seele's request was merely a catalyst. If he didn't like Bronya, why would he agree to such an absurd request?
Su Mu didn't know if he could carry the love of two girls at once. But he wanted to try. his life motto was to follow his heart, regardless of what others thought. What he sought was to never have regrets. He took a deep breath. He had rehearsed the words and actions in his mind countless times.
He took a step toward her. Bronya instinctively backed away, but he caught her snowy-white wrist.
"I am a very selfish person. I don't ask for your forgiveness. you can hit me or scold me... I won't fight back. But... please don't leave me. Stay by my side. I am selfish and despicable... but if my shamelessness can keep you here, I don't care about anything else. I love you, Bronya... I have for a long time. Seele's request was a pretext... I just didn't want to admit that I love both Seele and you. But now, it doesn't matter... I only want to tell you that both you and Seele are the most important people to me. I won't let either of you leave. I won't allow it."
Bronya tried to break free, but Su Mu's strength was immense. even with all her might, she couldn't pull her hand away.
"No matter how many times I have to say it—I love you. I just love you. I don't want to spend even a single second without you by my side!"
Su Mu firmly pushed Bronya against the wall, pinning her arms. Then, he pressed his lips hard against hers. Bronya shivered and tried to resist, twisting her wrists, but there was no escape. she whimpered, letting out incoherent sounds. This was a Su Mu she had never seen before—dominant, unreasonable, and stubborn to the extreme. It was infuriating.
But... Bronya stopped struggling. she closed her eyes and began to strike back against his offensive as if to vent her anger. When the pressure on her wrists loosened, she broke free and wrapped her arms around his neck. Like a wild animal, she clung to him like an octopus, pressing her lips against his from above. The kiss was not gentle; it was almost violent.
They pulled apart and stared at each other. Su Mu tasted blood; Bronya had bitten his lip. Her lips were stained with his blood, looking incredibly bewitching.
"So, the answer, Bronya?" his burning gaze made her want to flinch, but before she could respond, his hands began to wander.
"...you are a truly selfish and despicable guy." Bronya's voice whispered in his ear. "If Seele stays with someone like you, I don't know how much she'll suffer... but Seele is my favorite sister. I can't feel at ease leaving her alone with you." Bronya bit his shoulder hard, leaving her mark. "Su Mu, remember what you said... both Seele and I must be happy." Her fingers dug into his back. "Remember this pain... if I find out you broke your word, I'll make you pay, no matter how much Seele begs."
Before he could answer, Bronya kissed him again.
Two hours later—the door was carefully pushed open, and Seele tiptoed in.
"Shh." On the bed, Su Mu made a shushing gesture, indicating silence. Seele looked at Su Mu's side. Bronya's eyes were closed, her steady breathing indicating she was asleep. A tiny smile sat on her face, like a crescent moon. Was she having a happy dream?
"Is it...?" Seele felt a surge of relief. "Finally... this day has finally come." No more hiding, no more fear. Seele's eyes grew wet. she turned to leave the room.
"Wrong way."
"Eh?" Su Mu's voice stopped her. she wiped her tears and saw him patting the empty spot beside him with a mischievous smile.
"This way, right?"
"Goodness... Brother Su Mu is way too greedy. Sister Bronya is right there, and you want one on each side?" Though she complained, her body was honest. Seele lay on his other side, pressing tightly against him to feel his warmth.
"It's a promise, okay?" Seele whispered in his ear. "Make me and Sister Bronya happy." Her words were accompanied by the scent of gardenias. Su Mu closed his eyes, feeling more fulfilled than ever. He didn't speak, just enjoyed the sensation of being surrounded by happiness.
However, unbeknownst to them, in another room of the hotel, a pair of ears had caught everything.
"OHOHOHOHOHOHO—!!!" Elysia couldn't help but cheer. she was so excited she nearly rolled off her bed! "Never has there been such a beautiful opening! Please, cheer for me—finally, Ellie's Harem Project has completed Step One! It may be a small step, but for Ellie, it's a giant leap!"
Beside her, Carole and Pardo were wearing heavy dark circles, using clips to keep their eyelids open.
"What did Sister Elysia say?" "I-I don't know... but maybe we can finally sleep?" "Haha... no one told me... that a hot spring trip involved late-night group activities..." "Group activity... meaning eavesdropping? those sounds could never pass censorship..." "Is Elysia not sleepy at all? I can't take it anymore..." "ZZZZ..."
Elysia was about to celebrate, but turned to see Carole and Pardo out cold. "Hey! No way! we haven't celebrated yet! Ellie's victory feast? This is our most successful mission ever~ hey! Carole, Pardo! Look at me—!"
Miss Pink Elf sat on the floor, feeling like the world had collapsed. she looked so weak, helpless, and pitiful...
"Hehe, save this audio, and I can legitimately blackmail Su Mu into letting me join! The dream of a beautiful girl harem is finally in sight!" Elysia looked at her computer, wearing a cunning fox smile. "Let's see, save, save..." she searched for the save button, but her smile froze.
"I... I never pressed the record button from the start?!"
NO—!!!! Elysia knelt on the floor, letting out a marmot-like scream! For this scene, one really needed a specific BGM. The snowflakes flutter, and the north wind whistles~ ♪
END OF CHAPTER
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