Chapter 716, Main Text 716—I can't bring myself to strike. 716—I can't bring myself to strike. Didn't you yourself come up with this idea? Now you're turning around and blaming me? This content comprises the textual material of Chapter 716 of "Rural Beauty." Lu Yun was deeply puzzled. In truth, Lu Yun fully understood this was a subtle hint from Lin Shu. Yet, Lu Yun remained steadfast in following his third aunt, Hao Donglian's advice, and would never move a finger on Lin Shu until she had fully recovered. Faced with Lin Shu's repeated hints, Lu Yun grew increasingly exasperated. Back in the ordinary course of things, why would she need such elaborate, indirect cues from Lin Shu? She would have simply rushed in right away and bullied her younger sister with her towering staff. But now, how could Lu Yun bring herself to lift the staff? Suddenly, a sigh of quiet resentment drifted from behind her. Lu Yun's heart softened, turned around, and looked at Lin Shu, reassuringly saying, "Lin Shu, I know exactly what you're thinking. But right now, I simply can't burden you. When you're in good health, you're already finding it hard to bear it—how much more so now? Rest well and recover. Once you're healed, I'll find a way to help you leave this place of sorrow and seek out your own happiness." Lin Shu remained silent for a long time after hearing Lu Yun's words. Just as Lu Yun thought Lin Shu had fallen asleep and quietly climbed onto the bed, Lin Shu suddenly turned her head, her gaze filled with a complex emotion, looking at Lu Yun and saying, "Lu Yun, do I really seem so inadequate as you've described? Do I truly fail to satisfy you in bed? Tell me—do I? Is that really the case?" Her voice grew increasingly passionate, and her tone rose sharply, causing Lu Yun to quickly set down her cup of water and nearly reach out to cover Lin Shu's mouth with his hands, whispering, "Lin Shu, please don't speak so loudly—my aunt will hear. If she does, she'll surely think something has happened between us. You'll be waiting all morning tomorrow to see how I'm going to be scolded." This content is from Chapter 716 of the novel "Rural Beauty." "Then tell me, am I really useless? Now men beat me and scold me, and you're even dissatisfied because I can't satisfy you. What have I done wrong? Why am I so lacking in every way?" Land Yun's words clearly made an impact—though Lin Xiu remained emotionally charged, her voice had softened considerably, gradually turning into quiet sobs that moved the listener deeply. "Lin Xiu, I'm not unwilling—I truly want to do those things with you. But my third aunt specifically instructed me not to develop any special feelings for you right now, for fear that any physical contact might disturb your wounds and lead to infection, especially with the heat of the season." Land Yun didn't know how to explain it to Lin Xiu, so he simply said the truth. "Moreover, even if my third aunt didn't say so, I wouldn't be able to bear to hit you myself, given how you're currently feeling." "I don't care, Lu Yun—I just want your staff. I really, really want it. Do you know? When you left the house of Er-Tu, I tried my best to persuade you, but all my efforts were in vain. You've done so much for me—why can't you do one more thing for me? Just give me your staff." Lin Shu abandoned all reserve, expressing her true feelings in the most direct and clear words. Lu Yun remained silent. Such a request could not be forced. Given Lin Shu's current condition, Lu Yun would have her wounds burst open after just three or five rounds of riding. That would be too cruel. Though he deeply desired her, though he longed for her, he simply couldn't do it now—definitely not now. If the most beautiful thing between a man and a woman had to be built upon someone's suffering, then it was better not to have it at all. If I had known it would turn out this way, I'd rather have had my third aunt stay here with Lin Shu, enduring the thunderous snoring of my third uncle—much better than the awkwardness we're both facing now! "Lu Yun, don't you think I'm not a good woman, for saying such an unbecoming thing, especially considering I never expected you to ask for something like this?" Lin Shu choked out. Lu Yun shook his head. "If I thought you weren't a good woman, I wouldn't have given you that thousand yuan, nor would I have come to save you, nor would I have let you recover at my home." "But you didn't save a good woman—you saved a woman who only cared about doing those things, a woman deeply frivolous and dissolute at heart." By the end, Lin Shu's choked breaths had turned into a carefully restrained sob. Lu Yun felt at a loss, unsure of how to comfort Lin Shu. In a moment of慌, she picked up a water cup from the bed and held it out to Lin Shu, her voice trembling as she said, "Lin Shu, please don't cry. Just drink this—this is the text content for Chapter 716 of 'Rural Beauty.' " Lin Shu wiped away her tears, her eyes blurred as she looked at Lu Yun and said, "You have to feed me. Otherwise, I won't drink." Lu Yun instantly felt overwhelmed, holding the cup motionless in her hands—what a twist of fate! The little one had just reminded the Lord of the Underworld that he was about to meet his end. "Are you going to feed me or not?" Lin Shu urged, seeing Lu Yun still silent. Frustrated, she took a thin blanket and covered her head. Lu Yun cleared her throat and decided to act—after all, what was there to it? Just a kiss, right? She simply didn't believe it would be enough to overcome the solid resolve she'd cultivated over the years. Determined to proceed, Lu Yun stepped close to Lin Xu and whispered, "Sister Lin, I think I'm ready now. Don't cry anymore—if you keep crying, Miss San-Shi will surely hear. Once you stop, it'll be my turn to cry." Hearing Lu Yun agree to her condition, Lin Xu sniffled, "You promised me yourself—don't break your word." Lu Yun replied, "I won't break my word. A man of honor says one thing and means it, and another—never becoming a petty, untrustworthy person. Now, take off the blanket. With it so hot outside, you'll just end up with a rash, and it won't help your wound heal." Lin Xu lifted the blanket and smiled at Lu Yun, "Then, go ahead and feed me now—I'm dying of thirst." She opened her rosy lips, ready to be gently moistened by Lu Yun's mouth carrying the warm water. Lu Yun steadied herself, reminding herself firmly to hold on—definitely not to let a simple kiss become the reason for any mishap. Lin Shu smiled warmly at Lu Yun, noticing that he still hesitated. Unable to wait any longer, she urged, "Lu Yun, hurry up! I'm truly thirsty now." "It's either fortune or misfortune—misfortune can't be avoided. If you really want to do this, then you're the one who's been trying to woo me. If something goes wrong and I hurt you, don't come crying to me!" After mentally excusing himself, Lu Yun took a sip of water and gently pressed his lips against Lin Shu's rosy lips. The first glass of cool, clear water flowed smoothly into Lin Shu's mouth, and Lu Yun breathed a quiet sigh of relief, chuckling softly. While drinking his second sip, he quietly thought, "This isn't really anything special, is it? Maybe Lin Shu has been teasing me all along?" As he finished his second sip, he once again pressed his lips to Lin Shu's, this time— Country Beauty 716, Main Text 716—I can't make up my mind. Update complete!