Many children bring happiness, a shameless start

"Ethel, you don't have a crush on my brother, do you?"

Debbie spread her hands and stared at Ethel with wide eyes.

"Lip, he's really great! He's handsome, well-built, and most importantly, he's gentle and tolerant, with a great personality."

The more Ethel spoke, the redder her face became. "Actually, the first time I saw Lip when I walked in, I couldn't help but feel an indescribable curiosity toward him. There's a kind of divine brilliance about him!"

"But did you know my brother already has three girlfriends?" Debbie asked calmly, waiting for Ethel's reaction. "And from what I've observed, it seems those girls were the ones who made the first move!"

"Wow!" Ethel clearly hadn't expected Lip to already be surrounded by girls. "Doesn't that mean Lip is a really great guy? Otherwise, how could so many girls be chasing after him?"

"Uh…yeah, you might be right!"

Debbie fell into a moment of self-doubt.

"Actually, having multiple wives or concubines isn't that uncommon, whether in ancient or modern times!" Ethel continued. "Look at the old priest Clyde from our sect. He's over sixty and still has four wives and over ten mistresses, including me."

Debbie felt her worldview shatter.

She had been wondering: as Lip's sister, should she want him to be liked by more girls, or should she wish the opposite? But hearing Ethel speak so openly made Debbie feel like her mind was about to short-circuit.

Debbie shook her head.

"I don't want to think about this anymore. Ethel, let's go downstairs quickly. You can talk more or confess to Lip if you want!"

Debbie hurriedly shook her head and started down the stairs.

She tried to comfort herself, thinking: Ethel must have been brainwashed by some cult to be so bold and carefree.

After a short while, Ethel followed Debbie downstairs.

Lip stood ahead, and it was undeniable that Ethel was quite the beauty.

After changing into a pink hoodie and jeans, she looked even more girlish and cute.

Everyone couldn't help but feel a little dazed when they saw her. She now looked like the sweet little sister next door.

Once they got over the shock, everyone resumed their own thoughts. After chatting for a bit, Ethel ran to Lip's side.

"Ethel, do you have more questions?"

"Well…there's one thing…"

"What is it?"

"It's kind of embarrassing."

Ethel's face turned bright red as she spoke softly.

"Embarrassing?"

"Lip, come with me," Ethel said, grabbing his hand and leading him quietly to the kitchen, near the washing machine.

Lip could feel how warm Ethel's small hand was, almost like holding a hydrogen balloon. The sensation was unexpectedly pleasant.

"Um…Lip, I…"

"Just say what's on your mind, don't be afraid!" Lip encouraged her.

Though Lip had no idea why Ethel led him there, he still felt a little uneasy. A girl who had been so deeply influenced by religion acting so boldly was quite puzzling.

"Lip, I want to know if men and women are truly happy and comfortable doing this together?" Ethel asked, blushing deeply, raising her hands in front of him in a clear gesture.

As an experienced person, Lip instantly understood what she meant.

But something felt off to him.

For a girl so young to be asking such questions was strange, especially considering the conservative sect she came from. What had Ethel experienced? What was happening to her?

Lip's mind raced with questions.

Should he use "Lucifer's Gaze" to uncover the painful truth behind her curiosity?

But then he hesitated. Using it on such a young girl, especially one who had already been through so much, felt wrong. It would be cruel.

He decided to smile at Ethel and ask gently, "Ethel, why do you want to know this?"

"Lip, I never thought about this before, but since my first period earlier this year, the nuns knew about it. They seemed to be treating it like an achievement," Ethel said softly, not daring to meet his eyes.

"What happened after that?"

"After that, Clyde would take me and the other young nuns to his bedroom every night outside the chapel, where we would wait and 'admire'..."

"What kind of 'admiration'?"

"Clyde said that for the stability of heaven and prosperity of the world, he fought a battle every night to suppress hell," Ethel continued, explaining in detail. "Whenever he called someone, they had to go in and help, obeying his every command!"

Lip felt disgust rise in him. He knew exactly what Clyde was up to.

"Ethel, did he ever ask you to help?"

"No!" Ethel replied, looking up. "Many of us younger nuns were made to stand in the outer hall and simply watch."

"Watch?"

"Clyde called it the 'most beautiful symphony.'" Ethel's voice lowered. "But after hearing those strange sounds, I… I felt so hot!" She blushed deeply. "I would toss and turn for hours before I could fall asleep."

"Was your first period reported to Clyde? Then what happened?"

"He summoned me in front of everyone and announced he wanted to marry me."

"After that, several older nuns explained the feelings between men and women to me…"

"Clyde… that bastard!" Lip cursed, fuming with anger. "I hope he's cut into pieces!"

"These experiences have been like nightmares, haunting me. So…"

"So you just want to find answers quickly, right?" Lip finished for her.

Ethel nodded.

"These feudal, backward ideologies and the stupid church are so damaging!" Lip cursed bitterly.

Lip looked at her sympathetically. "Ethel, you're searching for answers because you were misled. But there's a better way."

"I feel like you're different, Lip. There's a kind of divinity in you that attracts me," Ethel said directly.

"Divinity?"

"Right! It's something based on animal instincts but transcends human nature in a way I can't yet explain."

Lip felt a bit bewildered. Ethel had been thoroughly brainwashed.

Before he could ask more, Kevin's voice rang out, "Ethel, where are you? We're going home!"

"Lip, thank you. Goodbye!" Ethel smiled.

"Okay, goodbye, Ethel," Lip responded with a smile.

As he watched Kevin's family leave, Lip fell into deep thought.

"How can Ethel regain her normal view of the world?"

Lip had his own philosophy on love. He didn't have a virgin complex, but it was better to grow in love, from unfamiliarity to familiarity.

He wanted to love and care for every woman he was with—not out of mere desire, but with genuine connection.

Lip didn't want to be ruled by base instincts.

"I don't want to be a rutting dog who just chases after every pretty face," he thought.

He wanted to be a man who was romantic but not vulgar, passionate but not sentimental.

After watching Ethel leave, Lip realized that some things had to unfold naturally.

He shifted his focus and returned inside, where he found Ian slouched on the sofa, looking down.

"Ian, what's wrong?" Lip sat down across from him, concerned.

Ian blinked, a little lost in thought, before responding, "Nothing."

"Nothing at all?" Lip raised an eyebrow, sniffing the air. "If you say so, but someone clearly enjoys their lovesick pain!"

Lip turned to leave, but Ian looked up, his expression full of longing. "I miss Mickey…"

Lip chuckled, shaking his head fondly.

It seemed he would have to help these two lovers find their way to each other soon.

4o mini