No matter what Steward Liu’s intentions were, Chen Ye didn’t care.
This was the confidence the puppet gave him!
After briefly familiarizing himself with the Herb Pavilion of Peach Mountain District, Chen Ye did not immediately set off for Lisong Valley but instead bid farewell to Steward Liu and headed into the Peach Mountain District.
He wanted to take advantage of the nice weather today to take the two little girls for a good stroll and relax their tense minds a bit.
It’s worth noting that even Chen Ye, a grown man, felt somewhat mentally exhausted, let alone the two little girls?
Recently, they had gone through various upheavals, coupled with long periods of intensive training and several days of travel; the two apprentices truly deserved some relaxation.
Balancing work and leisure is the key to longevity.
Moreover, he, as their master, indeed owed them a lot.
Upon reflection, since leaving Yunxi District, he hadn’t really taken them out for a fun time.
Thinking of this, Chen Ye felt guilty. After all, they were just two little children, at an age eager to play around...
"Master, where are we going?"
Qing Jun, holding Zhiwei with one hand and a half-eaten piece of Dragon Beard Cake in the other, asked curiously with a face dusted with some cake crumbs.
The clever little girl started to think: "Could it be... our master is in trouble again and needs Qing Jun and senior sister to help? Ah, what a useless master!"
After scolding the master, the little girl quickly hid behind her senior sister, peeking out with half an eye, secretly observing her master’s expression, ready to admit defeat at any moment.
But oddly, Qing Jun found that her master didn’t get angry after being scolded!
Instead, his smile became even more gentle?
Even Xu Qingjun, who prided herself on being the smartest girl in Chen Ye’s household, was puzzled by this.
Could it be that the master likes being scolded?
It’s really strange... It’s the first time seeing anyone smile after being scolded.
Chen Ye sighed, feeling even more guilty within.
The rare occasion he took the two apprentices out to play, Qing Jun still thought it was because of some trouble...
It’s all because of him, the master, who failed to provide the two apprentices with a stable cultivation environment and rarely played with them.
Just as Chen Ye was about to explain.
The little girl squinted her eyes: "Stinky master!"
Chen Ye maintained a smile: "?"
Seeing the smile, the little girl suddenly realized and angrily stated: "Blame the master! The strangest master in the world!"
Chen Ye’s smile turned stiff: "..."
The little girl, full of self-satisfaction: "Why are you looking at Qing Jun? Taoist Chen, quickly reel in your green eyes! Otherwise, Qing Jun will poke your... your eyes out!"
It was quite frustrating for Qing Jun, having a master who seemed to enjoy being insulted!
However, before the little girl could relish her triumph for long,
Her master suddenly raised a fist as big as a stew pot, with a very grim face!
Oh no, the master is angry!
Last time when Qing Jun got her bottom smacked, the master had the same expression!
In the blink of an eye, once proudly self-claimed the smartest girl Qing Jun, seeing the stew pot-sized fist, her face turned white in a "swish".
No time to think, like a little flying sword, she darted out, hugging onto Chen Ye’s leg, lifting her cute and delicate little face, pleading pitifully: "Master, Qing Jun was wrong; I won’t dare again!"
The trace of anger in Chen Ye’s heart was instantly dispelled by Qing Jun’s animal-like gaze.
This little girl, couldn’t bear to hit her, but without discipline would cause more trouble...
He sighed and slowly put down his fist.
The little girl secretly breathed a sigh of relief; she just knew, the master wouldn’t dare to hit her!
Keep in mind, the master is getting older, while Qing Jun is growing up.
Presumably, the master feared future retribution from her!
But... no matter how good the master treats her, she must get back at him in the future!
Thinking about how to have her way with the master in the future, the little girl almost laughed out loud with joy.
Chen Ye, unaware of Qing Jun’s thoughts, glanced between the two little girls.
These days, they had grown a lot taller, and the clothes bought back in Yunxi District had become somewhat short.
"Even if the master were in trouble, how could you help? The master is taking you to buy some new clothes and get some little trinkets that girls like." Chen Ye glanced at the amused Qing Jun and then at the silent Zhiwei, explaining offhandedly.
"Buy new clothes?"
Qing Jun’s eyes moved, slowly exiting her daydream—in her imaginings, the master was very tragically old!
Upon hearing the words ’new clothes’, her eyes immediately lit up. She promptly shoved the Dragon Beard Cake into Zhiwei’s hands and, with delight, spun in a circle in front of Chen Ye,
"Great! Qing Jun wants to wear a dress with lots and lots of pretty lace! And a necklace of those glowing beads!"
Girls, after all, love to look beautiful.
Chen Ye nodded, agreeing to Qing Jun’s request.
Zhiwei quietly put away the half-piece of Dragon Beard Cake, her dark eyes glancing at her slightly worn cloth dress before looking at her master and gently shaking her head: "Master, Zhiwei’s clothes are still wearable, no need to spend."
"Nonsense, the master isn’t poor, why save just a bit of Spiritual Sand?"
Chen Ye solemnly said, reaching out to tidy her slightly messy stray hair at the temple,
"How could my Chen Ye’s apprentice dress so shabbily? This matter is up to the master to decide."
Feeling her master’s big hand, Zhiwei lowered her head, saying nothing further, though her small hand quietly clutched her dress hem tightly.
She didn’t mean to be frugal; she simply didn’t care about the quality of the clothes.
Moreover, she was someone who became attached to old things. Even clothes worn for a long time would have sentimental value.
Besides... these clothes were also bought by the master for them.