Subsequently, there was a long lecture that seemed endless.
Zhang Chuxi was completely unaware of how she returned to her seat, nor did she know what Chen Ye talked about in that long two-hour period.
She only felt the occasional gaze from the man on her, making her feel as if she was sitting on pins and needles.
Finally.
"Today’s class, that’s it for now."
With a command from Chen Ye, all the disciples felt as if they were pardoned and quickly rose to salute and leave.
As they passed by Zhang Chuxi, their eyes varied — some sympathetic, some admiring — but none dared to speak more and quickly left this place of trouble.
In just moments,
The large Baopu Hall was left with only Chen Ye and the girl in a white dress standing alone.
The hall doors were not fully closed.
The afternoon sun slanted in, dust dancing in the beams.
The silence was terrifying.
Zhang Chuxi hung her head, her fingers tightly twisting her sleeves.
She was waiting.
Waiting for that storm-like humiliation, or... the kind of treatment that made her feel ashamed and angry, yet unable to resist.
Would she be... pressed on the lesson plan again?
She mumbled to herself, feeling her legs trembling uncontrollably. She didn’t want to show fear, but her legs refused to obey.
So scared!
Not only that, but even her palms and rear faintly ached.
If her performance didn’t meet his expectations, he would use the teaching ruler to punish her again...
Scenes from the past swarmed in her mind.
Zhang Chuxi felt inexplicably hot.
Footsteps sounded.
Chen Ye stepped down from the podium, walking towards her step by step.
The familiar sense of pressure approached, Zhang Chuxi’s body trembled unconsciously, she closed her eyes tightly, her eyelashes quivering.
"Hold out your hand."
Chen Ye’s voice was calm.
Zhang Chuxi was startled, seeing Chen Ye looking at her calmly, holding a roll of bamboo slip.
She instinctively reached out her hands.
Slap.
The bamboo slip gently landed on her palm, not painful, but it left her dumbfounded.
"Since you were late, there must be a penalty."
Chen Ye pointed to the desk beside him, solemnly said,
"Since you said this Floating Cloud Brocade is used for comprehending formation paths, then you shall transcribe ’Explanation of Water Formation’ ten times here, and write a reflection on the guidance of Water Spiritual Qi."
"Finish it, or no meals, no going back."
Zhang Chuxi was stunned.
She lifted her head in shock, her starry eyes filled with disbelief:
"Just... just like this?"
No verbal humiliation?
No physical touching?
Not even the ambiguous hints from the podium earlier were present?
Seeing her dumbfounded expression, Chen Ye couldn’t help but chuckle, raising his brow slightly:
"Otherwise? What do you want?"
He slightly leaned forward, getting a bit closer to Zhang Chuxi, watching her panic retreat, and teased,
"Did you think this instructor would take advantage of the situation when no one was around to do something untoward?"
Zhang Chuxi, caught in thought, blushed furiously and stammered:
"I... disciple..."
Chen Ye straightened up, brushed his sleeve, and remained calm.
"Is this instructor that kind of person?"
He stood against the light, his posture as upright as pine, his voice clear,
"In the classroom, we are merely disciples and instructors. Since you made a mistake, you will be handled according to sect rules. I, Chen Ye, separate public and private matters clearly, never sacrificing the former for the latter, nor committing the opportunistic acts of a petty man."
Of course.
In Chen Ye’s heart, there was another calculation:
"The scare earlier left you weak and tearful, so that debt of Spirit Stone extortion can be considered repaid with interest."
"I, Chen Ye, am not one to leave grudges unresolved."
As for,
The things he did to bully Zhang Chuxi in the past, he wouldn’t do them anymore.
After all.
Now Chen Ye has a partner!
He is very fond of that stiff-mouthed, soft-hearted True Inheritor Jin Mao and wouldn’t dare do anything to make her sad.
Chen Ye mused to himself:
"It was initially to vent for my apprentice, coupled with Zhang Chuxi’s own provocation... I wasn’t one to remain unmoved, especially while practicing the Heart-Burning Technique. How could I resist?"
Zhang Chuxi had no idea of Chen Ye’s calculations.
So... was she judging him by her own low standards?
No!
That’s not right!
This man is a lecher!
Otherwise, why would he bully her back then?
Wait, back then it seemed... it seemed like she was the one who provoked him!
Once this point was understood,
Zhang Chuxi’s vision darkened, she hopelessly realized, in front of this man, she had no reason to speak.
On the contrary, it made the man seem increasingly bright and noble.
Even if she once provoked him, he treated her impartially, deliberately not mentioning that day’s events.
The girl slightly raised her head, looking at the man’s solemn and handsome profile.
At this moment,
He was furrowing his brows, seemingly contemplating how to educate this disobedient disciple.
Thud.
Zhang Chuxi suddenly felt her heart skip a beat.
She quickly lowered her head, hiding her panic:
"Yes... disciple accepts the penalty."
"The pupil is teachable." Chen Ye nodded.
...
Life at Baopu Peak suddenly became extremely peaceful, even to the point of monotonous predictability.
Zhang Chuxi indeed became much more obedient.
Just...
A bit too obedient.
In front of Chen Ye, she didn’t even dare to raise her head, acting timidly.
But you see,
This is quite strange.
Zhang Chuxi always paid great attention to her image in front of outsiders, even in the past when Chen Ye punished her most severely, she maintained an unyielding and respectful attitude towards him.
Regarding all of this, Chen Ye observed, but did not comment. After all, Zhang Chuxi not bothering him was a good thing.