Contrary to what Chen Ye imagined.
Zhiwei’s breakthrough had already awakened the other two disciples.
The window of the side room was pushed open, revealing Qing Jun’s little face filled with indignation, even a few strands of her hair were standing on end.
She stared fixedly at her master in the yard, her big eyes filled with resentment:
"Master! You’re feeling guilty! You don’t even dare to look at Qing Jun!"
Chen Ye’s mouth twitched.
This girl, waking neither early nor late.
She just had to wake up when Chen Ye was complaining, and even happened to hear him speak.
How could there be such a coincidence in the world?
The master said confidently:
"When did I speak ill of you?"
The little girl was shocked, incredulous: "Master, you’re lying with your eyes open! Didn’t you just say that Qing Jun is an idiot!"
Chen Ye let out a cold laugh:
"Who is really lying? Qing Jun, I was asking a question just now, which shows that it’s not really what your master thinks in his heart."
Eh?
Qing Jun’s white cowlick twitched, she bit her finger, trying hard to recall what her master had said earlier.
"Could it be that Qing Jun really is an idiot?" Chen Ye added leisurely.
The little girl nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, you just scolded Qing Jun like that... huh?"
Wait, it really was a question!
Qing Jun’s brain suddenly froze.
If it was a question...
That means the master wasn’t sure either?
Since he wasn’t sure, it means that deep down, the master didn’t think Qing Jun was stupid, he just had a little doubt?
Qing Jun blinked her eyes, feeling like the logic seemed to loop perfectly.
"Then... was master asking the heavens?"
The little girl cautiously poked her head out of the window, trying to find a bit of ground for herself,
"Were you asking if the old heavens think if I’m smart?"
Chen Ye looked at that expectant, silly disciple and held back his laughter, nodding seriously:
"That’s right."
"I saw an unusual movement in the sky, felt something in my heart, and asked it offhandedly. Who would’ve thought the heavens hadn’t even responded when you jumped out yourself to claim it."
Saying this, Chen Ye sighed, looking at her with a hate-for-iron-not-turning-to-steel look:
"Qing Jun, you need to have confidence. You see, subconsciously thinking you’re an idiot is why you thought I was scolding you."
The little girl was dumbfounded.
Is that how it is?
So because I wasn’t confident, I misunderstood my master’s well-meaning intentions?
Qing Jun stepped out dully, twisting the corners of her clothes with her hands, lost in deep self-doubt.
"So... I wrongly blamed master..."
She lowered her head, her voice as soft as a mosquito, guilt made even her cowlick droop down.
That said,
Though it seemed Chen Ye had managed to fool Qing Jun, appearing to have barely won the round.
Seeing her looking so pitiful, his heart softened instantly.
Chen Ye, oh Chen Ye, are you even human?
Competing with a mere little girl!
Without saying anything, Chen Ye stepped forward.
"Mas-Master?"
In Qing Jun’s surprised eyes, Chen Ye stretched out both hands, pinched her soft armpits, and like pulling a radish, lifted the little girl who only reached his chest!
Then, Chen Ye buried his face into the little girl’s neck and cheeks that smelled like milk.
And began to crazily snuggle!
"Uh! Mas-Master! The beard! It stings!"
"Ah—stop shaking!"
Qing Jun dangled in mid-air, her two little short legs helplessly kicking around.
Chen Ye ignored it all, rubbing against his disciple’s smooth egg-like face, as he murmured indistinctly:
"Our Qing Jun is the smartest! I was just speaking nonsense earlier! Anyone dares say Qing Jun is stupid, I’ll smash their dog head!"
Feeling itchy from her master’s slightly bristly chin, Qing Jun’s fair face turned crimson, right up to her earlobes.
"Master! Let me down! How does this look..."
Even though she was still protesting in a whiny voice, her small hands only gave a symbolic push on Chen Ye’s shoulder, not exerting even a bit of strength.
After those little legs stopped kicking, she couldn’t help but let a small smile curve her lips.
Hum.
As long as Qing Jun pretends to be foolish, her master will just come willingly!
Furthermore, for master to hold Qing Jun so tightly, it must mean she’s more important to him than the senior sister who’s always sternly cultivating!
The little girl closed her eyes, quietly leaning her head on Chen Ye’s shoulder, feeling as if she’d just eaten honey, so sweet, even her drooping cowlick perked up, cheerfully swaying.
But,
Before she could fully enjoy it,
A cool voice quietly came: "If master is done hugging, may I give my report?"
Hmm?
Speaking of which, today is Zhiwei’s big day, I really shouldn’t keep sticking to Qing Jun.
Chen Ye calmly placed Qing Jun back on the ground, and helped arrange her hair, then turned around.
"Ahem."
He cleared his throat, standing with hands behind his back,
"I was just checking your junior sister’s cultivation progress, don’t overthink it."
Zhiwei: "...I understand."
But, master surely wouldn’t examine her cultivation like that.
She felt a bit disheartened.
Though life now is much, much better than before.
Yet sometimes, she actually misses the snowy nights at Yunxi Lake District.
Back then, master would carry her in one arm, Qing Jun in the other, walking leisurely through the wind and snow, telling interesting stories.
The eldest disciple rarely lets emotions show.