Chapter 285 - 112: Chu Keqing’s Decision (8200 words)_4
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Among everyone, only three people could enjoy the privilege of a private room: Chu Keqing and Chen Yan.
Plus Chu Keqing’s assistant, Xiaocai—by the way, Chen Yan still didn’t know the full name of this assistant Xiaocai.
Xiaocai got a private room purely because she was handling things for Chu Keqing and needed to be by her side at all times to await orders.
The main group stayed in the Zen rooms in the west courtyard, while the private rooms were in the backyard, which had a two-story wooden building.
The two courtyards were separated by a low wall about as tall as a person, and the wall was covered with some unknown creeping vines.
The first floor of the wooden building was a hall plus a bedroom—the bedroom was given to Xiaocai.
The two private bedrooms on the second floor were assigned to Chen Yan and Chu Keqing.
Seeing this arrangement, Chen Yan couldn’t help but sigh, "With this arrangement, when I go back to the academy, I won’t be able to fit in with everyone. Who knows what they’ll speculate about my identity behind my back."
"Maybe they’ll think you’re my boy toy?" Chu Keqing, blushing but emboldened, made a joke and then cautiously observed Chen Yan’s reaction. Seeing that this "senior" was not angry, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Chu Keqing quickly added, "Actually, you don’t need to worry. Anyway, this training class will end after this trip, and all these students will leave the academy. With everyone gone, it won’t matter what they think."
Chen Yan shook his head; he truly didn’t care much about this.
Although they had just arrived at the mountain temple that day, the Zen Meditation Class emphasized frugality and self-cultivation. Regardless of the reality, this was what they advocated on the surface, so naturally, they wouldn’t let everyone feel too comfortable like tourists.
After a brief rest in the afternoon, they had an evening class in the temple’s guest hall.
As the head of the academy, Chu Keqing personally taught all the students some breathing techniques, and then everyone meditated for an hour during the evening class to calm their minds.
Chen Yan naturally didn’t participate in such boring and childish activities. He just lay in his room to rest.
It wasn’t comfortable either... he wasn’t used to sleeping on tatami.
So he simply sat by the window, opened it to let the cool mountain air flow in, brought a chair upstairs, placed it by the windowsill, and quietly sat there, channeling his Primordial Qi.
Until the sun set and the sky turned completely dark, he heard the noise of people outside the window in the front courtyard, signaling that the evening class had ended and the students were returning to their rooms to rest.
A moment later, Chen Yan heard footsteps coming from the stairs outside his door, followed by a knock on his door.
Chen Yan walked over and opened the door, only to be stunned.
Chu Keqing stood quietly at the door, wearing a snow-white long robe, her hair tied with a ribbon, draping softly over her left shoulder—this hairstyle really highlighted the gentle curves of her face.
What surprised Chen Yan was that Chu Keqing was holding a tray.
"Is this... beef?" Chen Yan was somewhat surprised. "Did you bring it?"
"Yes." Chu Keqing smiled. "I bought Wagyu beef steaks in Tokyo when we got off the plane and brought them all the way here. When I was giving the evening class, I asked Xiaocai to secretly cook the steaks in the kitchen."
Chen Yan laughed, "Eating steak in a place like this?"
"This isn’t a real monk temple," Chu Keqing shook her head. The expression on the old woman’s face unexpectedly revealed some girlish cuteness. "Since it’s my sham place, why not have some steak? Besides, I promised that if the senior was willing to come to Japan with me, I’d treat the senior to the best Japanese Wagyu beef!"
The steak was cooked nicely, medium-well—too rare wouldn’t suit Chen Yan’s taste.
Assistant Xiaocai worked hard... Chen Yan thought to himself.
The authentic Wagyu beef had very tender meat, mainly due to the fat content in the muscle fibers, making it feel smooth and luscious in the mouth.
Chen Yan let out a contented sigh after eating a piece of steak—his mouth was filled with the taste of money!
Chu Keqing squinted and smiled, seeing Chen Yan eat happily. She even thoughtfully made him a cup of tea and handed it to him.
"If the senior finds the taste acceptable, I can have a batch sent to your home?"
Chen Yan thought for a moment and shook his hand. "No need, it’s tasty, but having it every day would get tiring."
Chu Keqing thought for a moment, her eyes scanning the room, then suddenly said, "The senior moved in today, and the room hasn’t been cleaned yet, right? It’s already night, let me help you..."
"No need." Chen Yan perked up a bit, pretending to be relaxed, and waved his hand. "Well, after resting this afternoon, I’ve gotten lazy—why don’t you get me a bowl of clear water?"
"...Ah? Alright!"
A moment later, Chu Keqing brought a bowl of clear water. Chen Yan, fully embodying the demeanor of a "senior," casually took the water, dipped his hand in it, and pointed towards the room!
A "Dust-removal Skill" was completed in golden light very quickly!
Looking at the spotless room, the floor polished enough to reflect their images... and then at the bowl of now blackened water in Chen Yan’s hand—Chu Keqing’s eyes widened, filled with enthusiastic wonder as she gazed at Chen Yan.
Hmm... that’s more like it.
Chen Yan felt secretly pleased.
Showing off is a fundamental human need!
And showing off requires someone to appreciate it to be truly enjoyable.
Chu Keqing was perfect for that.
At home, when Chen Yan used the Dust-removal Skill, Gu Qingyi would just ask: "When did you learn that?"