Yan Zhen racked his brains but still couldn’t remember. A trace of unease crept into his heart.
He shifted slightly, trying to sit up, only to startle Mentor Yu Xuan, who had been sleeping lightly.
The beauty sleeping amid the crabapple blossoms in spring slowly opened her eyes. Seeing Yan Zhen staring blankly at her, her lovely face bore the lazy allure of someone just waking. She asked softly, “You’re awake, Yan Zhen. Does your head still hurt?”
Yan Zhen’s big, sparkling eyes met hers. “It’s much better now.”
“Really? That’s wonderful. You nearly scared me to death this morning.”
Mentor Yu Xuan seemed to still be shaken. Her slender hand gently caressed the side of Yan Zhen’s face, her thumb brushing lightly across his skin. Her sapphire-blue eyes brimmed with tenderness.
“As long as you’re okay.”
She murmured the words, then gave a faint smile. It was an infinitely gentle expression, like that of a kindhearted big sister next door or a warm auntie from across the way—the sort that could tug at the heartstrings of any innocent young man.
Fortunately, after enduring the daily charms of his Beautiful Master, Yan Zhen had built up a strong resistance. He felt only a slight flutter.
“Sorry for worrying you, Mentor… Have you been taking care of me here the whole time?”
“Mm… Ah?”
Mentor Yu Xuan finally seemed to snap out of it. Her long lashes fluttered like butterfly wings. She glanced at Yan Zhen’s face, so close to hers, then down at her legs still wedged between his knees. Her jade-like complexion flushed red, as if she’d smeared on too much rouge.
She suddenly tensed her graceful, curvaceous body and stammered an explanation. “Yan Zhen, don’t get the wrong idea! I didn’t mean to—I only did it because… well, you know…”
It was the first time Yan Zhen had seen Mentor Yu Xuan so flustered, like a little girl blaming herself for a mistake. She was utterly adorable.
He knew he definitely shouldn’t laugh in a situation like this, but he couldn’t help the grin tugging at his lips.
“Mentor, why don’t you calm down first?”
Seeing his half-smiling expression, she grew so embarrassed that she covered her burning cheeks with both hands. In a fit of self-resignation, she said, “You were the one who said you wanted me to hold you while you slept, so that’s why I lay down with you like this.”
That was true… but why would I have…? Yan Zhen felt a bit awkward. He smiled faintly. “I figured as much. Thank you, Mentor.”
Mentor Yu Xuan’s heart raced even faster, her mood brightening in spite of herself. It felt like Yan Zhen could effortlessly sway both her body and soul.
—Don’t smile at your mentor like that, you little bad egg who loves stirring up trouble.
She turned her face away, slipped on her shoes, and got out of bed. Her movements were so quick it was as if her rear had been scalded.
“Since you’re fine now, I’ll be going.”
“Sure.”
Grrrowl.
Yan Zhen’s stomach suddenly let out a massive rumble, like a starving beast roaring awake toward the heavens.
Mentor Yu Xuan paused mid-step. Glancing back at his troubled expression as he clutched his belly, she felt like she’d scored a point. With a chuckle, she said, “I’ll head to the kitchen and make some food. Why don’t you take a bath first, Yan Zhen? It should be ready by the time you’re done.”
With that, she left his room with light, cheerful steps.
Yan Zhen patted his cheeks and sat up. He had a vague feeling that there was something important he still needed to do, but his mind was foggy, and he couldn’t pin it down.
Whatever. No use worrying about it now.
He grabbed a clean set of clothes from the wardrobe and dragged his heavy limbs toward the bathroom.
After rinsing off under the faucet, Yan Zhen stepped into the bathtub and sank his body into the hot water.
“Haaah—”
He let out a long breath, as if expelling all the fatigue from his mind.
At that moment, the crystal pendant around his neck suddenly grew warm. A summoning intent from his Beautiful Master flooded into his mind.
Yan Zhen finally realized what he’d forgotten: to explain to his Beautiful Master why he hadn’t returned last night for her head massage.
“I have a bad feeling I’m in for a scolding.”
No longer in the mood for a soak, he planned to head back to his room and apologize right away.
But just as he started to rise from the water, his palm grew hot. The Star Shifting Fire Seal activated on its own, generating a mystic power that sucked him straight into the Crystal Stone Space.
“Oh no, the Beautiful Master is mad!”
With a splash, Yan Zhen’s naked, dripping-wet body tumbled onto the stone bed at the center altar. His head landed squarely between a pair of elegantly curved, beautiful legs.
His chin knocked against the fair, soft flesh of her thigh. There was no pain at all—in fact, it felt incredibly comfortable.
Yan Zhen looked up. His gaze traveled up the black silk nightgown, past the transcendent G-cup peaks, until it met his Beautiful Master’s eyes. He swallowed hard.
“Master…”
Chen Xi’s face was expressionless as she gazed calmly down at her disciple sprawled across her lap. In a flat voice, she said, “Zhen’er, where have you been? Your master waited for you a long time.”
Yan Zhen put on his most adorable, puppy-dog face and said obediently, “Master, I was wrong.”
“What was your mistake?”
Chen Xi flicked her finger. A thread of mystic power landed on Yan Zhen’s soaked body, instantly evaporating every drop of water.
Now dry and comfortable, Yan Zhen didn’t hesitate. “I shouldn’t have ghosted you without a word, Master. I let down your kind intentions.”
Chen Xi’s expression didn’t change. Her five fingers gently stroked over Yan Zhen’s head, combing through his silky hair as if he were a little pet.
“Then why didn’t you come back, Zhen’er?”
“Because… after eating the night snack, it was too late. I didn’t want to disturb your rest, Master. And the symptoms weren’t that bad this time, so I thought I’d tough it out. I didn’t expect to fail and sleep the whole day away.”
Yan Zhen came clean, hoping his Beautiful Master would go easy on him.
Chen Xi gripped his shoulders and flipped him over with a slight exertion.
“M-Master?”
Yan Zhen was mortified, his face flushing crimson. After all, he was buck naked. Facing downward had been fine, but flat on his back like this, the long-trunked little elephant wouldn’t stay hidden for long.
He instinctively moved to cover himself, but his Beautiful Master grabbed a sheet from nearby and draped it over him.
“You’re sure you slept a full day? Normally, Zhen’er, you should’ve woken up in pain by morning.”
As she spoke, Chen Xi began massaging his temples. Clearly, she knew his condition inside and out.
With her fingers pressing and kneading just right, the hangover-like ache in his head eased dramatically. It was like biting into a chilled watermelon on a scorching day—the cool relief spread through his whole body, letting him gradually unwind.
Yan Zhen exhaled softly. He sneaked a glance at his Beautiful Master and saw her face still blank, not her usual subtle smile. He didn’t dare let his guard down. More obedient than a little puppy, he said, “To report to Master, this disciple did wake up in pain this morning, but I fell right back asleep soon after.”
—You little slicker, calling yourself ‘this disciple’ now.
The corner of Chen Xi’s mouth curved almost imperceptibly.
“If you woke up in pain, why didn’t you come find your master?”
“Eheh, it just didn’t cross my mind right away.”
No sooner had he spoken than his Beautiful Master pinched his ear. Her tender fingertips rubbed back and forth over his earlobe. It tickled, but it felt like she might twist at any second.
—Oh crap, wrong answer!
A bead of cold sweat formed on Yan Zhen’s forehead. He quickly realized his blunder:
Not thinking of his Beautiful Master first thing meant he hadn’t put her at the top of his priorities. The mark of a failed disciple!
But she hadn’t punished him yet, so there was still a chance to try again.
—Come on, brain, think!
