“...”
Wen Li fell silent; she had been talking a bit too much today.
She said casually, “Don't ask about grown-up matters, child. Alright, go and get some rest.”
“Oh...” Zongzheng Huangyue muttered. That confirmed it.
For a moment, Zongzheng Huangyue didn't know which was more likely: encountering a Demon Monk while out alone, or having enemies come knocking on their door while staying by her master's side.
Once Zongzheng Huangyue had left to rest, a certain thought crossed Wen Li’s mind. She scratched her head in annoyance. What a sin.
If it weren't for the fact that her sixth disciple was in the Southern Province, she really wouldn't want to set foot here again.
***
Late at night.
Wen Li was lying down, asleep.
Suddenly, an extremely faint knocking sound came from the door, as if someone were tapping it with a leaf.
Such a half-hearted attempt was worse than not knocking at all.
Wen Li’s breathing remained steady on the bed, and there was no movement in the dark room.
Creak.
The door was pushed open a second later.
A dark, fluffy ball of fur sneaked in from the doorway. He had specially removed the silver bells from his head and placed them in his storage bag beforehand, waddling forward with his short legs and shaking his little bottom as he moved.
The little black ball looked up. Seeing that Wen Li was sleeping soundly, he made a leap, intending to jump onto the bed.
“Ah!”
An afterimage flashed by, and the black fluffball was instantly swatted against the wall.
He slid straight down.
“What are you doing up in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?”
Wen Li sat up, seemingly yawning in a daze, but her eyes were clear. Otherwise, given how this brat had dared to barge into her room without a word, he would have been sliced into thin strips by the arrays and talismans at the door the moment he entered.
“Ugh, Master, I can't sleep. I'm scared...”
The black fluffball on the floor instantly transformed into a beautiful child dressed in exquisite clothing, his narrow phoenix eyes drooping.
Wen Li’s expression was calm. “If you can't sleep, hit yourself with a stick. If you can't bring yourself to do it, I'll help you.”
Hearing this, Hua Cishu pouted and walked toward Wen Li. He leaned his hands on the edge of the bed and stuck out his bottom, acting cute. Tears welled up in his eyes instantly, hanging at the corners. The red beauty mark under his left eye made his small face look exceptionally beautiful.
“Master~ Waaa, you know that I’ve had no father or mother since I was little. I lived alone in the Demonic Marshes. It wasn't easy to find you, Master, and I can never sleep peacefully at night. I'm so afraid that I'll wake up and find you gone, that you don't want me anymore. Master, I stole that Yan Yurong’s things today. Do you hate me now?”
Since arriving in the Fengyin Kingdom, his master hadn't spoken to him much.
Wen Li raised her hand to rub her aching forehead and spoke with patience. “No, you're overthinking it. It's just that I looked at those stolen goods... he’s so poor even his underwear has holes. If you’re going to steal, you should find someone rich. I’m just a bit exhausted from the days of fleeing from the Eastern Province to the Southern Province.”
That Yan Yurong hadn't thrown away his holey underwear; he had actually kept it in a treasure box that was locked! She had thought it was some peerless treasure and excitedly picked the lock. Thankfully, she hadn't reached out to grab it directly.
Hua Cishu was stunned. “...” Was that what his master was focused on?
It wasn't that he had caused trouble for her.
“Master... I’ll remember that.”
Hua Cishu sniffled. Although his red hair had been dyed black, his appearance remained incredibly beautiful. He didn't have any baby fat; his exquisite, sharp features made him look like a foreign doll.
“Since your doubts are cleared, go to sleep.”
Wen Li lowered her hand and sat on the edge of the bed, yawning.
Hua Cishu knew that Wen Li liked this face of his the most. The tears hanging from his eyes made him look even more fragile and handsome. He asked timidly, “Master... I'm still scared. I don't want to sleep alone.” The way the child blinked his tearful eyes was enough to make anyone’s heart soften with pity.
“?”
Wait!
However, Wen Li’s mind cleared instantly, and her tone became serious.
“No. There is a difference between men and women. Sleep by yourself.”
How could she not hear the implication in this brat's words? He wanted to sleep with her.
Teacher-student romance warning! Absolutely not!
Children must establish gender boundaries from a young age. She could never allow anything borderline under the guise of family affection. If there was even a spark, she would have to blast it with a water cannon!
Wen Li directly grabbed Hua Cishu by the collar, her tone fierce like a bully's. “Do you still remember the First Sect Rule?”
“I-I remember...”
Hua Cishu was stunned by her sudden change in tone and spoke cautiously.
“What is it?”
“Do not betray the Master or the sect, do not fall in love with the Master, do not discriminate against any evil cultivators, demonic paths, or the Hehuan Sect, and always pull up the weeds and the roots when killing.”
“Good.” Wen Li nodded with a serious expression. “Remember, when it comes to romance, you can like snakes, insects, rats, ants, men, or women, as you please. But you are not allowed to engage in any teacher-student romance, or I'll lash you!”
Hua Cishu’s pupils froze. No one had ever taught him the difference between romance and teacher-student romance. He only knew to nod obediently and remember Wen Li’s words. However...
“Master, even if you want to lash me, I am willing!”
Hua Cishu’s eyes lit up. He felt that this was Wen Li’s unique reward for him, a special affection that other disciples didn't have. It was just like when Wen Li made him dig holes; he didn't think she was enslaving him. He even felt that only this could show his usefulness.
It really wasn't any kind of romantic feeling; he simply wanted to please Wen Li and wanted her to treat him differently from the other disciples.
“Hey!” Is this right?!
Wen Li’s hand shook with anger at his words, and she was so startled her face became a living meme. She let him go, letting him drop to the floor. “No, where did you learn such an idea?”
This kid was something else at such a young age.
“Th-these were things told to me by the demons I played with when I was in the Demon Race.”
Hua Cishu observed her expression. Seeing that she didn't show the affection he had imagined, his heart sank. He spoke up carefully after some deliberation.
“They said they were making friends with me and playing games. I was responsible for playing the part of a demon beast. They would sit on a cart and I would pull it. They would whip me and play with me. They said that was a sign of liking me. So if Master lashes me, that is also a sign of liking me. I am willing to be friends with Master.”
“...”
Wen Li was speechless. Damn this dog-shit plot. Child abuse again. They should all be rounded up and hacked to pieces!
She pulled Hua Cishu, who was looking cautious for fear of making her angry, to sit on the edge of the bed. She raised her hand to brush out his slightly messy hair, took the silver bell chain from his storage bag, and re-braided a bunch of small braids for him.
“They were bullying you, not being your friends. They aren't worthy. The next time someone says that hurting you, causing you pain, or making you uncomfortable is 'playing' with you, take out the explosive talismans I gave you and blow them to bits. Also, isn't your saliva poisonous? It’s impolite for children to spit everywhere, but you can drink more water normally and urinate into a bottle. When you encounter that kind of person, just throw it at them and poison them to death.”
Fortunately, the System had gone to sleep. Otherwise, it would have complained that she was teaching the child nonsense and corrupting the villain again.
Rate on N.U.
