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Dai Chengfeng stopped in his tracks, the teasing smile on his face fading slightly as he adopted a seemingly sincere expression.
He leaned forward slightly, placing both hands on the arms of Liu Erlong's chair, forming a half-circle that trapped her between the chair and himself…
The distance was close enough for him to clearly smell her faint, delicate fragrance.
"Teacher," Dai Chengfeng began, his voice deeper than before, carrying a hint of coaxing.
"Earlier, this disciple acted rashly and angered you."
"However, with such a long day ahead, wouldn't it be dull for Teacher to stay alone in the courtyard?"
"Why not… go out for a walk?"
"I've heard that several new shops have opened in the city, offering some interesting novelties."
Liu Erlong hadn't expected Dai Chengfeng to make this suggestion. She hesitated for a moment, then turned her face away, firmly rejecting:
"No! I'm not interested in wandering around with you."
Her mind was in turmoil, feeling both humiliated by the earlier intimate contact and experiencing an inexplicable flutter…
At this moment, she just wanted to be alone and sort out this tangled mess.
Dai Chengfeng wasn't surprised by her rejection; if Liu Erlong had readily agreed, that would have been strange.
He didn't give up but moved closer, almost whispering in her ear, his warm breath brushing against her sensitive earlobe:
"Teacher, consider it an opportunity for me to apologize?"
"Besides, you drank so much last night and only had some plain porridge today. Going out for a walk and getting some fresh air will do your body good."
"I said no means no! Hurry up and leave!" Liu Erlong still refused.
However, Dai Chengfeng had been observing Liu Erlong's expressions and noticed that this time she wasn't as resolute as before—she was just struggling with her pride.
He straightened up, sighed, and his tone carried a touch of well-measured disappointment:
"Alright, since Teacher is unwilling, this disciple won't insist."
After saying this, he made a move as if to turn and leave, his steps slow, as if each step carried regret.
Liu Erlong watched his back, her heart in conflict.
Staying alone in the courtyard would inevitably lead to overthinking, recalling the scorching hand under the table and the entangled ankle…
Perhaps going out for a walk could help clear her mind?
She bit her lower lip, and just as Dai Chengfeng's hand was about to touch the door latch, she finally couldn't hold back, speaking with a mix of anger and reluctance:
"Stop!"
Dai Chengfeng paused, a triumphant smile flickering across his lips, quickly concealed. Then he slowly turned around, feigning "confusion" as he looked at Liu Erlong:
"Teacher? Do you have any other instructions?"
Liu Erlong kept a stern face, stood up, and tried to make her tone sound calm and indifferent, as if reluctantly granting a favor:
"…I suddenly feel a bit stuffy indoors. It might be nice to go out for a walk, just… to digest the food."
She gave herself a lame excuse, even finding it unconvincing herself.
Dai Chengfeng readily accepted, immediately showing a delighted smile.
"Teacher is wise! This disciple also believes that taking a walk after a meal is beneficial for both body and mind."
He stepped aside to let her pass, "Teacher, please."
Liu Erlong snorted, deliberately ignoring the sly glint in his eyes, and walked out of the kitchen first.
...
Tian Dou City was still bustling and noisy.
The streets were filled with carriages and people, and the various cries of vendors and conversations formed a lively urban symphony.
Liu Erlong and Dai Chengfeng walked side by side on the bustling street.
Liu Erlong deliberately maintained a distance of about half an arm, looking straight ahead, seemingly uninterested in everything around her.
But Dai Chengfeng keenly noticed that her gaze occasionally swept over roadside stalls selling women's accessories or cosmetics, though fleeting, revealing a natural curiosity.
Dai Chengfeng chuckled inwardly; his teacher, though outwardly strong and fiery, was ultimately still a woman.
He didn't point it out but subtly guided their path, occasionally slowing down in front of some seemingly exquisite and interesting shops.
"Teacher, look at that store's clothes; the colors seem nice," Dai Chengfeng pointed to a lavishly decorated shop.
Liu Erlong glanced at it—it was indeed beautiful.
But she quickly averted her gaze and gruffly said, "Too flashy, not practical."
Dai Chengfeng didn't mind and pointed to a nearby stall selling candy figurines: "Teacher, want some candy figurines? They look quite interesting."
Liu Erlong glared at him: "Do you think I'm a three-year-old?"
Dai Chengfeng rubbed his nose and smiled: "This disciple just thought that Teacher might like this kind of sweet treat."
Liu Erlong didn't respond, but her pace unconsciously slowed as she watched the artisan skillfully shape various lifelike small animals, her eyes slightly flickering.
Seeing this, Dai Chengfeng went over, bought a rabbit-shaped candy figurine, and handed it to Liu Erlong:
"Try it? They say eating something sweet can make you feel better when you're in a bad mood."
Liu Erlong looked at the crystal-clear sugar rabbit, then at Dai Chengfeng's smiling face. After hesitating for a moment, she took it, muttering softly:
"Meddlesome."
Then she carefully licked it, the sweet taste melting on her tongue, seemingly dissipating some of the gloom in her chest.
Dai Chengfeng watched her nibble on the candy figurine. Though her face still showed reluctance, her eyes softened considerably.
He didn't say more, just quietly accompanied her, enjoying this rare relaxed atmosphere.
As they walked and stopped intermittently, Liu Erlong's tense body gradually relaxed, and the distance between her and Dai Chengfeng unconsciously shortened.
She even began to actively look at the shops along the street, occasionally commenting on some novel things.
Dai Chengfeng felt pleased, thinking he had made the right move today.
Just then…
Two figures in the crowd ahead caught Dai Chengfeng's attention sharply.
They were two somewhat peculiar-looking people.
In front was a rather thin figure, dressed in a plain-colored robe, the style somewhat old-fashioned but washed very clean.
He had long black hair loosely tied with a simple wooden pin, a few strands falling beside his cheeks.
His profile lines were soft, and his skin was fair.
Dai Chengfeng frowned slightly; this person gave him a vague sense of familiarity, but judging by his physique and demeanor, he clearly appeared to be… a woman?
A woman with a scholarly and somewhat effeminate air.
Seemingly aware of Dai Chengfeng's gaze, the person turned around.
Upon seeing the face clearly, Dai Chengfeng's pupils contracted slightly, and his heart surged with shock!
Yu Xiaogang!
It was Yu Xiaogang!
But the Yu Xiaogang before him was completely different from the image in his memory!
Gone was the always somewhat gloomy, unkempt man with a short beard and a slightly dark complexion—the theoretical master!
Instead, there was a smooth-faced, beardless man whose features seemed much more delicate and softer…
An effeminate man?
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