After finalizing the terms with Dugu Bo, Chu Tianxiu had Old Lange arrange a room at the Dongxiu Clothing Store for the Poison Douluo's recovery. With Dugu Bo's life now securely in his grasp, he had no fear of any treachery.
"Junior brother! I have not seen you for a while! What have you been busy with?" Hu Liena greeted him, pulling him into a brief, enthusiastic hug. She completely ignored the envious look from Yan and the dark expression from Xie Yue behind her.
Chu Tianxiu patiently extricated himself. "Senior sister, one question at a time. Besides, it has only been a week."
Hu Liena pouted. "It is because you have not visited the Papal Palace for a week. Also, the teacher has been acting strangely lately."
"Oh? What about Sister Dong'er?"
"Every time I ask her why you do not come, she just stares into the distance. I do not know what she is thinking."
Hearing this, Chu Tianxiu knew Bibi Dong was still wrestling with her decision. He filed the information away for later. Once he returned from the Sunset Forest, he would need to force a resolution. He had to solidify her stance before Yu Xiaogang potentially appeared during the Spirit Master Competition.
Seeing him lost in thought, Hu Liena pouted her lips in dissatisfaction. "Junior brother! Why are you spacing out like the teacher?"
Chu Tianxiu, pulled from his reverie, offered a comforting smile. "It is nothing, Senior Sister. As an apology for my absence, I will take you shopping today. You can pick out anything you like."
Hu Liena's mood instantly brightened. "You said it yourself! Today, I will make sure you remember this outing!" She hugged his arm tightly.
Chu Tianxiu thought to himself, 'With the Dongxiu Clothing Store's current earnings, I could probably buy every shop on this street. Her wish will be difficult to fulfill.'
The shopping prowess of a woman, even on the Douluo Continent, was a force to be reckoned with. For a whole morning, Hu Liena led him from a decoration shop to a snack vendor, and from there to a luxury goods store.
Looking at the happily humming Hu Liena ahead, Chu Tianxiu, along with the heavily laden Yan and Xie Yue, felt a profound sense of exhaustion.
Xie Yue and Yan complained, "Boss, why did you bring us along for your outing with the Holy Maiden?"
Chu Tianxiu flicked his wrist, and a gold soul coin card landed at the feet of Xie Yue and Yan. Still holding Hu Liena's hand, he said generously, "You have worked hard. There are 10,000 gold soul coins on that card. That is your reward. Remember to deliver these items to Senior Sister's room later." With that, he took Hu Liena to a restaurant for lunch.
Watching the two disappear, Xie Yue swallowed hard. "Yan, how much did the boss say was on this card?"
Yan came to his senses. "I… I think he said 10,000." As soon as the words left his mouth, the two immediately dropped the bags and began wrestling over the card.
After a pleasant lunch, Chu Tianxiu spent the afternoon showing Hu Liena the various historical sites of Spirit City. Under his thoughtful and knowledgeable guidance, Hu Liena's admiration for him only grew.
As dusk began to fall, Chu Tianxiu saw her to the path leading to the Papal Palace. "Senior sister, you should head back. It is not safe for a young lady to be out after dark. I will be leaving for the Sunset Forest in a few days and need to prepare."
"Alright then," Hu Liena agreed, a hint of reluctance in her voice. "You must come find me as soon as you return." She looked every bit the junior seeing a respected senior off on a journey.
She watched him until he was out of sight before turning to leave.
Just then, a voice sounded from behind him. "Well, Tianxiu, seeing off your junior sister?"
Chu Tianxiu turned with a smile. "How could I go on a walk with you if I did not see her off first? Is that not right, Teacher Sasha?"
The owner of the voice was his beautiful teacher from the Spirit Academy, Sasha. Today, she wore a practical black training outfit that accentuated her fit physique, coupled with her elegant features, making her a striking figure.
In fact, Chu Tianxiu had arranged to meet Sasha after class the day before, specifically for this evening. It had to be said that managing one's schedule was a profound skill.
Chu Tianxiu took the initiative. "Teacher Sasha, you are a woman of your word!"
Sasha chuckled. "Little guy, what profound knowledge do you wish to discuss with your teacher?"
He led her around the commercial district, purchasing anything that caught her eye without a second thought, spending a total of fifty to sixty thousand gold soul coins.
Sasha, realizing this sum exceeded her annual Spirit Hall stipend, grew a little apprehensive. "Little Tianxiu, how is it that you are so wealthy?"
However, after he took her to the Dongxiu Clothing Store and she learned he was the owner, all her questions were answered.
Watching Sasha happily try on various cheongsams, Chu Tianxiu asked, "Teacher Sasha, where are you living now?"
"In the teachers' dormitory at the Spirit Academy. Why do you ask?" Sasha answered absently, admiring her reflection.
Chu Tianxiu called Old Lange over. "Grandpa Lange, please wrap all the cheongsams Teacher Sasha has tried on. Then, please purchase a quiet villa for me in the central district of Spirit City." Old Lange nodded and went to carry out the task.
Sasha and Chu Tianxiu sat to the side, watching the assistants pack the dresses. "Little Tianxiu, why are you having him buy a villa? Do you need a new residence?"
"That villa is for you, Teacher Sasha. It is unbefitting for an esteemed teacher of your status to live in the communal dormitory."
Sasha listened, a playful smile touching her lips. "Little brother, you are showering your teacher with such gifts. Are you not afraid your junior sister will be jealous?"
Chu Tianxiu met her gaze earnestly. "Then, would Teacher Sasha allow me to provide for her?"
Sasha's smile softened into something more genuine. "You are too young to be worrying about such things. Let us focus on your growth for now."
"Then, would Teacher Saina be willing to wait for me to grow up?" he asked, his tone shifting to one of sincere inquiry.
As they spoke, Old Lange returned, his efficiency remarkable. Chu Tianxiu handed the villa keys to Sasha. "It is settled then."
Just as Chu Tianxiu was about to take his leave, Sasha suddenly spoke, her voice softer now. "Little Tianxiu, thank you. Though we have not known each other long, you are the first person to show me such… substantial kindness."
Finally, she added, her tone warm with genuine appreciation, "Your teacher is very impressed with your dedication. I will ensure that dedication is repaid with excellent guidance."