Su Wen finally lowered his sword. A long breath escaped his lips as the sharp aura around him slowly faded. The faint spatial ripples dissipated as well. He hadn't managed to merge the intents, but progress was progress, he was close. Very close.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead and turned…only to freeze.
Du Yue was sitting on the bench, her chin resting lightly on her palm, her right eye sparkling like starlight reflected on water as she stared straight at him.
Her expression was gentle, peaceful… and just a little too dreamy.
Su Wen felt his heart skip a beat.
'W-Why is she looking at me like that? Did something happen while I was cultivating?'
He coughed lightly. "Uh… you're still here?"
Du Yue blinked rapidly, suddenly realizing she'd been caught. She jerked upright, her ears turning pink again.
"I-I was just… observing your technique… f-for educational purposes!"
She straightened her back, lifting her chin as if she were some dignified senior expert.
"After all, I once reached the Peak of Foundation Establishment. It's only natural for me to supervise a junior's sword practice."
Su Wen squinted at her. Something felt… suspicious.
Before he could speak, the door of the Lakeside Lodge slid open, and three heads popped out.
Grandma. Grandpa. Little Sparrow.
All three were stacked together, eyes sparkling with unrestrained amusement.
Grandma leaned forward with a mischievous grin.
"Du Yue, tell me, isn't my grandson quite handsome? Look closely, don't be shy~"
Grandpa nodded in agreement, stroking his beard.
"Yes, yes. With that face, he clearly inherited at least thirty percent of my looks."
"CHIRP!!" Little Sparrow chimed in, flapping excitedly.
"What a romantic scene… hehehe!"
"What… are you all talking about?" he asked, genuinely confused.
The three of them exchanged a sly smile, as if waiting to see how he would react. Su Wen shook his head, still unaware of how he was being observed, and muttered to himself, "Whatever… I'll go to gather ingredients for dinner."
Du Yue, noticing Su Wen's puzzled expression, couldn't help but bite her lip to suppress a giggle. The sight of him so focused, yet completely unaware of how he was being admired, made her heart flutter. She leaned slightly forward on the bench, her hands folded neatly in her lap, trying not to stare too obviously.
Grandma whispered softly, her eyes twinkling, "Look at him… doesn't even notice how pretty our little girl looks when she's watching him."
Grandpa snorted, shaking his head, "Hmph! That boy is clueless as ever. No sense of the chaos he causes."
Little sparrow chirped loudly, hopping from one shoulder to the other, "-Chirp! Dumb Su Wen, so busy swinging your sword and showing off, and you don't even see what's happening! -Chirp!"
Su Wen's eyes flicked subtly toward the three quietly observing him. He felt a twinge of suspicion, what exactly were they whispering about, and why did little sparrow keep hopping around making those teasing noises? Yet, try as he might, he couldn't point out anything specific. Shrugging to himself, he dismissed the thought.
Du Yue, sitting gracefully on the bench, felt the warmth rising to her cheeks, but she kept her composure, folding her hands neatly in her lap. Apart from the faint blush, she gave nothing away, staring calmly at the lake as if nothing had happened.
Su Wen finally broke the silence, his tone calm but decisive. "I'm going to the farm to gather ingredients and prepare dinner for everyone. Don't worry, I'll make it healthy and nutritious."
Grandma's eyes widened, "Oh, Su Wen, I wanted to cook tonight."
"Grandma," he interrupted gently but firmly, "you don't need to. I'm a Spirit Cook. I'll handle everything. You just relax."
Grandpa gave a low whistle, clearly impressed, while little sparrow chirped happily, hopping up and down like a child, "-Chirp! Yay! I like food, I like food! Dumb Su Wen going to make food! -Chirp!"
Su Wen glanced briefly at Du Yue, his expression softening. "As for you…" he said, pointing toward her lightly, "I'll prepare a separate meal for you. It'll help with your healing."
Du Yue's slightly nodded, and her heart skipped a beat. 'He's going to cook for me… 'she thought, the realization making her pulse quicken. She lowered her gaze, trying to hide the rapid beat of her heart, and folded her hands tighter in her lap, a faint warmth lingering in her chest.
Su Wen gave a small nod, satisfied, and turned toward the farm. Du Yue remained seated on the bench for a moment longer, her eyes following his back, the gentle sunlight reflecting off the lake, her heart still quietly racing.
Inside the lakeside lodge, grandma, grandpa, and little sparrow stood quietly next to Du Yue, exchanging glances, the corners of their mouths tugging into smirks.
Grandma couldn't help but tease, "This is how a husband cooks for his wife… and look at you," she pointed at grandpa, "you don't even make tea for me! Hmph!"
Du Yue's face turned as red as a tomato, but she maintained her calm expression.
Grandpa, momentarily stunned, muttered, "Honey… I like what you cook, that's why I let you cook, and I don't cook myself."
Grandma snorted, "Hmph! Liar! You don't even know how to cook, you don't love me at all!"
Grandpa was left silent and dazed, thinking to himself, 'How did this arrow suddenly change direction from north to south?'
Little sparrow chirped from the side, "-Chirp! Liar Grandpa, hehe… -Chirp!"
The bickering continued all the way back to the main house, Grandma and Grandpa teasing and arguing with each other, while little sparrow hopped around, chirping commentary like an amused child.
Du Yue followed silently, her eyes flicking between them, a faint smile tugging at her lips. Her heart felt warm, and for the first time in a long while, she allowed herself to imagine… a family like this, full of playful arguments, laughter, and care.
She remained quiet, still blushing slightly from the earlier conversation, but a soft, almost wistful light lingered in her eyes as she watched the lively scene unfold around her.