CHAPTER 182: CHAPTER 154: MO LI AND DAN WULAN, XIAO RUOCHING AND DAN WUQUE_3

Feeling Xiao Ruoching’s small feet, as smooth as jade, Su Bei noted the exceptionally delicate and beautiful natural indentations on both sides of the Achilles tendon behind her ankle. They were slippery and springy to the touch. Seeing the faint trace of blood on her rounded, crystalline toes, Su Bei had an odd look on his face.

"How deep must one’s grudge against oneself be, to kick oneself into this state?" he wondered aloud.

Xiao Ruoching turned her head away, remaining silent.

One could only see a blush of shame rising along her jade neck, slowly spreading to her ears.

A touch of warm Spiritual Energy gently spread over Xiao Ruoching’s jade toes, quickly healing the wound. Su Bei gently put the pale pink Luo socks on her. He watched as she still refused to turn and look at him, a gentle breeze stirring a strand of her black hair, creating a beautiful image.

Su Bei spoke softly, "Hmm, you’re dressed very prettily today, and the moonlight suits you! Especially that touch of Cherry Blossom Rouge; its rosy hue gives your complexion an even more translucent, delicate glow."

"..."

A gentle breeze blew. Perhaps it was Su Bei’s imagination, but it seemed to him that his prodigal disciple’s cheeks had reddened even more.

The slight sense of anticipation in her heart finally received a response. Xiao Ruoching felt a little secretly delighted, the corners of her mouth curling slightly, but she didn’t want her Master to see. She cleared her throat softly, pursed her lips, and defensively whispered, "Is that so? What Cherry Blossom Rouge? Let’s hurry up, hurry up!"

"..."

After speaking, she stood up and walked forward, affecting a nonchalant air.

Su Bei looked at the embroidered shoes in his hand and asked with suspicion, "Not wearing shoes anymore?"

The Luo socks were soaked through with body heat and melting snow. Xiao Ruoching’s face turned instantly red, and she covered it with her hands...

***

Su Bei, hands clasped behind his back, saw Dan Wuque from afar. She was dressed in purple, and he waved to greet her.

Under the sunlight, a woman stood motionless, holding a bag in front of her. The wind gently brushed past, her short black bobbed hair framing her exquisitely beautiful face.

When she saw it was Su Bei, Dan Wuque’s eyes widened instantly, gleaming. A smile of undisguised joy bloomed on her lips. "Senior Brother!"

Xiao Ruoching, still flustered from her earlier embarrassment, looked puzzled as Eighth Uncle greeted her Master.

Strange? Is Eighth Uncle waiting for someone? Who could she be waiting for?

Before Xiao Ruoching knew it, Eighth Uncle had jumped up and clung to Su Bei, her cowlick quivering, pure joy in her eyes as she asked, "Senior Brother, where are we going? Eh? Isn’t that Little Qing? Senior Brother, is Little Qing coming with us too?"

"..."

Just as Su Bei was about to speak, he felt an icy chill from behind him, making the hairs on his neck stand on end. He swallowed nervously.

Xiao Ruoching sneered as she watched the scene unfold, a whirlwind of thoughts in her mind.

No wonder Master didn’t want me to follow! Had he already made plans with Eighth Uncle? To go out together, just the two of them? Is this what Master meant by going alone? If I hadn’t followed, would the two of them already be off somewhere starting a family? Am I just a third wheel, deluding myself? I never expected that Eighth Uncle, who usually looks so simple and naive, had already wrapped Master around her little finger! Is this what Master likes? Someone without a brain? Does he prefer this type? All brawn and no brain?

"It seems this disciple has disturbed Master," Xiao Ruoching said, taking a step back, her voice indifferent. "This disciple will leave now."

Dan Wuque looked somewhat puzzled. She lightly scratched her head; she had specially worn a pair of embroidered shoes for this outing from the Sect. "Senior Brother? What’s wrong with Little Qing? Why did she say she’s disturbing you?"

"..."

Su Bei looked troubled as he watched Xiao Ruoching. She claimed she would leave, yet she stared unwaveringly at him, her expression making it clear she wouldn’t budge today without an explanation. He patted Dan Wuque on the back, gently set her down, and began, "Disciple? This..."

Xiao Ruoching looked at Dan Wuque, then glanced at Su Bei, her face emotionless.

"Disciple, your Master already told you, this trip is to buy clothes, not to go sightseeing at the lantern festival or for fun," Su Bei tried to explain. "And later, Master also needs to visit the Sword Washing Pool to see the Sword Maiden."

"..."

Initially, Su Bei did indeed plan to hang out with this close buddy of his—Dan Wuque—after all, they were now in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship. As things stood, it seemed he’d have to bring a third wheel along...

Xiao Ruoching took a deep breath, her chest heaving, her gaze flickering with shifting emotions.

Could it really be just a shopping trip for clothes? Then why did he make it sound so formal? I even changed into new clothes and put on rouge and lipstick...