Luo Qing’er Lost in Thoughts

“Immortal’s Drunk,” as the name implies, was a brew so potent that even immortals would succumb to its intoxicating pull.

Among everyone present, aside from He Li, Xu Jinghuai had consumed the most. Therefore, he was undeniably buzzed.

While he wasn’t completely wasted, his thought process had inevitably slowed down. When he let slip the words, “Let’s go back to our room,” he didn’t immediately realize the awkwardness of the phrasing.

Luo Qing’er could see that Xu Jinghuai was a bit tipsy.

Although she knew he spoke with pure intentions and no ulterior motives, she couldn’t help but feel shy. After all, those words sounded exactly like the intimate things a husband and wife would say at night…

She followed him silently, her mind swirling with all sorts of strange thoughts, until Xu Jinghuai suddenly spoke up as he walked ahead.

“The Pavilion is divided into three floors. My original plan was for each of you to have your own floor, ensuring you all have enough private space.”

“Your Eldest Senior Sister, Xia Jin, has already chosen to stay on the first floor. The rooms on the second and third floors are currently vacant.”

“Qing’er, which floor would you like to live on?”

Xu Jinghuai turned around to ask.

Suddenly being addressed by her nickname caused Luo Qing’er to jump slightly. “Any—any floor is fine, Shizun!”

“Are you sure? Once selected, it will be your home for a long time. While I don’t mind if you want to change rooms later, it will be somewhat troublesome, so I suggest you consider it carefully,” Xu Jinghuai said.

He wanted to hear Luo Qing’er’s own preference rather than having her passively accept his arrangement. More importantly, he didn’t want this dragon princess to feel slighted; if she were unhappy, her father would likely come to settle the score with him…

Hearing this, Luo Qing’er took a moment to think.

In truth, she did have some ideas. As a member of the Dragon Race, her habits differed slightly from humans; she had a strong sense of territoriality and didn’t like others intruding upon her personal space.

Therefore, if given the choice:

“Shizun, I would like to stay on the third floor.”

The third floor was the top floor of the Pavilion.

Luo Qing’er had her own little calculations. If she chose the second floor and Xu Jinghuai eventually took a third disciple, that disciple would have to take the remaining top floor.

In that case, the junior sister would inevitably have to pass through the second floor every day to go up and down.

Staying on the third floor eliminated that worry. No one would have a reason to go to the top level unless they had business there. It was the perfect private sanctuary!

Xu Jinghuai nodded, not at all surprised by her choice. “Very well. From now on, you shall reside on the third floor. Follow me.”

With that, Xu Jinghuai led the way upstairs.

Luo Qing’er followed closely behind, feeling a bit constrained. Looking at the man’s back, her mind drifted into wild fantasies once again.

She knew Shizun was just showing her around, but…

It was so late, and it was just her and Shizun—a man and a woman alone in the third-floor rooms…

Whatever they did, with an entire floor separating them, Yunlai Xia on the first floor and the yet-to-be-met Eldest Senior Sister probably wouldn’t notice a thing…

At this thought, Luo Qing’er’s face flushed a deep crimson. Back in the Dragon Emperor Grotto, she had occasionally seen storybooks hidden under her father’s bed. They claimed that after drinking, men inevitably felt an impulse—a desire to embrace a member of the opposite s*x and share a bed.

While it was wrong to suspect Shizun so maliciously, what if…

What if?

If Shizun made such a request, should she agree? Or should she act reserved for a bit before agreeing?

Luo Qing’er covered her burning face, keeping her head down as she followed him.

‘Ugh… what on earth am I thinking? This is so embarrassing…’

Xu Jinghuai, meanwhile, was carefully inspecting the interior of the Pavilion. Aside from the kitchen on the first floor, he hadn’t actually stepped inside since He Li finished building it.

After all, this place was meant for his female disciples.

Adhering to the principle of boundaries between men and women, once they moved in, this would be their private space, and he would not enter again. This was his last chance to see the upper floors.

Since he had spent a fortune (though the Sect Master reimbursed it), he had to make sure he got his money’s worth!

He was finally satisfied. Old He was still Old He—reliable as ever. The primary material was wood, accented with exquisite jade. The layout was low-key yet elegant, refined without being overly opulent.

Truly the number one designer of the Wuling Immortal Sect!

Upon reaching the third floor, Xu Jinghuai stopped and stepped aside to let Luo Qing’er pass.

“The layout of the second and third floors is almost identical. There are two bedrooms, one with a window facing east and the other west. There is also a bathroom for daily use. You can choose between the two rooms based on your preference.”

“Bedding is provided in both. If anything is to your dislike, tell me tomorrow.”

“It’s very late now. Sleep early. I shall be heading back. Goodnight.”

Having said his piece, Xu Jinghuai turned and waved his hand, heading back downstairs.

‘Eh?’

Luo Qing’er froze. She leaned over the railing, looking down the stairs and asking instinctively, “What about Shizun? Where do you sleep?”

‘Aren’t you staying with your disciple?’

Fortunately, her remaining rationality kept that last sentence from escaping her lips, or her status as a disciple would have been compromised on the spot.

Xu Jinghuai was already at the landing of the stairs. He looked up at her and said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world: “Me? I’m going back to sleep, of course.”

He didn’t understand why she would ask such a thing. If he didn’t go back, was he supposed to stay here and sleep with her?

Ha! He could guarantee that if he pulled a stunt like that, her father would show up the next day with a blade to skin him alive.

Perhaps her question had another meaning?

Xu Jinghuai quickly realized.

“Ah, you want to know where to find me if something happens, right?”

“Don’t worry. I’m right next to the Pavilion, in that little wooden hut that looks like a latrine. That’s where I usually rest.”

“In the future, if you need anything, just knock thrice on the door, and I will appear.”

Luo Qing’er’s face was bright red. To prevent her true thoughts from being discovered, she could only follow his lead, nodding and whispering, “I see… I understand, Shizun.”

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going down.”

Xu Jinghuai began to descend again.

Luo Qing’er leaned against the railing, her mouth opening and closing as if she wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words. A small sense of disappointment filled her heart. Seeing his figure about to disappear from view, she finally couldn’t help but call out to him.

“Wait, Shizun!”

“Mhm?”

Xu Jinghuai looked up, taking a step back up the stairs to look at her.

The girl buried half her face in her arms as she leaned over the railing. After stammering for a moment, she finally shouted: “Shizun… Goodnight to you, too!”

Then, right before his eyes, she turned and scurried away, followed immediately by the click of a door closing.

Xu Jinghuai: “???”