My Sweet Little Girl

Xu Jinghuai drifted back to the Pavilion, his toes lightly brushing the ground as he landed gracefully.

He wasn’t in a hurry to dive into the ancient texts; his primary concern was whether his two disciples would get along. He reached out and grabbed Yunlai Xia, muffling her mouth to prevent her from causing a scene.

Then, he crept toward the kitchen door. Hearing the sound of the two girls chatting and laughing inside, he nodded to himself.

It seemed he had worried for nothing.

Releasing Yunlai Xia, Xu Jinghuai smoothed out his clothes and stepped into the kitchen.

“Cough, cough… Bad Master! Mean Master!”

Once free, Yunlai Xia gasped for air and stomped her little feet indignantly behind him before scurrying inside.

“Shizun!”

“Shi… Shizun?!”

The two girls were sitting at the table. The moment Xu Jinghuai entered, they both noticed and stood up simultaneously.

Xu Jinghuai nodded and looked at them with a smile. “Haha, I originally intended to introduce you to each other, but it seems that won’t be necessary now.”

He then turned to Luo Qing’er. “How did you sleep last night, Qing’er? Have you adjusted to the bed in the Pavilion yet?”

Luo Qing’er tilted her head away slightly. Being looked at directly by Xu Jinghuai made her incredibly nervous and shy. Most importantly, seeing him made it impossible not to remember that dream from last night…

‘If Shizun finds out I had such a strange dream because I didn’t sleep well, what would he think of me?!’

The Luo Qing’er who had been composed while talking to Xia Jin instantly lost all “processing power” in front of Xu Jinghuai, turning into a lovestruck maiden with a head full of romantic nonsense.

“Mhm… Qing’er slept very well. Please don’t trouble yourself, Shizun…” she said, her eyes darting around.

Yes, she chose to hide the truth.

As Luo Qing’er turned her face away, avoiding his gaze and giving him nothing but a view of her twin-tails, the smile on Xu Jinghuai’s face petrified. Her words were the final blow, confirming his suspicions.

In his eyes, this was the textbook reaction of someone who felt utter disgust!

He felt numb. He hadn’t even done anything—he’d just been forced to take her in as a student—and already he was being detested by his own disciple…

“If there’s anything you’re not used to, tell me in time, and I will help you resolve it.”

Xu Jinghuai felt a bit helpless. After leaving her with those words, he withdrew his gaze and looked toward Xia Jin. “Jin’er, were your mantou a success?”

“Reporting to Shizun, they’re ready to serve!”

Unlike Luo Qing’er, Xia Jin trotted over on her short legs and threw herself into Xu Jinghuai’s arms. She looked up with a heartwarming, radiant smile. “Jin’er was afraid the buns would get cold if I took them out too early, so they’re still in the steamer. I wanted to wait for Shizun so we could eat together!”

Looking at Xia Jin’s smile, Xu Jinghuai felt his soul being healed. This was the master’s “padded jacket”—the disciple of his dreams!

He smiled and reached out, stroking Xia Jin’s head. “Mhm, Jin’er is very thoughtful.”

Xia Jin narrowed her eyes and rubbed against his hand, looking like she was thoroughly enjoying the affection.

Luo Qing’er witnessed this scene with her own eyes.

‘Is this how Eldest Senior Sister and Shizun usually interact? Waaaah, I’m so jealous… I… I should be able to do that too, right?’

Luo Qing’er carefully shifted her body, slowly inching closer to the two of them. But before she could get close, a white figure blocked her path—the person she least wanted to see.

Yunlai Xia!

“Jin’er, Jin’er! You said the buns are done? I want to eat! Jin’er, go bring them out, okay!”

Xu Jinghuai’s brow twitched. He pulled back his hand and looked at the rowdy spear spirit. “Why don’t you go get them yourself?”

“I’m afraid of getting burned,” Yunlai Xia said with her hands on her hips, sounding perfectly justified.

“…You are an Immortal Artifact. Don’t you feel embarrassed saying that?”

Yunlai Xia stuck out her pink tongue and made a face at him. “Bleh~ Not at all.”

Seeing her like this, Xu Jinghuai really wanted to give her another “bong” on the head.

‘Endure it… endure it… I have to maintain my image in front of my disciples… and I have to give Yunlai Xia some face…’

He took a deep breath. Sensing the subtle atmosphere, Xia Jin hurriedly said, “It’s alright, Shizun. Let Jin’er do it. Big Sister Xia was burned this morning; it’s better if she rests.”

“Hehe~ Jin’er is the best! I love you!”

Yunlai Xia hugged Xia Jin. The two short lolis huddled together, radiating a sweet, citrusy scent.

“Big Sister… Xia… if you keep hugging me, I can’t move the steamer…”

“I know, I know~”

Seeing this, Xu Jinghuai shook his head and sat down at the table. Since Yunlai Xia was busy pestering Xia Jin, a brief moment of privacy was left for him and Luo Qing’er.

Noticing she was still standing, Xu Jinghuai said, “Qing’er, don’t just stand there. Take a seat.”

“Mhm… I understand, Shizun.”

After sitting down, she still kept her head turned away, refusing to look at him. A heavy silence fell between them.

Xu Jinghuai felt he couldn’t let this continue.

Since he had taken her as a disciple, he had a responsibility to understand her thoughts. However, cutting straight to the point would be socially clumsy, so he chose another topic as an icebreaker.

“Qing’er, when I walked in, I saw you and Xia Jin chatting quite happily. What do you think of your Eldest Senior Sister?”

He didn’t want to ask about the specific contents of their talk; if it was “girl talk,” he’d look like a creep, which would only make her dislike him more.

Xu Jinghuai believed that when evaluating others, people subconsciously recall scenes of interaction, revealing their true thoughts for a split second. If he timed it right, he could see into her heart.

Upon hearing the question, Luo Qing’er did indeed recall her conversation with Xia Jin.

Although Xia Jin was young, her difficult childhood in the countryside had made her more sensible than her peers. Her personality had already begun the transition from childish to mature.

Luo Qing’er didn’t know Xia Jin’s history, but she knew talking to her was comfortable.

She deeply admired her “little” Eldest Senior Sister for being so mature, gentle, and considerate. Perhaps in two or three years, this girl would be a fully independent adult.

Therefore, even though Xia Jin’s cultivation was lower than her own, Luo Qing’er had already acknowledged her status in her heart, marveling at Shizun’s keen eye for talent.