119 A Sea Of Vinegar (1/2)

After our names were recorded onto the wooden badges, Wu Daochang gave us a long lecture about his beloved Maoshan Sect and how a filial disciple should help the Shifu earn lots of money. Looking below to where the other disciples were, they didn't seem to take in his words to their hearts either. Many of them were chattering away and appeared idle. Only Xiang Qing stood up with a straight back and wore on a serious expression, but from time to time would throw a glance over to myself.

I didn't care about other people as long as he looked at me. By the end of the lecture, I quickly rushed towards Xiang Qing so that I could have a chance to speak with him, but many of the senior brothers had suddenly formed a wall around me. All them were telling me that they wanted to take me on a tour of Maoshan Sect.

Who wants to take a tour of the scenery? I tiptoed over this human wall, looked left and right, and jumped up to see that Xiang Qing had already slipped out of the door. I wanted to chase after him, but these senior brothers were all deliberately ruining my plans. Yin Zi had an apologetic smile plastered on his face, grabbing my hands, he led me away while telling the others that we should get along in the future.

It wasn't easy for this crowd to finally disperse. I took advantage of this situation to slip away from the audience hall, quickly racing to the direction Xiang Qing had left from. After running for a while, I eventually caught a glimpse of him. He was in a bamboo forest practicing his sword, step by step, extremely focused.

I quietly closed in on him, creeping beside a stone. I was hoping Xiang Qing would discover me, but was at the same afraid he would find me, thus I could only watch him in silence. After a long time, Xiang Qing put his sword away, turned his head in my direction, and said, ”What are you doing here?”

I was momentarily unable to think of an excuse and began to panic. I stammered as I tried to conceal my eccentric behavior, ”I was…..taking a walk…..in a daze.”

Xiang Qing's eyes squinted, didn't seem to believe my words.

I immediately and honestly confessed, ”I wanted to see.”

”See what?” Xiang Qing let out a surprised laughter, his smile still very gentle. I was caught in a trance by his actions. This situation was similar to how Bi Qingshen Jun use to hold and play with me. I really wanted to rush into his arms and act spoiled.

”Miao Miao is just here to see…..” I lowered my head and no longer continued my words as I remembered Yin Zi's teachings.

Xiang Qing tucked his sword away and walked towards me. Like the sunlight, his gaze landed upon my face as if he was in a daze. After a while, he slowly asked a single question, ”Have I met you somewhere in the past before?”

He must mean that time when I knocked him out and carried him back, right? Yin Zi informed that this situation mustn't be ever leaked to him, otherwise our big secret will be revealed. I desperately shook my head to express denial and that it was impossible.

”I see,” Xiang Qing's face sunk, he only let out a scoffing laughter, ”There's no reason for me to have met you before.”

I wanted to tug at his sleeves, but remembering his rejection last time, I quickly shrink back.

”Are you lost?” Xiang Qing bent down, reached his hands forward to touch my head, but had also retracted them. He kindly reassured, ”From here, just make a left turn and you will return to the courtyard. If you ask anyone available, then they can bring you back to your room.”

”I…..don't want to return…..”

”Want to go sightseeing? The most beautiful view is atop Maoshan Mountain, follow that small path there and you will arrive there shortly.” Xiang Qing's reply was greatly detailed.

My eyes were wide open as I stared cutely at him, ”How about you accompany me?”

”I still have thirty sword moves I haven't finished practicing yet.”

”I'll wait for you.”

Afterwards, I sat firmly with my butt planted on the stone refusing to get up. Xiang helplessly nodded, and sighed, ”It's fine, I can always practice later.” He then accompanied me to visit the mountain peak.