Chapter 40: Teacher, you are truly wonderful to me.

"You are utterly outrageous!" Stone Zhongzheng exclaimed, rising from the table in a fit of rage.

"And what of it?" Xiang Ri replied nonchalantly, adopting a demeanor of a self-satisfied scoundrel.

"You—"

"Enough! Zhongzheng, Xiang Jun, I implore you both to cease this quarrel," Mei Nako interjected, grasping her furious husband's arm. She then gestured towards her daughter, "Qingzi, please show Xiang Jun to your room for a brief tour."

"Of course, Mother!" Shi Qing bowed slightly, taking the hand of the self-assured young man and leading him upstairs, eager to escape the escalating confrontation between her teacher and father.

Xiang Ri held the soft, cool hand of his diligent pupil, feeling a surge of exhilaration; it seemed to be the first time she had taken the initiative to grasp his hand, marking a significant moment. He couldn't resist giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Teacher!" Shi Qing's cheeks flushed crimson as she regarded him with a complex expression. For someone who had trained rigorously in martial arts, she was acutely aware of even the slightest gestures.

"Oh, I was merely assessing your grip strength—it appears rather weak," Xiang Ri stated with a straight face, cleverly disguising his inappropriate thoughts as an innocent inquiry.

"Ah? How might I strengthen my grip?" Shi Qing withdrew her hand slowly, nearly tugging it free due to his tight hold, her face now entirely aflame. Though she understood her teacher's intent was to "test" her strength, an inexplicable emotion stirred within her, causing her heart to race.

"Um... is this your room? Let's discuss it further inside."

"Sure, Teacher!"

Downstairs.

"Mei Nako, you mustn't stop me! I will not allow him to pursue a relationship with our daughter!" Stone Zhongzheng bellowed.

"Ah, let the young people resolve their own matters. I actually think Xiang Jun is quite a decent fellow; I have confidence in Qingzi being with him," Mei Nako replied, seemingly recalling some kind words spoken by the young man.

"Hmph! What do you know? That boy lacks any manners and is wholly unworthy of Qingqing. This matter is mine to decide, so you needn't interfere."

"Zhongzheng, don't you think we should consider sleeping separately tonight?"

"Uh, Mei Nako, I'm sorry! I was too impulsive just now and did not take your feelings into account, but—"

"But you still uttered such hurtful words, sob sob..." Mei Nako's eyes brimmed with tears as she turned and stomped upstairs.

"Mei Nako, let me explain…" Stone Zhongzheng hurried after her, but after a few steps, he turned back to the bewildered young man in glasses. "Xiao Lian, I won't see you out."

Lian Junjian sat at the dining table with a sullen expression, gripping his utensils tightly, the knuckles turning white without his noticing. After a long moment, he finally calmed himself and exited, though the occasional glint of malice in his eyes betrayed the turmoil within.

"Xiao Qing, your room is lovely," Xiang Ri exclaimed upon entering his pupil's bedroom, his eyes lighting up. Unlike the pink tones of Chu Xiaoniu's room, his diligent student clearly favored white.

A white bed, white walls, white curtains, and a white vase filled with flowers—all in pristine white—except for the large poster hanging above the headboard.

"Is that you?" Xiang Ri asked, pointing at the poster. It featured a girl in a white training uniform, barefoot on verdant grass, her long hair dancing in the wind. The photograph was expertly captured, the angle and light perfect, showcasing every detail of her smiling face—a smile that radiated genuine joy, capable of uplifting anyone who beheld it. Yet, Xiang Ri found it unsettling; he had never seen such an expression on his pupil's face, as she usually bore a stoic demeanor, merely pursing her lips would astonish those around her.

"Yes!" Shi Qing replied, a touch shy. After all, he was the first man, aside from her father, to enter her room, and he had noticed the photo she cherished the most.

"Indeed, it's beautiful!" Xiang Ri exclaimed sincerely. If only his expression were not so disheveled, it would have appeared even more convincing.

"Thank you!" Shi Qing replied, lowering her head, a mysterious joy swelling within her.

"Don't mention it; I speak only the truth. Oh, by the way, your bed looks lovely as well. May I lie down and test it?" Xiang Ri brazenly made his audacious request.

"Of course, Teacher, please do!" Though the thought of her teacher resting on her cherished bed left her feeling slightly embarrassed, she found herself nodding in agreement.

With a mighty roar, Xiang Ri leaped onto the pristine white bed, burying his face deep into the fragrant cartoon pillow, sighing in comfort, "So soft!"

"Teacher, what are you doing?" Shi Qing asked, perplexed by his strange behavior.

"Well…" Xiang Ri snapped back to reality. Despite having a thick skin akin to the walls of a fortress, he could not directly say in front of his disciple, "I'm indulging in fantasies on your bed." While he might lack shame, he feared what an indignant disciple might do in response. With a swift mental pivot, he fabricated a grandiose lie: 

"I just wanted to see if your bed is sturdy."

Shi Qing stood by, unsure how to respond, her face aflame.

Xiang Ri shifted positions, casually lying on his side, inadvertently noticing an open cabinet ahead. "Xiao Qing, is that your wardrobe?"

To his surprise, upon hearing this, Shi Qing seemed to recall something, gasping as she hurried to close the cabinet, her demeanor slightly flustered. "Y-Yes."

"What treasures do you have hidden? It's not right to keep secrets from your teacher." In truth, while Shi Qing rushed to shut the cabinet door, Xiang Ri had already taken stock of its contents. Though her speed was impressive, he still caught sight of enough to ascertain it contained women's lingerie.

"N-Nothing, just an unwashed piece of clothing," Shi Qing stammered, her face burning as she attempted to explain a "fact" she herself hardly believed.

"Why would you keep unwashed clothing in your wardrobe? Why not take it out to wash?" Seeing his adorable disciple so flustered was a rare delight for Xiang Ri, and he seized the opportunity to tease her relentlessly.

"Um… Teacher… I…"

"It's no trouble; you can take it out to wash later." Noticing her distress, he softened his tone and changed the subject. "By the way, Xiao Qing, weren't you curious about how to strengthen your hands?"

"Yes, Teacher!" Upon hearing of a way to enhance her martial prowess, Shi Qing immediately set aside her embarrassment, her eyes gleaming with eagerness.

"Then lie down on the bed; um, I'll help you with a massage." Xiang Ri had ulterior motives as he sat up straight, patting the space in front of him.

"A massage? Is that effective?" At that moment, Shi Qing's sense of safety had plummeted, oblivious to the predatory intent of her teacher before her.

"Absolutely! Do you know where my immense strength comes from? It's thanks to this set of massage techniques. I hadn't intended to share it, but since you've become my disciple, I must teach you. This is my family's ancestral secret, passed down only to males, and only for internal cultivation."

"What about you, Teacher?"

"It's fine; I'll make an exception just this once. Besides, you're my only disciple—who else would I teach?"

"Teacher, you're so kind to me!" Shi Qing was overwhelmed with gratitude.