Why is the fairy who adopted me plotting against me?

Page 56

Out.

A section of fair, jade-like wrist, and slender, graceful fingertips with distinct knuckles, thus crossed that invisible boundary.

It was a simple action, but for her, it required immense courage.

A hint of surprise flashed across Su Mu's eyes, but he did not hesitate. He reached out and steadily took the teacup, their fingertips accidentally touching as they met.

Sensing the other party's gentle expression, he respectfully said, "Thank you for the tea, Master."

"Um...no, no need for formalities." After he caught it, the hand flew back behind the screen like a startled white butterfly, leaving only a trace of...

The fleeting, warm touch that belonged to Su Mu.

Su Mu picked up the teacup, brought it to her lips, and took a small sip.

The tea soup entered my mouth, and a familiar yet slightly rough taste instantly spread across my tongue. It wasn't some celestial tea, but simply… a flavor reminiscent of… the teas of yesteryear.

The kind of coarse tea that's most commonly drunk in a small village.

As the head of the Sleeping Flower Sect, why did Shen Qingshang choose this most ordinary tea? The nostalgia and probing intent behind it are self-evident.

"Master seems to have a particular fondness for this tea?" Su Mu asked casually.

After the words were spoken, the atmosphere behind the screen froze for a moment before a slow reply came:

"It's...it's alright. It depends on who you're drinking with." There was a hint of cautious probing in his words.

Upon hearing this, Su Mu chuckled softly. There was no surprise in his laughter, as if he had expected it all along.

“Speaking of which,” Su Mu said, gently stroking the warm cup with his fingertips, “back when I was in the village, I often shared this tea with an old friend.”

Shen Qingshang's heart raced uncontrollably, and he couldn't help but ask eagerly, "Then...do you like this tea?"

Su Mu raised his eyes, his gaze seemingly able to penetrate the screen.

"It's alright." He paused deliberately before continuing, "It also depends on... who you're drinking with."

He returned her words verbatim, his tone full of unspoken affection.

"!" Shen Qingshang felt a sudden surge of heat rush to her ears, thankfully shielded by a screen, preventing her from feeling utterly embarrassed.

What it hides from view.

His words were clearly intentional! He was deliberately teasing her! However, this little teasing didn't anger her at all; on the contrary...

It's like a piece of sweet honey thrown into a lake of the heart, creating ripples that are hard to calm.

Behind the screen, the usually dignified and aloof sect leader now wore a joyful expression, like a young girl in love. Previously, in his heart...

All of her worries and anxieties seemed to melt away in Su Mu's smiling response.

"Then... let's have another drink." She was almost bursting with barely suppressed excitement, her movements revealing a hint of clumsiness and eagerness, as if...

Eager to maintain this newly re-established, delicate, and beautiful tacit understanding.

Just as Su Mu reached out to take the second cup of tea, the talisman at his waist suddenly began to vibrate slightly.

Su Mu paused, then said with a hint of embarrassment, "Master, please allow me to examine the talisman book first."

"It's alright, do as you please." Shen Qingshang's voice carried a faint smile that even he himself didn't realize.

The tranquil scene of chatting casually and enjoying tea made her feel as if she had returned to that peaceful and serene little village from many years ago.

At that time, he would often leave temporarily because of the trivial matters of the grandmothers in the village, and before leaving, he would always explain to her in this kind of way.

She would nod quietly, continuing her needlework while waiting for that familiar figure to return.

Just like a wife waiting for her husband to return home.

As her thoughts drifted away, a gentle, dreamlike smile unconsciously appeared on Shen Qingshang's face.

It turns out that waiting isn't always so agonizing. Regarding Su Mu's inevitable future journeys out into the world, she seems to be able to...let go of some of that unease.

I'm heartbroken.

Just then, a vibrant, spring-like girl's voice, clear and distinct through the talisman, broke the silence of the room.

A peaceful and tranquil atmosphere:

==================================================

Page 151:

"Boss Su! Are you there?"

The call came so suddenly that both Su Mu and Shen Qingshang behind the screen were startled.

Shen Qingshang frowned slightly. Who was this girl? Her voice was so young and charming, and her tone so familiar and intimate. Could it be Mu'er from her travels?

Acquaintances over time

"Qingyue, how dare you be so rude! How can you make such a racket and disturb Mr. Su's peace and quiet!" Another woman's voice followed from the other end of the talisman.

The tone was cold and pleasant, but carried a clear reprimand. Then, the tone turned apologetic, "I'm sorry, Mr. Su, my apprentice is naughty and has been rude."

There's one more? Shen Qingshang's eyes narrowed.

"So it's Elder Ling, it's alright." Su Mu's voice remained calm and composed, showing no sign of panic, and she did not deliberately avoid looking behind the screen.

Shen Qingshang.

This openness calmed Shen Qingshang's restless emotions somewhat. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down, and carefully examined what followed.

A female voice came.

Elder Ling? Is that the voice of Ling Suxin, junior sister of the Shuyu Sect? My emotions were in turmoil just now, and I didn't recognize this old acquaintance for a moment.

But Ling Suxin was always aloof and cold; when had she ever spoken to someone in such a hesitant and stammering tone? Shen Qingshang felt slightly relieved, but...

A lingering doubt, however, remained.

On the other end of the talisman, Ling Suxin's voice paused for a moment before continuing, "Hmm. This message isn't anything urgent. I just wanted to ask..."

Question: Will you be attending the Tianjiao Gathering in a few days?

Shen Qingshang's heart, which had just begun to ease, tightened again at this question. The cautiousness and hidden expectation in those words were something only a woman could feel.

How could she not hear it?

Su Mu's answer remained frank: "Of course I'll go. I'll bring Xiaoxiao along so she can see it for herself."

"Is that so..." Ling Suxin's voice sounded like she breathed a sigh of relief, or perhaps she had mustered her courage. "Then... if there's an opportunity then, we... or..."

"May I see you at the next meeting?"

"Okay, see you then."

A barely audible sigh of relief came from the other end of the talisman. However, Shen Qingshang, behind the screen, did not show any reaction to the sigh.

The situation has eased in the slightest.

Before she could think it through, the lively girl's voice broke in again, full of undisguised anticipation: "Boss Su! You definitely want to join the Tianjiao Club!"

"Will you come visit me?"

"Of course, I'll definitely take you on a proper tour then."

"Great! It's a deal!"

Shen Qingshang sat silently behind the screen, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

Ling Suxin's subtle probing, Qingyue's direct enthusiasm—when did Su Mu meet so many women outside?

A sense of crisis crept into his heart. Even though Su Mu harbored feelings for everyone in the Sleeping Flower Sect, they were still "family," but this master and disciple...

Hmm, they seem to be "one of our own" too?

Su Mu calmly put away the talisman. He reached out again, as if to take the cup of tea that Shen Qingshang had just refilled for him.

However, that slender hand was a step ahead of him, swiftly picking up the teacup and quickly retreating behind the screen. The movement carried an air of absolute certainty.

It carries a sense of defiance and spite.

Su Mu's hand froze in mid-air. After a moment of hesitation, she looked up at the screen that still blocked her view, and the initial doubt in her eyes quickly melted away.

Then it turned into a smile that was both helpless and indulgent.

Behind the screen came Shen Qingshang's voice, which he tried to lower but could not hide, filled with bitterness and sullenness:

"This tea... after being brewed repeatedly, has lost its flavor and isn't very good anymore. You... must be tired today, go back and rest well, and spend some time with Zhixiao."

That girl, I suppose.

She paused, her voice tinged with struggle, but ultimately softened, adding a sentence as if to apologize.

"Tomorrow... if you have time, I'll brew another pot... for you to try."

Su Mu naturally sensed the inner turmoil in her voice and smiled.

"Yes, Master. This disciple will return now and come to see you again tomorrow."

==================================================

Page 152:

Chapter Seventy: Teaching Xiaoxiao a Lesson!

Su Mu returned to his residence in the afterglow of the setting sun, his brows furrowed with a sense of relaxed satisfaction after a good night's sleep.

Today's gains: First, a glimpse into the essence of "strength" at the main peak; then, an "intimate" discussion of the "array" technique with Aunt Gu; and in the afternoon, a virtual meeting with "Fairy Shen" via screen.

Drinking together.

During the day, I also had a playful exchange with my two senior sisters and made a promise with Master Ling Chang to meet again in Qingzhou City. It was truly a fulfilling day.

How should we end such a wonderful day?

Pushing open the door, I saw Su Zhixiao sitting by the window, her hands supporting her chin, gazing out the window, lost in thought, her expression focused yet with a hint of...

Trance.

Hearing the door open, she turned around abruptly and saw Su Mu. Her cheeks instantly flushed red, like the sunset clouds on the horizon.

"Brother, brother, you're back!"

Su Mu smiled slightly and gently ruffled her soft hair: "Of course I had to come back. Except for that little bit this morning, I haven't had a proper rest all day."

To keep Xiaoxiao company.

Feeling the warmth and gentle caress from above her head, Su Zhixiao squinted comfortably like a kitten, a soft murmur even escaping her throat.

A satisfied snoring sound.

Then, as if she had made up her mind, she said in a muffled voice, "Brother... I... I have something to tell you..."

"Hmm? What's up?" Su Mu didn't stop ruffling her hair, his voice encouraging.

"Um... I... I told my third and fifth senior sisters that we had become Daoist partners."

Su Zhixiao finished speaking in one breath, then held her breath, waiting for Su Mu's reaction.

"Well, then what?"

Su Zhixiao raised her hazy eyes, somewhat bewildered: "Uh, no, that's all."

Su Mu tilted her head and couldn't help but chuckle: "Is Xiaoxiao looking like this... apologizing to me?"

Su Zhixiao nodded quickly: "Yes! Please punish me, brother!"

"Then Xiaoxiao, tell me, what did you do wrong?"

"There's no need to hide this matter. If it weren't for your shyness, Xiaoxiao, I would love for the whole sect to know that we've become Daoist partners."

These words were like a warm current flowing into her heart, and Su Zhixiao immediately felt a sweet warmth in her heart. Then, remembering something, she added softly:

"However, then... Third Senior Sister and Fifth Senior Sister also asked Brother what his opinions were of the other senior sisters and uncles in the sect."

"Oh? What did you say?"

“I…I’ve told you the truth,” Su Zhixiao’s voice was even softer. “I said my brother would definitely not let everyone down…but, Xiaoxiao also said…”

"Yes, I'll make sure they're chosen carefully for my brother! I won't let them be with him so easily!"

"So what?" Su Mu's smile deepened. "Didn't Xiaoxiao do the right thing? Do you still think you're wrong?"