Chapter 154: This Lady's Gift to You

Lu Xingzhou, wrapped entirely in his blanket with only his head exposed, said, "Go? I'll definitely go."

Sheng Yuanyao walked in suspiciously and reached out to lift the blanket.

Lu Xingzhou hurriedly said, "Hey, you're a girl; what kind of thing is it to lift a man's blanket?"

Sheng Yuanyao's face turned slightly red, her gaze beginning to wander: "Who's looking at you! If you weren't wearing clothes, what were you doing with that surname Pei just now?"

"She was wearing clothes; what could we do? Just the same as you are right now."

"..." Sheng Yuanyao felt something seemed off, but as a proper young maiden, she truly couldn't figure out what was wrong for the moment.

"Going to tour the garden, right...? Don't you usually dislike such things?"

"Playing occasionally isn't a big deal; it's early spring, and so many people go out for a spring outing." Sheng Yuanyao thought Lu Xingzhou had grown accustomed to pretending to be lame and disliked going out, so she added, "At worst, I'll push you."

A'nuo: "?"

So this meant not only would he snatch the wheelchair-pushing duty, but he also wouldn't let A'nuo play along?

"Me and A'nuo are both closer to Lu Xingzhou"—who wrote this book? If the Demon Suppression Bureau writes such nonsense, does the Heroic Rankings have any credibility?

Pei Chuyun hadn't left at all; she quietly leaned close to whisper, "Little brat, shall we go peeping tomorrow?"

A'nuo revealed a simple, honest smile.

Lu Xingzhou didn't actually dislike going out; in fact, because he had once broken his leg and been stifled for so long, he would prefer to go out for a walk. Currently, the Alchemy Academy hadn't reached enrollment time, so with absolutely nothing to do, of course he could go out and play.

The next day, the heavens were very accommodating, with gentle breezes and bright sunshine. Sheng Yuanyao pushed Lu Xingzhou toward Qingyao Garden; along the way, they saw many children flying kites, their laughter and joy echoing all the way, making anyone watching smile.

Sheng Yuanyao was in an especially good mood; without needing to borrow the excuse of the children, she was even happier to be out touring alone with Lu Xingzhou.

She had originally thought Lu Xingzhou might refuse, after all, a lone man and woman touring together was somewhat ambiguous... but she hadn't expected him to agree so readily.

Did he... also harbor some hidden thoughts of romance between men and women? Or did he simply feel that pure, open friendship between friends was perfectly normal?

The lake water appeared before their eyes... Sheng Yuanyao's gaze instinctively fell upon the lakeshore, the very spot where he had once held her rolling around, pressing down on her.

After so many days, the memory had not faded.

I wonder if he still remembers... I suppose even if he does, at that time he had no mind to experience anything anyway.

"The 'garden tour' you speak of is Qingyao Garden?" Lu Xingzhou looked around with some surprise: "Why is it so quiet? Where is everyone?"

"I don't know." Sheng Yuanyao heard her own voice sounding somewhat hazy: "Perhaps we arrived too early."

"But we're already so familiar with Qingyao Garden; it would be better to go see some other place we haven't visited."

Sheng Yuanyao instantly flew into a rage: "What's there to see in other places? This place is the best!"

Lu Xingzhou immediately realized the melon-eating girl's true intention wasn't touring the garden at all, so he shut his mouth.

Truth be told, the scenery here was very beautiful; the small lake ahead was like a mirror, and as the spring breeze brushed over, the waves shimmered. The lakeshore was all green grass; the area previously damaged by the battle with Ye Wufeng had been repaired, once again lush and verdant.

Green trees formed shade all around, with birdsong and the fragrance of flowers, fresh and refreshing. Not far away stood a small hill, upon which stretched a continuous row of guest lodges, a fine place for guests to escape the summer heat and relax.

Sheng Yuanyao slowly pushed the wheelchair, leading him through every inch of the place, as if inspecting her own territory.

Neither spoke much, yet Sheng Yuanyao's mood remained very good. This is what touring a garden should be like; that time with Pei Yu and the others was a ghost of a tour, absolutely miserable.

Lu Xingzhou also said, "I really hadn't noticed before; the scenery in Qingyao Garden is quite nice."

"Right?" Sheng Yuanyao smiled brightly: "Just now you said we were so familiar with it; familiar my foot! You only came here to fight; when did you ever properly look around?"

"Fine, fine, fine." Lu Xingzhou smiled: "Shall we go up the mountain for a walk?"

"The mountain path here is stone steps; your broken wheelchair is troublesome."

Lu Xingzhou stood up directly, took her hand, and said, "Let's go."

Sheng Yuanyao had intended to say that although no one was here, this was still outdoors and could be seen at any moment; was he now pretending to be lame so perfunctorily?

But as soon as her hand was taken, all words instantly stuck in her throat, unable to speak; her heart rate accelerated sharply, her face turning instantly red all the way down to her neck, leaving only stammering: "Y-you... why are you holding..."

Lu Xingzhou strode up the stone steps on the mountain, pulling her along; Sheng Yuanyao stumbled along, her voice lost in the wind, whether he heard it or not.

Then Sheng Yuanyao said nothing more.

It seemed he hadn't thought of anything else, just a casual move... so she said nothing; to dwell on it would be too attached.

Pei Chuyun, lurking far away to peep, ground her teeth: "Tsk, this man did it on purpose. This is simply a standard lesson plan for taking advantage of an innocent, pure little white flower."

A'nuo nodded.

Although the description "innocent pure little white flower" applied to Sister Yao, who was usually fiery and quick when investigating cases or poking her head out to eat melons, felt very out of place... she really was an innocent pure little white flower.

Pei Chuyun reached out and pinched her cheek: "Your master is so vulgar and shameless; how much have you learned from her?"

A'nuo looked at her as if she were an idiot, replying indistinctly: "Your master is Ten Thousand People Slayer; how much have you learned from her?"

Critical hit.

Pei Chuyun stood wide-eyed and speechless, not knowing how to respond.

A'nuo looked down on her: "Still calling herself the Holy Maiden of Harmony and Joy, all she knows is how to scam food and drink; you can't even learn one strand of your master."

Sounds of fighting came from the forest.

The two great witches were of such high rank that their fights lacked any trace of smoke and fire; the small boy and girl climbing the mountain far away noticed nothing.

Sheng Yuanyao had passed the initial panic and confusion; holding the man's hand, she began to feel sweet, keeping her head down to look at the stone steps from start to finish, her lips curving so wide they wouldn't come down.

Who would have thought that touring the garden alone would yield such an unexpected harvest?

Lu Xingzhou led her up the steps slowly, saying, "The scenery in this place is so good; if managed well, it could be quite profitable..."

Sheng Yuanyao hadn't thought about how much money to make, but hearing this, she immediately thought: Lu Xingzhou had developed both the Yama Hall and the Tianxing Sword Sect very well; offering a few ideas to help a good friend earn some money, what's wrong with that?

So she said, "Besides having Pei Yu and those people lead tours, what other money-making ideas are there? A summer resort?"

"For a scenic spot, you must create a gimmick." Lu Xingzhou smiled: "For example, erect a stele by the lake marking the place where Ye Wufeng lost his head; that would directly turn this somewhat inauspicious concept into a scenic spot concept. Being the top newcomer still has some appeal, at least in the hearts of young people."

"What else?"

"You need a famous poem; as long as the poem is strong enough, this place will become a holy site. Do you know Hanshan Temple and Yellow Crane Tower...?"

"What are those..." Sheng Yuanyao scratched her head: "But where do you find good poems? They are encountered by chance, not sought."

Lu Xingzhou laughed: "Why are you thinking so much for the owner of this place?"

"Speaking of which, I might as well ask." Sheng Yuanyao still did not say this was her territory, only stating, "Many gardens often hold literary gatherings; it is merely to gain fame for excellent works spread throughout the world, and thus for oneself to become famous. But such masterpieces are rare; even contemporary masters do not have every poem they produce become popular. There is still luck involved."

Lu Xingzhou smiled and said, "I can produce one. But why should I bother with someone else's garden?"

Sheng Yuanyao squeezed the hand she held tightly: "If you can truly produce one, I will have the owner of this place give you a reward."

"But the Top Scholar gift the owner of this place promised me hasn't been given yet, and now you want to trick me into writing a poem?"

Sheng Yuanyao's cheeks burned: "H-how did you know it was me?"

"Is it really yours?"

"How did you guess!"

The hill was not high; while speaking, they had already reached the summit. Lu Xingzhou looked at the guesthouse ahead and said with a smile, "There is a guesthouse here. If there is a guesthouse, someone must be managing it. Seeing guests arrive right before their eyes, not only does no one come to ask questions, but everyone has disappeared... Is this how business is done? Unless the owner made them hide, what other explanation is there? But why would an owner deliberately make people hide? Only a certain Young Lady who does not want to be treated like a melon..."

Sheng Yuanyao stood to the side like a sycophant, smiling apologetically: "I didn't mean to hide it from you. I originally wanted to make it a surprise. Why are you so smart? Can't you be a little dumber? You are very unlikable like this!"

"You want me to be likable to you?"

"Who wants you, you toad, to be likable?"

Lu Xingzhou laughed helplessly: "Hey, the gift you gave me yesterday, don't tell me it was the garden, because I wouldn't want it."

"I knew you wouldn't want it... It's not that gift."

"Then what is it?"

Sheng Yuanyao stamped her foot: "I hadn't thought of anything at all! Last time I asked what reward you wanted, you didn't speak, so how would I know what you like?"

"Didn't you say last time you didn't really want to give me anything?"

"... That's right, I didn't really want to give you anything, I was too lazy to use my brain. Anyway, I have these things; take whatever you want yourself!"

"You really let me take it myself?" Lu Xingzhou suddenly leaned in a bit closer.

Feeling the man suddenly approach, a sense of pressure suddenly descended; Sheng Yuanyao's heart gave a sudden thump.

What did he mean? He leaned so close; what did he want me to take?

"You said let me take it myself; you can't go back on your word." Lu Xingzhou leaned in another three parts closer.

Sheng Yuanyao's heart was about to jump out of her throat; she suddenly closed her eyes tightly: "This Miss means what she says."

Just consider it being chewed by a dog.

In the distance, Pei Chuyun and A Nuo stretched their necks.

The mountain breeze brushed past; the ponytail of the Miss with the ponytail swayed back and forth. A few stray strands of hair on her forehead brushed her eyes. Her tightly closed eyes were shut with immense force, furrowing her brow into a knot. Her lips were pressed tightly together as well. The clasped hands unconsciously exerted force, squeezing Lu Xingzhou until it hurt a little.

It felt as if a long time had passed; the mountain breeze brushed again and again, but the dog never chewed.

She could feel him leaning closer; warm breath was right by her cheek, and it seemed a hand had wrapped around her neck.

Sheng Yuanyao's palms were covered in sweat.

The next moment, she suddenly felt her hair loosen; the tied ponytail scattered open, her beautiful hair like a waterfall, cascading down.

Sheng Yuanyao opened her eyes in surprise and saw Lu Xingzhou smiling as he took her hair tie: "I just want this."

Sheng Yuanyao stared blankly for a while; whether from holding back, anger, or shame, her face turned so red it seemed ready to bleed.

He didn't kiss her, but the meaning of this teasing was even more shameful than a kiss.

Looking at Lu Xingzhou's smiling eyes, Sheng Yuanyao suddenly realized the man actually just wanted to see her face turn red with anger; this was teasing.

Seeing Lu Xingzhou wanted to step back, Sheng Yuanyao suddenly gritted her teeth, squeezed the hand she held again with force, and pulled the unprepared Lu Xingzhou close, gnashing her teeth and saying, "Is this very fun?"

Sheng Yuanyao wrapped her other hand around his neck, rose up on her tiptoes, and kissed him fiercely.

Lu Xingzhou's eyes widened in shock.

Pei Chuyun and A Nuo poked their heads out, their eyes not blinking once.

Sheng Yuanyao had no experience; she just pressed against him, her heart and liver jumping wildly from nervousness. After a short moment, they separated. Breathing heavily, she reached out and pushed: "Teasing this Miss! Who is teasing whom? You passed the Top Scholar exam well; this Young Lady rewards you!"

(End of this chapter)