Chapter 397: Wu Huizhen felt she was losing track of who was the master and who was the servant

Lin Li was playing on his phone.

How magical.

Lin Li discovered that when he tapped the "Airplane" icon in the phone's status bar, the "Mobile Data" icon nearby, which looked like the Twin Towers, would go dark.

Phones, aren't they magical?

"Click."

Hearing the sound from behind, Lin Li turned his head to look at Li Pingxing, who had just returned from the restroom.

"Well, Sasuke, shall we continue?" Lin Li put his phone aside and asked, lifting his chin.

"Yes, Teacher." Li Sasuke nodded. Taking a deep breath, he sat down at the desk, shoulders heavy with the burden of the crown.

The two continued the lesson.

【Accept the commission: Sincerely tutor the cultivator for three hours (2/3)】

A notification popped up.

The (1/3) had appeared ten minutes after Lin Li used the "The Crown Prince is a Milk Dragon" theory to motivate Sasuke.

Now, Lin Li had deduced the criteria for "one hour": it required him to be actively speaking and teaching for that hour.

The reason it hadn't counted before, despite a full hour passing, was that the time Sasuke and Milk Dragon spent doing homework while he sat by without giving any guidance hadn't been included.

Furthermore, if he noticed Sasuke zoning out but didn't remind him, just continuing to talk to himself, the system wouldn't recognize it either.

Presumably, that was because doing so meant he wasn't teaching sincerely.

Lin Li was glad he had arrived early today; otherwise, he likely wouldn't have finished this task tonight.

After all, an "hour" with such requirements definitely took more than sixty minutes in reality—there had to be break times and time for Sasuke to think for himself.

Fortunately, Lin Li had come straight to Wu Huizhen's house after dinner tonight.

The time was only twenty-something minutes past eight.

If things went fast, he could finish by nine-thirty; if slow, before ten.

This time was certainly late, but both Sasuke and Wu Huizhen should be able to accept it.

Lin Li didn't want to give up either; if this task were split into two sessions, it would be quite troublesome—he couldn't exactly say he was doing two trial lessons.

"Sasuke, don't zone out. Don't forget your grand ambition." Noticing Li Sasuke drifting off, Lin Li immediately reminded him in a gentle voice.

"Sorry, Teacher."

Sasuke gave a start, his unfocused pupils refocusing.

He subconsciously glanced back at the tightly closed bedroom door; outside, the war cry of "I am the Milk Dragon" could still be heard faintly.

Damn it.

I am the real Milk Dragon!

He roared silently in his heart, but the exhaustion from high-intensity study still made him sigh. He couldn't remember the last time he had studied so seriously for so long, so Li Sasuke couldn't help but ask:

"Teacher, is the path of the Milk Dragon always this painful? Or is it only like this when you're young?"

Holy crap, *This Milk Dragon Isn't Very Milky*.

Lin Li shook his head calmly:

"The struggle of the Milk Dragon has always been thus. That I have granted you a new title is already an act of mercy. Your Highness, only by forging ahead with all your might can you live up to this heart."

"The student understands!" Hearing this, Sasuke gritted his teeth and nodded heavily.

Hanging his head from the beam and piercing his thigh with an awl—this was his determination to become the Milk Dragon!

Sasuke looked up at the ceiling. Hanging his head from a beam was difficult, so he hardened his heart, picked up the pen on the desk, and stabbed it into his thigh.

"?"

Lin Li: "Why are you stabbing my thigh?"

Hearing Lin Li gasp, Sasuke felt much more awake.

"Teacher, I wanted to perk myself up, but I stabbed the wrong one."

"Fair enough."

【Task Five completed.】

【You have received the reward: Constitution improvement: Comprehension increased by 10%, spell effect increased by 50%; System Currency *100】

Seeing the system notification, Lin Li let out a long breath.

It was about the time he had expected; he had taught until nine-forty in the evening.

There was no helping it; as the study went on, it became much harder for Sasuke to maintain focus.

After nine o'clock, Wu Huizhen had come in several times in surprise—she had thought it would be a miracle if Li Pingxing could last until eight-thirty.

"Sasuke, that's all for tonight. You've worked hard." Lin Li poked a few pieces of apple that had turned yellow from oxidation with a toothpick, stood up, and stretched.

"Whew—" Li Sasuke let out a long sigh of relief, but then looked at Lin Li with burning eyes, seeking one last confirmation:

"Teacher, who do you think... is more qualified to become... the Milk Dragon now?"

"Of course, it's you!" Lin Li gave a thumbs-up without hesitation, his tone resolute: "If this world can only tolerate one dragon as supreme, I, your teacher, assert that you, Sasuke, are the only one worthy!"

"You are already not far from that throne!"

"Thank you, Teacher!" Having received the personal certification of the Imperial Tutor Lin Li, a pure and excited smile bloomed on Sasuke's face, as if all the exhaustion had been worth it.

This life, it's complete!

"My mission is fulfilled. I have seen the answer to who the Milk Dragon throne should fall to. It is settled." Lin Li walked toward the door, his tone carrying a hint of farewell. "Sasuke, the mountains are high and the waters are long; perhaps we shall meet again."

—Since the system hadn't popped up any derivative tasks, Lin Li naturally couldn't stay on as a permanent tutor. Time to slip away.

"Teacher, wait!"

"What is it?" Lin Li looked back.

"Teacher, I don't want this to be the last time we see each other. As the Imperial Tutor, will you join the organization I founded? My organization needs a wise man like you!" Li Sasuke's eyes burned, his tone firm and yearning.

Lin Li raised an eyebrow; it seemed he had mentioned something like that.

Considering Li Sasuke had perfectly cooperated with him to complete the task tonight, Lin Li naturally wouldn't be stingy about providing him with some emotional value.

Therefore, Lin Li decisively put on an expression of great interest and asked: "Oh? Your Highness, what is the name of the organization you founded, and what does it do?"

When Li Sasuke talked about this, his expression became uncontrollably excited, his eyes filled with the fervor of a missionary:

"The name of my organization was chosen by my friend. It's called 'Dust Secret Hunting Shadows'—hunting those strange dark shadows sealed in secrets is what our organization does! The organization's codename is..."

Lin Li: "?"

What gibberish is he saying? Obsessed with what?

Sasuke, that friend of yours seems to have been tainted by Bai Bufan.

It was hard to imagine whether this organization represented eighth-grade syndrome or something more... biological.

But seeing Li Sasuke's eyes were clear and pure, and since boys developed slowly and a first-year middle schooler really didn't have the capital for "handiwork," he figured it must be the former.

Thus, Lin Li revealed an inscrutable smile: "Sasuke, if it is this organization... your teacher is already a part of it."

He had long since... been obsessed!

Li Sasuke was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized, a strong light erupting in his eyes!

He understood.

The teacher meant... he had always been with him!

"Thank you, Mentor! Once I join the organization, we are family! If you are ever killed by someone in the future, I will definitely avenge you! I swear!" Li Sasuke said excitedly.

Lin Li: "..."

That really isn't necessary.

Lin Li waved his hand with a smile, then pushed open the bedroom door and walked into the living room.

In the living room, Wu Huizhen's husband had returned home, but he was nowhere to be seen; he must be in the master bedroom.

Wu Huizhen was sitting on the sofa, with the little Milk Dragon Li Pingchen snuggled beside her, sleeping soundly, so Lin Li softened his steps and voice: "Auntie, it's finished."

"You've worked hard! You've worked so hard!" Wu Huizhen stood up hurriedly, her eyes full of gratitude.

"It's not hard at all." Lin Li waved his hand.

"Then... Lin Li, what do you think of Pingxing... how is he really?"

Wu Huizhen walked a few steps closer, glanced at Li Pingxing, who was still sitting upright at the desk in the room, and then looked at Lin Li with eyes full of anticipation and inquiry.

"He is very good, really." Lin Li first expressed his approval of Sasuke, but before Wu Huizhen could open her mouth to ask him to stay, he smiled and continued:

"However, Auntie, after trying it out, I found that being a tutor really doesn't stir up any passion in me, and I don't have any thoughts of making money for the time being, so coming regularly... I can't get past that hurdle in my own heart."

"You don't have to come regularly! You can cancel anytime you're busy! We would welcome you even if you only came occasionally!" Wu Huizhen stated eagerly.

After seeing today's results, Wu Huizhen knew one thing: if she let Lin Li go, she would definitely regret it.

"Auntie," Lin Li shook his head, his tone firm: "Asking for leave all the time isn't right; it becomes a burden."

However, Lin Li then changed the subject and gave a promise: "But don't worry, Pingxing and I have already added each other on QQ. If he encounters any difficulties in his studies in the future, he can find me on QQ anytime."

"As long as I'm free, I will definitely answer."

"And, who knows, maybe one day I'll want to earn some pocket money again. When that time comes, I will definitely contact you first. You can give me this opportunity again, how about that?"

Lin Li didn't close the door on the possibility entirely.

After all, who knew if the system would issue such tasks again in the future.

Leaving a way out meant having one more opportunity later.

"I see... that's fine, that's fine..." Seeing that Lin Li's mind was made up, Wu Huizhen could only suppress her regret and nod helplessly.

"Then Auntie, I'll be going now." Lin Li pointed to the door, and seeing Wu Huizhen look toward the master bedroom as if preparing to call someone, he anticipated her words:

"Auntie, no need to ask Uncle to take me; I came by bicycle, it's actually more convenient for me to ride back."

"Oh... okay, but Lin Li, it's so late, you must be hungry, right? Should I get some snacks from the street downstairs or cook you a late-night meal at home? We have dumplings, wontons, noodles..." Wu Huizhen's enthusiasm remained undiminished.

After all, Lin Li was a friend's child, and since Lin Li hadn't accepted anything tonight, this enthusiasm was perfectly normal.

"Thank you, Auntie, but I really don't need to. I bought a cake at home and put it in the fridge; if I don't eat it tonight, it'll go bad." Lin Li made up an excuse to refuse, while quickly retreating to the entryway to change his shoes. ===== CHAPTER 398 =====