Ace raised an eyebrow as he looked at his two frozen disciples.
They kept glancing at each other, their expressions shifting between shock and panic, as if silently communicating.
Then, a system notification popped up.
[Mind-reading attempt at host detected.
[Culprit: Liu i
Attempt repelled successfully.]
Ace's lips twitched.
"So, you actually tried to read my mind, huh?"
"Haha…" Liu i let out a nervous laugh, rubbing the back of her neck, her fingers twitching slightly.
Ace, however, ignored her, his eyes fixed on the system notification, his fingers tapping idly against his arm.
So, she can't read my mind?
[No.]
A smirk played at the corner of his lips. Lucky .
anwhile, Shan Yifeng sat stiffly, his mind spinning at a hundred miles per hour.
His hands curled into his robes as he fought to keep his expression neutral.
He needed an excuse—no, a miracle—to stop them from going to Blue Sea Restaurant today.
Just today.
Ace suddenly clapped his hands together, the sharp sound breaking through the tense air. Both disciples flinched.
"Alright, Liu i, I'll let it slide just this once. Now go get dressed."
Liu i's shoulders stiffened. A beat passed before she forced a bright smile. "Master… can we, uh, not go to that restaurant today?"
Her voice carried a forced casualness, but her fingers gripped the edge of her sleeves tightly.
Ace arched a brow. "Hmmm? Why? You two set up explosives there or sothing?"
He chuckled at his own joke.
Shan Yifeng's throat went dry. A cold sweat dripped down his temple. He forced himself to blink, to breathe, but his limbs felt numb.
Liu i's forced smile seed to also cracked for a fraction of a second.
Ace's smile faded.
Yifeng swallowed hard. His lips parted, then closed. Then opened again. "Y-Yeah, we d-did…" The words stumbled out before he could think. His heart dropped. *Shit*.
Ace's gaze darkened, his sharp eyes cutting straight through him.
A tense silence filled the room.
Then, with a sigh, Ace pinched the bridge of his nose. "Enough with the jokes. Get dressed." His voice sounded tired.
Before either of them could utter another word, he turned on his heel and walked out, his steps slow and deliberate.
Liu i and Shan Yifeng sat frozen, beads of sweat trailing down their temples.
"…We're screwed," Shan Yifeng muttered under his breath.
An hour passed—an hour of Shan Yifeng's relentless stalling. He had faked a stomachache, misplaced his shoes, and even tried to convince Ace that today was an inauspicious day for dining out.
None of it worked.
In the end, Ace had to stand by the entrance, arms crossed, watching as his two disciples finally finished getting ready.
"Alright, let's go."
As soon as they stepped outside, a burst of laughter echoed from behind them.
Then—
"Okay! Everyone is here!"
Ace barely had ti to process before a familiar figure bounced toward them.
Princess Soho.
Liu i's brows furrowed. "Sister Soho?"
The princess grinned, rocking on her heels. "Aha~ what a coincidence!"
Liu i's gaze snapped toward Shan Yifeng. Her eyes narrowed. "You said I wouldn't see her again if I wished it," she muttered, her voice low and accusing. "You told she wouldn't bother us anymore."
Shan Yifeng stiffened, looking anywhere but at her.
"Wow, you both dare ignore the royal princess?" Soho pouted dramatically, placing her hands on her hips.
Ace didn't spare the trio a glance. He walked past them, making his way toward Hua Hua, who stood beside Hua Lin a short distance away.
"Good morning, Master Zhi~" Hua Lin chirped, her voice deliberately soft and sweet.
Ace barely glanced at her. He gave a short nod before turning to Hua Hua instead.
Who cares? His thoughts were unbothered, detached. I'm petty, and I'll always be petty. You're the one who said you absolutely hated , so don't talk to now.
Hua Hua, sharp as ever, ignored the awkward air between them and leaned in slightly.
"The princess invited us," he murmured, keeping his voice low. Then, with a knowing look, he added, "Also, there's an auction today."
Ace exhaled through his nose. So that's why.
His gaze flickered toward the Princess in question.
He was about to step forward when Hua Lin suddenly took a deep breath, as if gathering courage.
"Master Zhi…" Her voice wavered slightly. "Are you intentionally avoiding ?"
Ace stopped. He turned his head, looking directly at her.
He looked her straight in the eye. "No."
Then, without another word, he turned and left.
Hua Lin stood frozen in place.
Her fingers clenched into her sleeves. He's… actively avoiding ? Why? Her mind raced.
Was it because I canceled the engagent? But… he agreed to it!
No matter how much she tried to reason with herself, a bitter feeling gnawed at her chest. She couldn't understand.
Soho didn't fail to notice Hua Lin's expression. She nudged Liu i playfully.
"Hey, who's that girl to your master?" she asked, tilting her head toward Hua Lin.
Liu i followed her gaze, locking eyes with Hua Lin.
She stared for a mont, her expression unreadable. Then, with a slight shake of her head, she turned back to Soho.
"Nobody important."
Dismissing the matter entirely, she crossed her arms and leveled Soho with a sharp look.
"I rember telling you—let's never et again—when we parted ways," Liu i said, her tone flat.
"Oh, please~" Soho pinched Liu i's cheek with a grin. "You're so cute when you're all rebellious like this. Such a little kid."
Liu i flinched, caught off guard by the sudden touch. Then, her instincts kicked in.
She swatted Soho's hand away with a sharp glare, but Soho only chuckled.
anwhile, Shan Yifeng stood frozen.
His mind was a chaotic ss. His hands were clammy. His heart raced.
What do I do? What do I say?
Master had to know. He definitely knew.
And yet, for now, their master remained silent. Which, sohow, made it all even worse.
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