In the starry sky where Chu Feng had previously been.
Long Xiaoxiao and Long Zhuoyan were still standing there.
"Xiaoxiao, you need to work hard," Long Zhuoyan suddenly said.
"Master, Xiaoxiao will definitely cultivate diligently and never disappoint Master's expectations," Long Xiaoxiao declared earnestly.
However, this answer did not satisfy Long Zhuoyan, so she said: "I'm not talking about effort in the literal sense. I don't mean simply meeting whatever requirements I set for you in the future — you need to push yourself twice as hard on top of that."
"Do you know why?" Long Zhuoyan asked.
"Because this disciple was born of humble origins. Being able to take Master as my teacher is this disciple's good fortune. I cannot hold Master back," Long Xiaoxiao said.
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
Long Zhuoyan shook her head, then said: "Because I know you like my little brother."
"Master, I... that..." Long Xiaoxiao's face flushed crimson all over in an instant.
She thought to herself that she hadn't done anything wrong — she hadn't even hugged Chu Feng on her own initiative, even though she desperately wanted to. With Long Zhuoyan present, she had restrained herself. How had she been found out despite being so reserved?
Was her affection for Chu Feng really that obvious?
Long Zhuoyan burst out laughing: "I wasn't sure before, but now I'm certain. Otherwise, why would your face be so red?"
"Master, you..." Long Xiaoxiao's face grew even redder. So Long Zhuoyan had been bluffing her.
But Long Zhuoyan then wrapped an arm around Long Xiaoxiao's shoulder in a gesture of affection toward a junior — though it looked more like the intimacy between sisters. She was completely casual and carefree, bearing none of the mannerisms of a proper master.
Yet this made Long Xiaoxiao's heart swell with joy. She had already witnessed how Long Zhuoyan interacted with Chu Feng. If she could have that kind of relationship too, it would truly be bliss.
It wasn't that the traditional style of a master was bad, but she much preferred someone like Long Zhuoyan, with whom she could talk about anything.
But what Long Zhuoyan said next cooled the excitement in Long Xiaoxiao's heart.
"It's perfectly normal to like my little brother — he's outstanding. If the age gap weren't so large, let me tell you, even I'd be tempted."
"But Xiaoxiao, you need to understand one thing. Whether it's a man or a woman, beautiful things attract everyone's attention."
"What we consider good, others will consider good too. But just because you think something is good doesn't mean you can have it. Whether you can get it depends on whether you're worthy of it."
"In this world, feelings certainly exist. But whether those feelings are sturdy or not comes down to whether two people are a match for each other."
"Say your family had two sisters — your parents couldn't possibly treat you equally. They'd favor whichever one of you was more outstanding."
"If even family is like that, what hope is there for people with no blood ties?"
"There will always be someone else who is a better match than you."
"If you want to obtain the one you desire, you must work doubly hard."
At these words, Long Xiaoxiao said: "Master, I understand what you're saying."
"But truthfully, I don't ask for Chu Feng to like me. I only hope that one day, when he needs help, I'll be able to lend him a hand."
"He's helped me so many times. I want to be able to help him too."
The corner of Long Zhuoyan's lips curved upward — a smile laden with deeper meaning.
"Xiaoxiao, I believe what you're saying."
"But the fact that you say it that way shows a lack of confidence. As my disciple, I won't allow that."
"I refuse to believe that if you like my little brother, and my little brother wanted to be with you, you'd actually turn him down."
"Tell me honestly — do you want to be with my little brother?"
Long Zhuoyan asked.
Long Xiaoxiao did not answer directly, and Long Zhuoyan didn't press her either, because she knew that Long Xiaoxiao felt inferior in front of Chu Feng.