Chapter 12 Long-lasting Assistance

“Since Jingze Xianjun is your good friend, why didn’t you invite him to stay at the teahouse for a while? Isn’t it rather impolite to let him leave so abruptly?”

Su Qing had reservations about Mu Qing Shi, so naturally she found fault with everything he did. However, in this matter, Mu Qing Shi had acted entirely for her benefit.

Because just as Jing Ze had surmised, he intended to thoroughly investigate her. And given his position and connections in the Heavenly Realm, it would be effortless. Since this was unavoidable, it was better to minimize their interactions to avoid unnecessary complications.

Especially since Jing Ze sometimes took his jokes too far.

Mu Qing Shi’s thoughts had already circled several times when Su Qing, seeing his silence, assumed he thought she was overstepping. She simply turned and walked toward the bridge.

Mu Qing Shi suddenly snapped out of his thoughts and hastily grabbed her arm: “It was careless of me!”

Su Qing paused mid-step and casually flicked her hand to shake him off—only to accidentally strike his injured spot.

“Ah…” Mu Qing Shi realized Su Qing must be truly furious this time. This hit was much harder than yesterday’s.

Hearing the sharp inhale behind her, Su Qing turned her head coldly and tossed out two words: “Serves you right!”

Now Mu Qing Shi truly found himself at a loss, just as that old fox Jing Ze had predicted. He had only spoken the truth—why had it angered her so?

“Miss Su Qing!” Mu Qing Shi suddenly called out to her.

The figure ahead stopped once more and glanced back at him: “What is it, Young Master?”

“Your bracelet fell!” With that, he bent down to pick up the string of blue glass beads and dangled it before her.

Su Qing froze. That bracelet had been with her since birth—she knew exactly how precious it was.

So she returned to Mu Qing Shi’s side, accepted the bracelet, and said, “Thank you, Young Master.”

Her expression visibly softened. Indeed, a little cleverness was necessary—otherwise, there’d be no way forward.

“Jiu Jiu must be waiting for us!” Mu Qing Shi smoothly changed the subject, natural and unforced.

Right, today they were returning to the Candle Chamber—it was time to set off.

She had actually walked so far just out of anger toward Mu Qing Shi—this was unprecedented. The thought calmed Su Qing’s temper, and she said mildly, “Let’s go back.”

As soon as they entered the inn, they saw Jiu Jiu sitting at a table in the western corner, their belongings slung over her shoulders as she looked around—except, of course, for the pastries Mu Qing Shi had made, which she had long since devoured, sharing quite a few with Little Oriole too.

“Aunt Su Qing, you’re finally back!” Jiu Jiu grinned, waving at them with an innocent expression.

Su Qing smiled faintly. “Yes, we’re returning to the Candle Chamber.”

Hearing this, Jiu Jiu burrowed into Su Qing’s arms, nuzzling against her before secretly winking at Mu Qing Shi. “Aunt Su Qing, can Qing Shi gege stay at the Candle Chamber a bit longer? Then we can eat more delicious food, and Jiu Jiu will grow tall—just like Aunt Su Qing!”

What was this now? It took Mu Qing Shi a long moment to realize—those last two sentences and the “hehe” laughter from the other day had meant this all along.

What did it mean? It meant she was playing wingman.

Mu Qing Shi gave Su Qing a helpless look. This was all his fault—he’d corrupted Jiu Jiu!

“Is my cooking not good enough?” Su Qing asked, watching Jiu Jiu snuggle in her arms before shooting Mu Qing Shi a frosty glare.

Jiu Jiu looked at Su Qing with trembling eyes, her little hands shaking so much she nearly dropped them. But thinking of how she must help Qing Shi no matter what, she gritted her teeth and began to sob softly, “But Brother Qing Shi only comes three times a year, and each time I have to wait so long to see him again. If no one teaches me to read, write, paint, or play the zither, what if I become stupid and no one likes me anymore? What if even Little Oriole starts to dislike me? Then I’ll have no friends left!”

As she spoke, real tears began to fall. Mu Qing Shi knew that Jiu Jiu genuinely wanted to help him, but her fear of being abandoned by her friends was also real. After all, her past experiences hadn’t been particularly happy.

“Miss Su Qing, may Qing Shi speak?”

Mu Qing Shi truly felt for this little girl. Though Su Qing would eventually agree, it wouldn’t be a lasting solution. What he sought wasn’t something temporary. Moreover, Jiu Jiu really needed someone to teach her skills that could cultivate her character—only then would she flourish in the future.

As for why Su Qing didn’t teach Jiu Jiu herself, Mu Qing Shi assumed it was because she disliked speaking. To be a good teacher, one didn’t necessarily need to be eloquent, but at the very least, one had to be engaging. Clearly, Su Qing wasn’t that type. Naturally, she wouldn’t waste her effort on such a task.

Su Qing was well aware of this shortcoming, so when Mu Qing Shi spoke, she patted Jiu Jiu’s shoulder and said calmly, “Listen to what your Brother Qing Shi has to say!”

Hearing this, Jiu Jiu immediately straightened up, stepping out of Su Qing’s embrace and standing at attention like a well-behaved student.

Mu Qing Shi couldn’t help but laugh at her serious expression. “Why so solemn?”

Jiu Jiu tilted her head and grinned at him, baring her teeth. “I want to be a good child!”

A faint smile tugged at Mu Qing Shi’s lips. This child actually thought he was siding with Su Qing to lecture her, so she was admitting her mistakes preemptively to avoid being scolded by both adults back in the Candle Chamber. How clever!

But Mu Qing Shi had no intention of aligning with Su Qing. His words represented his own stance, independent of others.

“Qing Shi has known you for a thousand years, yet I only trouble you for three months each year. But now, I have a favor to ask.” As he spoke, Mu Qing Shi’s brow furrowed slightly.

Su Qing wasn’t surprised. She had noticed long ago that Mu Qing Shi’s recent behavior was unusual—like how he would often stare at her silently without saying a word.

“Please speak, Master.” Since Jiu Jiu had left her embrace, the three of them no longer needed to stand conspicuously. Su Qing took a few steps and sat down gracefully.

Jiu Jiu quickly followed suit, but Mu Qing Shi walked to Su Qing’s side and sat down beside her without hesitation.

Su Qing stiffened, caught off guard. In the past, Mu Qing Shi had always sat across from her, never this close. What was different this time?

“Don’t be distant, Miss. Qing Shi only sits this way so you can verify whether what I say is true.” Mu Qing Shi poured her a cup of tea, his clear eyes smiling at her.

“Jiu Jiu!”

Just as Su Qing was about to respond, a childish voice interrupted them.