Yang Guo: I'm invincible in the opening battle against Aunt Guo!

He walked to the desk, his gaze sweeping over the calligraphy scroll stained with ink, and said gently:

"I apologize for my unannounced visit, Uncle Master."

"It's alright." Cheng Ying lowered her eyes, avoiding his gaze. "Is there something you need, Junior Nephew Yang?"

Yang Guo sighed inwardly as he looked at her aloof demeanor.

As expected, the Guo residence was still too small. The commotion caused by Da Wu and Xiao Wu had already reached her, making her wary.

He said solemnly, "This disciple has come to apologize to my master for what happened this morning."

Cheng Ying was taken aback, and looked up at him: "An apology?"

"Yes." Yang Guo bowed. "Today in the corridor, I acted rashly and offended my master. Although it was unintentional, it caused trouble for my master and allowed Da Wu and Xiao Wu to take the opportunity to cause trouble and tarnish my master's reputation. This is all my fault, please punish me, master."

He spoke sincerely and adopted an extremely humble attitude.

Seeing him like this, Cheng Ying's initial resentment lessened somewhat, and she felt a pang of pity instead.

"This matter... is not your fault. It was Da Wu and Xiao Wu... who deliberately misinterpreted it."

"Uncle, you are magnanimous." Yang Guo straightened up and looked at her. "It's just that I feel uneasy after this incident. You are an elder, someone I respect. If your reputation is damaged because of me, I will be guilty even if I die."

He paused, then continued, "Just now, Master summoned me for questioning, and I explained the whole story. Master is discerning and already knows that it was Da Wu and Xiao Wu who stirred up trouble. However... I am still worried that Uncle will be unhappy, so I have come to apologize."

Hearing his words, Cheng Ying felt a surge of warmth in her heart.

She had assumed Yang Guo had come to explain, or... to continue teasing her.

Unexpectedly, he apologized so solemnly, with every word showing consideration for her reputation.

"I...I'm not upset," Cheng Ying said softly. "I know you didn't mean it. As for Da Wu and the others...I never believed them anyway."

A hint of a smile flashed in Yang Guo's eyes: "It's good that my martial uncle doesn't blame me."

He took a step forward, and Cheng Ying subconsciously stepped back, her back pressed against the bookshelf.

"Uncle-Master," Yang Guo said softly, looking at her slightly flustered appearance, "Actually, I have another matter to discuss with you today."

"What is it?" Cheng Ying's voice trembled slightly.

"This disciple would like to ask, Martial Aunt," Yang Guo said, his gaze falling on her face, "Does Martial Aunt... truly dislike this disciple?"

Cheng Ying's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly shook her head: "Of course not. You...you are my senior sister's disciple, how could I dislike you?"

"Then why does my martial uncle always avoid me?" Yang Guo took another step closer, the two of them now extremely close. "Since we parted at Mount Hua, whenever my martial uncle sees me, he either lowers his head or turns away, refusing to say more than a few words. I ask myself if I have offended my martial uncle, his aloofness makes me very sad."

His tone carried a hint of grievance and confusion, which, combined with his handsome face, was surprisingly endearing.

Cheng Ying opened her mouth, but couldn't say a word.

What could she say?

Is she saying she developed feelings for him that she shouldn't have?

Is it true that she deliberately distanced herself because of seniority?

She said she felt a pang of jealousy seeing him being close to other women.

She couldn't say a single word about these things.

"I...I wasn't avoiding you." Cheng Ying turned her head away, her voice barely audible. "It's just...it's just that men and women are different. I'm your senior uncle, so I should keep my distance."

"It's my martial uncle again." Yang Guo sighed softly. "Martial uncle, are the rules and etiquette of this world more important than sincerity? I respect you, enjoy talking with you, and admire your talent and character—what's wrong with that? Why must you deliberately distance yourself because of seniority?"

He reached out and gently grasped Cheng Ying's wrist.

Cheng Ying trembled and tried to pull away, but he held her tightly.

"Uncle-Master," Yang Guo looked at her, his eyes full of sincerity, "in my heart, you are first and foremost Cheng Ying, a gentle, intelligent, and refined woman, and only secondly are you my aunt-master. My respect and...admiration for you are all because of you as a person, not because of your status."

His palm was warm, and his strength was just right, yet it made Cheng Ying feel weak all over.

She could smell the faint masculine scent emanating from Yang Guo.

What made her heart flutter even more was the undisguised admiration and...fervor in his eyes.

"Yang Guo..." Cheng Ying's voice trembled, "You...you let me go first."

"If you promise not to avoid me anymore, I will let go." Yang Guo not only didn't let go, but pulled her closer. "If you continue to be so distant, I will feel bad. I'm afraid I will bother you every day until you finally look at me properly."

These words carried a hint of roguishness and a touch of stubbornness.

Cheng Ying was both ashamed and anxious, her eyes reddening: "How...how can you be so...so unreasonable!"

"I don't want to reason with you, my martial uncle," Yang Guo smiled. "I just want you to know that in my heart, you are special. It has nothing to do with seniority or status, it only has to do with who you are."

He lowered his head, and the two were so close that they could feel each other's breath.

Cheng Ying's heart pounded like a drum, and her mind went completely blank.

She looked at Yang Guo's face so close to hers, at her reflection in his eyes, and at his thin lips slowly approaching...

Yang Guo paused at her lips, his voice low and husky, almost touching Cheng Ying's lips, "Uncle-Master, your red lips are so beautiful, may I kiss them?"

Cheng Ying snapped out of her daze, pushed him away forcefully, then staggered back a few steps, her back hitting the bookshelf, causing several books to fall to the ground with a clatter.

"No...no!" Her voice trembled with tears. "Yang Guo! You...you get out!"

Looking at her flustered and ashamed appearance, Yang Guo sighed inwardly—he had been too hasty.

He composed himself, took two steps back, bowed, and said, "This disciple has been disrespectful; please calm your anger, Uncle-Master. This disciple... will take his leave now."

After saying that, he gave Cheng Ying a deep look, then turned and left the room.

The door closed gently.

Inside the room, Cheng Ying leaned against the bookshelf and slowly slid down to sit on the floor.

She raised her hand to cover her face, tears slipping through her fingers.

Just a moment ago... she actually... she almost agreed.

"Cheng Ying, Cheng Ying..." she muttered, spitting under her breath, "How could you... how could you be so shameless..."

But deep in my heart, that stirring and longing grew wildly like weeds, and could no longer be suppressed.

Outside the courtyard.

Yang Guo stood under the moon gate, looking back at the tightly closed door, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.

Cheng Ying, that girl, wears her heart on her sleeve.

She had feelings for him, but was bound by social conventions and dared not admit it.

It doesn't matter.

He has plenty of patience and plenty of methods.

One day, she will willingly become his.

Yang Guo straightened his clothes. He was about to leave when he suddenly remembered something.

Lu Wushuang is actually Cheng Ying's cousin.

Now that Lu Wushuang has returned, shouldn't we arrange for these two unfortunate sisters to meet?

……