Why is the fairy who adopted me plotting against me?

"Let Aunt Gu... savor it properly." Her voice was low and husky, carrying an indescribable allure. She then extended her tongue and gently licked away the drool that had dripped from her lips.

She took a single drop, then slowly scraped the essence from her cheek with her fingers—a clumsy yet breathtaking motion—and gently placed it into her mouth.

The scene trembled Su Mu's heart, leaving him unable to control himself.

"It tastes like Mu'er's..." Gu Zhaorong savored it carefully, scraping off every last bit of the "gift" from her face and swallowing it all before applying...

Zhan Jingchen used magic to clean it up. However, while the magic could remove the stains, it could not wipe away the intoxicating blush on her face, a blush that spoke of her deepest emotions.

"That's good... Mu'er has fed Aunt Gu to her heart's content. Now that she's in seclusion, even if she misses your cooking, she can rely on this..."

"I've gotten through the lingering memories~" She leaned against Su Mu's chest, her eyes sparkling, her tone languid and satisfied, with a hint of teasing and endless tenderness.

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Chapter Seventy-Six: Combing Her Hair

After a pleasant "mountain climbing discussion" with Aunt Gu, Su Mu felt refreshed and walked leisurely to the main hall of the summit.

Upon entering the hall, one sees Shen Qingshang already seated before the table, dressed in plain white robes, her face still veiled, but unlike usual, she has not set up the usual elaborate curtains.

Ink wash screen.

She seemed focused on the unreviewed files before her, but Su Mu keenly sensed that the moment he stepped into the hall, the pen in her hand...

His fingertips paused slightly.

"Master." Su Mu stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

"Hmm." Shen Qingshang responded softly, her gaze still fixed on the file, not immediately looking up, but a subtle blush crept into her fair ears.

A thin layer of red.

Although she had already stood before him wearing only a veil yesterday, removing the screen today was still the result of her secretly mustering up her courage.

Since we've decided to stop being confused, let's take it one step at a time. This might be a good start.

Although her heart was still pounding, the joy of seeing him so clearly overcame her shyness and unease.

install.

Su Mu naturally noticed Shen Qingshang's subtle reaction. He stepped forward and gently placed a new stack of files on the corner of the desk.

"Master, these are the general matters that need to be handled today. I will first review the documents you reviewed yesterday, and then discuss them with you."

After saying that, he sat down on the futon opposite Shen Qingshang, picked up the file that Shen Qingshang had corrected the day before, and began to carefully read through it.

Without the screen to obstruct the view, the space seemed much smaller. Although Shen Qingshang forced himself to remain calm and continued reviewing the newly arrived documents, his eyes...

The corner of his eye seemed to have nowhere to rest, always involuntarily drifting towards the other side.

Su Mu's expression was focused, a thoughtful look on his face. His slender fingers slowly traced the words on the paper, pausing occasionally, then lifting them slightly.

A short note was written on the side.

Sunlight fell on his profile, outlining his clear and handsome features. Watching him handle affairs at such close range made Shen Qingshang…

The flags fluttered in the breeze, and I was somewhat mesmerized.

Su Mu seemed to sense something, and occasionally looked up, meeting Shen Qingshang's gaze, which he hadn't had time to withdraw. That gaze held a hint of panic, as if...

Startled like a fawn, she darted away quickly, yet a hint of barely perceptible longing lingered within her.

Su Mu chuckled inwardly, but didn't expose him. She pretended not to see it and continued working with her head down, a gentle smile curving her lips.

Time slipped by quietly. Shen Qingshang finished reviewing today's case files first, gently putting down her pen and letting out a sigh of relief. She looked up and saw Su Mu...

While still focused on checking and summarizing the documents from the past two days, he quietly started boiling water and making tea.

Before long, a delicate aroma of tea filled the air, dispelling the somber scent of ink in the hall.

She held a freshly brewed cup of hot tea and gently placed it beside Su Mu. "Su Mu, have some tea first. Take a break before you get back to work." Her voice was softer than usual.

It added a touch of gentleness to her usual demeanor.

Su Mu looked up from the file, smiled broadly, and generously accepted the teacup: "Thank you, Master."

He lowered his head and took a sip. The bitter taste of the coarse tea spread across his tongue, but as it settled in his heart, it transformed into a rich sweetness.

He looked up at Shen Qingshang, a knowing smile in his eyes: "Master said the other day that he would brew me another pot of new tea, and he kept his word."

Shen Qingshang slightly turned away to avoid his burning gaze and said in a low voice, "Well... since I promised, I naturally won't forget."

After drinking tea, Su Mu finally finished his work. He tidied up the files, a look of approval on his face:

"Master has made rapid progress recently, his analysis of intelligence from all sides is accurate, and his response strategies are becoming increasingly comprehensive and sophisticated. Even when I am traveling,

With Aunt Gu in seclusion for quiet cultivation, the sect's affairs will surely be handled smoothly by Master alone.

Hearing such positive feedback, Shen Qingshang was naturally delighted. She nodded slightly: "It's all thanks to your careful guidance these past few days."

However, the thought of Su Mu going on a "journey" quietly brought a touch of disappointment and reluctance to her heart.

She secretly regretted that, despite having resolved to support him on several occasions, she still felt so conflicted whenever the topic of parting came up.

Useless!

How many times had Senior Sister Zhaorong advised her? How many times had Su Mu comforted her? She didn't want to be a burden to him, didn't want to be an obstacle.

He spread his wings, soared into the sky, bound by chains! Yes…

This inner turmoil was naturally not beyond Su Mu's notice. He knew the pain Shen Qingshang was experiencing, and he felt no annoyance whatsoever.

It's because they love themselves too much that they act this way.

He simply smiled slightly and said nothing more, then took out a slender brocade box from his sleeve and handed it to Shen Qingshang.

"Master, this is a small token of my appreciation from your disciple and Xiaoxiao."

Shen Qingshang was slightly taken aback. He took the brocade box, opened it, and saw a jade comb lying quietly inside.

The comb body is crafted from the finest Ningxin jade, its surface warm and cool to the touch. The teeth are polished smooth and even, its design simple and rustic, yet possessing its own unique charm.

It exudes an air of elegance.

"This is... a jade comb?" Shen Qingshang gently stroked the jade comb with his fingertips.

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"Yes," Su Mu explained gently, "A few days ago, Xiaoxiao and I came across a piece of fine Ningxin jade in Qingzhou City, and we thought of giving it to you and Aunt Gu."

Make some small items.

"Master usually goes to great lengths for the sect and for Xiaoxiao and the others' cultivation. Therefore, this jade comb was made, hoping that Master can use its calming properties..."

Effective, it dispels worries.

"You're so kind." Shen Qingshang held the jade comb, a warm current flowing through his heart, completely dispelling the bitterness and entanglement he had just felt.

She looked up at Su Mu; he was always so perceptive, noticing her wavering and offering timely comfort. She suddenly remembered what he had just said...

Overwhelmed by the praise, he surprisingly joked, "Is this a reward for handling my administrative duties reasonably well?"

Su Mu was taken aback at first, then couldn't help but laugh and said loudly, "Master is joking. When this comb was made, I had not yet formally become your disciple."

"This is merely a small token of my gratitude to my master for adopting Xiaoxiao and teaching the disciples of the sect."

He paused, his gaze becoming deep and gentle, and continued, "Moreover, although I haven't spent much time with my master, he always reminds me of a..."

Old friends, I feel especially close to them. Therefore…

His smile grew even brighter, tinged with a hint of slyness, "If Master doesn't mind my overstepping my bounds, consider this comb a reward from your disciple, and that would be fine too."

No.

Seeing his open yet somewhat intimate smile, Shen Qingshang's heart skipped a beat. Her cheeks flushed beneath the veil, but her eyes shone with genuine affection.

His smile was like spring ice melting into water.

“Alright, then… I’ll accept this reward from you,” she replied softly.

Her fingertips traced the jade comb. After a moment's hesitation, her voice lowered slightly, carrying a barely perceptible hint of anticipation, "Then... now, you can..."

"Would you comb my hair?"

"Okay... Fairy Shen."

This time, he didn't address her as "Master." Shen Qingshang didn't try to correct him either. She lowered her head slightly, feeling his gentle...

She gently loosened her hair, picked up the jade comb, and slowly combed her cascading black hair.

The hall was quiet and still, with only the soft sound of a jade comb brushing against hair and the clearly audible breathing of the other two.

Both of them tacitly maintained this moment of warmth and understanding. It was as if time had reversed, returning them to that peaceful little village, free from clan...

The heavy responsibility of the gate, free from the past gloom, brings peace and happiness.

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Chapter Seventy-Seven: Jewels and Gems

Night fell, but Su Mu's residence remained brightly lit and bustling with activity. He and Xiaoxiao were about to leave the sect, and he would never get to taste Su Mu's cooking again.

The uncles and senior sisters all came to "mooch a meal".

The senior disciples naturally didn't come empty-handed; the talismans, magic treasures, and other gifts they brought had already piled up into a small mountain.

"Our senior sisters and uncles gave us so many things," Su Zhixiao said with a playful smile as she sorted through them. "We can't possibly use them all."

Su Mu, who was clearing away the dishes, said with a gentle smile, "My senior sisters and I meant well. They brought these tokens of our good wishes under the guise of congratulations."

It wasn't all about the meal.

He paused, recalling the way his senior sisters devoured the food at the table, and couldn't help but chuckle, "But perhaps they really can't bear to part with my skills."

“I know~” Su Zhixiao put the sorted items into the storage bag, her voice light and cheerful, “The senior sisters Shiquan may seem casual, but they are actually very meticulous.”

They were concerned, but fearing we would feel awkward, they chose this method to express it.

“Yes,” Su Mu walked to her side, “There’s still a long way to go. One day, I will make sure that my senior uncles and sisters no longer have to worry about us.”

"And then?" Su Zhixiao suddenly raised her head, her lips slightly pouting, a hint of sourness in her voice, "Then, after the senior uncles and sisters were relieved..."

So they can confess their feelings to their brother one by one? And then their brother will just go along with it and accept them all?

“Of course,” Su Mu replied readily, taking her slightly cool hand in his, his gaze gentle yet firm. “We are family, so naturally we should stay together for a long time.”

We're together all the time, and we can't afford to lose anyone.

"Hmph... I knew my brother would say that." Su Zhixiao snorted twice, barely accepting this "greedy" answer.

Just then, she felt a cool sensation on her wrist. Looking down, she saw a delicate pink quartz bracelet with peach blossom hues on it, its gold chain strung with several lustrous beads.

The calming jade beads shimmered with a soft luster under the light, complementing her fair skin.

"This...this is..." She was both surprised and delighted. Although she had guessed that Su Mu had prepared a gift, seeing it so exquisitely presented before her eyes still filled her with a sense of awe.

The jealousy was instantly dispelled by the sweetness.

"Do you like it?" Su Mu asked with a smile.

"Yes! I love it! Xiaoxiao loves anything her brother gives her!" She nodded vigorously, threw herself into Su Mu's arms, hugged him tightly, her eyes sparkling.

Dots of light.

This was no exaggeration; from childhood to adulthood, she had cherished and treasured every little trinket Su Mu had given her. Thinking of this, a thought suddenly occurred to her.

"Brother, do you remember?" She buried her face in his chest, her voice muffled, tinged with a shy mischievousness. "The other day in the peach blossom grove, I asked..."

"Does this bracelet look good on you? What did you say?"

"Of course I remember. I said, my Xiaoxiao looks good in anything."

“There’s a second half to the sentence…” Su Zhixiao’s voice was even lower, barely audible, her cheeks flushed. “Later, my brother… whispered in my ear, saying that Xiaoxiao…”