CHAPTER 542: CHAPTER 531: GIVE IT A FEW SMACKS, SEE HOW IT FEELS

Cui Yun witnessed this scene, his expression gradually cooling and becoming indifferent.

He wasn’t foolish enough to not know who bought the hammer for the girl.

By the time he returned to the Shen Residence, Ji Qing had been waiting for a long time, about to come forward to greet him, but stopped upon colliding with the dark gaze in Cui Yun’s eyes.

The Master’s thoughts were hard to guess, but his likes and dislikes were clearer to him than to anyone else.

Cui Yun returned to his room, took up a brush pen, and with fluid movements, painted two portraits drenched in ink.

One was of the merchant Shen Wei had met outside. Although he hadn’t managed to expose any secrets, he always felt there was something suspicious about this person and Shen Wei.

The other one was of Xue Mouyan.

Ji Qing ventured to ask, "Has the matter with the Shen Family been settled by the Master?"

"Settled what?"

He scoffed, "If I were to investigate for a few more days, I fear I might lose my life here."

Cui Yun was certain that he and Shen Hua would never be connected again. If there was any fate between them, it would only be a woeful one.

Was it that serious?

Cui Yun’s martial arts were not weak.

"Doctor Ni initially came over reluctantly, but... he still has medical ethics."

Cui Yun lazily retorted, "It wasn’t all coercion and temptation at that time, do you think he would be so honest if he hadn’t received any benefits?"

There was such a thing?

Ji Qing was not aware of it, and he also didn’t want to inquire further.

After finishing the painting, Cui Yun walked out of the room deep in thought, and upon turning his gaze, he saw someone lying on a chair outside.

Shen Hua, unbeknownst to him, had come over.

She was sitting arrogantly with one hand behind her head, the other tapping a bent leg rhythmically.

It involuntarily reminded one of the scene a few days prior when she leaned over and sniffed the chair, her upturned nose seemingly falling upon him, sniffing without restraint.

Cui Yun brushed away those stray thoughts.

Once his eyes were closed, all was clear again.

Meanwhile, Ji Qing efficiently and respectfully proceeded without delay to pack his belongings, soon ready with the bundle on his back.

He followed out.

"Master, regarding the Shen Family’s affairs, as they are irrelevant to you, and considering the imminent danger, we should return to Shengjing."

Shen Hua grasped the key point!

"You’re leaving?"

Cui Yun faced her joyfully curved eyes, glowing as if they brimmed with a sparkling galaxy, dazzling and moist.

In fact, if the girl remained silent, she was still passably pleasing to the eye. Her large eyes now fixed on Ji Qing as she quickly let out a cheer.

"It’s good to leave. The door is that way; I won’t see you out."

"Happiness?" Cui Yun narrowed his eyes, stamping his foot.

The little girl nodded emphatically.

Just as she was about to speak her piece, she saw the old woman from the Chun Family carrying clothes into the courtyard from the archway.

"Young Master Cui, here are the garments made to your measurements from the embroidery workshop; Doctor Ni has a set too. Please try them on; after all, they are a token of our Madam’s kindness."

As the old woman spoke, she looked at Shen Hua, asking with a smiling face.

"How come the lady is here too?"

Shen Hua swallowed the words that had reached her mouth.

She lifted her little finger, putting on an exaggerated act, "Brother Cui, now that I know you’re leaving, I find myself reluctant to part."

Upon hearing this, the old woman was startled, "Young Master Cui is leaving."

Shen Hua nodded cutely, feigning innocence, "Indeed. After all, he has stayed for quite a while."

"No matter how I try to persuade him, he refuses to stay a few more days. It shows his determination to return home is firm."

Cui Yun watched her ham-fisted performance. His black eyes grew deep.

"It’s all the same, I cannot bear to see you saddened."

He strolled at a leisurely pace, stepping forward.

"Private matters are almost resolved, but there are still some loose ends to tie up. Fengzhou has an abundance of talent and scenic beauty, and I have not yet had my fill of the Shen Residence."

The old woman eagerly smiled, "That’s the right idea. The academy is closed for a few days, and our young master is likely to return home soon. He is about the same age as you and can accompany you to tour around Fengzhou."

"Fengzhou’s delicacies are also quite famous."

This time, Cui Yun was looking at Shen Hua as he replied. A slight smile curled on his lips.

"Then that’s really fortunate."

Shen Hua’s smile froze. She seriously and suspiciously thought Cui Yun did it on purpose.

After the old woman left, she still couldn’t snap out of her emotions of joy and sorrow.

On the contrary, Cui Yun looked leisurely at the exquisitely wrapped gift box on the stone table. His voice was light and cool: "For me?"

Shen Hua turned over, changed her expression, and spoke in a venomous, mocking tone: "Why don’t you open it and have a look."

Cui Yun, clearer than anyone else of what was inside, nonetheless unlocked the box with nimble fingers.

’Click’ went the lock.

Under the light, the object inside the box shimmered brilliantly.

"I had this custom-made specially for you."

"Take it back."

Cui Yun said lightly: "It’s too valuable. I really can’t accept it."

She climbed off the couch and walked over. The girl and Cui Yun eyed each other for a moment, she lifted her leg and shook it, and with the speed of thunder, ’accidentally’ stepped heavily on his foot.

"Oops, I’m sorry. It got dirty, didn’t it?"

Shen Hua quite reasonably said: "Consider it a way to apologize."

Seeing his lack of response, Shen Hua blinked.

"Don’t like it?"

Cui Yun: "Hmm."

Shen Hua: ???

"Don’t like it?" she continued blinking.

Cui Yun furrowed his brows slightly, intensifying his response.

"Hmm."

Not getting the answer she wanted, Shen Hua obviously wasn’t giving up; she kept asking, as if she would ask till the end of time.

"I bought it with my own hands at least, you should give me some face."

This time Cui Yun relented a bit: "That’s correct."

Shen Hua was satisfied: "Don’t like it?"

He replied very slowly, his tone light: "Indeed, I don’t like it."

!!!

"Don’t like it?"

Ji Qing: ...

Such a girl, truly unheard of, unseen before.

He wanted to just walk away in displeasure. Darn it! Clearly showing irritation, yet he responded to every single sentence.

With that step, he actually felt pain on behalf of Cui Yun!

Shen Hua asked roughly more than a dozen times, receiving the same reply each time. Her expression turned serious, as if meeting her match, sitting upright and proper.

In contrast, Cui Yun was teasing her with ease.

She pounced over fiercely, covering Cui Yun’s lips with her hand.

"Ahhh, shut up, will you!"

Cui Yun’s eyes flashed suddenly. He smelled her fragrance, which was identical to his. A sense of eeriness emerged, indescribable and ungraspable.

Shen Hua’s movements were abrupt, and she felt a delayed dizziness; her vision darkened, and her body slid downwards. Cui Yun, alarmed, instinctively held onto her.

Her soft body leaned against him.

Her breathing was weak.

Cui Yun furrowed his brows and ordered sharply: "What are you waiting for, go call for Doctor Ni!"

The girl regaining her senses.

"That’s not important!"

Even in her weakness, she did not forget to tightly grab onto Cui Yun’s collar, her words filled with a pleading desperation.

"Do you... like it?"

Seeing she was truly alright, Cui Yun quickly released her. His hand rested on the stone table. He stopped antagonizing her, intending to indulge her for once.

The girl mimicked him, sitting down on the stone bench, resting her hand over it, imitating his posture perfectly, complete with his usually noble demeanor. She even changed her voice mockingly: "Like it."

Cui Yun: ...

Shen Hua in a cutesy voice: "Since you like it, why not give it a few pats on yourself, test the feel."

Shen Hua impersonating Cui Yun: "I’ll listen to you."

After finishing, she looked expectantly at Cui Yun.

"Begin."