"Alright, since there are no issues, it's settled then."
Yan Shaozhe chuckled and looked at Ye Chen, saying, "Xiao Chen, you must cultivate diligently from now on. When you grow older, I will teach you how to manage the Outer Courtyard."
"Okay, thank you, Master!" Ye Chen smiled brightly.
He wasn't really interested in managing the Outer Courtyard, but it didn't matter. A boss didn't need to be good at management; he just needed to be good at judging people.
There were many talented individuals in the academy; as long as he was good at judging people, managing the academy would be very easy.
Soon, the meeting concluded.
Bringing Ye Chen over this time was just to let the elders get acquainted with him, making it easier for them to look after him in the future.
After all, Ye Chen's rewards had already been decided yesterday; today was merely to inform Ye Chen.
Everyone dispersed.
Ye Chen parted ways with Ma Xiaotao and then went to chase after Zhang Lexuan.
Zhang Lexuan had definitely played a very important role in this reward.
Although Ye Chen didn't care much about the reward itself, he was still very grateful for Zhang Lexuan's efforts in it and certainly had to thank her properly.
...
...
Inside a separate courtyard in the Sea God Pavilion.
Zhang Lexuan was just about to return to her room to rest when she suddenly heard footsteps behind her.
Zhang Lexuan turned her head slightly and immediately saw Ye Chen chasing after her.
"Xiao Chen, why did you follow me?" Zhang Lexuan smiled brightly and asked curiously.
Although she didn't know what Ye Chen wanted, just seeing him made her inexplicably happy. She was usually serious and unsmiling, but she never hesitated to show her smiles to Ye Chen.
"Sister, this matter was all thanks to you. Thank you for your help!" Ye Chen walked forward, his face filled with sincere gratitude.
"Pfft~"
Zhang Lexuan covered her mouth and chuckled, gently flicking Ye Chen's nose, her eyes full of tenderness. She said, "Do we still need to say such things between us? You are my younger brother, and as your sister, isn't it only right for me to take care of my younger brother?"
"Come on, let's go into my home and sit for a bit~"
Without another word, Zhang Lexuan took Ye Chen's hand and led him into the courtyard.
As the Senior Sister of the Inner Courtyard, Zhang Lexuan held an extraordinary status, essentially no different from other teachers. She owned her own small detached courtyard, which was three or four times the size of Ma Xiaotao's residence.
Within the courtyard were several elegant pavilions and a garden, making it appear very fresh and refined, like a paradise. Moreover, the Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi here was much denser than outside.
Cultivating in such a place would definitely yield twice the results with half the effort.
"Come, Xiao Chen, have some tea. I'll make you something delicious~" Zhang Lexuan warmly entertained Ye Chen.
She had long wanted to invite Ye Chen to her home but hadn't found the opportunity or excuse.
Now that Ye Chen had come to her on his own, she naturally wouldn't let this opportunity slip by.
She had to entertain him well!
This way, Ye Chen would visit more often in the future.
Cultivation was inherently boring. Ye Chen was arguably the only little brother who could bring a touch of joy to her monotonous life, so she naturally had to seize the opportunity.
Of course, she used to have Bei Bei. Little Bei Bei was quite obedient and fun when he was young, but unfortunately, Bei Bei became less fun when he grew up, becoming a bit dull. Ever since Tang Ya appeared, Bei Bei had never come to her place again...
Ye Chen was still more adorable.
"Sister, there's no need. I came this time just to thank you, and for that, I even specially prepared a gift for you. I hope you won't decline."
Ye Chen quickly pulled Zhang Lexuan, then took out an exquisite small wooden box and placed it in her arms.
Inside were three Life Seeds, each containing a year of his lifespan.
The Life Seed was not only a sacred healing medicine, but when there were no injuries, it was a top-tier beauty-preserving pill, most suitable as a gift for women.
Giving too many would make the pill seem worthless.
Giving too few would not seem sincere enough. Ye Chen felt three was just right.
Hmm, he could give more in the future.
"What is this?"
Zhang Lexuan opened the wooden box and found three small green pills lying quietly inside.
"This is our family's sacred healing medicine. The one I gave to Xiao Tao Jie last time was this. It can heal injuries instantly and can save one's life when there is no healing Spirit Master accompanying them," Ye Chen explained.
"Ah... Xiao Chen, this, this, this is too precious. I can't accept it..."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Lexuan exclaimed and quickly declined.
With her experience, she naturally knew the preciousness and rarity of such pills. If they were put on the market, they would definitely sell for an exorbitant price.
And Ye Chen had actually given her three directly. She certainly couldn't accept them; they were simply too precious.
"Sister, just accept it. This is a token of your younger brother's appreciation~"
Ye Chen again placed the jade box into Zhang Lexuan's arms.
He then leaned forward, directly hugged Zhang Lexuan, and then whispered into her ear, blowing a breath: "This pill can not only heal injuries but also preserve youth. Three pills can make Sister at least three years younger..."
"Ah! So miraculous..."
Zhang Lexuan's heart skipped a beat, and she was instantly tempted.
Girls all loved beauty, and even she was no exception. Three pills could make her three years younger; who could resist such a temptation?
While Zhang Lexuan was surprised, her face also flushed scarlet.
Because Ye Chen was currently pressed against her, especially when he blew into her ear, making her ears tickle, and her heart even more so...
Especially smelling Ye Chen's scent at such close proximity made her heart, which had been dormant for many years, begin to beat faster...
But she showed no resistance to this; instead, she subconsciously wrapped her arms around Ye Chen's waist, hugging him.
"That's right. Although this pill is precious, it can't compare to Sister's place in my heart."
"One pill for Sister's healing, two pills for Sister's youth preservation. This is a token of your younger brother's appreciation, and I hope Sister won't decline."
After Ye Chen finished speaking, he slightly released Zhang Lexuan and looked at her intently.
"Mmm... Alright, alright, then I'll accept it." Finally, Zhang Lexuan couldn't resist the temptation of the beauty-preserving pills and accepted the gift.
Of course, Zhang Lexuan would definitely not admit it. This was a gift from her younger brother, and as his sister, she naturally couldn't decline~
"Hehe, that's more like it~"
Seeing this, Ye Chen was satisfied.
Giving gifts could quickly increase favorability, deepen friendship, and make friendship turn into something more...
Zhang Lexuan's strength was very powerful. If she could be brought into the Tang Sect, then many things would be easier later on~
"Oh, Xiao Chen, wait a moment, I also have a gift for you~"
At this moment, Zhang Lexuan seemed to have thought of something, her face slightly flushed, and then she turned and ran into the room.
"Huh, Zhang Lexuan also has a gift? What could it be? It's so hard to guess..."
Ye Chen stroked his chin, feeling inexplicably expectant, because he really couldn't guess what gift Zhang Lexuan would give him.
Zhang Lexuan's action was clearly on a whim. What could she give?
It wouldn't be intimate apparel, would it?