It was a pity that Little Jingliu didn't get to stay smug for too long. She hadn't even had time to pace to the kitchen door—letting the comforting thought that 'Little Wangshu really stayed home all afternoon' curve the corners of her mouth upward—when the wooden door of the courtyard was knocked upon.
Thud, thud, thud.
The knocking sounded quite polite. But the word 'polite,' like a fine needle, suddenly pricked the tiny bubble of joy that had just inflated in Jingliu's heart, reminding her of a certain bad woman.
Her small face tightened. With an indignant expression, she stomped thump-thump-thump to the entrance and yanked the door open with force.
"You...!"
The aggressive outburst she had prepared choked in her throat the instant she saw clearly who was outside.
"Hello, Teacher."
Jingliu's beautiful crimson eyes widened slightly before quickly lowering. Little Jingliu's small hands busied themselves, not knowing where to rest, and she stood flustered by the side, her voice as thin as a mosquito's buzz.
Oh no!
Skipping school for two days in a row—something bad has happened!
"Jingliu, is there something weighing on your mind that keeps you from attending school?"
The teacher was aware of the student's family background, so she didn't stand on ceremony. She simply looked past her toward the brightly lit room behind Little Jingliu, assessing the girl's personality tendencies.
She seems to be a child who loves to fantasize.
"I... I..."
Jingliu stammered, her fingertips incessantly clutching at her clothes. Could she really talk to her teacher about falling in love?
After all, she hadn't even passed the Adult Qualification Certificate yet... Well, never mind the certificate; she was only eighteen. In this nation of long-life species where everything moved incredibly slowly, she was indeed so immature it was embarrassing to mention.
Wangshu's voice rang out at just the right moment.
"Apologies, Teacher. We've had some family matters to attend to these past two afternoons. I was so busy I even forgot to ask for leave on her behalf."
He leaned naturally close to Little Jingliu, subtly shielding her behind him. Little Jingliu instantly dropped her guard, shrinking behind Wangshu and revealing only a small portion of her face and a pair of eyes that peeked secretly at the teacher.
The teacher's home visit had come somewhat suddenly, yet... it was also only natural.
"And you are?"
Wangshu glanced at Jingliu. She had her head lowered; the natural oppression a teacher held over a student was still too strong.
"Her brother."
He had intended to say boyfriend, but the Xianzhou was a nation that would use the term 'short-life species Outworlder,' and considering how Yingxing had been ostracized and made things difficult for during his apprenticeship, Wangshu felt it might be hard to explain if questioned further.
He might even face regional discrimination.
You're from that corner-of-nowhere planet? And you want to marry our Xianzhou girl?
"Her brother?"
The teacher repeated the words. Speaking of which, the appearance of long-life species was generally quite good; their skin was often fair and hard to alter, their features were symmetrical, and they seemed to favor growing their hair long—almost every female seemed to have a head of long hair.
"Yes. I am currently preparing to apply for the Cloud Knights."
The slightly damp hair on Wangshu's forehead swayed. With a sharp clang, the Support Flying Swords that had been hanging by the window suddenly turned into flowing light, circling neatly around him and rotating slowly in a specific rhythm.
Ok, the teacher bought it.
"I am Li Xin, Jingliu's homeroom teacher."
She extended her hand, her gaze still lingering on the Support Flying Swords behind the young man.
According to the Cloud Knight martial standards, being able to manipulate six flying swords in a single breath made one outstanding even among the Cloud Knights. She had heard that Jingliu's father was formerly a Battalion Commander... so this brother was likely the real deal.
Her tone remained calm: "Are you aware that on her family relations form, Jingliu filled in 'Orphan' with no guardian?"
Of course, this wasn't a critically important matter since Jingliu hadn't applied for financial aid; it was just a discrepancy in the archives.
Jingliu lowered her head even further. She actually was an orphan.
Wangshu had prepared for this long ago, wearing a slightly guilty look on his face: "Our relationship as siblings wasn't very good in the past. I... hadn't walked out of the shadow of that blow from the past, and I even neglected my swordsmanship for a time. We've only slowly reconciled recently."
He paused, looking at the top of Jingliu's head beside him, his tone softening: "Fortunately, Little Jingliu was willing to give me, this incompetent brother, another chance. So, we might have played a bit too wildly these past two days."
Jingliu stole a glance at Little Wangshu. Sure enough, it's not just pretty girls who lie; pretty boys lie too. Does Little Wangshu really not blush at all when he lies?
Teacher Li Xin fell silent for a moment. She didn't continue the topic. The death of both parents was an incredibly sorrowful event even for long-life species, and she was, after all, just a teacher.
"The basic studies at the Academy are about to conclude. have you considered what Little Jingliu will do in the future? Or will she stay at home and wait for employment?"
Li Xin changed the subject, her tone becoming more pragmatic.
'Waiting for employment' was a very common phenomenon in Cangcheng. In fact, this phenomenon was very common throughout the entire nation of long-life species; their lifespans were simply too long.
"She'll stay home for a few years, then join the Cloud Knights like me. I have some confidence in my own swordsmanship, so I should be able to take good care of her then."
Wangshu had already thought of a reason. After all, there wasn't much else to discuss during a home visit—it was either about the desired university, future plans, or simpler school issues.
Although he hadn't seen a pig run, Wangshu had eaten pork.
He thought his answer was already perfect, until the teacher shook her head calmly.
"I do not recommend that choice. Although you have moved on, I still do not recommend going to the battlefield. Finding a stable job in Cangcheng would be very good."
"Cangcheng has no war. When the time comes for your first deployment, it will likely be to support other Xianzhou ships stuck in bitter battles. The enemies you encounter won't be new recruits."
"Of course, I know it's hard to find a stable job here in Cangcheng; the people here are too competitive. But I hope you can seriously consider the issue of Little Jingliu's higher education. If she goes to the Divination Commission to become the lowest-level Diviner, at least she can live a worry-free life in Cangcheng without experiencing the wind, frost, and swords."
Wangshu: ...
Is the Cloud Knights such an unfavored career path in Cangcheng?
"Recently, even Yaoqing has had no new campaigns. Perhaps peace has already arrived. I hope you can view the past rationally and not be led by hatred onto a path that may not be the most suitable for you."
"Although Jingliu is a bit mischievous, her talent is actually very good. She isn't stupid."
Jingliu: ...
"Consider a stable career direction more. Here in Cangcheng, having a stable job is better than anything."
Next, Li Xin asked about some academic details and learned about Jingliu's self-study situation at home.
Little Jingliu gradually became less constrained. Occasionally hearing the teacher call her mischievous, she couldn't help but raise her eyes to look at Little Wangshu's expression.
As the conversation deepened, the initial awkwardness faded. After sending Teacher Li Xin off and closing the courtyard door, the room returned to tranquility, with only the faint sound of the soup pot bubbling coming from the kitchen.
"We reconciled!"
Jingliu extended her hand.
Wangshu smiled and held it, though his eyes remained filled with a certain doubt.
*[Promising Future Chat Group]*
Wangshu: "@Jingliu, Senior, in Star Calendar Year 6299, had the war already come to a close?"
Jingliu: "How is that possible? What are you thinking?"
Wangshu: "Why do I feel that from top to bottom, no one in Cangcheng feels much of a war atmosphere?"
Wangshu: "Even up to now, a student like Little Jingliu who believes in textbooks is more vigilant than many adults."
Jingliu: "..."
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