Mu Qingyi looked at An Yi and said, "I'm a bit hungry."
An Yi chuckled, "Me too."
"As the host, shouldn't you fulfill your duties and cook?"
"Uh, I'm feeling a bit dizzy."
Seeing the standoff between Mu Qingyi and An Yi, Shen Muxuan volunteered, "I'll cook!"
An Yi placed a hand on Shen Muxuan's shoulder and said seriously, "Sit down. Let me handle it."
"But aren't you dizzy?" Shen Muxuan asked, puzzled.
An Yi scowled. "I'll manage."
He absolutely refused to endure her cooking again.
The clatter of pots and pans echoed from the kitchen.
Mu Qingyi's expression turned grave as she looked at Shen Muxuan.
"Master, why did you suddenly come to the mortal world?"
Shen Muxuan held Mu Qingyi's hand affectionately as she asked.
Mu Qingyi’s face remained cold. "Let me see your hand."
"It's... it's fine," Shen Muxuan replied nervously.
Mu Qingyi grabbed her wrist firmly.
On Shen Muxuan’s fair, jade-like arm, several crimson lines had grown increasingly distinct.
"You—you—!"
Mu Qingyi’s face paled with fury, her aura radiating icy coldness. "Is it because of that brat? I’ll smash his stupid head in!"
"Master!"
Shen Muxuan held onto Mu Qingyi’s arm, her innocent and beautiful face breaking into a smile. "Your disciple truly has no regrets."
"You—"
Mu Qingyi froze at Shen Muxuan’s expression.
Years ago, her own master had worn the same look.
For a man, she had betrayed their sect.
Back then, Mu Qingyi had been too young to understand.
Yet that gentle yet resolute figure had remained etched in her mind, impossible to forget.
"Not bad. I never expected someone from such humble means to possess such delicious food."
Mu Qingyi slurped the instant noodles with gusto.
"Humble means?"
An Yi rolled his eyes.
If instant noodles impressed her this much, where did she get her superiority complex?
Shen Muxuan beamed. "Right, Master? If you like it, have more! An Yi is really good at cooking."
Mu Qingyi picked up a strand of noodles and marveled, "To shape noodles like this requires real craftsmanship. The broth is rich and flavorful—I never expected you had such skills. How did you do it?"
"Boil water, add noodles, tear open the seasoning packet, stir, and serve."
An Yi succinctly explained his culinary masterpiece: instant noodles.
Mu Qingyi: "…?"
"Master, when are you leaving?"
An Yi asked casually, as if it were an afterthought—though it was the most crucial question.
This spendthrift woman!
She had the audacity to oppose him to his face!
If he weren’t outmatched, An Yi would never tolerate her wreaking havoc in his home.
Mu Qingyi sipped the broth calmly. "Tonight."
An Yi’s face lit up. "Ah, this... this is so sudden! You barely got to see anything in the mortal world."
Mu Qingyi pondered. "You make a fair point. I’ll stay a couple more days."
An Yi: "…"
After the meal, An Yi glared at Mu Qingyi.
Admittedly, her aura was unmatched.
That transcendent, otherworldly air made her seem like an immortal who had descended to the mortal realm.
Even now, as she sat stiffly on the sofa with Shen Muxuan watching a melodrama, her posture was rigidly proper.
An Yi yawned in boredom.
He couldn’t fathom how a woman who didn’t even know what a television was could enjoy cheesy romance dramas.
And wasn’t she supposed to despise men?
Knock knock!
"Coming!"
An Yi rubbed his eyes and opened the door.
Outside stood several men in tailored suits.
The leader checked the address repeatedly before asking, dumbfounded, "Are you Mr. An Yi?"
"Yeah. What do you want?"
An Yi replied impatiently.
The man was still baffled.
Who would’ve thought the tycoon who bought out their entire flagship store’s display collection lived in such a shabby apartment?
"Good day, Mr. An. We’re representatives from Senhuang Flagship Store—"
The man launched into a spiel about not judging a book by its cover.
Sure, this guy didn’t look wealthy, but he’d dropped half a million in one go!
"Just deliver the clothes and spare me the speech."
An Yi hauled in the staggering pile of boxes. "Muxuan, your clothes are here."
"Amazing! They arrived so fast!"
Shen Muxuan’s eyes sparkled at the mountain of packaging.
She tore open a box and gasped at the stylish knitwear inside. "I love this! It’s perfect for the season!"
Even a bottomless pit like her had a girly side.
Clothes were a rarity—her plain ancient-style robes were practically threadbare.
And the outfits An Yi usually picked for her? Questionable taste, to say the least.
Thankfully, her looks carried the fashion disasters.
Worst of all, the bras he bought were always the wrong size—way too tight!
Mu Qingyi eyed the lavish haul skeptically. "Where did you get the money for all this?"
An Yi scoffed. "Why wouldn’t I have money for clothes?"
"Wait, you’re actually rich?" Mu Qingyi asked, astonished.
Even Shen Muxuan stared at him expectantly.
However slow she was, even she realized:
The An Yi before her wasn’t the same guy who used to sneak bites of her stale mantou to stave off hunger.
An Yi clasped his hands behind his back smugly.
"I intended to live among you as an ordinary man, but all I got in return was distance. Fine, I’ll come clean—I’m a billionaire. No more lies."
"Really? Does that mean I can eat meat buns every day forever?"
Shen Muxuan bounced with excitement.
An Yi patted her head sympathetically. "Until you’re sick of them."
"Pfft. If you’re so loaded, why live in this dump? And your ‘iron box’ is way shabbier than others’."
Mu Qingyi snorted dismissively.
No way she’d believe this guy was wealthy.
Her disciple had suffered enough poverty in the mortal world—back in the immortal sect, she’d never known such hardship!
An Yi’s face darkened.
A mansion, luxury cars, a pool, bikini models—time to upgrade ASAP!
Otherwise, how could he flaunt his billionaire status?
Mu Qingyi watched Shen Muxuan gleefully sorting clothes and chided, "Muxuan, material possessions are vain distractions. Don’t indulge too much—"
"Master, look! This dress would suit you so well!"
Shen Muxuan held up a stylish gown delightedly.
"Oh? Let me see!"
---
Late at night, the world was quiet.
Fresh from a shower, An Yi collapsed onto his bed, aching all over.
A full day of fleeing and fighting had left him exhausted—only to return and deal with that haughty woman’s antics!
Knock knock knock!
He checked the time—1 AM.
Slipping on sandals, he headed to the door, muttering, "Muxuan, with your master here, it’s not a good time. Let’s hold off for a couple of—"
He opened the door and froze.
It wasn’t Shen Muxuan.
Standing outside was her master, Mu Qingyi.
An Yi’s brain short-circuited.
What the hell does she want at this hour?!
A glance at Mu Qingyi nearly made his nose bleed.
She wore a silky nightgown that clung to her voluptuous curves.
The plunging neckline revealed a tantalizing glimpse of snowy cleavage.
The scandalously short hem showcased her long, flawless legs.
Was it these very legs I held during the day?
Mu Qingyi gazed at him with a sultry look, her voice soft and inviting: "An Yi, aren’t you going to invite me in?"
A fire burned inside An Yi, leaving his throat parched.
Is this some kind of teacher-student roleplay?
No... this really shouldn’t happen.
--