187. Long Road Ahead
Himeko downed glass after glass, while Yun Ling drank juice beside her.
Of course, his mouth was still quite restless.
He would occasionally tease Himeko, occasionally say something that made her heart flutter, or praise Himeko in every way.
Himeko blushed and couldn't handle it.
Even if she tried to put on a teacher's airs, it was useless in front of Yun Ling.
From a status perspective, Yun Ling's behavior was somewhat disrespectful to a teacher.
But Himeko didn't dislike this way of communicating.
After all, it felt more like a peer relationship, not a student and teacher relationship.
With such a gap in status, there were many things that couldn't be said or done.
Yun Ling wanted to try to bridge this gap, to make Himeko see him as a friend she could confide in, not as a student.
However, even after Himeko passed out drunk at the bar, Yunling was unable to elicit any information about the 'Artificial Stigmata'.
His original plan was to use Himeko to reveal why she couldn't fall in love, then, through further questioning, learn that the transplanted 'Artificial Stigmata' was nearing its end, and after a period of research, develop a solution to the Artificial Stigmata's harmful effects.
After all, resolving the harmful effects of the 'Artificial Stigmata' required surgery, not medication.
However, it was also a good opportunity for Yun Ling to practice a bit.
With his ability to manipulate threads and flowing water, he possessed a unique advantage in performing surgery.
"Sister Himeko, I'll carry you back. Please don't throw up on me," Yun Ling reminded her.
But Himeko only murmured unconsciously, seemingly muttering something.
He carried Himeko on his back, her voluptuous figure pressed tightly against Yun Ling's back. Together, she offered absolutely no resistance, pressing her entire weight onto him.
This meant that even through three layers of fabric, Yun Ling could feel the amazing elasticity.
It's both a blessing and a curse.
Yun Ling took her back to her dormitory, but realized he didn't seem to have her room key.
Looking at Himeko, he noticed she didn't seem to have any pockets. Where could the key be...?
Yun Ling's gaze suddenly lingered on Himeko's chest... Could it be hidden there?
The wicked thought was quickly extinguished. Even if he knew where it was, he couldn't take it!
Everyone knew that Himeko was highly likely to be pretending to be asleep at times like this! Maybe it was a test for him.
After all, who would get completely drunk on their first drinking session with a member of the opposite sex?
Suspicious, very suspicious. That's it.
At this moment, he had to pretend... no, to project the image of a good man.
Yun Ling resolutely took Himeko back to his house, casually tossed her onto the bed, and then went to take a shower.
However, after his shower, a scene that made Yun Ling's blood boil appeared.
Himeko had somehow removed eighty percent of her clothes, leaving only her undergarments.
The mole on her chest was faintly visible, her beautiful, fiery red hair was scattered on the bed, and her delicate cheeks were flushed with the rosy hue of intoxication, looking utterly at his mercy.
But the more she looked like this, the more Yun Ling felt something was amiss.
He simply covered Himeko with the blanket, turned on the air conditioner, turned off the lights except for a desk lamp, and then quietly sat down to read.
Soon, Yun Ling became completely absorbed in his cultivation.
Although occasional sounds were coming from behind... A rustling sound seemed to be tempting him to turn his head.
But it did not affect Yun Ling.
It wasn't until the next morning, when dawn was just breaking, that Himeko finally woke up.
Opening her heavy eyelids, the dim light draw her attention.
Yun Ling...?
Himeko woke up instantly, looking at the somewhat unfamiliar surroundings. Clearly, this was not her room.
Looking at herself, all her clothes were off, her snow-white skin completely exposed.
She immediately covered herself with the blanket, her eyes fixed on Yun Ling.
She knew she did sleep naked, so she didn't suspect Yun Ling had undressed her.
But...he must have seen it...
Himeko's face flushed red. She hurriedly grabbed her clothes and put them back on under the covers, then... She peeked out.
To have shown such embarrassment in front of her student was truly...
Yun Ling remained engrossed in his book, as if something in the book was particularly captivating.
"Sister Himeko, are you awake?" Yun Ling asked without turning his head.
"Mmm..."
Having been discovered, Himeko blushed and crawled out from under the covers.
Yun Ling closed the 'Void Unity True Technique' and let out a long sigh.
He felt he had made a little progress again that night.
Moreover, he hadn't felt particularly tired while cultivating and hadn't even felt sleepy. He just felt like he looked up and it was already dawn.
No wonder those cultivators in fantasy novels could go into seclusion for decades; for cultivators, time truly is fleeting.
"Don't worry, Sister Himeko, I didn't do anything!" Yun Ling confidently puffed out his chest, feeling particularly proud of himself today. Excellent.
"...I haven't even asked yet, and you've already admitted it?" Himeko looked at him suspiciously.
After all, Yun Ling's outward appearance screamed "LSP" (a derogatory term for a pervert), and Himeko found it hard to believe he hadn't done anything.
"I recorded myself the whole time." Yun Ling pointed to the recording on the table; a camera was filming the desk.
"I've been recording since we came back. Sister Himeko, do you want to check it?" Yun Ling handed the camera to Himeko.
"...No need, I trust you."
Since Yun Ling had said so much, Himeko had no choice but to believe him.
"But you little rascal, did you already anticipate what would happen?" Himeko narrowed her eyes.
"No, it's just in case. What if my great image in Sister Himeko's eyes suddenly shattered?"
"How come I didn't know you created such a majestic image?" Himeko retorted.
"Now you know it! As handsome as a man of unparalleled charm, a man of unwavering integrity, a rare and talented gentleman! Himeko, don't miss this opportunity!" Yun Ling chuckled.
Himeko rolled her eyes, finding his narcissism unbearable.
But Yun Ling's behavior was indeed commendable, even if there was a hint of deliberate performance involved...
A gentleman judges by actions, not intentions. And no one is perfect, so she was quite satisfied with Yun Ling's overall performance.
Last night, she accidentally drank too much and ended up completely drunk.
Of course, Yun Ling was unaware of this, but even if he knew, he wouldn't react much; at most, he'd miss the secret that Himeko's hair wasn't dyed red.
The foundation of trust had been laid; there would always be opportunities.
The future is still long.
...