They talked for a while longer, but eventually, Xuan Yan glanced out the window and noticed the sky darkening, streaked with shades of orange and purple.
He looked toward Mo Xie and said gently, "Xie, it's getting dark. I should leave now."
Mo Xie's eyes widened slightly. "You're… leaving already?"
There was a small hint of disappointment in her voice.
Before he could reply, Mo Xing spoke up quickly, "Yan, wait. Why don't you have dinner here first? Then you can go."
Her tone was kind and earnest but also a little nervous, as though unsure if she should even be offering.
Xuan Yan hesitated a little.
He has been away from Spirit City for two long months, wandering through the Star Luo Empire searching for clues about 'her'.
And if he is being honest, he could already imagine his teacher's anger because he didn't visit her first when he entered the city.
He would have to face that soon.
But Mo Xie leaned forward with hopeful eyes "Yes, Brother Yan… you can eat dinner and go back after."
Xuan Yan sighed inwardly. At this point, Uncle Ghost must have already reported to Bibi Dong. The damage was done.
He smiled softly. "Alright then. I'll stay for dinner."
Mo Xing looked relieved and stood up immediately "Good. Wait for a while, I'll prepare dinner."
Mo Xing stood up to prepare dinner, feeling fortunate that she bought meat earlier that day.
With it, she could at least make something decent for someone of Xuan Yan's status.
She moved toward the kitchen with a small, relieved smile, but before she could reach the doorway, Xuan Yan suddenly rose from his seat as well.
"Aunty, I can help you prepare dinner,"
Panicking, she quickly waved her hands. "No, no, Yan. You can sit with Xie'er. I'll handle everything."
Her voice carried both respect and nervousness because, in her eyes, allowing him to cook would feel almost like committing a crime.
But Xuan Yan only chuckled softly, "It's alright. I have some experience with cooking,"
She shook her head repeatedly. "No, no, how can I let you-"
Before she could finish, Mo Xie spoke up from behind. "Mom, Brother Yan's cooking is really good. I ate his handmade food once. It was extraordinary…"
She paused, then added bluntly, "Actually, it's better than your cooking."
Mo Xing blinked in surprise. Better than hers? She wasn't sure how to respond to that.
And before she could attempt another protest, Xuan Yan simply walked past her and entered the kitchen.
With no choice, she sighed and followed him inside.
While chopping vegetables, he spoke casually, "Aunty, you don't need to live here anymore. There's an empty house near my place in central Spirit City. You can move there."
Mo Xing stiffened. A house in the central district? That kind of place was unimaginably expensive.
"But, Yan—" she started, trying to find the words.
But he cut in immediately, "No buts. I'll arrange everything. You can move tomorrow."
Mo Xing swallowed her objections and nodded hesitantly. "I… I will talk with Xie'er about it." It was all she could say, even though her mind was swirling.
When the dishes were finally placed on the table, the aroma alone left her stunned.
Once she tasted the food, she felt her entire body freeze.
The flavor was deep and refined... undeniably better than anything she had ever made.
She found herself glancing repeatedly at the boy across from her. How could someone possess good looks, talent, power, status, and such a gentle personality… and also cook like this? It felt almost unfair.
As they ate, she noticed Xuan Yan pick up a piece of meat and gently place it on Mo Xie's plate.
Her daughter blushed instantly, trying and failing to hide the smile blooming on her face.
Seeing that small interaction, Mo Xing felt warmth rise in her chest.
In that moment, she imagined her daughter standing beside him one day, maybe as his wife.
After the meal ended, Xuan Yan stood, offered his goodbyes with and stepped out into the dim evening.
Mo Xing watched him leave and a sigh escaped her lips.
The night felt strangely quiet after he was gone.
---
After leaving Mo Xie's home, Xuan Yan vanished into the night and reappeared directly in his room inside the Spirit Hall using his 'Space Warp' technique.
(A/n: if you have forgotten, check chapter 44, he received that skill by saving Xiao Wu)
Looking at the bed, he jumped on it, letting out a long breath.
The silence was comforting, but it lasted only a few seconds.
The door slammed open with a loud *BAMM*, and Bibi Dong strode inside without the slightest hesitation.
Looking at him, she raised an eyebrow "Yan'er, how did you enter the room? I suddenly sensed your presence appear out of nowhere. So, I came to check."
Xuan Yan sat up awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head. "Teacher, that-"
But she cut him off immediately and crossed her arms. "Leaving that aside, where did you go after entering Spirit City? You didn't come to see me first… hmph."
She turned her head slightly, clearly upset in a way only she could be.
He sighed softly "Teacher, I can explain."
Hearing that, she walked toward him, her long robes brushing lightly against the floor.
She sat beside him on the bed and her expression softened a bit "I'm hearing."
Xuan Yan took a breath, gathering his thoughts, and began to tell about his 'training' in Star Luo Empire.
He then continued with what happened earlier: meeting Mo Xie, meeting her mother, Hu Tian's appearance, and how he dealt with it.
When Xuan Yan finished his explanation, silence lingered in the room for a moment.
Bibi Dong watched him quietly and gently raised her hand.
She ruffled his hair with slow, affectionate motions, "You really… always make me worry, Yan'er,"
Before he could respond, she suddenly pinched his cheek, firmly enough to make him flinch, but not enough to hurt. "Running around the continent, getting into trouble, not visiting your teacher first… Hmph, do you know how long I waited?"
Xuan Yan blinked, "T-Teacher… I really didn't mean to worry you."
She kept pinching his cheek a little longer, stretching it lightly before letting go with a soft flick. "You always say that,"
She leaned a bit closer and placed her hand again on his head, gently patting him as if he were her precious treasure.
"You did well today. Helping that mother and daughter… I'm proud of you, Yan'er."
He looked away slightly, embarrassed, but Bibi Dong's smile only deepened.
The glow in her eyes softened even further, making her look less like the cold Pope of Spirit Hall and more like a woman who genuinely cared for him.
"Next time," she said, tapping his forehead lightly with her finger, "come see me first. Understood?"
Xuan Yan exhaled helplessly, then nodded. "Yes, teacher."
She chuckled softly and continued patting his head, as if she had no intention of stopping anytime soon.