Her arm was wrapped around the young man's neck.
She stared blankly.
The tear mole at the corner of his eye, tinged with a hint of crystal, was very distinct. She had matured faster than Yi Xuan, even though they were twins... but perhaps it was because she had always seen herself as the older sister.
Appearance is born from the heart.
Naturally, she had to be taller and more resilient.
Yun Ming thought for a moment; it seemed this was the first time he had seen his eldest Apprentice cry, and a hint of apology arose in his heart.
"I made you all worry."
"Hmm... Master, you're not allowed to do that again next time."
"Yi Jiang has been very well-behaved these past few days; she even calls you Master properly now."
"Calling me Senior Brother is also fine, if you like..."
Anything is fine to call him.
A thought suddenly popped into Yi Jiang's mind, then quickly buried itself deep within her heart. She realized she seemed a little different from ordinary Apprentices.
Master said she was precocious.
Perhaps so, but Master wasn't much older than her. Was it wrong to like Master?
But she couldn't show it. Master had someone he liked... if he accidentally found out, Master would distance himself from her. But it didn't matter, her acting was very good.
So, it didn't matter.
This seemed very despicable, but she didn't want it either. It was all Master's fault... Master shouldn't have been so good to her.
Bad Master, he had to take responsibility for her, for a lifetime... because he was Yi Jiang's Master, wasn't he?
Yi Jiang comfortably enjoyed Yun Ming's embrace. A slight smile played on her lips as she said earnestly.
"Senior Brother also mentioned Senior Uncle this morning... you're not allowed to do such frightening things again in the future. My sister and I were very worried."
"Do you understand?"
Yun Ming always felt strange. Who was the Master, and who was the Apprentice? It was as if he was the one being lectured.
That tone was like a little wife's... and there was this flexible, yet somehow inexplicable, form of address.
He still couldn't figure out why Yi Jiang sometimes called him Senior Brother and sometimes Master. Was there a pattern?
A little girl's thoughts were a bit hard to understand.
He didn't think much of it, only felt that his Apprentice was holding him very, very tightly. It seemed she was truly frightened, and Yun Ming's conscience was filled with guilt.
"I know, my dear Apprentice, don't cling so much. Look at my dear second Apprentice~"
Yi Xuan was also at the side, not daring to speak.
It was then that Yi Jiang realized she had been a bit too excited and lost her composure. It was all Master's fault, what a bad time to wake up.
Precisely at that moment... Yun Ming used one hand to support Yi Jiang's bottom on his right arm. Only then did he have time to pull Yi Xuan closer and lift her chin.
"Are you secretly crying again?"
"No, Master, you're fine... that's great."
Yi Xuan was stubborn, though she was clearly crying like a little cat, her large tears soaking Yun Ming's pant leg.
Crying was crying, it wasn't something shameful.
But there was no need to be so sad, was there? He always felt like he was being mourned. Yun Ming was right; next, he heard his filial Apprentice say.
"So scary, Master, don't die..."
"...How do I not know that I'm going to die?"
"I'm scared... Master, don't die, boo hoo..."
Yi Xuan cried louder and louder.
It wasn't just the worry from him fainting this time; it also included the self-reproach from being defeated that morning and losing face for Master, the desire to repay Master's kindness, and her affection for Master... her small mind couldn't hold so many things.
They poured out like a floodgate opening.
"Don't cry, don't cry. Look how big you are; Ling'er doesn't cry."
"I don't care, unless Master promises me not to die."
Children's minds are always incredibly simple; lecturing them with grand reason is useless. It's better to humor her and give her a hug.
In this regard, it was like coaxing a girl.
Yi Xuan was a bit stubborn.
It was as if if Yun Ming promised her not to die, he truly wouldn't die. That's why coaxing children was such a hassle.
Yun Ming's fiery temper, hey, it had softened.
To be precise, ever since he adopted Ling'er, it had become increasingly soft. He gradually learned that girls still needed to be coaxed.
Unlike his Senior Apprentice Brother and Junior Apprentice Brother.
If they were angry, they'd fight. If they were sad, they'd go find some fun, or scheme together... "I promise you, if Yi Xuan doesn't allow me to die, I won't die."
"Mm, then Master's word is his bond."
The little white-haired girl sniffled, her eyes wide as grapes, and wiped away her tears with her small hand, then extended her pinky finger.
Yun Ming's mouth twitched. How could he not understand?
This cliché plot.
Which scoundrel invented 'pinky promise for a hundred years, no changing your mind'? Didn't they know setting a flag could kill people?
He was young, in the prime of his life.
The inheritance of Yun Kui Mountain was waiting for him, Senior Apprentice Sister and Hongdou were waiting for him to marry them, and there was also his unreliable Junior Senior Uncle... But, could he not make the promise?
Yi Jiang didn't understand why Master's face suddenly turned dark.
But even with a dark face, the young man still sullenly extended his pinky finger and hooked it with the girl's. "Won't die, won't die. This matter is over, okay? Don't bother me, your Master, anymore."
"Mm!"
Yi Xuan looked very happy, smiling widely, revealing two cute little fangs. Then she burrowed into Yun Ming's arms.
She kissed his face once, twice, three times... "Stop, stop, who taught you all this?"
Yun Ming wiped away the saliva in disgust, but he didn't push the girl away. Was his Apprentice a bit too clingy?
Or were all girls like this when they were young?
He thought about it. Anyway, Hongdou, Ling'er, Yi Jiang, and Yi Xuan, even Senior Apprentice Sister later on, were all like this.
Perhaps females needed more physical contact to convey emotions?
He recalled a scientific survey report from his previous life.
The more he thought about it, the more sense it made.
So be it. After all, a grown woman won't stay. As long as they don't call him an old geezer to ask for money later on... "Sister taught me. I saw it on the bus last time."
"Sister and Master secretly kissed."
Yi Xuan seemed to have a unique talent for spotting crucial details, always noticing things that ordinary people couldn't.
"You girl, who taught you to talk like that?"
"Don't talk nonsense about this matter anymore..."
"Oh, why?"
"Why so many 'whys'? Is your bottom itching?"
"Ugh, Master is a bad guy."
Master was a bad guy, always plotting against her bottom.
Yi Xuan pouted, turning into a little goldfish, and quickly tried to crawl out of Master's arms, but she still didn't escape.
Soon, cheerful and crisp slapping sounds echoed in the room. The little white-haired girl continued to struggle to escape, but she couldn't get out of Master's palm.
She smiled foolishly.
She always felt that her relationship with Master had gotten even better!