C20 Chapter 20

Fu Yi couldn’t help but find Duu Luo’s expression—clearly wanting to look but too shy to—kind of adorable. This girl only ever acted like that around him.

“See? You’re the one who gets it,” Duu Luo said. Since Fu Yi had put it that way, she didn’t have to feel embarrassed anymore. He was her master, after all—might as well look.

“You cooked today?” Fu Yi thought of what the maid had said and decided to ask the little girl directly.

“Yeah.” Duu Luo nodded, then launched into it like she’d been waiting all day to tell him. “I made Boyan a whole table full of food. And it was really good, so I’m planning to cook for him every day. That way he’ll like me. But, Master, don’t worry—I’ll cook for you too, because you’re my master. No need to thank me too much.”

“A lab rat?” Fu Yi asked, wiping down his arm as he looked at Duu Luo standing off to the side. There was the faintest hint of jealousy in his eyes.

“Heh.” Duu Luo looked a little embarrassed. Her master really was sharp. “Master, you don’t actually have to be this smart. Saying it out loud like that—do you have any idea how awkward that is for your disciple?”

“You’ve got a lot of nerve,” Fu Yi muttered, continuing to wipe himself off, not even bothering to look at her.

“Master, my skin is actually pretty thin—only, like, a tiny bit thicker than a brick wall,” Duu Luo said without a trace of shame. She even leaned right up against the edge of his bath, tilting her head to look at him. “Master, tell me—why did you take me in as your disciple back then?”

“I’d love to know what was wrong with me too, taking you as my disciple,” Fu Yi said. He reached out and flicked Duu Luo on the forehead, sending a few droplets flying—right into her face. “You’re so clueless and you never try. I must’ve lost my mind.”

“Master, why are you so mean?” Duu Luo hurried back a couple steps, wiping the water off her face, pouting up at him with a wounded look. “Obviously you became my master because you thought I was smart, cute, and quick on my feet.”

“Aren’t you going to step out?” the master asked, glancing at Duu Luo. The water in the tub had already started to cool.

“Nope.” Duu Luo lifted her chin, stubborn as ever. “I’m still waiting to see your grand exit. If I miss it this time, who knows when I’ll ever get another chance?”

“Out!” The master realized he’d spoiled her too much. Somehow he’d let her get this disrespectful—arguing with him about everything. It was beyond disappointing.

Not only had she barged into a man’s room without a second thought, she hadn’t even turned away when she saw him bathing. And now, when he told her to leave, she had the nerve to say she wanted to watch him step out of the tub.

He really had indulged her these past few years. She didn’t even listen to him anymore.

She used to be scared of him. Now she challenged him at every turn. She really had grown up.

She wasn’t that little girl he could keep under his thumb anymore.

“Master… are you getting rid of me?” Duu Luo’s voice dipped, hurt creeping in when she heard how harsh he sounded. She’d only said it offhand—what was there to get so mad about?

“I’m getting dressed. Are you sure you still want to stay in here?”

The master rubbed his forehead, helpless. His apprentice really was hopeless—once she liked someone, she got this clueless.

“Heh…” Duu Luo looked embarrassed. “Okay, okay. You’re the reasonable one, Master. I was totally out of line. I’ll go, I’ll go. You take your time—finish washing up, get changed, whatever.”

After that, Duu Luo bolted out of the room, not forgetting to pull the door shut behind her.