Chapter 624 - 625: If I Don’t Learn Bad Habits, I’ll Keep Getting Bullied by You
The autumn wind rose high, and twilight stained the sky.
In the courtyard pavilion of the small residence, though not every member of the sect had arrived, it still counted as a modest gathering.
Cui Hao wore an exceptionally formal and luxurious white robe, rarely showing such a serious expression. He sat cross-legged in the center of the courtyard with a guzheng placed before him. His fingers moved skillfully across the strings, producing melodies that layered upon each other with elegant progression and perfect rhythm.
Lin Luoyu held her teacup, casting suspicious glances at Cui Hao, who was genuinely demonstrating real talent—had someone swapped out her fifth junior brother?
Many things claimed to be refined actually had barriers to appreciation.
For instance, wild calligraphy, profound and mysterious paintings, and dances with somewhat strange movements.
Without deep study, one’s first impression would generally be—what is this stuff? Is this even normal?
Music, however, tended to be more subjective. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that good music could be appreciated by both the refined and the common.
If one had deeper research into music, then one could discover small surprises hidden within the details.
Lin Luoyu’s original background was from the Confucian School. Although Li Junzi hadn’t had the conditions to give Lin Luoyu music lessons, she still possessed proper appreciation skills.
At the very least, Li Junzi truly knew how to play, and during his leisure time, he would teach Lin Luoyu.
Having learned before, Lin Luoyu understood just how impressive Cui Hao’s skill really was.
The autumn wind carried a desolate chill, and the guzheng beneath Cui Hao’s hands reflected the same mood.
The piece wasn’t too long, and Lin Luoyu quietly listened until it finished.
Cui Hao raised his hand, striking a final lingering note that faded into silence.
Lin Luoyu pursed her lips slightly, and Cui Hao quickly put on a ingratiating smile, saying, "Just joking with Fourth Senior Sister. I don’t actually know how to play that thing."
Chu Xingchen raised his hand through the air, gently sending forth a pulse of spiritual energy that traveled over.
The next moment, Cui Hao let out a pained sound, covering his forehead as he looked at Chu Xingchen with an aggrieved expression.
"You’d joke about anything with your Fourth Senior Sister?" Chu Xingchen asked Cui Hao, "I flicked you once. Do you accept the punishment?"
Cui Hao rubbed his forehead and nodded in agreement, "I accept..."
Lin Luoyu cupped her hands in respect and said,
"Master, Mistress."
Xie Lingyu gently nodded, showing no shy demeanor. Her nature had always been like this.
If it weren’t true, when others asked, she would feel her position wasn’t justified and naturally wouldn’t respond, feeling somewhat embarrassed about it.
But since it was genuine, there was nothing shameful about it.
She was extremely sincere in her feelings and had already chosen one person, so naturally there would only be that one person.
Even if Bai Xuanling were to tease her at this moment, she would respond directly and without hesitation.
Seeing Lin Luoyu, who had suddenly become enlightened, Cui Hao also cupped his hands and added,
"Greetings, Mistress."
Xie Lingyu calmly responded, "All is well. You’ve all worked hard this time."
Cui Hao smiled and said,
"Working for our own sect—how can we talk about hardship? It’s all part of our duty."
Chu Xingchen lowered his gaze toward the guzheng before Cui Hao, lightly plucking it with spiritual energy. The sound was fairly crisp and clear, but he truly didn’t know how to play.
Now, aside from information coordination, many matters no longer required his personal involvement.
At least it wasn’t appropriate now. Judging by appearances, Runan had acknowledged the favor, but there was no need to take risks by running back into that encirclement.
Letting others handle it would suffice.
He wasn’t any workaholic, after all, so there was no need to personally handle everything.
Chu Xingchen turned his gaze toward Xie Lingyu and asked with a smile,
"Lingyu, do you know how to play?"
"I only know a little. I tried twice before when I was curious." Xie Lingyu looked at the guzheng and asked curiously, "Do you know how?"
Chu Xingchen smiled confidently, speaking like an expert, "My level is seven orifices opened, with six flowing through."
Hearing this, Cui Hao immediately broke into a grin.
Xie Lingyu pursed her lips and laughed lightly,
"So you don’t have a single clue, right?"
"Hmm? Did I tell you that before?"
"No."
"Then how did you know?"
Xie Lingyu walked over to the guzheng and lightly plucked a simple melody with her fingers, saying,
"Naturally, I learned bad habits from someone. After all, that person once said that those who stay near ink get stained black."
Chu Xingchen walked to Xie Lingyu’s side, raised his eyebrows, and said,
"I thought Lingyu would pick the good things to learn. I didn’t expect you’d learn the bad things even faster."
"I’m not a good person, so why would I only choose the good things to learn?"
Xie Lingyu turned around, her gaze meeting Chu Xingchen’s eyes, a slight smile playing at her lips.
Even though the autumn wind was bleak, it couldn’t hide the warm spring breeze present here.
Chu Xingchen looked into Xie Lingyu’s autumn-water eyes, which seemed to be saying,
If I don’t learn bad habits, I’ll keep getting bullied by you.
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