When did this guy sneak a peek?
Unbelievable!
A wave of unease surged in her chest. Qingyi frowned at Zane and, with a stern expression, snapped,
"Who said you could just look?"
"Don't you know how to respect a girl's privacy?"
Zane rubbed the back of his neck, a little embarrassed under her scolding. He muttered an apology,
"I didn't mean to. It just fell on the floor and opened up, so I glanced at it. Besides, I couldn't even understand what was written…"
He spread his hands with a helpless tone.
Guilt was inevitable.
"You couldn't understand it, huh…"
Qingyi quickly reminded herself not to overreact. With how sharp Zane was, any slip might raise suspicion. Her expression calmed, but she shifted into a teasing tone,
"But still, even if you couldn't understand it, even if it really was an accident… I can't just let you off, can I?"
"You need to be punished…"
She smiled faintly—dangerously. Zane shivered at the look in her eyes and hesitated.
"What are you planning to do?"
"Hm… I ran around too much today and I'm a little tired. Start by massaging my legs."
"As for the rest… I'll think it over slowly."
She propped her legs onto the bed, slipped off her shoes and socks, then casually lay down, flipping open the Book of Trajectories with a relaxed air.
Zane's gaze drifted toward the notebook in her hands. He couldn't hide the curiosity in his eyes, but even if she opened it right in front of him, he still wouldn't understand it.
As for the leg massage—he had already subconsciously tuned it out.
Just as Qingyi expected, Zane was focused on figuring out what she had written in the notebook. He hadn't thought in any other direction.
"Tsk, still trying to sneak a peek?"
Qingyi glanced over at him, clicked her tongue, then casually covered the Book of Trajectories and shot him a glare.
"That's not sneaking a peek…"
Zane spread his hands. He was looking right in the open—how was that sneaky?
"You really want to know what's inside, huh? Why are you so curious?"
Qingyi sighed and pursed her lips. Propping her chin up with both hands, she lay on her stomach, legs bent and gently crossed, her pale calves resting atop one another.
A probing look flashed in her eyes as she turned to Zane. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he replied seriously,
"Senior, isn't it normal for me to be curious?"
"I mean, you didn't hide it or put it away. You just kept waving it in front of me, practically taunting me because I can't read those weird symbols. Isn't that basically tempting me into—"
Before he could finish, Qingyi had already knelt up, leaned forward, and reached out—
Wham! Wham! Wham! Wham! Wham! Wham! Wham! Wham!
Eighteen Dragon-Hammer Strikes!
...
"Master…"
"That seriously hurt… You can't just hit someone like that over a comment. Isn't that too much?"
Qingyi glanced at Zane, who looked pitiful, then calmly retracted her hand.
"Hmph. Who told you to spout nonsense? You think you can guess what your master is doing?"
"If you don't like it, tough."
Having gleaned a bit of Zane's thoughts from the situation, Qingyi grew a little bolder.
She knew that aside from her current mission, she was practically "untouchable" in this world. No outside force could interfere with her.
Of course, "untouchable" didn't mean invincible in combat—but in position. Even Zane wouldn't go as far as to "rebel against his master," let alone anyone else.
"Massage my legs."
Qingyi leaned into the pillow, stretched out her leg, and gave her "order."
"Don't be so—"
Zane wasn't about to give in that easily, but when he saw her slightly narrowed eyes, he bit back the rest.
Forget it. He'd just do it.
Damn it. He just had too much respect for his master. If he ever snapped and went all out, he'd make Qingyi get on her knees and beg…
"You… You're totally thinking something bad right now, aren't you…"
Before his imagination could run wild, Qingyi's fingers pinched his ear, her half-threatening, half-warning voice following close behind.
"Wha—of course not, Master. I wouldn't dare…"
"You'd better not…"
"Two-faced little brat."
As her words fell, Zane's face darkened. He pinched her leg in silence. He had every reason to think Qingyi was messing with him—but no evidence.
Seeing his expression, Qingyi couldn't help but laugh softly. She leaned lazily against the pillow, her eyes on the Book of Trajectories.
She understood Zane's curiosity. She wasn't hiding things from him on purpose—but she couldn't let him know.
Because... once Zane learned the truth and remembered everything, this world would collapse.
And she—she wouldn't survive a collapsed world.
At that point, she'd be powerless to help him. How he might fully awaken remained a complete unknown.
So she needed Zane to take his time. To slow down his pursuit of answers. That way, she'd have more time to uncover the truth.
Lost in thought, Qingyi sighed and closed the Book of Trajectories. Her current state of mind wasn't suited for study.
She turned her gaze toward Zane. The scenery outside the window was beautiful, and the room itself was filled with a warm, comforting atmosphere.
"Zane…"
She called out softly. Zane, still massaging her legs, looked up and frowned slightly.
"What is it, Senior?"
"I've never done this kind of thing before, so I'm not great at it. Don't complain, okay?"
"No, I just wanted to say your name."
Qingyi smiled gently, ignoring his grumble.
Still, she could tell—Zane really didn't know how to massage. With her understanding of human anatomy, he was the first person she'd seen who treated the gaps between bones like acupressure points...
"I see..."
"Feels like something's bothering you. But don't worry. No matter what, I'll always be here."
"Always here, okay?"
"Tch, so cheesy…"
"Ah—!"
Qingyi had just started teasing when she suddenly sucked in a sharp breath and glared at him.
Who knew where this guy had pressed—hurt like hell.
No control at all.
"Just massage my shoulders. At least you know how to do that. I even taught you before."
"Fine…"
...
Some time later, night had fallen.
Zane had already put the notebook out of his mind. Since Qingyi wouldn't tell him what was in it, there was no point dwelling on it.
After dinner, Qingyi went out to the courtyard to relax, while Zane stayed in the room washing dishes.