Dai Chengfeng slowly opened his eyes, rubbing them. His golden-blue irises appeared especially deep in the morning light, just as they met Bibi Dong's close-up purple pupils, filled with embarrassment, anger, tension, and unease.
He paused momentarily, then seemingly remembered something. Instead of showing any guilt or fear, a knowing smile tinged with playful mischief spread across his face. His hand gently caressed her pale abdomen soothingly before he deliberately loosened his arm.
His voice still carried the hoarseness of someone just waking up: "Good morning, Teacher."
Bibi Dong, finally freed, practically shot up into a sitting position, tightly wrapping herself in the thin blanket. She quickly moved her body away from Dai Chengfeng, putting a considerable distance between them and the edge of the bed.
Her chest rose and fell as she struggled to calm her erratic breathing and pounding heart. The blush on her cheeks had not yet completely faded, but she forced herself to compose her usual icy and noble demeanor.
"Insolence!"
Her sharp gaze swept over Dai Chengfeng, her deliberately low voice still carrying the weight of reprimand.
"Last night... how dare you be so bold! And… and get out of here immediately!"
Dai Chengfeng sat up, his upper body bare as he leaned against the ornate headboard of the luxurious bed. His lean, smooth muscles were particularly striking in the light.
Unabashedly, he admired Bibi Dong's rare display of panic, his teasing smile growing wider:
"Hmm? Is Teacher referring to last night?"
He drew out the syllables, speaking slowly and leisurely. "But... wasn't it Teacher who clung tightly to my collar last night, refusing to let go? I stayed behind only because I was worried about Teacher's discomfort from the hangover."
"How... could Teacher use me and then deny it?"
"Nonsense!"
Bibi Dong's cheeks flushed again, but her tone lacked conviction. "With Xue... with Qian Renxue present, I... how could I possibly..."
"How couldn't you?"
Dai Chengfeng leaned closer, his proximity highly invasive, lowering his voice with a mesmerizing magnetism.
"Teacher's appearance last night when drunk was truly... hmm, unexpected."
He watched as Bibi Dong's body instantly tensed and her eyes filled with both embarrassment and irritation due to his sudden closeness. The mischievousness in his smile deepened, and he deliberately paused before "thoughtfully" adding:
"I mean... unusually 'innocent,' like a child."
At this moment, Bibi Dong felt extremely uncomfortable under Dai Chengfeng's gaze. His seemingly casual yet piercing words irritated her to no end.
This guy was definitely doing it on purpose!
She glared at him fiercely, attempting a more severe tone:
"Enough! Stop your nonsense here! Considering you... you meant well, I'll... I won't pursue this matter this time!"
"But now, immediately! Get out of my room right now!"
"If Qian Renxue sees..."
Mentioning Qian Renxue's name, Bibi Dong's voice betrayed uncontrollable nervousness. She instinctively glanced at the closed bedroom door.
"I will hold you accountable!"
Dai Chengfeng watched Bibi Dong's overly tense yet feigned authoritative cute appearance, secretly laughing inside.
He leisurely got up, stepping barefoot onto the soft carpet, his nonchalant posture visibly irritating Bibi Dong.
Instead of leaving the bedside immediately, he bent down, placing his arms on either side of her on the bed frame, boxing her within his range, moving closer to her face, close enough for their breaths to mingle.
This highly oppressive move made Bibi Dong instantly hold her breath, her body involuntarily retreating.
"Teacher just said... 'this won't happen again?'"
Dai Chengfeng's low voice carried a hint of playfulness, his gaze lingering on her slightly parted lips and tensed neck.
Bibi Dong's heart leapt to her throat, almost thinking he would make an even more inappropriate move.
However, Dai Chengfeng merely raised his hand, naturally tucking her hair that had slipped off her shoulder back into place. His fingertips lightly brushed over her taut nape, his voice filled with all-knowing amusement:
"So... does this mean it's forgiven this time?"
Dai Chengfeng was satisfied to see Bibi Dong's eyelashes flutter violently, her underlying panic intensifying. He chuckled lightly, straightening up and finally creating some distance between them.
"Rest assured, Teacher."
Dai Chengfeng walked towards his scattered clothes on the floor, reassuring her in a relaxed tone.
"Last night, I settled Qian Renxue in the next room and locked the door. If she were to open it, there would definitely be a sound. Since there has been none..."
"She's probably still quite drunk."
As he spoke, Dai Chengfeng swiftly put on his shirt, covering his eye-catching physique, and walked to the door.
Just before opening it, he stopped, not turning around. His tone reverted to its usual lazy casualness, yet seemed to carry a hint of another meaning:
"Next time..."
Dai Chengfeng slightly tilted his head, a meaningful smirk curling his lips. "Disciple guarantees... it will be in broad daylight."
"Take care, Teacher. The hangover soup will be sent shortly."
"You—!"
Bibi Dong was left speechless.
Watching Dai Chengfeng open the door, slip out, and gently close it behind him, the phrase "broad daylight" echoed in her ears long after he had gone...
"This rebellious disciple, what is he thinking? Surely not intending to do it in the Spirit Hall..."
For a moment, Bibi Dong lay back on the bed, nervously lost in thought. "No, absolutely not in the Spirit Hall..."
---
Qian Renxue had already quietly departed.
Without farewell, without a single word.
Dai Chengfeng could sense that Qian Renxue had deliberately avoided him, perhaps out of shyness or unwillingness to face the sorrow of parting.
Dai Chengfeng tacitly did not seek her out either.
It wasn't until noon, with the blazing sun high in the sky.
Knock, knock, knock...
Bibi Dong's door was knocked on again.
"Teacher, disciple has brought lunch."
Dai Chengfeng's voice came through the door, clear and bright as ever, without a trace of last night's hoarseness or teasing, as if the morning's events had never occurred.
Seeing this, Bibi Dong took a deep breath, trying to suppress her unusual feelings, striving to make her voice sound as authoritative and calm as usual:
"Come in."
The door opened, and Dai Chengfeng's figure appeared at the entrance.
He was fully dressed, wearing a well-tailored dark-colored outfit that accentuated his upright posture like a pine tree. His golden-blue eyes, under the midday sun, had less of the morning's depth and allure but more sharpness and clarity.
In his hands, he held an exquisite tray, with a few light yet refined dishes and a bowl of steaming hangover soup.
Clearly, he hadn't forgotten his promise from the morning.
"Dai Chengfeng, we should leave..."
Bibi Dong noticed a flicker of emotion in Dai Chengfeng's eyes, but it quickly vanished. She spoke indifferently.
"Alright, after all, there's still a match with Shrek Academy ahead."
Dai Chengfeng nodded without any surprise, as he already knew they were leaving today since last night.
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)