Ming Shuiyun stood outside the door, nervously rubbing her hands. Every so often, she rose onto her toes or glanced around, mentally composing what she should say next.
The moment the door opened, she immediately said, "Teacher Hongle—"
"Official business?" Le Yu cut her off crisply.
Ming Shuiyun shook her head. "No..."
"Then did you come to chat with me about poetry and distant places?" Le Yu blocked the doorway and said calmly, "You said this afternoon that you understood what I meant, and I believed you... You've really disappointed me. I don't want to talk to you anymore. See you tomorrow—"
"Wait!" Ming Shuiyun stuck her foot in the doorway and stepped half into the room. "I have something to discuss with you."
"It's too late. I've already showered, and I never work overtime at night. Maintaining a balance between work and life is a compulsory lesson for adults. Refusing overtime starts with me... Let's talk tomorrow."
"It can't wait until tomorrow!"
"What's wrong? Do you have a disease where you'll die if you don't lose your temper with me tonight?"
"I'm not losing my temper. I, I..." Ming Shuiyun looked at Le Yu with a complicated expression. "...I just want to have a proper talk with you."
"Must it be now, here, and absolutely have to be said?"
"Yes!" Ming Shuiyun said decisively. "It has to be now, here, and it absolutely has to be said!"
"Why?"
"Because once I wake up tomorrow, I won't have the courage anymore."
Ming Shuiyun lowered her gaze. She was clearly the master and he was the servant, yet she did not even dare meet his eyes. "For me, there are many things I can only do by relying on that one breath in my chest. Otherwise, once I miss the chance,