Dawn was just breaking, and the thin mist had yet to disperse.
Sunlight streamed down, only to be refracted and diffused by the mist among the trees in an instant, scattering everywhere and painting the surroundings in hazy, brilliant colors.
The transplanted green bamboo had already grown into a large grove. It surrounded the secluded wooden house while screening it off from the towering trees of the forest. A gentle breeze rustled through it, carrying waves of soft swishing sounds.
Within the courtyard enclosed by a wooden fence, flowers and greenery flourished in the flowerbeds, competing in splendor. Clear dewdrops delicately adorned the petals.
Liu Erlong swiftly pushed open the courtyard gate and immediately saw Jiang Zhu, with her chestnut shoulder-length hair, running out from the still mist-shrouded forest path. Her face was flushed with excitement. The moment she spotted Liu Erlong at the gate, she called out in a sweet voice from far away:
"Dean—"
However, Liu Erlong's gaze was not on this disciple she valued most. Instead, she looked toward several hazy figures following behind Jiang Zhu through the morning mist.
Especially the handsome, upright figure walking at the front.
"D-dean, T-Teacher Ye... he... he's back!"
Having run to Liu Erlong like the wind, Jiang Zhu finally caught her breath and delivered the thrilling news.
Yet when she raised her head, she discovered that the dean was not paying attention to her at all. Her eyes were already fixed fervently in the direction Jiang Zhu had come from.
In the dean's gaze, the handsome and captivating Teacher Ye in Jiang Zhu's eyes had already emerged from the narrow forest path—the only route leading to the dean's secluded wooden house—along with a whole group of stunning beauties. They were walking toward them step by step.
Then Jiang Zhu watched