Mu En, I've Come to Propose

Seeing the two of them in such a frantic state, Su Ming remained calm, slowly turning back to sit on his bed.

He picked a bright red apple from the fruit bowl on the table, gently wiping the dust from its skin with his fingertips.

He chewed the fruit flesh in a measured, unhurried manner, pretending to be deep in thought as he prepared his words.

Beside him, Xu Sanshi and Bei Bei were left hanging by his slow pace, their hearts thumping like trapped rabbits.

They paced back and forth, scratching their heads in anxiety, wishing they could pry Su Ming's mouth open to get the answer immediately.

Seeing that the two were about to lose their composure, Su Ming finally slowed his speech and spoke the feelings he had kept hidden for so long:

"That's right, I do like the Senior Sister. From the day she first came to look after Bei Bei, this affection has already taken root and sprouted in my heart."

This blunt and explosive confession struck the two of them instantly; both Xu Sanshi and Bei Bei's pupils constricted, their eyes widening in unison, faces filled with shock.

Xu Sanshi immediately stepped forward, plopping down right beside Su Ming, his tone full of curiosity and teasing:

"Hurry up and tell us the details! No wonder so many outstanding senior and junior sisters in the outer courtyard showed interest in you, yet you remained unmoved. So you had your heart set on someone as gentle and quiet as the Senior Sister all along. You guy, you hid it well, even keeping it from your brothers."

Hearing this, Bei Bei let out a long sigh of relief, his heart finally settling as a genuine smile bloomed on his face:

"This makes things much more stable. With your feelings in the mix, there won't be any awkward situations between me and the Senior Sister in the future. Do you have any plans to pursue her now? If you need help, I can lend a hand at any time."

Noticing that Bei Bei was genuinely concerned for him, Su Ming waved his hand, his expression firm and confident:

"No need to trouble you for help; I want to win this affection myself. You just focus on accompanying Tang Ya and managing the relationship between the two of you."

The three of them sat together, exchanging words, chatting happily about the trivial details of their relationships and their future plans.

The dormitory was brightly lit, filled with laughter, and it wasn't until deep into the night that the lights finally flickered out.

The next morning, as the sky began to brighten, morning mist gently shrouded the Shrek Academy dormitory area.

Su Ming was the first to wake from his meditative state. As his soul power surged and settled, his cultivation steadily stepped into the ranks of a level 44 Soul Ancestor.

He stretched his limbs, working out the stiffness from sitting in meditation for so long. Scanning the room, he saw that Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi were still immersed in their cultivation, their breathing steady and long.

Afraid of disturbing their practice, Su Ming lightened his steps, tiptoeing out of the dormitory room.

He had a clear goal in mind today; he was heading out to visit Elder Mu En to formally propose.

The marriage contract between Zhang Lexuan and Bei Bei had been set by Mu En years ago.

Now that he wanted to pursue and marry Zhang Lexuan, he had to go through Mu En regardless.

Stepping out of the dormitory, the warm, gentle morning light washed over him.

Su Ming looked into the distance and immediately spotted the figure he was looking for.

Mu En was lazily reclining on a rattan lounge chair under a tree, eyes closed in rest, enjoying the nourishment of the morning sun, his entire demeanor one of leisure and peace.

Su Ming walked over with a relaxed gait. Mu En, who had been resting with his eyes closed, seemed to have sensed his arrival and slowly lifted his eyelids.

His cloudy but wise eyes looked at Su Ming, his face carrying his usual kind and gentle smile as he spoke softly:

"Little one, staring at an old man first thing in the morning without looking away—let me guess, you've come specifically to discuss something with me, haven't you?"

Su Ming smiled at this, raising his hand to take an identical lounge chair from his Soul Tool, placing it gently beside Mu En before lying down to bathe in the warm morning light.

The warmth dispelled the morning chill. After a moment, Su Ming set aside his smile and spoke with a serious tone to state his purpose:

"It's nothing major, actually. I've come today specifically to propose."

When Mu En heard this, he was slightly stunned, then couldn't help but laugh out loud, his eyes full of amusement:

"Haha, you're quite the joker. I only have Bei Bei left as a descendant under my care; don't tell me you're here to ask for Bei Bei's hand?"

Hearing Mu En's teasing misunderstanding, black lines immediately appeared on Su Ming's forehead.

He felt a mix of laughter and helplessness, silently lamenting to himself how he could possibly have taken a liking to Bei Bei.

Seeing that Mu En had completely misinterpreted his meaning, Su Ming quickly reorganized his words, clarifying with a playful tone:

"Elder, you've got it all wrong. The person I like is Senior Sister Lexuan, so naturally, I've come to ask for her hand in marriage and seek your consent. I don't have any strange predilections; why would I like Bei Bei?"

Upon learning the true intent, no look of surprise appeared on Mu En's face.

He knew clearly that Bei Bei loved Tang Ya and had never felt anything for the childhood marriage contract.

Setting that contract back then was merely a decision born of his own selfishness, out of pity for the young, lonely Bei Bei, hoping he would have someone of his own age to grow up with.

But as Bei Bei grew older, his heart and mind were entirely filled with Tang Ya; this forced engagement had instead become a shackle, and Mu En had long felt deep regret.

Over the years, he had often urged Zhang Lexuan to let go of the past and pursue her own happiness.

But Zhang Lexuan was too stubborn, holding fast to her own heart and refusing to open up, which only made him regret it more.

It wasn't until Su Ming appeared that ripples of agitation finally stirred in the frozen lake of this resilient girl's heart.

Because he understood the whole situation, Mu En had already silently given his approval. He smiled calmly and said slowly:

"Lexuan is a girl of exceptional character and peerless talent; she is a rare gem indeed.

As long as Lexuan herself is willing to accept these feelings, this old man will not stand in your way."

Su Ming had been secretly calculating, preparing to pour out his heart and determination, hoping to use his silver tongue to earnestly persuade Mu En, but he never expected the old man to relent so readily.

A surge of pleasant surprise washed over him; his eyes lit up, and he couldn't hide his joy as he confirmed, "Old Master, are you saying you agree?"

Mu En gave a gentle nod, offering a mild reply.

Seeing this, Su Ming was overjoyed. He leaped from his recliner, his movements so light he seemed to spring three feet into the air, his face brimming with irrepressible delight.

He turned and strode away with a brisk gait, but just as he was about to leave, he paused and looked back, calling out a promise to Mu En:

"Thank you for your blessing, Old Master! Rest assured, if Bei Bei ever encounters difficulties while seeking a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring, I will certainly do everything in my power to assist him; I will never stand idly by!"

Watching the youth's vibrant, energetic back, Mu En shook his head with a mix of helplessness and gratification, sighing softly:

"The high spirits of youth, acting with such burning passion—this vitality is truly enviable."

Morning light filtered through the layers of leaves, casting mottled shadows upon the ground as a gentle breeze stirred the treetops.

Mu En closed his eyes once more, reclining peacefully in his chair, quietly enjoying the ease and comfort of his retirement.