You and I Are Both Disciples-Why Are You Competing with Me? The Young Master's Childhood Companion

Gu Yuena wore a pristine white-and-purple dress that fell just to her pale ankles.

At that moment, her long, snow-white legs were pressed together, making her look like a frigid snow-capped mountain.

Of course, she still hadn't recovered. Her entire body had completely become Shen Qingling's shape.

Even just thinking about it could give her an indescribably wondrous experience.

The carriage traveled swiftly. After a while, it reached its destination: the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire, Heaven Dou City!

The carriage rolled slowly through Heaven Dou City's gates. The imposing walls receded behind them as buildings grew denser along the streets. Tang San lifted the curtain, his eyes widening as he took in the sights.

"Teacher, it's so lively here! It's at least ten thousand times better than Notting City!"

Looking at the rows of shops lining the street and the carriages and horses weaving past, Tang San couldn't help marveling.

He'd never seen a place so prosperous in all his life. Holy Soul Village was remote and small, and compared to this city, even Notting City seemed like an insignificant little village.

Shen Qingling leaned against the carriage wall and smiled faintly.

"This is the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire. Naturally, Notting City can't compare. But we're not here to play. We'll have plenty of time to look around after we take care of business. First, I'll treat you to some of Heaven Dou City's specialties. You've been eating those bland meals in Notting City every day, so I imagine you're both tired of them."

Xiao Wu also hurried to the window, her eyes sparkling. She had spent so long in the Star Dou Forest and, even after taking human form, had rarely visited a large human city. Everything seemed new to her.

Before long, the carriage stopped in front of an imposing restaurant. The three gilded characters "Heavenly Fragrance House" gleamed above the entrance, while guests came and went in an endless stream.

Shen Qingling got out first, with Gu Yuena at his side and Tang San and Xiao Wu close behind.

Once inside, a waiter cheerfully led them up to a private room on the second floor.

Shen Qingling ordered seven or eight of the restaurant's signature dishes with practiced ease, a mix of meat and vegetables, along with two nourishing soups—all specialties unique to Heaven Dou City.

Before long, dish after dish arrived, and their aromas filled the entire room.

The colorful dishes soon covered the table. Tang San and Xiao Wu could barely take it all in.

"Go ahead and eat. Don't just sit there."

Shen Qingling picked up his chopsticks and gestured for them to make themselves at home.

Tang San had already been swallowing at the delicious aroma. At his teacher's words, he hurriedly picked up a piece of tenderloin and put it in his mouth.

The crispy outside and tender meat melted together with the savory sauce, and his eyes lit up.

It tasted better than anything he'd ever eaten. Almost without thinking, he picked up the biggest piece and put it in Shen Qingling's bowl.

"Teacher, this is especially delicious. Give it a try!"

Tang San wore a pure, unguarded smile.

For over a year, his teacher had looked after him in every way, always thinking of him when it came to food, clothing, and daily necessities. He had long since come to see his teacher as the person dearest to him. Whenever he got something good, his first thought was to save some for him.

Gu Yuena paused with her chopsticks halfway to her mouth.

She raised an eyebrow and looked at Tang San with a hint of complicated feeling.

She grumbled inwardly, He's quick to curry favor. Serving my husband food is my job. What's a young disciple like you doing butting in? Besides, if my husband wants something, can't I serve it to him myself? There's no need for you to fuss.

She said nothing. Instead, she quietly picked up a piece of steamed fish, carefully removed the bones, and placed it in Shen Qingling's bowl. Her voice was casual.

"Husband, try this fish. It's tender."

Then she gave Tang San a subtle glance, her look carrying a quiet note of rivalry.

Tang San didn't notice anything amiss. Thinking that his mistress was simply looking after their teacher too, he only got more enthusiastic. He added a serving of greens to Shen Qingling's bowl. "Teacher, eat more vegetables. They're good for you."

Shen Qingling looked at the growing pile of food in his bowl, then at Gu Yuena's slightly pursed lips, and found it amusing.

He cleared his throat and said to Tang San, "Xiao San, just eat your own food. You don't need to worry about me."

Then he turned to Gu Yuena. "You should eat too. Don't spend all your time serving me."

Gu Yuena gave a soft huff but said nothing. She obediently began eating, though every so often she still glanced at Tang San, looking for all the world as if someone had touched something that belonged to her.

Xiao Wu kept her head down and dug in. She occasionally looked up at the three of them, finding the atmosphere a little strange, but didn't think much of it and focused on stuffing delicious food into her mouth.

The meal was lively, and by the end, Tang San and Xiao Wu had eaten until their bellies were round.

After setting down his chopsticks, Tang San still felt reluctant to stop. His gratitude toward Shen Qingling had only grown.

He secretly resolved to cultivate hard and grow stronger as soon as possible, so that one day he could treat his teacher to the finest food, too.

Shen Qingling wiped his mouth and spoke.

"Rest for a while after eating. Later, I'll take you two to look for someone. We'll see if we can run into him."

Tang San nodded and went to fetch two cups of water. "Teacher, Mistress."

Shen Qingling accepted one. "That's thoughtful of you."

Tang San smiled and scratched his head. "As long as you like it, Teacher."

Just then, out in the corridor beyond the private room, a figure in dark, close-fitting clothes was carrying a food box and speaking with the waiter about picking up an order.

The visitor was Snake Lance Douluo. On the young master's orders, he had come to the Heavenly Fragrance House to collect several signature dishes that had been reserved.

His peripheral vision casually swept across the open doorway. The moment his gaze landed on Shen Qingling, he stopped dead, nearly dropping the food box in his hands.

Snake Lance Douluo's heart gave a jolt, and his pupils contracted slightly.

Him? The big brother the young master used to talk about all the time? He studied Shen Qingling's profile, especially those distinctive golden eyes. The blurred figure in his memory gradually merged with the man before him.

When the young master had been little, he often talked about a big brother who had treated him very well. Then that person had suddenly disappeared, leaving the young master dejected for quite some time.

Snake Lance Douluo had assumed the man was simply an old childhood acquaintance. He hadn't expected to run into him in Heaven Dou City.

Steadying himself, he stole a few more glances.

There was no mistaking it. Those golden eyes were so distinctive that there couldn't be another pair like them in the world.

But the rumors said the man had left Spirit City long ago. Why had he suddenly appeared in Heaven Dou City? And why was he accompanied by two children and a cool, striking woman?

Snake Lance Douluo's thoughts churned, and for a moment, he couldn't decide whether to approach and acknowledge him.

Shen Qingling had noticed the gaze from outside long ago. He looked up, his expression calm and unreadable.

Gu Yuena also turned her head slightly. Her fingertip paused as she sensed the aura of a Titled Douluo. A trace of wariness flickered in her eyes, and she edged closer to Shen Qingling without drawing attention to herself.

"Teacher, who's that person outside? He keeps staring at us," Tang San whispered, following Shen Qingling's gaze. The man seemed imposing, nothing like an ordinary person.

Realizing he'd been spotted, Snake Lance Douluo simply walked over to the doorway and bowed slightly. His voice held a hint of uncertainty and respect.

"May I ask, young master, if your surname is Shen?"

Shen Qingling traced the rim of his teacup with a finger and replied coolly, "And what if it is?"