By the time Xu Changqing returned, Qing Xuan had already left with You Lian.
At first, Qing Xuan had thought the two of them shared the same "interests," so he had come to invite Xu Changqing to travel to the Central Region together.
Now that he realized it was a misunderstanding, he naturally had no reason to stay.
Xu Changqing did not regret it. They would meet again.
He glanced toward the creek. Ruo Qunshuang was still cultivating, Water Qi shimmering around her in ever-thicker waves. After a moment's thought, he decided not to disturb her.
Instead, he went to find Lin Feng and Sun Shangxiang in their room.
The two youngsters were not sitting around bored. One was cleaning his tools, while the other crouched beside him, watching curiously.
When they saw Xu Changqing, they hurried to their feet. "Master!"
Xu Changqing looked them over, then asked his eldest disciple, "It's your first day here. Is anything uncomfortable, or is there anything you'd like changed?"
Sun Shangxiang grinned. "No. It's better than my home."
Xu Changqing nodded slightly. "If you need anything, just say so. Don't be shy about asking."
He then called them both along and headed for the two mu of Grade-One Spirit Field that Han Su had opened up yesterday.
The two plots were the same size, lying side by side.
Xu Changqing tipped up his chin. "Pick one."
Lin Feng glanced at Sun Shangxiang. "Senior Sister, you go first!"
Sun Shangxiang paused, then said, "I... I'll take the one on the right."
For no particular reason. It was simply closer.
Lin Feng promptly raised his hand. "I'll take the one on the left."
Once they had chosen, Xu Changqing continued, "Good. For the next while, you'll each tend your own plot and grow Spirit Rice.