Qing Lin: I Don't Want to Be a Disciple

The shopkeeper instantly put away his earlier contempt and disdain, piling an eager, polite smile onto his face as he hurried out from behind the counter to greet them.

"Honored guests, would you like me to introduce the selection? Our shop has every kind of brocade and every style of dress."

Xuan Qing waved his hand. "No need. We'll look for ourselves."

Having said that, he ignored the shopkeeper and turned to Qing Lin beside him.

At that moment, the girl stood uneasily amid the hall of luxurious silks, looking at the beautiful dresses shimmering all around her.

At a loss, she nervously clutched the hem of her ragged clothes with both hands, not daring to casually touch those exquisite fabrics.

Back in Stone Desert City, she had not even dared to approach a silk shop like this.

Seeing her timid appearance, Xuan Qing said, "Pick whichever one you like."

Qing Lin's body shrank back slightly. She lowered her eyes, her slender fingers twisting the worn, fraying fabric of her old clothes as she softly refused.

"N-No need, big brother. The clothes I'm wearing can still be worn. There's no need to buy any."

Her long life of depending on others had already made her used to making do. She had never dared to hope for clothing so gorgeous and expensive.

Though her gaze could not help drifting toward the dresses in soft, lovely colors nearby, her heart filled with longing, she still did not dare accept them openly.

Seeing her like this, Xuan Qing did not force her.

He raised his hand and pointed at several finely crafted dresses on the shelves.

"That one, that one, and that green one. Wrap them all up."

The shopkeeper's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly answered, "Right away, honored guest!"

Qing Lin abruptly raised her head, her clear eyes filled with astonishment as she hurriedly tugged on Xuan Qing's sleeve.

"Big brother, that's too many... There's really no need for so many."

"No. You'll be following me from now on. If you dress so plainly, you'll make me lose face, understand?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he reached out and gently pinched Qing Lin's soft, delicate cheek.

The warmth of his fingertips made Qing Lin's whole body stiffen slightly. The tips of her ears swiftly flushed a faint red, leaving her completely flustered.

With her eyes lowered, her long lashes trembling, she murmured softly and could no longer bring herself to refuse.

"I... understand."

Soon afterward, Qing Lin carried the brand-new dresses and followed the shop assistant into an inner room to change.

Before long, the curtain screening the room was gently lifted.

A completely renewed Qing Lin slowly walked out.

The dust and grime accumulated on her face over the years had been carefully washed away, revealing smooth, fair skin. Her features were clean and clear, no longer carrying their former wretchedness.

She wore an elegant emerald gauze dress tailored to fit her perfectly. The fabric was soft and light, accentuating her slender, gentle figure and washing away the bedraggled look of her old clothes.

She looked like a piece of green jade cleansed of dust, lovely and gentle, with a little more lively spirit between her brows.

Xiao Yi Xian's eyes curved into crescents. A gentle smile appeared on her face as she stepped forward and softly praised her.

"Qing Lin, you look so pretty. You don't have to be so timid all the time anymore. It would be even better if you were bolder and more confident."

Praised in front of everyone, Qing Lin immediately lowered her head in embarrassment. Her hands nervously clutched her skirt, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks as her long lashes quivered lightly.

She secretly raised her eyes, timidly glancing at Xuan Qing before her. Anxious yet hopeful, she carefully waited for his evaluation.

The shopkeeper watched in amazement. This girl had been dressed in rags, yet merely changing clothes and washing her face had brought about such a dramatic transformation. It was truly stunning.

Xuan Qing's gaze fell upon the girl as he agreed.

"Mm, very pretty."

Receiving Xuan Qing's personal approval, Qing Lin's cheeks reddened even more. She lowered her head further, but the corners of her lips could not help curling upward.

Her fingertips lightly twisted the edge of her gauze dress as she softly answered, "Mm..."

The shopkeeper hurriedly stepped forward and packed up the remaining sets of clothes. Exquisite brocade boxes were stacked neatly before he respectfully handed them to Xuan Qing.

With a turn of his wrist, Xuan Qing's Storage Ring flashed faintly, and he directly tossed a heavy bag of gold coins to the shopkeeper.

"Settle the bill."

After finishing all this,

Xuan Qing reached out and gently took Qing Lin's soft little hand.

"Come on. Big brother will take you to eat something delicious."

Qing Lin's little hand was held securely in his palm. Her brand-new emerald gauze dress swayed slightly in the breeze, and sweetness filled her heart.

She lifted her sparkling eyes and gently nodded.

Qing Lin looked at the table full of dishes, then lowered her gaze to the beautiful dress she had never dared dream of wearing before. Her nose tingled, and her eyes helplessly reddened as mist welled up in them.

She looked at Xuan Qing with moist eyes, her voice carrying a trace of sobbing.

"Big brother... why are you so good to me?"

Xuan Qing raised his teacup and took a sip before speaking.

"I think you have good talent, so I plan to take you as my disciple. Do I need any special reason to treat my own disciple well?"

Xiao Yi Xian, seated off to the side, froze when she heard this.

Why did those words sound so familiar?

Qing Lin blinked, tears nearly rolling down her cheeks. She clenched her sleeve and murmured softly.

"A disciple... Can I become your disciple?"

Xuan Qing set down his teacup and said, "Of course you can."

But Qing Lin gently shook her head. Fine droplets of water clung to her long lashes, and her gaze was incomparably serious, without the slightest hint of a joke.

"No... I don't want to be a disciple."

Gathering tremendous courage, she said,

"I want to be big brother's maid. I want to follow big brother for the rest of my life."

Xuan Qing:?

Qing Lin lowered her head, her cheeks burning, yet she still bit her lip and waited for his answer.

Xuan Qing fell silent for a moment before slowly saying, "You don't need to be a maid. You don't have to lower yourself like this."

Qing Lin raised her moist eyes and asked again with cautious hope.

"Then... if I become your disciple, can I stay by big brother's side for the rest of my life?"

That question left Xuan Qing speechless.

The private room fell silent for a moment.

Xuan Qing said, "Of course. As long as you yourself do not wish to leave, I will not drive any of you away."

Upon receiving that answer, Qing Lin's suspended heart finally settled. The tears swirling in her eyes nearly fell.

She blinked hard, joy flushing her little face as she nodded heavily. "Mm! I want to follow big brother for the rest of my life!"

After the meal, Xuan Qing brought Qing Lin back to the room.

Xuan Qing took several mild, low-grade nourishing pills from his Storage Ring and held them out to Qing Lin.

"Take these."

Qing Lin obediently opened her mouth and swallowed all the pills.

The pills entered her stomach, and a warm current instantly spread through her limbs and body, washing away the hidden injuries left behind by her long hardship and wandering.

Her frail body was gradually nourished by the medicinal power, while her muscles, bones, and meridians became increasingly smooth and resilient.

After doing this, Xuan Qing began teaching her how to absorb the energy of heaven and earth.

Qing Lin sat cross-legged on the bed. She closed her eyes, held her breath, focused her mind, and did her utmost to sense the energy of heaven and earth drifting around her.