Snow Spirit's apprenticeship began, and just as Cheng Yu had said, he stayed in the house beside the Academy, tending flowers and planting trees. When Snow Spirit came home from school, he cooked for her, looking every bit like someone relying on others to support him in retirement.
The system could barely be bothered to make fun of him anymore.
Oh, and during this time, Snow Spirit was not the only one who visited. Shi Lian came too.
It was as though her loss of composure in Mu Feng's little courtyard had never happened. On the days Shi Lian came over, the number of people enjoying retirement went from just Cheng Yu to both Snow Spirit and Cheng Yu.
Of course, Shi Lian also served as Snow Spirit's tutor for her coursework.
More than once, Cheng Yu said,
"You really don't need to do this. I told you, I have plenty of time. You can think it over slowly."
In response, Shi Lian merely smiled gently and said,
"I just want to spend more time by your side, my lord. As for that question of yours..."
At this point, Shi Lian gave a bitter smile.
"I don't want to lie to you, nor can I lie to you, and I certainly can't deceive myself... but!"
Shi Lian's tone shifted as she looked earnestly at Cheng Yu and said,
"But I can promise that my adoration for you will only deepen with time, until I'm willing to sacrifice everything for you."
Cheng Yu shook his head helplessly and sat up in the Grand Master's Chair, swatting away Snow Spirit's hand where it clutched his clothes. Faced with Shi Lian's sincerity, he did not want to look so languid.
He knew very well that, in the Eternal True World, it took tremendous