The crisp sound of clinking cups faded as the group laughed and chatted merrily, sitting around the table and feasting heartily. The atmosphere during the meal was harmonious and lively, with everyone chipping in a word here and there, thoroughly closing the distance among the members of the New Tang Sect.
Before long, the table full of delicious dishes was eaten completely clean by everyone.
Everyone stood up one after another, tidied up, and prepared to leave.
Chen Jie's gaze fell on Tang Ya, who was still full of curiosity at the side and occasionally recalling Wang Dong's appearance. Flashes of thought crossed his mind, and he muttered inwardly: Little girl, you even dare to peek. Let's see how I'll deal with you tonight.
Immediately, he turned to look at Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, and Jiang Nannan, speaking with a gentle explanation: "It's getting late. You guys head back to the dorms to rest first. Teacher Xiao Ya and I have some insights on hidden weapons that we need to discuss privately."
Xiao Xiao obediently acknowledged: "Okay, Big Brother, remember to come back early."
Hearing this, Jiang Nannan froze slightly, a trace of faint regret flashing across the depths of her eyes, and she thought to herself: Alright... Originally I still wanted to find Xiao Jie tonight to refine my cultivation a bit, but it looks like it can only wait for another day. With a gentle, shallow smile, she nodded softly and said: "Then we'll head back first. Don't discuss your hidden weapons insights too late, and make sure to rest."
Hearing that the two of them were going to be alone to discuss things, Wang Dong at the side was instantly flooded with full-blown sourness, jealousy churning endlessly. The tips of his ears were slightly red, and he bit his lips hard, feigning indifference on the surface while frantically muttering in the privacy of his heart: These two definitely have a problem! Hanging out alone on every turn, it's really too suspicious!
Suppressing his utter awkwardness, he snorted as if he didn't care, cautioning with a sour tone: "Got it, then hurry back and don't dawdle too long!"
Having spoken, Wang Dong turned away first with a bellyful of jealousy, followed closely by Xiao Xiao and Jiang Nannan, and the figures of the three quickly vanished at the end of the night path.
Only Chen Jie and Tang Ya remained in place.
Xiao Ya blinked her clear, lively large eyes and deliberately said to Chen Jie: "Hidden weapons insights? When did we ever need to discuss this?"
Tang Ya's mind was perceptive, and she saw through it as clearly as a bright mirror.
Chen Jie had purposely dismissed everyone, using the excuse of discussing hidden weapon insights to keep her behind alone. It was no official business at all; he was plainly going to settle accounts with her for the daytime. Feigning casualness with a hint of small cunning hidden in the depths of her eyes, she quietly let Chen Jie hold her hand as they walked forward.
The two strolled slowly along the path. The evening breeze brushed past the branches and leaves, sending waves of coolness, and the moonlight spilled gently, leaving the surroundings quiet and deserted.
A moment later, the two walked straight to the white jade statue of Sea God Tang San, stopping firmly and steadily.
The towering statue stood before their eyes, its posture upright, vast, sacred, and solemn. Moonlight fell upon the snow-white stone carving, glowing with a faint, clear radiance, majestic and dignified.
The entire statue plaza was quiet and still. At this hour of the night, there wasn't a single person nearby.
Standing beneath the statue of the ancestor, the playful look on Tang Ya's face restrained a bit, and she spoke softly: "Standing in front of Ancestor Tang San's statue, I always feel exceptionally settled at heart."
She turned her head to look at Chen Jie beside her, knowing full well that the main event was only just beginning, and obediently waited for him to start settling accounts.
Yet Chen Jie did not immediately settle scores with her.
He looked up at the solemn Sea God statue. The moonlight gently cast its glow upon the two of them, the surroundings were quiet and peaceful, and only the evening breeze blew softly. Looking at Tang Ya's obedient yet slightly crafty appearance, a bit of mischief suddenly arose in his heart.
Taking advantage of the deserted surroundings, Chen Jie quietly circled behind Tang Ya.
Reaching out, he gently hugged her slender waist, securely circling her entire body within his arms. His warm body temperature pressed against her back, feeling exceptionally steady.
The sudden embrace stiffened Tang Ya's body, rendering her completely dazed. The thoughts she had prepared for a scolding instantly fell into disarray, and her ears instantly blushed bright red.
Before she could react, Chen Jie lowered his head slightly, his warm breath brushing against the side of her face.
The movement was very light, very gentle. Drawing closer slowly, he lightly placed a kiss on her cheek.
The evening breeze, the moonlight, the statue, and the quietness set off the pair.
It was just a light touch, yet it made Tang Ya's heart explode with palpitations, her entire body burning, and her breathing turned cautious.
Afterwards, Chen Jie's hand slowly moved downward, groping toward the hem of her skirt, his fingertips gently grazing her skin.
He pressed close to her ear, his voice low and carrying a hint of playfulness:
"You really like staring at Wang Dong, don't you? I saw it today; you stared at her several times."
Tang Ya's cheeks flushed red, her soft body sinking into his embrace, and she flurriedly and softly defended herself: "No, I just thought she looked kind of cute, no other thoughts."
Halfway through her sentence, she suddenly reacted, tilting her head slightly backward, bringing her mouth close to his ear, and whispered with a low laugh:
"What, are you jealous?"
Chen Jie fell silent for a fleeting moment.
He neither admitted nor denied it, applying a bit of strength to the hand wrapped around her waist to pull her tightly into his arms. Resting his chin on her shoulder, his voice was low:
"Stop chattering nonsense, and wait for your punishment."
Tang Ya's body trembled slightly, not afraid in the least. She tilted her head over, leaning close to his ear, and whispered with a giggle:
"Then, Madame Chen Jie, how do you plan to punish me?"
Oh-ho, ho-ho-ho~
The statue plaza was dead silent, and the chilling moonlight was spread across the ground.
Oh-ho, ho-ho-ho~
Tang Ya stood sideways facing the statue, her hands pressed tightly against the chilly surface of the stone carving, one leg lifted high and straight upward.
Her body leaned slightly forward, her temples dotted with fine beads of sweat, and she panted heavily in deep breaths.
Chen Jie stood behind her, pressing closely against her. The distance between the two was extremely close-to be precise...
He reached out to steadily support the leg Tang Ya had lifted, helping her hold this strenuous pose.
The stray hairs at his temples had long since been soaked through by sweat, and their warm breaths intertwined, gently echoing in the empty night.
The close-range eye contact made Tang Ya's cheeks burn, her long eyelashes fluttering incessantly, her eyes brimming with shyness and darting about slightly.
The sore, stretching sensation between her legs grew increasingly obvious. Biting her lip, she pleaded softly with a weak breath: "Chen Jie, be a little gentler..."
Chen Jie looked at her with an earnest gaze, his force steady and unrelaxed, his tone solemn and firm: "Endure it; this is the mandatory path for you to grow stronger. This is for the sake of the future Tang Sect, after all, Teacher Xiao Ya. You must study this kind of hidden weapon exertion technique well; these are all solid, genuine skills."
The tips of Tang Ya's ears turned thoroughly red. Gasping for air, she raised her head to look at him with an incomparably earnest gaze, and nodded vigorously: "Mhm, I will. Everything is for the Tang Sect, I will study earnestly."
Oh-ho, ho-ho-ho~
Two hours later~
Tang Ya slowly lowered her taut, long legs, her body slightly weak, and leaned gently against the cool statue.
The high-intensity stretching from just now left her entire body feverish. Beads of sweat still lingered on her temples and neck, and layers of shallow sweat stains dyed the light-colored hem of her skirt, leaving behind patches of fine, damp traces that looked exceptionally pitiful.
After she calmed down for quite a while, her hurried breathing finally settled down slowly. Lifting her gaze to look at Chen Jie before her, her eyes were filled with gentleness and deep emotion. Her slender little hands raised slowly, pressing flat against Chen Jie's chest to feel his steady, warm heartbeat.
Her voice was soft and sweet, brimming with sincere gratitude:
"Chen Jie, thank you. Thank you for always silently giving your all for the Tang Sect. With you accompanying me and helping me, I have the courage to keep persisting."
Chen Jie lowered his gaze to stare at the hand on his chest, and leaned forward with a mischievous grin: "What are you thanking me for? The path was chosen by yourself. What about Bei Bei? I'm actually quite curious, what does Bei Bei even count as?"
Tang Ya's cheeks flushed abruptly, and she glared at him in vexation: "I'll bite you to death."
Chen Jie hurriedly spoke out: "Tang Ya, be a bit lighter! If you keep this up, your future happiness will be gone!"
Oh-ho, ho-ho-ho~
Before you continue