Under the Table...

Mu Jin sat on the desktop, his back slightly straightened, the heat and fluster coursing through him slow to fade.

Sweat layered his face, trickling slowly down his jawline, while the flush on his ears and cheeks lingered.

Looking at the young man before him, who seemed so proper yet had eyes full of mischief, he could only nod lightly amid his tangled emotions, feigning composure as he sat quietly, ready to watch the demonstration.

Chen Jie looked up at Mu Jin sitting upright on the desk, his expression growing a little more serious as he spoke:

"Teacher, practicing alone makes it difficult to spot flaws. I'd like you to feel the flow of my force firsthand and help me judge whether this physical technique is up to standard. Sorry for the trouble, but could you adjust your posture and spread your legs a little so you can feel how I generate force in my moves?"

Mu Jin paused at those words, his cheeks still flushed, the fine beads of sweat lingering on his face slowly sliding down his jaw.

Chen Jie's deliberate little move earlier still haunted his thoughts. Though some lingering panic remained in his heart, he forced down his surging emotions and did not avoid his gaze.

After a brief hesitation, Mu Jin shifted his hips gently and spread his legs to either side, adopting a seated posture that would let him feel the impact of the force firsthand.

He raised his eyes and looked resolutely at Chen Jie, trying to maintain his composure as a teacher. Yet his heart still pounded as he sat quietly, waiting for the young man to perform his moves so he could assess the physical technique through his own senses.

Chen Jie stepped forward slowly, came to the edge of the desk, and bent down, lowering his head.

His face drew closer, his breath drifting softly outward, a trace of slyness hidden in his eyes.

Meeting Mu Jin's unwavering gaze, he slowed his speech:

"Next, sorry for the trouble, Teacher, but please pay close attention to the flow of my soul power and the force of my physical technique."

Oh~ ho ho ho~

Mu Jin held his breath and focused, concentrating on sensing the force spreading outward. As that power flowed slowly toward him, his eyes widened slightly and a faint flush spread over his cheeks.

He looked at Chen Jie bent over before him, his voice filled with incredulous praise:

"Chen Jie, you're an absolute genius! You only just heard me explain it once, yet you've already mastered it so thoroughly."

Personally receiving the flowing soul power just now had taken considerable effort from Mu Jin.

His chest rose and fell slightly as he panted softly, the flush still lingering on his face.

Chen Jie adopted an utterly earnest, respectful expression. His gaze rested on Mu Jin's flushed, breathless face, inwardly admiring his appearance at that moment as he answered humbly:

"It's all thanks to your teaching. If you hadn't been willing to help me feel the force firsthand, how could I have improved so quickly?"

Mu Jin cast Chen Jie a sidelong glance, a faint hint of reproach in his expression.

"You certainly have a sweet tongue."

As his words faded, he reached out and gently rested his palm against Chen Jie's chest.

He admired and liked him more and more now, so the touch came naturally, and he saw nothing inappropriate about it.

Through the fabric, his palm could clearly feel the young man's steady, powerful heartbeat.

Chen Jie went still for a moment but did not pull away. Outwardly, he remained the picture of an obedient student, his gaze resting on Mu Jin's flushed cheeks, but inwardly, he understood everything perfectly.

Mu Jin did not rush to withdraw his hand, leaving it resting lightly there before slowly moving it away a moment later. His expression remained composed, without the slightest awkwardness, though he could not hide the tenderness in his eyes. After a brief pause, he said:

"It's about time for dinner. Come eat with me."

Chen Jie paused slightly and looked up at Mu Jin, catching the genuine anticipation in his eyes. Then he said:

"All right. Thank you, Teacher."

Seeing him agree so readily, Mu Jin felt a flicker of joy, though he maintained a teacher's calm demeanor as he led the way out of the office.

Chen Jie followed slowly behind him toward the dining hall.

The two entered the bustling dining hall, where students of all kinds moved back and forth.

Mu Jin led Chen Jie straight to the teachers' dining area and specially selected plenty of spirit-rich demonic beast meat and nourishing soups, intending to replenish his strength properly.

He pushed a bowl of warm spirit meat soup in front of Chen Jie, concern in his eyes:

"You've been training your physical techniques nonstop, and it's taken quite a toll. Eat more tonight and properly restore your strength."

Mu Jin sat down as well, resting his elbow lightly on the table and quietly watching Chen Jie eat, occasionally taking the initiative to place a few tender pieces of beast meat on his plate.

Students came and went through the dining hall, and quite a few had noticed that Teacher Mu Jin was actually sitting down to eat with a male student. Curious glances turned their way.

Warm steam still rose from the food on the table. Shrek students passed back and forth around them, and more than a few gazes drifted toward their table.

Chen Jie was drinking his soup with his head lowered when an odd sensation suddenly brushed his thigh.

His heart stirred slightly, and he instinctively glanced down beneath the table.

Hidden by the broad tablecloth, Mu Jin had quietly slipped off one shoe.

Through the thin fabric, his foot lightly brushed the inside of Chen Jie's thigh, the contact barely there.

Lifting his face, Mu Jin looked at Chen Jie, a faint smile blooming on his lips and a hint of playfulness hidden in his eyes, nothing like his usual stern manner in class.

Chen Jie's hand paused slightly around his soup spoon. His expression remained composed as he picked up a piece of demonic beast meat from his plate and put it in his mouth, thinking to himself, Who would have thought that Teacher Mu Jin, usually so dignified and reserved, had such an adorable side in private? I'll have to find a chance to teach him a proper lesson someday.

Mu Jin's expression remained unchanged, and he continued speaking softly, as though nothing were happening beneath the table:

"Eat a little more. This demonic beast meat is rich in spiritual energy, and it'll be a great help in stabilizing your soul power."

As he calmly encouraged him to eat, the foot beneath the table shifted ever so slightly again.

Chen Jie kept his gaze firmly on his plate, betraying nothing throughout, except for a faint blush that quietly crept over his ears.

With people constantly coming and going through the dining hall and so many eyes around them, he knew perfectly well that the slightest unusual reaction would immediately give him away. He could only feign calm and let Mu Jin, seated before him, tease him as he pleased.