Yufeng and Zhen Yi, like always, were together, except Wang Yi couldn't attend because he's still in the infirmary.
"Well, I mean, it's understandable because the General's really handsome and have got a good figure so if I was a girl I'd drool over him too."
"Ugghhh,"
"Zhen Yi, would you for once please stop acting like a pervert? You're embarrassing me."
"Hey, but it's true, is it not!?"
"Just shut up please."
Zhen Yi then grabs on the older's shoulder, crying dramatically.
"Without brother Wang I'm so boreeeed! I miss that stinky fish. What else can I do except comment on others looks?"
Then he titles his head upwards, pointing to Yufeng's backside.
"Speaking of which ... Look at teacher Xiao and general Xie."
"..."
W
hat does that have to do with me!??? Just when will he quit it already!
"Like daaamn. What a hot couple they would make, am I right? A mighty general and a fearless swordmaster who's also a widow! A wolf and a rabbit! No doubt their relationship is something more than just being each other's in laws. Don't you agree, brother Yufeng? They look so lovely next to each other!!! "
Yufeng ignores him, fighting the temptation to look behind and see for himself.
He didn't want to care, he really didn't. But it was inevitable because in the back corner of his eyes he can clearly see them both.
Xie Hun grabs food with his chopsticks to put them on Xiao Xiao's plate, which obviously was a sign of affection, made Yufeng insides twist in an ugly way as he then watches them smile at each other.
He lets out a snicker, partly in amusement yet also in distress.
"You can quit assuming they're together, Zhen Yi. It's impossible."
Because the general doesn't swing that way.
Yufeng thought on the inside, not daring to say it out loud.
"Oh, yeah? And how would you know that, mister all knowing?"
"Why? Aren't you happy? I'm saying this seriously. They won't have that sort of relationship. Never will. They're nothing more than in laws towards each other. I can assure you that so trust me-"
"Ooohh, I get it, I get it. I see where you're going at, Yufeng...."
Not paying mind to what the younger said, the older carries on as he takes a sip on his drink,
"because you can just keep on fantasizing about being in a relationship with your teacher or whatever..."
"You're saying all of this because of your jealousy towards our general, isn't that right, hmm~?"
Zhen Yi wiggled his eyebrows as he smiles wickedly, forcing the snake to spit out on his drink.
"Cough!!! Cough!!"
Chocking, he looks at his friend in disbelief.
"-I...WHAT!?? Jealousy!??? Of that man!??"
Yufeng clears his throat, trying to play along after noticing Zhen Yi's suspicious face that he came off too strong for a mere joke.
"I mean, ahem, are you for real? No way, I would never. How can I be jealous of him?"
"....Then how else would you explain the fact that you seem to be against the general? Do you hold any personal grudges?"
If you knew the kind of person he is towards Wang Yi, you would too.
The man thought, letting out a sigh.
"I just know that it's impossible, alright? I don't hate him or anything," in a smaller voice he then adds,
"let alone be jealous of him, it's just..."
Judging by what I've seen at the infirmary, the relationship between Wang Yi and teacher Xiao seem way more believable than her being with general Xie. That's just absurd! He wouldn't ever be in love with a woman, now would he?
I'm sure it's not possible. Wait, but I've never seen a cut sleeve before so how can I judge...
All I know is that it's not accepted, but wouldn't a teacher student relationship also be forbidden?
"Oh, yeah? Well why don't we spice things up a lil bit then, what do you say, hmm? Prove me that you're not jealous of general Xie and teacher Xiao's relationship!"
"For the millionth time- ugghh, Lord , okay, fine, whatever!"
Gives up the older, annoyed.
"Forget it, I'll prove you, alright! What, do you want me to go over and ask him out or something?"
The younger nods.
"
Yep, exactly that."
"Huh? I wasn't actually serious- you're joking, right? Don't you see that we're both guys!?"
"What's wrong with that? Can't two men go out to eat together? Brother, just ask him to eat with us, let us get closer! Let's see if you can do it."
....Right, to him it's not romantically involved therefore he doesn't see anything wrong in it. But isn't me asking the general to hang out with us is like a death wish!?? I just cursed him like a few hours ago!
He then looks at Zhen Yi.
Forget it, If I don't show that i don't care, that busybody of a rabbit will be quick to annoy me with questions.
I'll just do it.
Meanwhile at the grand masters table...
"I'm telling you, my disciple was the best! He's going to take another level of education from now on, believe me."
"Oh? Will they start teaching him the deadly skills? Isn't that too early?"
"Absolutely! By the way..."
Another elder master of the same school as Xiao Xiao, glances at her as he asks,
" How much of yours passed the mission? Two of my students passed to a greater level."
All the grand masters were gathered in one table, chatting and eating, discussing about the achievement of their disciples to one another, bragging.
"That's..."
She starts, hesitant.
I can't let them know that Wang Yi escaped his detention and joined my solo mission and got himself half killed!!! Then what should I say?
"...Well, i, yes,-"
Xiao Xiao tries, but gets interrupted by the same man,
"Isn't there one student of yours that's very smart and talented? What was his name again? You know the one with mini braids on...ah, right! Yufeng, correct? The snake guy."
However the jade rabbit's eyes brighten up a little bit, pointing at her brother in law next to her.
"Our general here was in charge of taking Yufeng to the mission, I'm curious myself to know how it went. Could you tell us?"
"That's right, tell us! Tell us! He's such a lovely obedient boy, it's like a pleasure to have him under our care."
By the mention of that boy, Xie Hun frowns, his eyebrows tight and angry.
"Oh-oh. Seems like the general is not in a good mood. Was Yufeng no good? Did it go badly?"
"No, what are you talking about? The general always has that cold aura on towards everyone except to his sister in law~ am I right?"
Before Xie Hun could say anything, suddenly footsteps can be heard, gaining everyone's attention to the presence that's about to come.
"Speaking of the devil..."
"Greetings, great masters. Disciple Yufeng here."
Bowed the snake, standing firm.
"Our dear disciple Yufeng! We were just talking about you~ What's the occasion?"
Yufeng smiles at the elder,
"First of all I wanted to say many thanks to the elders that are holding this banquet, it's very fun. But mind if I ask..."
his gaze then focuses on the general and not at his teacher beside him.
"Is General Xie....going to have dinner with the elders? "
Y
ufeng asks the older, who had a stern look on.
"That's right."
"Why'd you ask, what's wrong?"
Asks the jade rabbit next to him.
"Well...it's not much, but I would like to invite the General to our table and discuss some matters about new techniques with the boys."
Xie Hun raises an eyebrow.
"So...Could the general have dinner with me?"
"Oh my..."
Everyone's attention turns towards Xie Hun, awaiting, who says,
"What?"
Xiao Xiao lets out a little smile, nudging on her brother in law's shoulder.
"Come on, why don't you go hang out with the youngsters?"
Xie Hun just silently stands up, shaking his head.
"I don't think that would be appropriate right now. Maybe next time, Yufeng."
The said man expected that answer, but still forces out an awkward laugh.
"I don't see why this would be inappropriate, General Xie."
Other gathered masters gave a nod of agreement,
"Yeah, General Xie! Don't be a boomer in front of the kids. What's wrong with having a little fun.."
"I said it's inappropriate, so it means it's inappropriate."
The werewolf snapped, meeting Yufeng's eyes with growing annoyance.
Before Yufeng could say anything Xiao Xiao gives a look at him that says "Just give up, your general is not in a good mood right now."
"...alright."
Whatever, I tried my best. At least I proved that I am not a coward unlike him.
Before turning to walk away, he gives the older a side eye.
Once the boy left, Xiao Xiao speaks through inner communication with the werewolf, in order not to let anyone hear.
"Brother in law, why are you so cold towards Disciple Yufeng out of nowhere? Seriously, he's a good child."
"....sister, I just don't like him. Don't ask why."
"Alright. Then how about you tell me, were you the one who gave the map to disciple Wang Yi?"
Xie Hun goes quiet, wondering if the jade rabbit was going to scold him badly.
"I did. Does sister blame me?"
She lets out a sad chuckle, "I don't. Actually I'm grateful but partly regretful. Wang Yi is our youngest disciple and needed to experience that sooner or later but the outcome was worse than i expected. Now he isn't like himself anymore and the one I blame is myself because I didn't fulfill my duty as a mentor and got him hurt. I don't know what I should do, brother in law..."
"Let's just wait and see..."
Yufeng tried reassuring.
And soon the banquet began with young dancers and singers gathered to entertain the guests and bring light to this night.
"Look the fun is about to start."
Xie Hun announced, attention turning towards the stage.
The lively atmosphere made all the guests excited, eager to spend the best time of their lives this night.
"What are you guys looking so dull for? Let's go out there and dance with everyone else!"
Ke La came forward, reaching out her hand towards Zhen Yi and Yufeng.
"Yeah, about time we have some fun and chill. Let's go there and dance and get to know the singers!"
Being dragged, the grumpy snake did nothing but comply.
"Looks like everyone is going to get wasted by the time the night ends. But I don't want to daaaance..."
He complained.
"What's up with him?"
"He got rejected by the big boss for asking them out."
Zhen Yi pointed with his eyes at certain someone sitting not far away from them to Ke La.
"Big boss?? No waaaay, is Yufeng in looooove-"
In disbelief, Ke La then questions, but pauses midway after acknowledging the presence who appeared behind the snake.
It was no other than the General himself...