Gu Ming shook his head, feeling a bit embarrassed. “Lately, I’ve been having these Phantom Memories. Maybe I’m just tired.”
“Phantom Memories?” Shen Lingxi’s eyes curved into a smile. “Can you tell me about them?”
“Uh…”
Gu Ming hesitated.
“I am your Master, after all. There’s no need to be shy,” Shen Lingxi said softly. “Besides, I might be able to figure something out.”
‘She is the Saintess,’ Gu Ming thought. ‘She must have encountered many strange things. Perhaps she really can figure something out.’
“Actually…” Gu Ming began slowly, recounting all the Phantom Memories he had experienced recently.
As he spoke, his thoughts began to clear. He realized that every time these Phantom Memories appeared, the Saintess was right there beside him.
Whether it was by the riverbank or in this very courtyard…
Wait?
While Gu Ming was lost in thought, a soft weight suddenly pressed into his chest. A pair of cool, yet incredibly smooth, snow-white hands slowly wrapped around him. A faint, refreshing fragrance filled his nose — it was a wonderful scent.
Faced with Shen Lingxi’s sudden embrace, Gu Ming was at a loss at first. Gradually, however, he found himself sinking into the softness of her body and the enchanting aroma, unable to pull himself away.
‘The high and mighty Saintess is taking the initiative to throw herself into my arms?’
‘Is my charm really that great?’
‘It seems handsome people are popular everywhere.’
Just as Gu Ming’s imagination began to run wild, he heard Shen Lingxi sob with a choked voice, “Those are real.”
“Real?”
Gu Ming blinked. A bold idea exploded in his mind. He desperately wanted to confirm something, so he tried to catch a glimpse of Shen Lingxi’s face out of the corner of his eye to see her expression. However, he could only see her long, obsidian hair.
After a moment, Shen Lingxi released him. She offered no explanation, but instead said softly, “Come, I’ll take you to your room.”
“Wait.”
“What is it?”
Shen Lingxi turned back to see a serious look in Gu Ming’s eyes. He opened his mouth, feeling a bit ashamed as he asked, “Was that little girl… you? And that little boy… was it me?”
Hearing this, Shen Lingxi’s eyes widened slightly, her joy plain to see. However, in an instant, she regained her usual gentle composure.
She leaned forward slightly, her elegant and graceful figure becoming even more prominent and alluring. Shen Lingxi covered her mouth and chuckled mischievously, her beautiful eyes curving. “Oh my, so that’s what you were thinking.”
Hearing her words, Gu Ming’s face turned bright red. He was so embarrassed he wanted to dig a hole in the ground and crawl into it.
He knew such an idea was naive and romantic, but it was also a sincere thought from his heart.
It was her fault for being such a beauty and suddenly hugging him; it was only natural for him to have such absurd thoughts.
This kind of thinking was like using the cliché pickup line: “I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before.”
Gu Ming secretly resolved never to have such childish, flighty thoughts again.
‘How stupid.’
Gu Ming cursed himself internally.
Seeing Gu Ming’s look of deep regret, Shen Lingxi’s smile grew even more radiant. ‘Brother Gu Ming really can’t handle being teased.’
“Alright, I’ll stop teasing you.” Shen Lingxi stopped laughing.
‘Teasing me?’
Gu Ming felt a cold sweat.
Shen Lingxi dropped the subject and pointed to the first room on the left. “That is your room.”
“I live right next door,” Shen Lingxi added, pointing to the second room on the left.
“The Saintess lives here?” Gu Ming asked, still astonished.
“Yes.” Shen Lingxi nodded. “This place has special meaning to me, so I’ve always lived here.”
‘Special meaning?’
Gu Ming looked at Shen Lingxi with confusion. However, she didn’t seem to intend to elaborate. Instead, she handed him a piece of paper.
“From now on, you will be responsible for these tasks.”
Gu Ming took the paper and looked at it, completely dumbfounded. What was all this?
Written on the paper was:
1. Upon waking up in the morning, please knock on the door to wake Lingxi. If Lingxi stays in bed, please enter the room and wake her with a [Morning Kiss of Awakening].
2. Be responsible for cooking three meals a day, and then feed Lingxi.
3. Serve Lingxi while she bathes and changes clothes.
4. Accompany Lingxi on walks.
5. Go shopping with Lingxi.
…
Seeing the list of items, Gu Ming asked with a strange expression, “Lingxi, are you sure you aren’t teasing me? None of these are things a disciple should do. These are things done after becoming a Husband and wife.”
“I’m not teasing you,” Shen Lingxi said seriously.
“I refuse.”
“W-Why?” Shen Lingxi panicked.
‘She really does treat me like her Husband…’
Gu Ming felt a headache coming on.
Furthermore, Shen Lingxi didn’t look anything like a Saintess right now; she looked entirely like a spoiled little girl.
“Because this isn’t what a Personal Disciple is supposed to do,” Gu Ming said sternly. “If word gets out, it will ruin your reputation.”
“When the time comes, you can just take responsibility,” Shen Lingxi said with a smile.
“Take responsibility?” Gu Ming shrugged and joked, “What, are you going to make me marry you?”
“Mm-hmm.” Shen Lingxi nodded with a beaming smile.
“Stop joking.”
Listening to her words, which he couldn’t tell were true or false, Gu Ming couldn’t help but wipe away some cold sweat.
“I’m not joking. I’m serious.” Shen Lingxi’s eyes curved beautifully.
Gu Ming froze, his expression gradually becoming solemn. He then gave a soft sigh and said, “I understand.”
His dismissive tone made Shen Lingxi a bit anxious. She quickly added, “I’m telling the truth.”
“I know, I know.”
Gu Ming walked toward his room and said, “I’m going back to my room now.”
Watching Gu Ming’s retreating back, Shen Lingxi stomped her foot gloomily. ‘I just teased you a little bit, was there really a need to be so guarded?’
And—
‘It isn’t time for us to truly recognize each other yet. How can I tell you everything?’
‘What if you leave me?’
Shen Lingxi sighed in her heart as she watched Gu Ming close his door.
‘But we have plenty of time.’
‘Even without your past memories, I will definitely make you fall in love with me all over again.’
The corners of Shen Lingxi’s mouth curled upward as she walked back to her own room.
*****
Early the next morning.
A commotion suddenly broke out outside the courtyard.
“Nameless, you bastard, get out here!”
“What kind of man hides behind the Saintess?”
“Get your ass out here!”
Long Feiyu’s head was entirely wrapped in bandages, leaving only his eyes, nose, and mouth exposed. He had lost all of his former glory.
If not for the two female disciples standing guard, Long Feiyu would have charged inside long ago.
Seeing Long Feiyu making such a racket, one of the female disciples barked, “Long Feiyu, this is the Saintess’s residence! Why are you shouting?”
“I’m here to apologize!” Long Feiyu shouted, his neck stiff with anger. “My Grandfather ordered me to come and apologize to Nameless!”
The two female disciples were speechless. Who apologizes like that? One would think he was looking for a fight.
Just then, the sound of light footsteps came from the courtyard, followed by a somewhat annoying voice.
“Since you’re here to apologize, start by kneeling…”