"You, madam, sure talk big."
"If you had an order from Protector Zi Shan, we wouldn't block your way."
Although their tone was teasing, there was absolutely no disrespect.
I turned and walked down the long flight of stairs.
The two waiting below came up to meet me.
Yang Xi took the lead, asking with concern, "What did they say? Wouldn't let you in?"
"They said I need an order from Protector Zi Shan."
As I walked and talked, my mind was tangled with thoughts, and I felt somewhat uneasy.
I'd rather trick myself than bear the heart to fool my own people.
Without meaning to, Yang Xi's expression revealed a sigh of relief and he said in a low voice, "The Five Passages Temple never lets outsiders in; everyone can only worship from outside, which is why the temple fair is so lively. If you can't enter, there's nothing to be done."
Chen Ahmao waved his hand, "I think Sister Yuan definitely has a way. You can doubt Kong Ming's ingenious plans, but you can't doubt Sister Yuan's wisdom and strategy."
A twinge of guilt swelled in my heart; this kid, why has he suddenly developed such admiration for me, "Ahmao, why... do you want to take me as your master?"
If he knew the thought of cheating him ever crossed my mind, would he turn his back on me on the spot?
"Do you need to ask? Of course, it's because you're amazing and formidable!"
Chen Ahmao blurted out without a second thought, his gaze on me, then his old face turned red, "Of course, there's another reason..."
Seeing his hesitant manner, I thought this youngster might have a crush on me.
But to my surprise, he suddenly let out a sigh and lamented, "I don't want to be a waste anymore, who the hell wants to be a waste, called a good-for-nothing... street loafer."
"So, you actually want to learn skills to earn people's respect?" I asked. Seeing Chen Ahmao nod like pounding garlic, I laughed, "Then go take the college entrance exam. If you get into a university, many people will be in for a shock. Not afraid of thugs who can fight, but afraid of thugs who are educated."
"Tch, what's the use of being a bookish pedant like a stinky old scholar." Chen Ahmao clicked his tongue, and then, chuckling, "No offense to you, Sister Yuan, but I want to be a hero with real skills. Martial arts and fighting don't count, what kind of skill is it to be rough and tumble? I want to be like Sister Yuan, to use Spells."
This ambition truly is more forward-looking than anyone else's.
I was actually swayed by his words, brainwashed into thinking he might be a good prospect, "What if... I decide to trick you? Would you still admire me then? I'm not as good as you think!"
"Trick me? No, how could you possibly trick me, Sister Yuan? Even if you did, it would be for my own good." Chen Ahmao looked at me with complete trust.
I felt utterly guilty and sighed internally, casting aside the thought of cheating him.
Yang Xi glanced at our direction and asked, "Where are we heading now?"
"Back. I'll think of a way slowly." I had no immediate solution and could only ponder slowly. Glancing at my watch, I added, "Ahmao, it's about time. You go wait at the village entrance. Once the temple fair's over, head straight home."
"I... I won't leave!!"
Chen Ahmao suddenly became stubborn, "Sister Yuan, you just asked me that because you must have a use for me. You're afraid of tricking me."
This kid... really is clever...
At least much cleverer than Yu Er, astute enough to learn the Mysterious Art.
Wait, what am I even thinking?
I haven't even mastered it myself, yet thinking of taking a disciple is like aiming for the sky.
"Don't get carried away with your thoughts, I am not." I'm not good at lying, and even though I don't know what my expression was, by looking into Chen Ahmao's eyes, I could tell he didn't believe a word I said.
And so, he stubbornly followed me back to Master Yang's house. All the while, he begged me like Monk Tang reciting scriptures, "Sister Yuan, trick me, please, just trick me! If anything goes wrong, it's on me, boo hoo hoo... trick me... okay? I really... don't want to keep living in muddleheadedness, ah ah ah, I want to be tricked, give me a chance..."