And just after listening to Uncle Bai’s flattering words, Zhao Rong suddenly realized that he wasn’t as skilled in this area as he appeared to be.
He had to change the subject and not say everything, to save some topics for later...
So, Zhao Rong nodded gravely, "Mmm, it’s alright, quite pretty."
At that, Zhao Qian’er’s face suddenly blossomed into a smile, as innocent and beautiful as mountain flowers, clean and moving.
Finally gaining the attention and praise of this ’big blockhead’, the joyful girl, forgetting all about her ladylike demeanor for the moment, stood rooted to the spot, then leaned forward and lunged at him.
She hugged Zhao Rong’s left arm, tucked inside his sleeve, using his body to balance herself as she looked up at him with a gleeful grin.
Zhao Qian’er exclaimed happily, "Really? Is that true?"
"False," Zhao Rong’s face turned stern, his tone suddenly unrecognizable.
"You... you dare!" Zhao Qian’er glared, her hand reaching up to pinch Zhao Rong’s nose fiercely, "Hmm, say that again!"
Zhao Rong blinked, trying to open his mouth, "Fa... "
The quick-reflex girl immediately covered his mouth with her soft pale palm the next second.
She continued glaring at Zhao Rong, her little nose wrinkled.
"Hmm hmm, Rong’er brother, dare you say that again?"
Just a second ago she looked like a graceful fairy, but now Zhao Qian’er’s lips were pursed and her expression fierce, almost like a domineering little female bandit.
Only, the faintly bitten pale lips threw off the act, giving her a somewhat frail and bullied look.
Zhao Rong said something.
Zhao Qian’er pricked up her ears for a while, seeming to understand, she nodded indifferently.
She tossed her little head, turning her face towards Zhao Rong, "Just kidding? Hmm, that’s more like it. But, hmm, from now on, Rong’er brother, you’re not allowed to joke anymore, not even a little bit of this kind of joke. Hmm, do you understand, you big pig trotter?"
Hmm? What exactly did Rong’er brother say...
Zhao Qian’er felt a bit confused, and immediately worried, she sneaked a glance at Zhao Rong, whom she had ’kidnapped.’
But the next second, seeing Zhao Rong’s gaze turned towards her, Zhao Qian’er quickly returned the look, nodding earnestly, "Hmm, you promised Qian’er, right? Hmm, if yes, then nod your head, speak your true feelings, and once you’ve said it, you can’t go back on your word."
With his mouth covered, Zhao Rong’s eyes were helpless as he nodded twice.
Zhao Qian’er instantly loosened her hand but then quickly pinched Zhao Rong’s nose again with the speed of lightning.
She squinted her eyes, withdrew her hand, and spat, "Stinky pig trotter."
Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief, continued nodding silently, "Alright. Hmm, Qian’er, you are indeed very pretty. Also, if there’s nothing else, let’s go find Brother Yi Wu, he’s probably been waiting for a while."
Zhao Qian’er looked around the bustling street, waving her little hand.
"Now? No, who said it was nothing? Rong’er brother, you promised to go shopping together, and you also said these days we could play here as much as we want. Hmm, let that Gu whatever wait a bit longer, let’s wander around some more."
Zhao Rong sighed, trying to persuade her.
Zhao Qian’er adjusted her smooth, neat bangs, then hugged Zhao Rong’s arm again.
"Come on, let’s go over there and check it out, that snack stand is so crowded. Oh, and we still need to shop for Uncle Bai, his performance on the road earlier was so-so, let’s reward him this time."
The usually droopy-looking Li Bai suddenly perked up, like an old dog hearing a noise, his spirits lifted.
The sword-bearing man rubbed his hands together, his eyes sparkling, rushing Zhao Qian’er:
"It’s still Qian’er who cares about Uncle Rong. I didn’t pamper you for nothing as a kid, helping you teach young Rong a lesson. Alright, come on, good Qian’er, young Rong, let’s go buy clothes."
Zhao Rong raised an eyebrow, looking at Li Bai who seemed like a completely different person.
Uh, wasn’t he just acting like an aloof master, uninterested in anything, oblivious to the outside world, but now...
Zhao Qian’er nodded, lifting her little chin, her voice clear:
"Alright, Uncle Bai, don’t worry, I’ll pick you an even more stylish and neat outfit this time, guaranteed to be better looking than the last elegant green shirt, more like a master. Definitely making it obvious at first glance that you are no ordinary man..."
Li Bai knitted his brows, displaying a rare focused demeanor, listening intently.
Zhao Qian’er suddenly paused, her pretty eyebrows furrowing, speaking in a tone of regretting that iron wasn’t becoming steel:
"But just dressing up isn’t enough. You also need to frequently wipe your sword scabbard and the handle as well. Look, the white cloth wrapping the sword is so dirty."
She sternly pointed, reeling off a list of advice for the eagerly thirsty Uncle Bai.
"And people’s hands are really dirty too, do you realize? You need to wash your hands frequently too. To be an unparalleled master, which master doesn’t wash their hands? Look at those masters in the books who defeat enemies with a single stroke, their swords aren’t stained with even a trace of blood, they keep their swords so well maintained? And obviously, there’s no dust or dirt either."
Upon hearing this, Li Bai’s face showed a look of sudden realization, but then he heard Qian’er say.
He also needs to frequently take out the sword in his sheath, wipe it clean, and remember to oil it well, maintain it well, and when necessary, he might even consider putting it on the rooftop to bask in the sun, soak up the moonlight, absorb some essence from heaven and earth blah blah blah.
The sword-bearing man looked at the sword in his embrace, feeling a bit downcast.
Seeing Uncle Bai’s troubled expression, Zhao Qian’er sighed maturely, "Ah... I’ve told you so many times before, why haven’t you changed at all? Do you still want to go back to the old days, looking slovenly every day, being an outdated master shedding bits and pieces?"