Xu Yuehuai reached out and touched his forehead to see if there was anything wrong. After a simple test, she found nothing wrong with Qi Guze. But even so, Qi Guze did not wake up. Xu Yuehuai had a doubt in her heart. Under normal circumstances, Qi Guze would not sleep so soundly.

She shook Qi Guze, her brows furrowing even deeper. "Qi Guze, wake up."

She whispered softly in his ear, and the man's eyelids trembled for a moment, but he quickly returned to normal, as if nothing had happened. Xu Yuehuai channeled a surge of spiritual energy, wanting to check what was wrong with him.

Qi Guze, who was usually unguarded with her, actually flung her spiritual power out this time. Xu Yuehuai staggered back a step, her eyes filled with confusion, her gaze fixed on the profile of the man on the bed.

Xu Yuehuai frowned even more. She tried again, refusing to believe it, but the result was the same.

She had never seen Qi Guze in such a state before; it was as if he had entered some kind of nightmare, meaning he was isolated from everything.

Xu Yuehuai was at a loss and was about to go out to find someone to take a look when Qi Guze on the bed inexplicably opened his eyes. "Yuehuai, why are you leaving so soon after you get back? Aren't you going to stay with me a little longer?"

Qi Guze propped himself up on one hand and sat up in bed. His eyes were bloodshot, and he looked lazy and aggrieved, just like a big dog waiting for its owner at home.

Seeing that he was awake, Xu Yuehuai frowned and walked to his side. "What were you doing just now?"

Qi Guze's expression froze for a moment, then a smile appeared on his lips. "What can I do? I just want you to come back. Time has been so long, so I meditated for a while, but I ended up falling asleep."

Qi Guze's lies came out of his mouth without him even needing to think them through.

Xu Yuehuai took a step back. "Are you lying? Aren't you telling the truth?"

Xu Yuehuai isn't some brainless naiveté; his demeanor just now clearly showed otherwise. How could he be fooled by a few words?

Seeing that Xu Yuehuai was about to get angry, Qi Guze sighed and reached out to pull her to his side. "I was really scared of you. I was cultivating just now. When I cultivate, I can't hear any outside sounds. I resist everyone, and my state is like being trapped in a nightmare. I can't wake you up no matter what. I was afraid you would worry, so I didn't dare to tell you. I didn't expect you to see me like this."

Xu Yuehuai kept her eyes on him, as if weighing the truthfulness of his words.

Qi Guze got out of bed and walked outside, muttering to himself, "You're back now, but I haven't prepared anything delicious for you yet. I'll make something now so you can taste my cooking again."

As Qi Guze spoke, he walked outside. Xu Yuehuai put aside her emotions and followed Qi Guze outside. She did not refuse, "Make a little less, just eat something simple."

That's what they say, but Qi Guze was anything but simple. He prepared five or six dishes, all steaming hot.

Xu Yuehuai picked up her chopsticks, took a bite, and found it to be quite delicious and fragrant. Although she had known for a long time that Qi Guze was a good cook, she was still amazed to taste it again after so long.

Xu Yuehuai invited Shi Mu and A Qing, but A Qing was the first to refuse. He had no appetite when he heard that Qi Guze had cooked the meal. Seeing that A Qing had refused, Shi Mu did not want to interfere with their sweet time, so he also quickly declined Xu Yuehuai's invitation.

So in the end, it turned into just the two of them enjoying some time alone. Qi Guze kept putting food into Xu Yuehuai's bowl, looking like he was determined to feed her until she was full.

Xu Yuehuai was happy to receive such service from him, and enjoyed it immensely.

The day passed quickly. The two of them, inside and outside the house, watched the moonlight, admired the scenery, embraced and kissed, and expressed their feelings for each other, just like any other couple in love.

The next day, Qi Guze and Xu Yuehuai said their formal goodbyes. His eyes were filled with reluctance. Today was the last day they could spend together properly. Once today was over, they didn't know when they would be able to meet like this again.

Xu Yuehuai was aware of this matter, so she cooperated fully this time, accompanying Qi Guze.

As dusk fell and the night grew cooler, it was time for Qi Guze to leave. He stood at the door, his eyes glazed over.

If Zi Sangyi were here right now, she would definitely try to interfere between the two of them, making Qi Guze always think about his disciple. He doesn't care what their relationship was before; now, Xu Yuehuai is his disciple!

Xu Yuehuai looked at him with a helpless expression. "Why are you like this? It's not like we'll never see each other again. There will be other opportunities in the future."

Xu Yuehuai clasped her hands together. Qi Guze looked at her nonchalant expression and couldn't help but think, "Why do you seem so happy that I'm leaving?"

"Don't overthink it, nothing like that happened." Xu Yuehuai's eyes were serious, and her face showed displeasure as she stopped Qi Guze from letting his imagination run wild.

Seeing Xu Yuehuai's serious expression, Qi Guze didn't dare to say anything more. He shut his mouth, leaned his head closer, and stared intently at Xu Yuehuai's lips, but he didn't actively get closer, which was his way of implying something.

There was a hint of arrogance in the man's eyes, which made Xu Yuehuai both amused and exasperated. She leaned in and kissed the corner of his lips, then took a small step back and said, "I was just thinking that after you leave, I need to work harder so that we can go back sooner. Don't overthink things after you leave."

Qi Guze's lips curled into a smile, his eyes filled with joy.

...

After Qi Guze left, the mountain peak seemed much quieter. Recently, a busy and solemn atmosphere permeated the sect, as everyone was waiting for the sect competition in two days.

On the sect leader's mountain peak, peace returned. Aqing sat back in her original spot and did the same things she used to do while eating.

But for some reason, Xu Yuehuai felt something was off. "Aqing, you don't need to serve me food when we eat. You can eat by yourself."

Aqing paused, forcing a smile. "What's wrong? Isn't this always how it is? Are you worried that Young Master Qi will be jealous?"

Ah Qing said this half-jokingly, but in reality, she was gripping the chopsticks tightly, afraid that she would answer yes or no.

Xu Yuehuai didn't want to embarrass Aqing. They had worked together for a long time, and the other person had no malicious intent in doing this. If she embarrassed the other person, it would seem like she didn't know what was good for her. "No, it's just that I think it's fine to pick up food and eat it myself. I don't need any special treatment."

Aqing forced a smile and said, "...Okay, I understand."