Lu Qingli took Xiang Fan's hand and led him through a quiet path until the clamor of the crowd was completely left behind. Then she slowly let go of his hand and turned to Xiang Fan with a faint smile: "Junior brother, I'm sorry, it was my rashness just now. Senior Brother Zhao is too difficult to deal with. I can only borrow you temporarily."
Xiang Fan stood there, head bowed, the blush still lingering on his face. His hands fluttered stiffly at his sides, clearly unsure where to place them. He muttered softly, "It's okay... Senior Sister... I'm just... a little uncomfortable..."
Lu Qingli looked at his awkward expression, a hint of a smile flashing in her eyes. She chuckled softly, her voice soft and teasing, "I know you're usually quiet and don't like being stared at by so many people. I'm really sorry to have wronged you this time."
Xiang Fan looked up at her, then quickly lowered his head again, his entire body exposed to the bright gaze like a little mouse suddenly placed under a lamp. He swallowed, not daring to respond, and could only twist the corner of his clothes more vigorously.
Lu Qingli noticed his nervousness and spoke softer. "Don't worry. Although Senior Brother Zhao has a strong personality, he won't embarrass you. I won't embarrass you either." She paused, as if thinking, then blinked and spoke more cheerfully. "To make up for your 'sacrifice' tonight, how about I treat you to a cup of spiritual tea? I know a teahouse that makes some excellent spiritual tea. Would you be willing to do me the honor?"
This sentence was like a bolt from the blue to Xiang Fan. His body stiffened, his mind instantly in a tizzy. He secretly glanced up at Lu Qingli, then quickly lowered his head, stammering, "This...this is not necessary, Senior Sister...I...I..."
His speech was disjointed and in the end he couldn't form a complete sentence.
Lu Qingli did not urge him, but just looked at him quietly, the smile on her face still gentle.
At this moment, Xiang Fan's heart was already in turmoil.
"It's over, it's over!" He wailed silently in his heart, "Senior Sister Lu Qingli... If she knew that she was in the video I downloaded from the Spirit Realm Hot Springs last time... would she have drawn her sword and killed me?"
He tried to recall the scene he'd "accidentally" downloaded, but the more he thought about it, the clearer it became. In the misty hot springs, Lu Qingli's veil had fallen away, revealing her jade-white skin... He desperately shook his head, trying to get rid of the memory, but the image seemed to be stuck in his mind, and he couldn't dispel it.
"Why! Why did I download her video? I just wanted to read a guide!" Xiang Fan's heart was on the verge of collapse. The more he thought about it, the more ashamed he felt. He even wondered if Lu Qingli had noticed his "unclean heart" and was taking revenge on him unexpectedly.
He froze in place, his ears red as if they were burning. His breathing quickened, and he wished he could find a hole to crawl into. Lu Qingli was only a few steps away, but her gaze was like a beam of blazing sunlight, illuminating the darkest corners of his heart and amplifying his shame.
Lu Qingli watched his reaction quietly, with a hint of doubt in her eyes. Then she said softly, "Junior brother, there's really no need to be nervous. I won't hurt you."
Xiang Fan felt like he was about to kneel down. He stammered, "Senior Sister... I... I'm not nervous... It's just..." He was halfway through his words when he swallowed his own words. He took a deep breath, lowered his head, not daring to look at Lu Qingli again, and prayed frantically in his heart, "Senior Sister, please don't embarrass me anymore. This is killing me!"
Xiang Fan stammered, "Senior Sister... there's really no need... no need to go through so much trouble... I'll go back... I still have to organize the books when I get back..." His voice became lower and lower, as if he was afraid that if he said one more word, he would become the laughing stock of the entire sect.
Lu Qingli looked at him, his head lowered, not daring to look at anyone, and a faint smile curved up at the corner of her mouth. She leaned forward slightly and asked softly, "Junior brother, are you shy?"
"No...no!" Xiang Fan looked up suddenly and denied it, but his voice was as weak as a feather floating in the wind. His ears were red, and he felt like a fish stuck on a grill, trying to break free but unable to escape. The embarrassment on his face was almost overflowing.
The smile in Lu Qingli's eyes deepened, but she did not ask any more questions. Instead, she said gently: "Okay, since my junior brother has something to do, let's forget about it today. Remember to come to me if you need help in the future." Her tone was gentle, as if carrying a magic that made people irresistible.
Xiang Fan nodded hurriedly, his voice soft and urgent: "Um... um... Thank you, Senior Sister... Thank you..."
Lu Qingli waved her hand gently and said with a smile, "Then you should go back early and don't make yourself too tired." After that, she turned and walked to the other end of the path, her steps light and graceful.
Xiang Fan finally breathed a sigh of relief as he watched her back, feeling the pressure in his chest ease somewhat. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and muttered, "It's finally over... Senior Sister is so gentle... But... But I really can't face her! What should I do next time I see her? Should I... find a place to hide?"
The more he thought about it, the more his headache grew. His heart was still pounding in his chest, as if he had just been through a fierce battle. Lu Qingli's back gradually disappeared at the end of the path. He finally slumped to the ground, relieved, his books scattered on the ground.
"She must not know about that...right?" Xiang Fan muttered to himself, raising his hand to press his forehead, with the word "confusion" written all over his face.
But the more he thought about it, the clearer the memory became in his mind - the image he accidentally downloaded resurfaced: the steam in the hot spring, Lu Qingli's veil slipping off... He shook his head violently, trying to get rid of these shameful images, but found that they became more stubborn the more he tried to get rid of them.
"It's over, it's over! If Senior Sister finds out, will I be expelled from the sect?" Xiang Fan's despair grew stronger and stronger as he thought about it, his blush growing even more intense. He knelt on the ground, feeling as if he could sense Lu Qingli's seemingly gentle yet actually blazing gaze, like a bright, shining light, mercilessly illuminating his secret.
He sighed deeply, looked up at the sky shrouded in dusk, and prayed silently in his heart: "Oh God, please don't let this get out. I really can't bear it..."
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