Teacher by day, Farmer by passion-Chapter 160: Divine Library [2]
With an irritated sigh, Ace stepped out of the Divine Library and waved the interface away.
"What's the point of a library if you can't even read any of the books?" he grumbled, flexing his wrist as if the memory of struggling to lift a single book had bruised his ego.
Just as the stone house shimmered back into view, a familiar voice echoed through the doorway.
"Master!" Liu Mei's voice rang bright and clear, full of life. She dashed in before the others, her robes fluttering, cheeks slightly pink from the wind.
Ace barely had a second to brace himself before she tackled him into a hug, one arm looped around his waist like she hadn't seen him in years.
"I missed you so much, Master," she said, clinging just a moment longer before stepping back with a radiant grin.
Ace sighed, but there was no real irritation behind it. He patted her head lightly, like brushing off clingy vines he didn't really mind.
Xiwei was the first to step inside.
Spotting Ace, the boy gave an awkward bow, stiff and serious, like he'd practiced it all his life.
"Thank you so much for saving us, Benefactor," he said solemnly.
Before Ace could respond, a blur knocked the formality right out of the room..
"A-ah! Sorry, sorry!" cried the little girl as she scrambled to untangle herself from the floor.
It was Stupid Fool.
She'd rushed in without thinking and ended up knocking Xiwei clean off balance.
Panic filled her wide eyes as she helped him up, brushing dust off his shoulder like a guilty squirrel.
One by one, the rest shuffled in bare feet tapping, voices soft with excitement.
Fruit, leaves, and who-knew-what filled their hands, as the room warmed with noise and life.
Blind Dog was the last to enter, his steps careful but confident. Behind him walked Lily, serene as ever, her eyes quietly scanning the children as she closed the door.
She had made sure every last child was accounted for, especially these boy who couldn't see.
Blind Dog paused just inside, sensing the energy shift. He turned his face toward Ace with an amused tilt of the head.
"Well then… What are we all gathered here for?"
Ace blinked.
Every time this kid looked in his direction, he couldn't help but wonder.
Can he actually see me? Ace thought, narrowing his eyes suspiciously.
Out loud, he clapped his hands. "Right! So, today, Elder Lily will be taking all of you on a tour outside. Who's ready?"
The kids erupted in joy like a bag of spirit apples tossed into a fire pit.
But just then, Lily raised a hand.
"Master," she said, her tone ever so gentle. "May I go meet with Sister Akha first?"
Ace's eyes lit with realization. ""Ah, right! Akha finished your pill. The one meant to stabilize your core?"
He nodded. "Go ahead. We'll delay the trip if needed."
"Thank you." She bowed respectfully, then turned to the children.
"Alright, everyone. Elder Sister here will be quick, alright?"
"Okay!"
"Sure thing!"
"We'll wait!"
Came the enthusiastic replies.
The moment Lily disappeared through the door, something warm and mischievous hit his back like a sack of rice with a plan..
He staggered just a little.
"Master!" Liu Mei grinned as she latched onto him piggyback-style. "I have a proposition to make."
Ace tilted his head. "Oh? Let's hear it."
"Replacement," she said, voice as composed as she could manage while clearly bubbling with glee.
"I want to replace Brother Shan Yifeng for today. Elder Akha says he needs to practice formation with her anyway."
She coughed lightly, trying very hard to appear reasonable, even though her smile stretched from ear to ear.
Ace smirked.
"Oh? You just happen to have a well-timed excuse ready, huh?"
Liu Mei looked up at the ceiling, pretending to ponder the mysteries of life.
"I am merely acting in the interest of fairness and productivity," she said primly.
Ace gave a small chuckle.
"Fine, fine. Your request is accepted. I'll take you out with me."
Just as Liu Mei was plotting her grand outdoor adventure, the door creaked open once more.
A soft cough echoed in the room.
Yuri stepped in, one hand braced gently against the doorframe.
All the
children turned as one.
"Big Sister Yuri!"
They rushed over in a wave of excitement, gathering around her like ducklings around a quiet pond.
Some tugged at her sleeves, others wrapped little arms around her waist
careful not to squeeze too hard.
But no one reacted like Blind Dog did.
His head snapped toward the sound of her cough, his feet moving before anyone could say a word.
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"Sister!" he breathed, and there was something raw in the way he said her name, like a brother welcoming someone back from the brink.
He stumbled forward, arms out. His usually composed expression wavered with relief.
"You're... You can finally walk?," he said in disbelief, as if trying to confirm it with his ears.
Yuri smiled warmly. "Mhm. For now," she replied gently, reaching down to ruffle his hair.
Blind Dog blinked fast, lips twitching like he couldn't decide whether to grin or cry.
"You look like you've grown taller since yesterday," Yuri teased.
"I didn't," Blind Dog replied flatly but the corners of his mouth curled upward.
Just then, a louder set of footsteps echoed from outside, and Aunt Hong appeared, wiping her hands with a cloth as she stepped through the doorway.
"Oi! I told you not to be walking yet!" she scolded lightly, her eyes narrowing even as they shimmered with concern.
Yuri turned her way with a soft, bell-like laugh.
It was the kind of laugh that made you forget she was ever sick.
"I'm just stretching my legs, Auntie. I swear I'm not trying to escape your clutches."
Aunt Hong crossed her arms, clearly not convinced. "You're still recovering, girl. Next thing I know, you'll be chasing spirit chickens across the yard!"
"If I catch one, can we cook it?" Yuri grinned playfully.
Ace watched the scene unfold from the side, arms folded, an amused look on his face.
"Looks like we've got another Liu Mei on our hands," he muttered.
Liu Mei peeked over his shoulder, still on his back. "Master, she's too old."
