Chapter 17 - Do You Have Someone Special?
That night, they trained until quite late.
The next morning, training continued.
“After a night’s rest, how are you feeling?” Su Zimo asked with concern.
“Teacher Su, I’m pretty much fully recovered!”
“So quickly?”
“It’s all thanks to the Daotian Technique you taught me—it’s incredible!”
Excited, Lin Daotian said, “I was cultivating before I fell asleep, adjusting my breathing and visualizing the sun and moon. Before I knew it, I drifted into sleep…When I woke up, I felt totally refreshed, and all my fatigue was gone!”
Su Zimo, now reassured, smiled. “Being able to enter a state of cultivation anytime means you’ve already gotten the basics down! But I still need to check your progress!”
Lin Daotian straightened up, ready. “Go ahead, Teacher Su! I’m prepared!”
“Good, then take off your shirt.”
Lin Daotian: “…”
“Take off my shirt?”
He blinked in confusion. “Why do I have to take off my shirt?”
Su Zimo responded matter-of-factly, “Of course, I need to check your physical condition! You’ve been practicing the Daotian Technique, and although everything seems fine, some internal injuries can’t be seen on the surface. I need a thorough checkup. Don’t stall; hurry up. It’s not like I haven’t seen it before!”
Lin Daotian: “…”
So, Lin Daotian took off his shirt again and lay down on the yoga mat, allowing Su Zimo to examine him.
Su Zimo was a very thorough teacher, inspecting him carefully and closely, leaving no part unchecked.
After about ten minutes, she finally straightened up, satisfied.
“Everything looks good. Let’s continue training!”
Lin Daotian flipped to his feet and quickly put on all his clothes as fast as lightning.
These days, not only was he cultivating rapidly, but his speed at putting on clothes had also improved. If there were a clothing speed competition, he’d probably win the championship.
Once everything was in place, Su Zimo said, “Today’s training will be similar to yesterday’s. Go all out against me, but this time, use the Daotian Technique. Through sparring, you’ll get more familiar with this technique!”
“Alright, I’m ready! Watch out!”
“Bring it on!”
The following days passed in much the same way.
Each morning, Su Zimo would start by checking Lin Daotian’s physical condition.
If everything was fine, they would spar using the Daotian Technique.
In the afternoons, under Su Zimo’s guidance, Lin Daotian would further refine his mastery of the technique.
The days passed in fulfillment, and his strength grew significantly.
Then, one day, Lin parents came to visit.
“Alright, let’s take a break,” Su Zimo said, nodding toward Lin Daotian, who was immersed in training. “Take half an hour to rest.”
“Got it!” Lin Daotian stopped.
Mother Lin walked over, holding a plate with a smile. “I just cut up a watermelon. It’s really sweet and fresh; let’s all enjoy it together!”
“Thanks, Mom! You’re the best!” Lin Daotian jogged over, grabbed a slice, and started eating heartily.
Even the panda joined in; when it came to food, it never knew the meaning of restraint.
Su Zimo, meanwhile, sat politely in front of Mother Lin, feeling a bit nervous, almost as if she were meeting her future in-laws.
In her past life, mother and father Lin had tried to match her and Lin Daotian, though nothing came of it in the end.
Mother Lin handed her a slice of watermelon. “Teacher Su, please have some!”
Su Zimo thanked her and took a small, ladylike bite.
Lin Aotian, the Dragon King, gratefully said, “My son told me how generous you’ve been with him! Under your guidance, he’s progressing quickly. Thank you for your mentorship, Teacher Su!”
Su Zimo quickly set down her watermelon. “Mr. Lin, there’s no need to thank me. This is just my duty.”
“Teacher Su, let me say this: if you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll do everything I can to help,” Lin Aotian said seriously.
This was no small favor, and Su Zimo immediately thanked him. “Thank you, Mr. Lin!”
“Teacher Su, this watermelon is sweet. Please, have another slice,” Mother Lin offered, handing her another piece.
Su Zimo took it and replied, “Thank you, ma’am!”
Watching Su Zimo eat delicately, Mother Lin smiled and asked, “Teacher Su, where are you from? Do you have family back home?”
“I’m from Jiangbei. When I was very young, my parents were killed by demons, so I’m the only one left.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry to have brought up such a painful memory!”
Su Zimo shook her head. “It’s alright; it’s been so long that I’ve already come to terms with it.”
“Teacher Su, you’re young and beautiful. I’m sure many people are interested in you. Do you have someone special?”
Su Zimo shook her head again. “Not at the moment.”
“If you were looking for a boyfriend, what kind of person would you want?”
Su Zimo glanced subtly at Lin Daotian. “I’d want someone responsible and caring, someone who can shield me from the storms of life. But honestly, I think it all depends on fate. When the right person comes along, it’ll happen naturally.”
“If he were a bit younger or perhaps less established, would that bother you?”
Su Zimo’s cheeks reddened slightly. “Not at all.”
…
After only a short while, Su Zimo found herself overwhelmed. Embarrassed, she quickly pulled Lin Daotian away to resume training.
Father Lin nudged his wife and whispered, “Honey, why are you grilling her like that, like you’re running a background check? You’re going to scare her away!”
Mother Lin chuckled. “I’m just seeing if she’d make a suitable daughter-in-law! From what I can tell, Teacher Su has great qualities, and she seems to have some interest in our son, too.”
The Dragon King was taken aback. “But doesn’t our son already have someone?”
Has someone?
Who?
Eavesdropping nearby, Su Zimo’s heart tightened.
“Oh, you mean her? That’s not even a sure thing!” Mother Lin said with a sigh. “To this day, I still don’t know who she is. So, for now, I think I prefer Teacher Su! But in the end, it’s up to our son. Whoever he likes, I’ll support.”
“Well said!”
The two chatted a while longer, then quietly left.
Su Zimo, however, frowned, as she hadn’t gleaned any clues about the woman in question. This filled her with a sense of urgency.
She was not about to let some random woman swoop in and claim the precious disciple she’d worked so hard to cultivate!
Watching Lin Daotian train, Su Zimo coughed lightly and asked, “Lin Daotian, do you have someone you like?”
Lin Daotian paused, surprised. “No, I don’t.”
“Really?” Su Zimo’s heart lifted as she casually brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, acting nonchalant. “Because I just overheard your parents mentioning that they might’ve found you a match.”
“Oh, you’re talking about her!” Lin Daotian finally understood.
“Her? Who is she?” Su Zimo pressed.
She silently vowed, Don’t let me find out who you are, or I’ll make sure you disappear!
In this life, no one is taking master away from me!