The Mighty Mage-Chapter 383: First Date

For the next few hours, Gu Jin continued with her cultivation. Nearly 10 hours later, Gu Jin took a nap, took a shower, and exited the space. Then went to the training field.

As she was stretching, Yan Mei asked Gu Jin,

"Where is your Senior Long? Why hasn’t be shown up yet?"

Gu Jin rolled her eyes,

"Don’t. There is a saying ’Talk about the devil and the devil arrives’..."

Sure enough, as she began her stretches, Long Yifan approached with a grin so wide it practically sparkled under the morning sun.

"Good morning, Miss Gu Jin!" His voice was bright, almost too enthusiastic for this early hour.

"Morning, sir," she replied curtly, focusing on her stretches.

"I noticed you’ve been working very hard lately, so I prepared something to boost your energy!" Long Yifan declared.

Gu Jin glanced at him suspiciously. "What are you talking about?"

With a dramatic flourish, Long Yifan pulled out a neatly packed bento box.

The lid had an adorable design of a cartoon phoenix, and the contents were no less extravagant.

There were meticulously arranged rice balls, colorful vegetables shaped like flowers, and grilled meat skewers that gave off a delicious aroma.

The students nearby immediately started whispering.

"Is that for Gu Jin again?"

"He really goes all out, doesn’t he?"

"Doesn’t he get tired of being ignored?"

Gu Jin sighed and ignored Long Yifan. She continued to focus on the military training.

Long Yifan could only stay silent.

After the military training, Gu Jin went to take a shower and met Luo Meng at the intersection of the dormitory.

Gu Jin wiped the sweat off her forehead as she finished her shower and changed into fresh clothes.

Stepping out of the dormitory, she bumped into Luo Meng at the intersection.

"Master, perfect timing!" Luo Meng said with a bright smile. "Didn’t you say we’d explore the market today? Let’s go!"

Gu Jin nodded, adjusting her sleeves. "Alright. But let’s not waste too much time. I have other things to do."

Luo Meng followed her eagerly as they strolled through the bustling university market.

The place was alive with students browsing stalls, vendors shouting about their goods and the occasional demonstration of magical tools or potions.

"Master, look at this!" Luo Meng pointed to a snack stall. The vendor was selling colorful skewers of candied fruits that glistened under the sunlight. "Let me get you some!"

"No need," Gu Jin said quickly, but Luo Meng was already handing over a few coins to the vendor.

"Here, try it!" he said, offering her a skewer.

Gu Jin hesitated before taking it, her expression neutral. She took a small bite and nodded slightly. "It’s good."

Luo Meng grinned. "See? I told you!"

As they continued walking, Luo Meng’s enthusiasm didn’t wane.

He stopped at a pill vendor, examining the neatly stacked bottles filled with shimmering pills.

"Master, these are energy-recovery pills. You’ve been training so hard; you should take some!"

Gu Jin shook her head. "I don’t need those."

"Come on, it’s for your own good," Luo Meng insisted, already negotiating with the vendor.

Gu Jin sighed but didn’t argue further. By the time they left the stall, Luo Meng was holding a small bag filled with pills.

They turned a corner and entered a shop specializing in cultivation-enhancing artifacts.

The place was lined with shelves filled with glowing stones, amulets, and other mystical items.

As they stepped inside, the shopkeeper, a senior in his third year, looked up and immediately recognized Gu Jin.

"Oh, it’s you again! Back for more artifacts?" he asked with a friendly smile.

Luo Meng blinked in surprise and turned to Gu Jin. "Master, you’ve been here before?"

Gu Jin nodded, her expression calm. "I came yesterday to buy something."

Luo Meng’s eyes widened. "What did you buy? Do you still need anything else?"

"I needed cultivation-enhancing artifacts for an experiment," Gu Jin explained. "I don’t need anything else now."

But Luo Meng wasn’t convinced. "Master, you should get more! You’re working so hard on your cultivation, and these artifacts will definitely help."

Gu Jin frowned slightly. "I told you, I don’t need them anymore."

"Still, it’s better to have extras," Luo Meng said, his voice full of determination. He turned to the shopkeeper.

"Show us your best artifacts for enhancing cultivation!"

The shopkeeper chuckled, pulling out a tray with several glowing stones.

"These are top-grade artifacts, very effective but also quite expensive."

Gu Jin sighed, crossing her arms. "Luo Meng, I really don’t—"

"Master, please," Luo Meng interrupted, giving her a pleading look.

"Let me do this for you. It’s the least I can do."

Gu Jin glanced at him, her expression softening slightly. "Fine. But just one."

Luo Meng beamed, immediately picking out the best-looking stone. "We’ll take this one!"

The shopkeeper nodded, wrapping the artifact carefully. As they left the shop, Luo Meng handed the stone to Gu Jin with a satisfied smile.

"Master, this will definitely help you!" he said cheerfully.

Gu Jin held the artifact, her lips pressing into a thin line.

Without any other word, she took the artifact and transferred money to Luo Meng.

"Master, why did you give me this money?" Luo Meng was confused.

Gu Jin looked at Luo Meng with a calm expression and said,

"I don’t like owing people anything. This is for the artifact you just bought."

"But Master, you don’t owe me anything! I wanted to buy it for you!" Luo Meng insisted, his cheerful tone now slightly forced.

Gu Jin raised an eyebrow. "I already said, I don’t want to owe you."

"Master, you don’t have to treat me like a stranger," Luo Meng said, his smile still on his face, "I’m your disciple. It’s my duty to take care of you."

Gu Jin frowned slightly. "It’s not about that. Just keep the money."

Luo Meng hesitated for a moment before reluctantly accepting the money.

"Fine, Master. If that’s what you want," he said softly. But as they continued walking, his gaze lingered on her for a second too long, his expression unreadable.

They passed by a jewelry stall, and Luo Meng suddenly stopped.

"Master, look at this bracelet! It’s simple but elegant, just like you!"

Gu Jin shook her head. "I don’t need jewelry."

"But it would suit you perfectly," Luo Meng said, his tone a little firmer this time. Without waiting for her reply, he asked the vendor for the price.

Gu Jin sighed. "Luo Meng, I said I don’t need it."

Luo Meng froze for a moment, his cheerful demeanor cracking slightly.

"Master, I’m just trying to make you happy," he said, his voice quieter but tinged with something unspoken.

Gu Jin glanced at him, sensing the shift in his mood.

"I don’t need you to spend money on me to make me happy," she said firmly.

Luo Meng’s smile returned, but there was a flicker of something dark in his eyes.

"Of course, Master. I understand."

As they continued strolling through the market, Luo Meng stayed close—almost too close.

He made small comments about everything around them, but his tone was a bit too eager to please as if he was trying to get her approval. freeweɓnovel.cѳm

When Gu Jin finally stopped at a stall selling rare herbs, Luo Meng hovered behind her, his gaze fixed on her every move.

"Master, do you want me to carry that for you?" he asked, reaching for the small pouch of herbs she’d just purchased.

"No need," Gu Jin said, putting it in her own bag.

Luo Meng hesitated, his hand still outstretched. Then, slowly, he pulled it back and gave a tight smile.

"Alright, Master."

As they walked back to the dormitory, the air between them felt heavier.

Luo Meng still smiled and spoke cheerfully, but there was an underlying tension in his words and actions.

"Master, are you upset with me?" He finally asked when they reached the intersection.

Gu Jin stopped at the intersection, her calm gaze landing on Luo Meng. "I’m not upset," she said evenly.

"Why do you ask?"

Luo Meng shifted nervously, his smile faltering for a second.

"You’ve been quiet, Master. I just... I don’t want you to think I’ve done something wrong."

Gu Jin’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"You didn’t do anything wrong, but you don’t need to be so concerned about every little thing I say or do. You’re my date, not my servant."

Luo Meng’s expression twisted into something that almost looked hurt, but he quickly covered it with a laugh.

"Of course, Master! I’m just looking out for you. That’s all."

"Looking out for me doesn’t mean ignoring what I say," Gu Jin replied, her tone steady but firm.

"If I tell you not to do something, then don’t."

"Yes, Master," Luo Meng said, nodding quickly.

But his hands fidgeted at his sides, and his smile seemed more forced than before.

As they walked further, the silence between them grew.

Luo Meng finally broke it again, his voice soft. "Master, you know... I just want to be someone you can rely on."