There is no Redemption for A Scum Villain

Chapter 21

Shen Qingqiu put his fan back into his sleeve. During the banquet he had almost continuously clung to it and hiding behind it. It had just been too many people for his taste. And being the center of the attention made it even worse.

Now that he was walking back with Yue Qingyuan, he finally became less tense. There were fewer people around and they were pretty exhausted too, so they weren't being bothered much.

Yue Qingyuan had noticed Shen Qingqiu's discomfort earlier. He had thus tried cutting the banquet a bit shorter and tangling up the people in conversations that had been about to talk to Shen Qingqiu. He knew that he most certainly seemed like a jealous husband by doing this, but he didn't care much about someone thinking that as long as Shen Qingqiu didn't feel too overwhelmed.

There had been times no one dared speaking to him because he always looked so intimidating , but since he had been trying to better his relationship with the other sect members they also started approaching him. In general that is a good thing of course, but if you're not used to much interaction beyond holding lectures or attending meetings, where no one approached you much directly in either of the cases, then it could indeed be stressful.

"I would like to take a week or two off with you," Yue Qingyuan suddenly said into the silence, "Something like a vacation. Wandering around and maybe visiting some towns."

Shen Qingqiu looked over at Yue Qingyuan with a hint of surprise on his face, then his expression softened a bit. "I didn't assume you would have such an idea," he remarked, "Won't your paperwork accumulate until it's too much to handle for even you?"

Yue Qingyuan smiled. "I may have to trust our shidis this time. I tend to always want to do everything myself, but I trust they will be able to manage doing that. It's only for a couple weeks after all."

"When do you want to depart," Shen Qingqiu asked. He didn't mind taking a vacation. He had never really had one or even time to relax in general. He had always been weary no matter where he went, as such he had always been tense as a result.

"In about three days," Yue Qingyuan replied, "In two days there will be the event where we let youths apply for being disciples. We need to be present. I'd like to leave a day after that."

"Is that really in two days?" Shen Qingqiu pulled up an eyebrow, "Weren't there just new disciples?"

"That was a year ago."

Shen Qingqiu shook his head and frowned. How time flew... "I see," he said, "What's the trial this year? It's always so nonsensical. Will it be this time too? Something like digging holes to look if they have enough endurance and willpower?"

Yue Qingyuan seemed to be thinking for a moment. He even stopped walking to contemplate.

"You're considering it." That was rather a statement than a question. Shen Qingqiu seemed not surprised but rather disappointed.

"Yes," Yue Qingyuan replied, "It's not that bad of an idea. While they're busy we can focus on investigating their foundation and overall physique."

Shen Qingqiu shook his head again and kept walking. "Are you thinking of taking in another disciple?" he asked.

"I haven't planned to. But if there is one that I would like to teach, I will certainly not hesitate. How about you?"

"I'm unsure," Shen Qingqiu said honestly, "I have made some errors before. I'm thinking about just taking any that Liu Qingge throws an eye on."

"I thought the two of you got along now," Yue Qingyuan replied puzzled.

"We do, more or less," Shen Qingqiu said bluntly, "But he still owes me. That cup didn't repay for what he did."