Every Lifetime I Fall {COMPLETED but undergoing revisions}

Chapter 77: Fourth Life - Swaying with Love

I awoke alone in the daybed. Master must had woken up before me and left. 

Oh! So awkward! He was lying next to me all night.

Silently sobbing, I was embarrassed that Master and I had crossed the line of servant and Master last night. Of course, nothing happened but I still felt that we were too intimate. So close together on the bed, in a lover's embrace... 

Wrinkling my nose, I turned my head in the direction of the kitchen. A scent of freshly boiled soup made its way to my nose, traveling to the empty pit of my stomach. 

Is Master making breakfast?

I was eager to eat and chat with him for breakfast, but I was also nervous. It wasn't the first time I'd woken up in Master's presence, but if what Lu Kai said was true... then could it be that Master liked me a little bit too? I had to at least wash my face, brush my teeth, and maybe apply a little bit of red to my lips!

Deciding to hide my face behind my fingers, I made my way to the kitchen with the intention to avoid Master. However, it was useless.

The clanking of metal utensils stirring the wok on the stove came from the other side of the room. Master was still occupied with cooking. I tried to silently scoot by while he was distracted.

Instead, Master asked me, "What are you doing?"

Freezing, I said, "Just going to go find some water and wash my face."

"Come have breakfast first."

"No!"

He turned over to look at me, and I quickly covered my whole face.

"Why are you covering your face?"'

"Master, I'm not like you, perfect from the moment you wake up. I still have to make myself look decent in the morning."

"I see. I didn't know you care about things like appearances." Through my fingers, I watched him remove the fried vegetables from the wok onto a plate. 

"What do you mean?!" 

Does he think I look like a slob or something?

"I've never seen you make an effort. Nevertheless, it's not a bad thing to start caring about now." 

"Hmph!" Running out of the kitchen, I followed the path back to the rock wall. I impatiently walked pass the sliding rock wall and into the hot spring bath.

"How can I even dress nicely if I don't even have the money to buy all the pretty dresses and face powder I want?" Ranting to myself, I spouted grievances at Master. 

Splashing the warm water on my face, I rubbed all over for imperfections. I didn't have any mint leaves with me to brush my teeth, so I settled with gurgling some water. I couldn't believe I came out of that room without patting down my frizzy hair. I looked ridiculous! Combing through my hair with my fingers, I pinned the upper half with a wooden clip. 

"Hmph! Who said I wanted to eat?" As if the heavens were staring down to mock me, my stomach rumbled loudly. 

"Quiet you!" I pressed down on my stomach, lecturing it like it was an unruly child. "I'll meditate for breakfast."

Exiting the cave, I came across a large courtyard with a balcony watching over the forest. The sun was at the end of the rising stage causing the color of the sky to reflect blue and warm tones. I settled down in a pavilion looking down the mountain and closed my eyes. I focused on my inner powers and tried to meditate by listening to the presence and then closing it all out.

Lord Wu had taught me a couple of spells, but I had a trouble with reaching successful results. We'd work on the teleportation spell, speed running spell, and fire conjuration spell. They were all low level spells too, and I'm ashamed to say that I still have trouble with them.

Of course, Lord Wu was patient and said that I just needed more practice. When I did do well, he would praise me! For all that he's done to help me, I was so grateful. He was a very good person.

"Why are you not eating breakfast?" Master's voice reached me, disturbing my concentration.

Looking up at him, I said, "I'm practicing my cultivation. And I'm not hungry."

Master kept quiet as I returned to meditation. I could feel his eyes watching me. His intimidation was throwing me off.

"Master, is there something I can help you with?"

"So that's why you and Wu Jing have been meeting up secretly. It's because he's been teaching you cultivation?" Looking into the distance, he crossed his arms.

"Uh... Master, you knew?"

"I saw you two that one night at the  pavilion right by the lake."

"Oh... Lord Wu and I kept it a secret because you didn't want me to learn cultivation."

His eyes turned light and his body language stiff. "Who said I didn't want you to learn? I only meant you didn't need to learn cultivation because it was not necessary."

"But I do want to learn! I've told you I want to learn how protect myself from demons and grow old with you!"

Ack! Why did I say that out loud?!

Immediately shutting my mouth with my hand, I saw Master face suspend with shock. The tension in his facial expression subsided and was replaced with a softer one.

"Then I'll teach you. It's only appropriate since I'm a part of the reason you want to cultivate. Anyways, it's best I teach you in all the ways you are lacking. You didn't grow up in the wild, I don't know why you're so comfortable holding a man's hand and dancing around in public."

What? Is he talking about that night when Lord Wu helped me find my inner energy? Yes... that's the night he saw us.

"Master... are you saying that I can only do that with you?"

"Wh-- What are you talking about?"

"Holding hands, hugging, lying in bed together, and k-- kissing should only be done with you or not with any man? Because we've done most of those..."

"You-- Preposterous!" He walked away flustered.

Muahahaha, he is shy.

"Rong Xin." With his back to me, Master called my name. I liked it when Master said my name. It was like he truly recognized me as an individual who was a part of his life. That I wasn't like the forgettable servants or followers of his sect.

"Yes, Master?"

"Did you think I cooked breakfast for me to eat? Come right now or it will get cold."

"Ah. Okay. Okay."

Hehe. He was cute today, so I'll be good.