You promised yourself to be a caged bird, but you became the supreme young master?

Lu Heng nodded, his fingertips still fixed on the pages of the book, his gaze unwavering.

The girl's voice rose softly: "The boy in this story awakened his bloodline with a book called 'Basic Body Refining Method.' What was his name later on? And what title did he receive?"

She leaned down slightly: "You're so engrossed in reading this, you wouldn't be... trying to use this story as an excuse to start a conversation with me, would you?"

Don't even think about taking the opportunity to look; I'm watching you right now.

"What 'lower-class woman'?"

Lu Heng's heart was stirred, but when he looked up, there was no ripple in his eyes, and his voice was as calm as a deep pool: "His surname is Qin, his given name is Yue, and he is enfeoffed as the Marquis of Dingyuan."

He paused, then added, his tone so indifferent it was impossible to discern any emotion: "It's just a book for passing the time, young lady, you're overthinking it."

At the same time, I couldn't help but feel fortunate.

It's not a big deal if you happen to read the same book.

If you had run into the young lady of the Second Steward's family when you went to the library and she suspected you of following her, then you would have been in deep trouble.

"Very good." Lu Qingyan clapped her hands gently.

"It seems you've really been reading this book carefully, unlike what I thought."

Well, we're quite destined to meet. You'll be my sparring partner at the training ground tomorrow.

Looking around, you're the only one I find somewhat pleasing to the eye.

Lu Heng froze instantly, not to mention that he had already arranged to be Lu Jinnian's sparring partner in the training ground.

When that guy found out that Lu Qingyan wanted him to be her sparring partner, he was probably rushing to push it forward. He was too busy agreeing with both hands, so how could he possibly object?

But why did you directly ask me to be your sparring partner?

That's not how it works in visual novels. The normal flow shouldn't be me chatting with the girl more, increasing her affection level, and occasionally giving her gifts.

On special holidays, you have special interactions with the girl, and finally, during a mysterious event in her heart, she confesses her feelings to me. I agree to be with her, and then I show her my special CG.

Why did you immediately make me your sparring partner?

That's not how it is in visual novels at all; I don't accept it.

Of course, these were just thoughts in his mind; Lu Heng would never say such things out loud.

Otherwise, if the young lady gets angry and tries to be forceful instead of gentle persuasion, he'll be in deep trouble.

Without intending to say anything more, Lu Heng simply nodded silently to indicate his agreement. He had no intention of saying anything more until he had figured out the personality of Lu Qingyan, the second steward's eldest daughter.

To spout nonsense without knowing anything is truly asking for trouble.

Remaining silent on this matter may not be the best option, but it is certainly the most prudent.

"Why do I get the feeling that you seem a little unwilling?" Lu Qingyan asked with disbelief and curiosity.

"Uh..." Lu Heng then realized that due to his habits from his previous life, his almost instinctive behavior just now actually had a huge problem.

That is, when faced with the olive branch extended by Lu Qingyan, ordinary young men from separate families would be overjoyed and would even wish to cling to this young lady's coattails.

Just as Lu Heng initially thought in the martial arts arena, being looked up to by someone of a higher level can often be a real chance to change one's destiny!

In fact, it is true.

Even a single hair plucked from a rich young lady like Lu Qingyan is probably worth more than Lu Heng's entire fortune.

Based solely on his limited knowledge of appraisal from various books, Lu Qingyan possessed at least three spiritual artifacts!

And at least one of them is of superior quality!

It should be noted that in the market, any high-grade spiritual artifact is worth more than 50 spiritual coins.

Lu Heng only managed to obtain ten spirit coins—enough to exchange for one or two low-grade spiritual artifacts—by selling what appeared to be his future value over the next few years.

But this is not surprising at all, after all, he is a cultivator at the peak of the Qi Refining Secret Realm, and also the second steward of the Lu Clan, whose official status is second only to the clan leader and elders.

His wealth is far beyond imagination.

In this situation, it was quite strange that he hadn't shown much excitement.

Is it too late for me to pretend to be excited?

I said I just didn't realize it at first.

Do you believe it?

Lu Heng thought helplessly to himself.

Now that things have come to this, he can only remain silent.

"Interesting." After glancing at Lu Heng again, Lu Qingyan stopped thinking about it.

Maybe they just have pride and don't want to rely on others?

Given her status, there's absolutely no need for her to think that much.

It's simply a feeling of connection, a casual suggestion, without even caring about the other person's opinion.

Even if it's just to become her sparring partner, during the ten-day martial arts competition in the outer courtyard, the Qi Refining Secret Realm cultivators who guide combat techniques will also give her some pointers.

Just for this reason alone, let alone being her sparring partner, just looking at the burning gazes of those branch family youths around her, they would probably be willing to be her punching bags.

Without saying much, and without any attendants to carry her things, Lu Qingyan casually put the wooden box used to hold spiritual food in the canteen into the bag at her waist, and then walked out of the outer canteen on her own.

Same as before…

The servant responsible for guarding the outer canteen was selectively blind, and treated her in the same way as the master's family members who had left before.

Lu Heng was left standing there, not having finished eating, and because of her words, he instantly attracted countless envious and jealous glances.

He was currently pondering what Lu Qingyan meant by saying "that's interesting."

Does it mean good or bad?

If it's a good thing, then he hopes it's a bad thing. For someone like him, a nobody from an outer courtyard branch, having any interaction with this kind of rich girl at this stage is not a good thing.

If it means something bad, then he hopes it means something good. For someone like him, a nobody from an outer courtyard branch, offending such a young lady at this stage is definitely not a good thing.

With a long sigh, Lu Heng stopped thinking about it.

Since things have come to this, let's eat first.

However, while eating, he recalled what seemed like a trivial detail from earlier.

A small bag, yet it can hold several boxes containing spiritual food.

This seemingly unscientific scene is actually quite reasonable in this world.

"A storage bag? I wonder how big the space inside is."

However, even the smallest storage bag is equivalent to a high-grade spiritual artifact.

Really...

"What a rich bastard!!!" Lu Heng thought with a hint of regret as he ate heartily.

It seems that he doesn't actually have any ill feelings towards Lu Qingyan at the moment.

The other party was actually just a naive and clueless young lady who was inexperienced in the ways of the world.

So far, nothing has been shown that is unacceptable.