Watch out! Something's wrong with this guard.

"It's alright, take your time." Shangguan Yue stared into Lu Yunshi's eyes, seemingly lost in thought, and said. "Once you've seen enough, I'll take you to see what those spiritual herbs look like. It's always good to broaden your horizons."

"Okay." After saying that, Lu Yunshi found a chair in the study, plopped down, put the book on the table, and began to read it carefully.

Although he wasn't particularly interested in alchemy, Lu Yunshi was quite interested in identifying various spiritual objects. While the academy's curriculum did include explanations of spiritual objects, the knowledge in the academy's books was rather disorganized and didn't seem as systematic as the book personally compiled by Shangguan Yue.

Lu Yunshi suddenly thought that if he could make a copy of this book and sell it, he might be able to get a lot of financial support from alchemy novices.

While Lu Yunshi was reading, Shangguan Yue, who was sitting opposite him, was not idle either.

Lu Yunshi was reading a book, and she was looking at Lu Yunshi.

Of course, Lu Yunshi wouldn't misunderstand that Shangguan Yue had any special feelings for him. He had already noticed it during their fourth meeting: Shangguan Yue liked to stare into his eyes, but occasionally she would also stare into his nose.

This made Lu Yunshi wonder if the other party was some kind of pervert.

However, Lu Yunshi quickly dismissed this guess because he noticed something else: every time Shangguan Yue met him, she would subtly transmit something to him.

Know how.

posture.

character.

Thought.

There are also some other things that are very useful to Lu Yunshi.

After one or two such behaviors, Lu Yunshi sensed something was wrong, as if it was trying to influence and change him in some way.

Coupled with the fact that he would occasionally stare into his eyes, Lu Yunshi made a very bold guess.

Perhaps it's because she looks a lot like one of Shangguan Yue's 'old friends' in some ways, and her actions are probably an attempt to create a meal replacement herself?

Wait a minute, if that's the case, wouldn't that make someone a pervert?

However, Lu Yunshi only thought about these ideas. He had no intention of verifying them or having any further thoughts. Asking them would be meaningless to him and would only interrupt this relationship that was beneficial to him.

Even if someone really wanted to be a meal replacement, so what? What does it matter?

Rather, this would make Lu Yunshi feel more at ease. Otherwise, he would be unable to sleep every night if someone treated him well for no reason and without any expectation of reward.

If someone has ulterior motives but won't actually harm themselves and can even benefit themselves, would anyone really refuse such a good deal?

All Lu Yunshi had to do was extract the conditions Shangguan Yue wanted each time they met, digest them, and then express them to her the next time they met. This was even less tiring than writing love letters to Lu Yunxi.

So far, the key words Lu Yunshi has gleaned from his interactions with Shangguan Yue are: intelligent, energetic, vigorous, gentle, and a little shy.

But after today, perhaps we should add "brave" to the list?

Inside the study, Lu Yunshi was engrossed in reading and absorbing knowledge, while Shangguan Yue stared intently at Lu Yunshi's face. The two remained silent, their presence serene under the sunlight streaming through the window.

If you look closely, you'll notice that Shangguan Yue's face seems to have some emotions on it at this moment.

Sorrow... grief, and confusion.

Lu Yunshi knew that the other party was already immersed in her own emotions and unable to detach herself. This was not the first time. Almost every time Shangguan Yue stared at him for a long time, she would reveal these emotions.

Only now could Lu Yunshi sense the complex emotions hidden beneath Shangguan Yue's usual gentleness and smile.

Perhaps Shangguan Yue harbors painful memories from the past.

Suddenly, Lu Yunshi closed the book. "Sister Shangguan, are you hungry?"

"Are you hungry?" Shangguan Yue was taken aback for a moment, then asked in return.

As a strong person, Shangguan Yue wouldn't get hungry so easily, and the other party couldn't possibly be unaware of this. But since Lu Yunshi had asked, Shangguan Yue could only guess that the other party was hungry but was too embarrassed to say so.

"Hehe, it seems I can't hide it from Sister Shangguan after all." Lu Yunshi gave an embarrassed smile, looking somewhat naive.

Seeing this, Shangguan Yue couldn't help but chuckle. "Since you're hungry, put it down for now, I'll go find you something to eat."

"There's no need to trouble Sister Shangguan. I can handle it myself. I just wonder if I could borrow Sister Shangguan's kitchen for a moment," Lu Yunshi said, stopping the other party from doing so.

"Kitchen...are you going to cook for yourself?" Shangguan Yue looked at the other person with some surprise, then nodded. "I do have one, but I've never used it before. However, if you want to use it, that's no problem. As for the ingredients, just tell me, and I can help you find them."

"Thank you, Sister Shangguan."

"No need."

Shangguan Yue parted her lips slightly and led Lu Yunshi to the kitchen of the house. Although there was no dust, Lu Yunshi could still tell at a glance how fresh the kitchen was.

I guess it's never been used even once.

That makes sense. Someone of Shangguan Yue's level doesn't need to eat, so naturally she wouldn't need a kitchen. It's quite surprising that she even has one.

Perhaps this is what they mean by 'I may not need it, but I can't live without it'?

"Do you need my help?" Shangguan Yue asked at this moment.

"No need, Sister Shangguan, just go and rest. I promise you'll get a good meal." Lu Yunshi said, looking very energetic.

"Give it to me..." Shangguan Yue's lips parted slightly, then she nodded with a smile. "Alright, I'll be waiting for you. But I've tasted delicacies from land and sea, so don't blame me for criticizing ordinary cooking skills."

After saying that, Shangguan Yue turned and left, disappearing to an unknown place. But Lu Yunshi knew that she would appear at the table when he finished cooking.

"Then, let's get started." Lu Yunshi took out his ingredients from his storage ring, ready to show off his cooking skills.

As for why he had to find something to do, it was mainly because Lu Yunshi was feeling sleepy and irritable under Shangguan Yue's gaze.

Moreover, emotions are contagious; being around people who are in low spirits will also lower your own spirits.

If you don't intend to comfort someone who is feeling down and become their emotional dumping ground, then you'd better choose to stay away or forcefully interrupt their emotional outpouring.

Is this exactly what Lu Yunshi is doing right now, becoming an emotional dumping ground?

Even if Shangguan Yue was willing to vent her inner turmoil to him, it would come at a different price.

A meal doesn't take much time to prepare, especially for an experienced cook like Lu Yunshi. Just as he expected, when he brought the prepared food to the table, Shangguan Yue was already sitting there, as if she had been waiting for a long time.