Chapter 197: The Strange Girl Becomes the White-Haired Mage’s Mentor Helper.
Mu Lin finished dressing herself.
Although her hair was a little rough around the edges, she at least made sure it was a little presentable. She turned to Yang Wei and pointed at He Dongmei, asking, "And who is she?" While her tone wasn't angry, she clearly wasn't thrilled about this young lady interrupting them.
Yang Wei sighed and replied, "Geez, didn't you hear me say I don't know?"
Mu Lin frowned at him. "It wouldn't kill you to answer politely," she retorted.
Yang Wei yawned. "It wouldn't kill you to ask politely either," he shot back.
Mu Lin felt like she was about to explode. She clenched her fist and gritted her teeth, but Yang Wei just ignored her and turned his attention back to He Dongmei.
"So, Dongmei, what brings you here?" he asked.
He Dongmei bowed her head even lower, trying to control her trembling breaths to hide her tears. "I-I'm an Outer Sect disciple of Spirit Harmony Peak," she stuttered. "I'm the one who usually sweeps your courtyard and cleans the gutters seven days a week."
Yang Wei shook his head. "I don't recall that," he said casually.
Her heart stung at his words, but she refused to believe Yang Wei didn't know anything about her. She gathered her courage and added, "I'm also the one who took care of the Dragonfire Spirit Seed you planted before you left for Tiancheng City."
Yang Wei nodded thoughtfully. "Hmm, I remember Feng mentioning leaving someone to take care of it, but I didn't know it was you, uh, He..." He already forgot her name.
"It's He Dongmei, sir," she replied with holding-back-tears kind of voice.
Yang Wei snapped his fingers. "Oh yeah, Dongmei."
Initially, Mu Lin had half a mind to unleash her frustrations on the girl for unknowingly interrupting them. But seeing He Dongmei's dedication to Yang Wei, and the lack of gratitude she received in return... it made Mu Lin feel some sadness for her.
Yang Wei smiled at He Dongmei. "Thanks for all you've been doing around here. If I'd known sooner, I would've made sure to thank you and maybe even give you a reward."
"NO!" He Dongmei abruptly shouted. She lifted her head and shook it vigorously. "I don't need any rewards from you. I just want to be of service," she replied. Her desperation to be important to him showed in her forceful bow and in the manner with which words left her quivering lips.
Hmm, she's too awkward... Yang Wei thought.
He scratched the back of his head. "Well, I'm not so sure I need ano--" Before he could finish, Mu Lin shoved him, cutting him off mid-sentence.
Surprised by the sudden shove, Yang Wei gave Mu Lin a side-eye, rubbing his arm gently. "What's your problem?" he muttered.
Mu Lin turned to him, squeezing her face in annoyance. With a sharp tilt of her head and a side glance at He Dongmei, she silently conveyed to Yang Wei to be more considerate in his manner of speaking.
Yang Wei sighed. "Alright."
Mu Lin turned back to He Dongmei. "It's fine. You can become his Mentor Helper, if that's what you're asking."
He Dongmei's eyes widened in disbelief. "R-Really?" she exclaimed.
She stared at Mu Lin with hope in her brown eyes. It was clear she was grateful.
Wow, a lot of Inner Sect disciples always tell us Outer Sect disciples to watch out for Senior Sister Mu, saying she's extremely scary and bullies anyone who doesn't show her enough respect. But maybe they were just fabricating all kinds of gossip because they didn't like her... She actually seems like a nice woman.
"Good, now you're his mentor disciple," Mu Lin nodded proudly; like she'd achieved something great.
"Mentor Helper".
Mu Lin and He Dongmei seemed to know what that word meant.
However, this was the first time Yang Wei was hearing it. To him, it sounded like "Teacher's Pet" which did make him laugh inwardly a bit.
He cleared his throat dramatically to grab their attention, then tucked his hands behind his back and asked, "What exactly do you mean by mentor helper?"
Mu Lin uttered an "Oh?" when she heard his question. She paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Well, it makes sense that you don't know, considering how you've been in and out of the sect lately. I haven't had a chance to explain some things to you." She adjusted her hair and pointed at He Dongmei.
"Mentor helpers are basically disciples recruited by Inner Sect Star Disciples or Core Disciples to become their personal servants."
Yang Wei tilted his head, as if calculating. "Okay, that makes sense," he said before turning back to Mu Lin. "But I'm guessing she's not doing it for free?"
The moment Yang Wei mentioned payment, He Dongmei stepped forward, protesting, "No! I'm fine with just serving you without expecting anything in return. Please...!" She bowed her head again, insisting, "I really don't want anything. Before now, I've been running errands for Senior Brother, and I did all that without asking for anything in return... it would go against my people's way."
Mu Lin folded her arms and closed her eyes. She then sighed out her confusion. "Well, that's not necessarily a bad thing, but I think Wei should at least pay you some spirit stones per week."
Spirit stones? If Feng was around, I could make him do times two of what she's doing and still bully him of his spirit stones. This seems unfair... Yang Wei thought.
"Right?" Mu Lin demanded his answer concerning the spirit stones. From the way she requested, the only right answer was "yes".
"Hmm.."
"I said, RIGHT?"
Yang Wei sighed, "Of course, why not."
Naturally, He Dongmei wasn't comfortable with this, so she spoke up, "But, Senior Sister, I said I don—"
"NO BUTS!" Mu Lin said, leaving no room for arguments.
She didn't want a situation where He Dongmei wasn't getting paid because the idea of a master-servant relationship always reminded her of her relationship with Yun Feiyan.
I can't even picture how different my life would be if our family didn't treat Feiyan right. She's the one I respect the most, basically like a mother to me... I'm just relieved I treated her well enough to earn her trust and care.
Mu Lin suddenly clapped her hands to get their attention, "So, it's settled. From today onward, Junior Sister He will be my sweet Wei's mentor disciple."
He Dongmei wanted to smile, but the awkward girl decided it would be best to compose herself. She bowed her head and said, "I promise to do my utmost best to support you in any way I can, Senior Brother."
Yang Wei sighed, replying, "Well, I hope we make some good memories together, I guess..."
He Dongmei blushed at his words. "M-m-make some memories together?!"
"Hm?!" Mu Lin frowned at Wei, demanding, "What exactly do you mean by 'make some memories together'?"
Yang Wei simply stretched out his arms and yawned, "I'm smart enough to know that, no matter how I answer that, it'll end up in an argument." He strolled back to his chair, ignoring Mu Lin's shouts.
Mu Lin shouted after him, "Hey, don't walk out on me! I'm the daughter of the Chief of Spirit Harmony Peak!"
He Dongmei watched the exchange between the two lovers and forced a smile.
Senior Sister is lucky to have a man like him... Sigh~
However, the true victim of the day was Tianyi.
The poor little dragon was completely paralyzed after witnessing Yang Wei and Mu Lin's "intimacy". He didn't understand why a man and woman would need to wrestle like that—ot why they touched each other in their special places.
"R-Rawr?"
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