16 Misunderstandings

"Go on, sit."

Zhou Yun voice resounded.

Shi Zhen didn't hesitate and took Zhou Yun invitation to the other stone chair available.

The stone cool surface did not soothe his anxious heart…

Despite his straight face, he was still only thirteen. The title Imperial Guardian has too much weight on it to ignore.

Shi Zhen knew even his father cannot compete against such grand position. If anything happens to him… he only got himself.

"Help yourself to the tea."

Shi Zhen didn't move, his eyes remain on Zhou Yun like a prey backed against a corner.

Zhou Yun cannot help but quirked his lips at Shi Zhen action. He wasn't that scary, was he?

Zhou Yun recalled being considered good looking in his generation. Has society standard change that much while he was gone?

Zhou Yun was actually getting worried.

.

.

.

Silences do nothing to help resolve Zhou Yun and Shi Zhen's misunderstandings.

"Ehem, how old are you?"

Shi Zhen's face slightly turned dark, but he managed to get the answer out of his lips.

"...Thirteen, Imperial Guardian."

"So young! Good good, I can see you have quite an extraordinary talent as well. Your father must be proud."

Zhou Yun brightened.

Shi Zhen's face turned even darker than before.

.

.

.

Zhou Yun wondered if he had said something wrong.

… Isn't he the senior here?

Zhou Yun smiled and awkwardly coughed.

"Ahem, you have a decent aptitude, so I was planning to take you as an apprentice."

"..."

"What do you say?"

"..."

"Are you interested in Alchemy? What about Restoration? Inscription?.... Cooking? Sewing? Forging signatures?"

"..."

Receiving no reactions, Zhou Yun ponder for a while before looking at Shi Zhen cautiously.

"... Seducing women?"

"..."

Another moment passed, and in a lower voice, Zhou Yun whispered:

"... men...?"

"..."

.

.

.

There was no reaction.

Zhou Yun faked another cough.

Maybe— maybe, he went a bit overboard there…

Wasn't thirteen was the age of crushes? Zhou Yun recalled when he jumped into a cold pond to catch the Tigerfish for his…

… Why does he felt like Shi Zhen's eyes are judging him?

Zhou Yun fidgeted.

He truly wasn't good with kids.