Lu Wuming was not one for sweet talk.
Everything he said that sounded like pleasantries was merely the honest truth of his heart.
Liu Buli knew this.
Precisely because he knew, the blush on his face intensified uncontrollably.
After a moment's hesitation, Liu Buli asked, "Wuming, tell your Master. When exactly did you start having those improper thoughts about me?"
"What are improper thoughts?" Lu Wuming countered.
Liu Buli did not answer. He knew the other party understood perfectly and was merely playing coy, wanting to hear it from his lips.
He shot Lu Wuming a glare, and this time, the latter behaved himself. He pursed his lips and spoke directly, "I can't recall exactly when they started. Should I say they grew stronger day by day? At first, I just felt like staying by Master's side, but later, that wasn't enough. I began to wish that you were only mine, that no one else deserved to exist beside you."
Listening to him, Liu Buli chuckled with a hint of helplessness. "So, it seems my way of educating you was flawed from the very beginning?"
Lu Wuming shook his head. "Master's education was never flawed. If there was a problem, it was with me. I understood what Master wanted, and I always tried to become the person Master liked. Thinking like that, I almost became possessed. So, Master, look at me. Am I now the person you like?"
Liu Buli blinked, his gaze instinctively falling on Lu Wuming's face.
The boy had grown into a man. His features were as exquisite as a painting, as handsome as a god descended from heaven.
Not only that, he was tall and muscular, his physique clearly defined. His eyes reflected only him, his love deep and fervent, even bordering on madness.
He yearned to be with him always, loved embraces and kisses. He wished he would forever carry his scent, wished he could proclaim to the world that they were a pair, inseparable.
This was hardly growing into the person Liu Buli liked.
It was more like transforming into a form Liu Buli himself had never dared to imagine, based on his preferences.
To have such a person, his life had not been lived in vain.
What had he, Liu Buli, done to deserve Lu Wuming's affection? He must have accumulated merit over several lifetimes.
With these thoughts, Liu Buli tightened his grip on Lu Wuming's hand. He smiled, nodded, and finally, softly agreed, "Wuming, since you've chosen to be with Master, don't ever let go of me again. No one in this world is better than you. If you ever leave me, I fear I'll never find anyone else. Because none of them are as good as you, and I want no one else."
As his words fell, Liu Buli clearly felt his hand being clasped back by Lu Wuming.
His eyes blazed with ultimate fervor and excitement. Lu Wuming smiled and said, "Master, those are your words. I won't give you a chance to go back on them. We will be together, forever, never to be apart again."
He spoke with utmost sincerity.
Liu Buli listened with joy.
However, since they were out for leisure, and before Lu Wuming lost control of himself, he pulled Lu Wuming's hand and led him to a nearby restaurant.
"I'm tired of the food in the Dan Sect's canteen. I need to try outside restaurants once in a while," Liu Buli said with a smile. "If it's delicious, Wuming, learn it and make it for Master later, okay?"
This was something Lu Wuming had promised him long ago.
Hearing Liu Buli say this, he naturally agreed readily.
The two chose a window seat. Besides them, a few other tables were occupied by diners.
One table had a larger group, all wearing identical clothing. They were chattering loudly, their voices exceptionally chaotic.
The shopkeeper watched from the side, wanting to remind them to be quieter but hesitant to say anything, his face etched with difficulty.
Liu Buli glanced at them and then looked away.
He wasn't one to meddle in other people's affairs. Moreover, in his previous world, the atmosphere in hot pot restaurants was far more boisterous than this. He was long accustomed to it and saw nothing amiss.
He ordered a few dishes he wanted to eat and handed the menu to Lu Wuming. The latter didn't select anything, simply handing it back to the waiter. He smiled and said, "I'll eat whatever Master orders. Nothing else matters."
Hearing this, Liu Buli also smiled.
He had long noticed that while Lu Wuming found food and drink novel, he wasn't particularly attached to them.
Perhaps because he had something more important in his heart, all other desires paled in comparison.
His heart was small, holding only Liu Buli.
How could anything else possibly exist?
As they conversed, the noise from the surrounding patrons grew louder. Lu Wuming glanced over with a hint of annoyance and said, "Master, I..."
"Shh," Liu Buli smiled, interrupting him. "Don't cause trouble. Judging by their clothes, they're disciples of the Duantian Pavilion. Even with the current lack of top experts in the cultivation world, their sect ranks among the top three. We're out to have fun, there's no need to spoil our mood."
Lu Wuming thought for a moment and nodded obediently, falling silent.
But just because they didn't intend to cause trouble didn't mean trouble wouldn't find them.
Those noisy individuals were clearly drunk. One of them looked around, his gaze settling on Liu Buli. With a smirk, he stood up, holding his wine pot. "That little lady sitting by the window is quite beautiful. Wait for me, I'll go bring her over to drink with us, brothers!"