Chapter 44: Don’t Call Me Master
Chapter 44: Don’t Call Me Master
In the first life, Chen An once asked the system what he needed to do during this nurturing process. Or rather, how should he nurture her.
The system didn’t give a direct answer, but instead informed him that the female lead was in a desperate state and asked for his opinion.
At that time, Chen An’s reply was: “Of course, I need to care for her meticulously, love her, let her feel the beauty of the world again, ignite her desire for life, and then find someone to tear me limb from limb and throw my corpse in front of her.” “Oh, and the more miserable the death, the better.”
This answer caused the system to fall into a long silence. “Wouldn’t that be a bit too cruel?”
Chen An was stunned for a moment, then agreed, “Indeed, then we can change my ending. Being torn limb from limb is still a bit too bloody.”
…
…
Even after entering the warm private room, Luo Cong’an’s expression was still dazed, always feeling like she was dreaming. But even if it were a dream, she would be willing to sink into it and not wake up.
“How is it? Are you used to it?”
A question came from behind, startling the little girl who was standing foolishly. She instinctively straightened her body, lowered her head, afraid to look, and whispered, “Thank you, young master, but I don’t need to live in such a nice house. A woodshed would be fine…”
It had to be said that sleeping in a woodshed was one of her dreams. Compared to the dark, damp, and exposed alley, a woodshed that could provide shelter from wind and rain was a luxury.
“What nonsense are you talking about?”
A hand reached out and brushed aside the long hair covering most of her face. Luo Cong’an had no way to avoid it, so she had to summon the courage to meet Chen An’s gaze. For a moment, her heart pounded, and her breathing almost stopped.
“So beautiful.”
Luo Cong’an rummaged through her mind, trying to find words or sentences to describe him. But with her meager vocabulary, even after thinking for a long time, she could only manage five words. “Young master, you’re so beautiful.” Her voice was as faint as a mosquito’s.
Chen An smiled and asked, “I haven’t asked your name yet.”
Perhaps influenced by the environment, the little girl relaxed a bit. Her long eyelashes fluttered, and she obediently replied, “Luo Cong’an.”
“Which Luo?” Chen An pressed.
This question seemed to trouble the girl because she was illiterate. Her uncle, Luo Hua, was a notorious miser in the alley, so of course, he wouldn’t hire a teacher for her. Even the name Luo Cong’an was one she barely recognized through hearsay.
Fortunately, Chen An was very understanding and extended his hand toward the girl. “Can you write it?”
“Yes!” This time, the girl nodded heavily. She took a step forward, carefully extended a finger, and began to write earnestly in his palm, which could completely envelop it. Stroke by stroke.
“So it’s this Luo, I almost heard it as Luo.” Chen An was dumbfounded. He then thought of the last two characters of the girl’s name and teased, “It seems we really have some connection; my name also has ‘An’ in it.” “Let’s formally introduce ourselves. My name is Chen An.”
He suddenly clasped Luo Cong’an’s small hand, and with a slightly mischievous smile in her bewildered eyes, he said, “Well, although our handshake is a bit strange, we’ve gotten to know each other, right?”
Handshake? Luo Cong’an was confused; she didn’t understand the connection between these two things. However, her little head nodded like a pecking chick.
“Thank you, Master, thank you, Master…” As the girl spoke, she was about to kneel again.
Chen An frowned slightly and pulled her up. “Don’t kneel casually anymore.” His tone carried a hint of sternness.
Upon hearing this, Luo Cong’an’s whole body trembled. Just as she was about to kneel and apologize, she remembered Chen An’s words and had to endure it. “Also, don’t call me Master anymore.”
Seeing the girl obeying obediently, Chen An’s tone softened considerably. But even so, these words struck Luo Cong’an like a bolt from the blue, making her fingers turn white as she clenched them. In an instant, many bad thoughts flashed through her mind. Did I mess up again…? Master doesn’t want me anymore… If he doesn’t want her to call him Master, doesn’t that mean he’s unwilling to take her as a servant? If Luo Cong’an had never seen the light, she could have endured the darkness. But after experiencing those warm hands, Luo Cong’an was afraid. Tears began to flow uncontrollably, wetting her entire cheeks. She didn’t make a sound, but her shoulders occasionally twitched, reflecting the girl’s inner turmoil.
Chen An noticed her abnormality and held her hand again. He was also a bit nervous. After all, this was his first time deceiving a young girl. For him, a good young man from the 21st century, it was impossible not to feel a sense of guilt. “What’s wrong, what’s wrong? Don’t cry. Did I not do well enough? Are you not satisfied with this private room? How about you sleep in my room…” Chen An’s words were interrupted by a sob. Luo Cong’an kept wiping her eyes. She clearly didn’t want to make a sound, but when she heard Chen An’s words, she couldn’t help it anymore. She sniffled, “No, it’s not that…” Her face was anxious; she wanted to explain that it wasn’t like that. Young master was clearly the kindest person to her in the world. But the more anxious she became, the quicker her sobs grew, making it impossible for her to say a complete sentence.
Finally, Chen An gently held her in his embrace. Suddenly enveloped by the warm aura, Luo Cong’an froze, and even her crying stopped. Her eyes drooped, and she squirmed uneasily. Fortunately, Chen An only held her loosely and let go of her soon after. Then he reached out and placed his hand on the girl’s dirty fair hair. The hair had not been taken care of for too long; it not only emitted an unpleasant smell but also felt terrible. Luo Cong’an hurriedly removed his hand. She took a step back, her eyes filled with nervousness. “Don’t…” “Master, it’s very dirty…” She looked at Master’s hand, slender and fair, the kind of hand scholars often had. But now, it was stained with a bit of dirt, a tiny smudge of who knows what. Seeing this, Luo Cong’an’s heart tightened. She stood straight like a child who had made a mistake.
Chen An was helpless with her, but he vaguely guessed some of the girl’s thoughts. He said sincerely, “With me, you don’t need to be so sensitive.” Luo Cong’an stubbornly shook her head. A hint of pity flickered in Chen An’s eyes, but he did not compromise. “In any case, you are not allowed to call me Master.” The candlelight flickered, casting his partially visible face in and out of view. “I’m not telling you not to call me Master because I don’t want you anymore.” “I just want you to understand that you are not anyone’s subordinate.” “You are not now, and you will never be.”
(End of this chapter)
