Chapter 645: Just a ring!

Taking a deep breath, Lan Shuqin nodded her head. "Please wait a few minutes, Master Tian. I will arrange my belongings so we can leave."

"Oh, about that… hold on,"

Lan Shuqin tilted her head curiously as she watched Zhao Tian’s hand glowing slightly.

A moment later, he retrieved a beautifully crafted storage ring, its surface glimmering with faint inscriptions.

"Here," Zhao Tian said with a smile, holding the ring out toward her. "You can use this storage ring."

"Huh?"

She stared at the ring as if it were a piece of forbidden treasure. Then, realizing what he was offering, she panicked and took two hurried steps back, shaking her head furiously.

"N-No, Master Tian! Storage rings are very expensive, and a maid like me does not deserve to own one."

Zhao Tian sighed, shaking his head helplessly. "Shuqin, don’t be so dramatic. It’s just a small gift. Consider this a token of gratitude for taking care of Hanyue all these years."

"But-" Lan Shuqin’s face turned red as she clutched her hands together, clearly flustered.

"Master Tian, I have already received my monthly salary for my service to Lady Hanyue. This… this is too much. I cannot accept it!"

Zhao Tian’s lips twitched with amusement at her stubbornness.

He stepped closer, his expression softening "Shuqin, it’s just a ring. Don’t make me feel like I’m bribing you for something."

Lan Shuqin took another step back, nearly bumping into the small table behind her. "It’s not about bribery, Master Tian. This is too valuable for someone like me. What if Lady Hanyue sees me wearing it? She might think-"

"Think what? That I’m spoiling you? Let her think it. You deserve this."

"Master Tian." Lan Shuqin’s voice rose slightly, her hands flailing in panic.

"No, no, no! I cannot take this! Please listen to me!"

Zhao Tian let out an exaggerated sigh, clearly enjoying her reaction.

He reached out and gently grasped her left hand, holding it firmly. "Come here..."

"H-Huh?!" Lan Shuqin’s face turned crimson as she tried to pull her hand away.

"N-No, please, Master Tian, listen to me!"

But Zhao Tian had no intention of letting go.

Tightening his hold slightly, he sighed "Shuqin, don’t be so stubborn. You’re making this more complicated than it needs to be."

"I’m not being stubborn!" Lan Shuqin protested, squirming in his grip.

"This is inappropriate! If Lady Hanyue finds out-"

Zhao Tian rolled his eyes and pulled her hand closer. "Ay, Shuqin, you worry too much. Just stay still and-"

"Noooo, Master Tian!" Lan Shuqin wriggled, her voice taking on a slightly whiny tone.

"Let me go! I can’t accept it, I really can’t!"

Zhao Tian clicked his tongue in mock annoyance "If you keep squirming, I’ll have to force it on you."

"What?!" Lan Shuqin gasped, her eyes widening in disbelief.

"You can’t do that! That’s… that’s bullying!"

"Oh? Bullying?" Zhao Tian asked, clearly enjoying her flustered state.

"I’m simply giving you a gift. How is that bullying?"

Lan Shuqin protested even more "You’re not listening to me. Let me go this instant!"

"Stay put" Zhao Tian muttered, carefully slipping the ring onto her finger despite her protests.

"Nooooo!" Lan Shuqin whined dramatically, flailing her free hand in protest.

"Master Tian, stop it!"

"There, it’s done!" Zhao Tian uttered as the ring slid snugly onto her finger.

Lan Shuqin froze, staring down at her hand in disbelief.

"M-Master Tian…" she stammered, her voice shaking. "You really… you really put it on me."

Zhao Tian smiled, clearly satisfied with himself. "Of course. It looks good on you."

Lan Shuqin looked up at him, her cheeks still flushed. "I… I told you not to! Now what am I supposed to do if Lady Hanyue sees this?!"

Zhao Tian crossed his arms, pretending to think. "Hmm… Tell her it’s from me. Problem solved."

"Master Tian!" Lan Shuqin cried, burying her face in her hands.

Zhao Tian chuckled, his tone softening. "Shuqin, listen to me. This ring isn’t just a gift... it’s practical. You’ll need it to carry your belongings and help Hanyue more efficiently. Besides, you’ve served her for over forty years. You’ve earned this."

Lan Shuqin peeked at him through her fingers, her expression a mix of embarrassment and gratitude. "But it’s still too much…"

"Too much?" Zhao Tian raised an eyebrow.

"For someone as loyal and hardworking as you? I disagree."

Lan Shuqin bit her lip, her heart softening at his words.

She sighed in defeat, lowering her hands. "Fine… I’ll accept it. But only because you insist so much."

Zhao Tian couldn’t but smile enjoying her reactions "That’s more like it."

Lan Shuqin glared at him playfully. "But if Lady Hanyue scolds me for this, I’m blaming you."

"Deal," Zhao Tian said with a laugh. "Now, get ready. We have work to do."

Lan Shuqin shook her head, muttering under her breath as she began gathering her belongings. "Master Tian… you really are something else."

Zhao Tian leaned against the wall, watching her with an amused smile. "Don’t worry, Shuqin. You’ll get used to me."

Lan Shuqin stared at the storage ring on her finger with a mix of awe and nervousness. "Master Tian… I don’t even know how to use this,"

Zhao Tian let out a chuckle "Don’t worry, Shuqin. It’s not that complicated. Here, let me show you."

"Huh? Show me?" Lan Shuqin blinked, her heart racing when Zhao Tian suddenly leaned forward and extended his hand toward hers.

Before she could react, he gently grasped her right hand, pulling it closer to him.

"M-Master Tian." she stammered, her face turning crimson.

"You don’t have to hold my hand! I can learn on my own…"

Zhao Tian raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Oh? And how will you learn if you don’t even know the basics? Stop squirming."

He adjusted her hand so her palm was facing upward, his fingers brushing lightly against hers as he guided her movements.

Lan Shuqin stiffened at the touch, her cheeks burning but she didn’t make any efforts to pull her hand away.

’How can he casually touch me as if I am his friend... I am just a maid.’

"Relax, Shuqin," Zhao Tian said softly...

"Focus on the ring. Close your eyes if it helps."

Lan Shuqin hesitated but eventually obeyed, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. "Okay… now what?"

"Feel the ring’s energy, it’s connected to you. Concentrate on that connection."

Lan Shuqin frowned in concentration, her brow furrowing. "I… I think I feel something. It’s faint, like a small current."

Zhao Tian smiled "Good. Now imagine opening a door with your mind. The space inside the ring will reveal itself to you."

Lan Shuqin’s lips parted slightly as she focused, and after a few moments, her expression brightened. "I see it!"

"It’s like… a tiny room filled with light."

With a nod, he explained "That’s your storage space, you can place items in there or retrieve them with a thought. Here, let’s try it."

He picked up a small teacup from her table and placed it in her other hand. "Now, focus on the teacup. Imagine it disappearing into the space you just saw."

Lan Shuqin nodded, her expression serious as she followed his instructions.

A soft glow emanated from the ring, and the teacup vanished in an instant.

"I did it." she said, opening her eyes in happiness. "Master Tian, I really did it!"

"Mhm, seems like you are a quick learner."

Lan Shuqin smiled at the praise, but then her smile faltered. "Wait… how do I get it back?"

"That’s easy," Zhao Tian said, tightening his grip on her hand slightly. "Just imagine the teacup reappearing in your hand."

Lan Shuqin closed her eyes again, and after a few seconds, the teacup reappeared in her palm, looking as pristine as before.

She let out a gasp of amazement. "It worked! Master Tian, this is incredible."

Looking at her child-like excitement Zhao Tian smiled in his heart "Good..."

Lan Shuqin looked down at her hand, still held firmly in his, and bit her lip. "Um… Master Tian… you can let go of my hand now."

"Mhm."

With a nod, Zhao Tian retracted his hand and Lan Shuqin bowed her head "I will prepare to leave then."

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I hope you guys liked this chapter!