The Master’s Mask Unveiled Again
Chapter 927 - 926: Being Lu Mian’s Friend, That’s Just How Overbearing It Is

Chapter 927: Chapter 926: Being Lu Mian’s Friend, That’s Just How Overbearing It Is

A group of people scrambled to yell "Daddy Lu Mian!", while Master Jing twitched his lips in disdain. Xiao Qimo, on the other hand, shielded Lu Mian completely with his tall and sturdy frame, blocking her from view.

The refined man’s icy eyes swept over the crowd slowly and methodically. Those who had just shouted "Daddy" instantly cowered like grandchildren.

Lu Mian raised her hand and waved it in front of the stunned Su Luo.

"What, you’re dumbfounded again?"

This was the second time today Lu Mian had asked Su Luo that question.

Su Luo swore that everything that had happened today was, without a doubt, the most exciting, turbulent, and dazzling day of her entire life!

She had participated in various large-scale competitions before, going up against formidable opponents far stronger than herself, yet she had never experienced this kind of roller-coaster sensation. But today, Lu Mian had truly shown her the meaning of "thrill."

This wasn’t some small-scale event—she was beyond overwhelmed, aaaah!

"What? Don’t want to become Master Jing’s apprentice anymore?" Lu Mian tilted her head and asked.

Jing Pei’s inner alarm bells rang instantly. With eyes full of eagerness and sincerity, he looked at Su Luo pleadingly. "Don’t do this! As your Master, I’m delicate, kind, and even-tempered, a treasure from head to toe. Just accept me, alright?"

Everyone: ... Probably only Lu Mian could handle the fiery and eccentric Master Jing, right?

Su Luo gulped, feeling as though she were floating on clouds. Under the sea of envious gazes around her, she solemnly nodded.

La Wenwen, seeing Su Luo nod, quickly followed suit, nodding like a pecking chick.

How could they possibly turn up their noses at Master Jing? This was the jackpot for them!

Although they had never imagined becoming apprentices in this way, their incredible luck in meeting Lu Mian, her generosity, and connections really paid off!

Seeing them both agree, Jing Pei sighed in relief and cheerfully began boasting to Xiao Jianli about his deepening relationship with Lu Mian.

He wasn’t joking. Since he said they would be his apprentices, he was fully committed to making it official. Jing Pei solemnly announced the matter to the crowd in a serious tone.

Su Luo and La Wenwen also publicly addressed him as "Master," making it all official.

"Don’t worry, you two. I’ll make sure the apprenticeship ceremony is thoroughly prepared; you won’t be shortchanged!" Jing Pei had already made plans in his mind.

He had always held a good impression of Su Luo, thinking she had great potential and extraordinary talent in Go. He thought it was a great fortune to acquire such a promising student.

But even more significant was that Su Luo was Lu Mian’s good friend! He wished them an everlasting friendship!

As for this little girl, La Wenwen...

La Wenwen was very self-aware and knew just how big of a windfall she had landed. She was so excited she bounced up and down in place.

"Luoluo, your dream has come true! You’ve really become Master Jing’s apprentice! And I got to ride your coattails! From now on, don’t call me La Wenwen. Call me Lucky Carp!"

Whether it was her or her brother La-ge, they were both blessed with the luck of a koi fish incarnate.

"I told you, meeting Lu Mian always brings good things. My goddess is just too incredible—she’s the true hidden mastermind behind it all!"

Jing Pei chuckled, finding this little girl irresistibly charming. Having her around to constantly sing Lu Mian’s praises was delightful, to say the least.

But just then, Su Luo belatedly realized—

Wouldn’t it make more sense to become Lu Mian’s apprentice? The value might be even greater!

Su Luo snuck a glance at Lu Mian, who remained as poised and carefree as ever, with her mischievous and unorthodox charm still radiating from her beautiful face.

At that moment, she suddenly understood—a mind like Lu Mian’s was the true treasure. Without Lu Mian’s level of intelligence, even becoming her apprentice wouldn’t help much.

The whole apprenticeship process had been completed joyously and efficiently within just a few minutes.

Zhuge Heng and Zhuge Lin, on the other hand, were green with envy.

The students watching also felt annoyed at those two, thinking if they hadn’t always opposed Su Luo and Lu Mian, the entire Go academy could have basked in the "Koi Luck" and risen to new heights.

But alas, they had backed the wrong horse and clung to the wrong people!

Lu Yutian: ... Why do I feel like everyone’s subtly roasting me?

Jing Pei, in high spirits, chatted with Xiao Jianli with newfound confidence. While fanning himself with a palm-leaf fan, he sighed wistfully, "It’s all fate. I first met Little Mian when she was just four years old, and in the blink of an eye, sixteen years have passed!"

"..."

Xiao Jianli felt a twinge of jealousy. He had only known Mianmian for fifteen years.

Master Jing continued, "Though I hadn’t seen Little Mian in sixteen years, she recognized me at a glance in the crowd! That brain of hers—sharp as a tack! She could remember everything even at the age of four."

This statement somehow struck a nerve with Xiao Jianli. Standing with his hands behind his back, he fiddled with his fingers, inwardly calculating.

Not only had Jing Pei known Mianmian earlier, but she also recognized him immediately. Yet when he and Mianmian had reconnected, not only had they failed to recognize each other at first, but they also went through some twists and turns before the truth came out.

The eighty-year-old Jing Pei, despite his age, pouted like a child and looked at Lu Mian with an almost accusatory expression, as if asking why she hadn’t recognized him instantly.

This time, Lu Mian’s EQ soared. Instantly grasping Xiao Jianli’s mood, she seriously explained, "Grandpa Xiao, it’s because you and I only spent five minutes together back then, while I played Go with Master Jing for more than half an hour."

The implication was clear—she had spent more time around Jing Pei and remembered his face better.

"Oh," Xiao Jianli muttered, still feeling a little bitter.

But the crowd, upon hearing Lu Mian’s reasoning, caught wind of another explosive piece of information.

Little Mian, at just four years old, had defeated Master Jing in only half an hour?!

What the hell?!

They were delusional to think that Master Jing wasn’t all that impressive...

Far from being embarrassed, Jing Pei was beaming with pride, fanning himself leisurely with his small palm-leaf fan, looking utterly content.

Then suddenly, Xiao Qimo, who had remained silent, let out a soft chuckle. Calmly adjusting his gold-rimmed glasses, he spoke in a refined, measured tone. "Master Jing, I feel obligated to tell you—part of the reason Mianmian remembers you is probably because your snuff bottle left her with significant childhood trauma."

Master Jing: ???

"The snuff bottle was so valuable that her parents assumed she had stolen it. Tell me, how could Mianmian possibly forget you?"

Master Jing: ... Well, damn, that’s awkward.

Xiao Jianli, finally feeling useful as a grandfather, shook his head and chipped in, "Old Jing, next time you give something to a child, maybe think it through first! Or better yet, explain things to her parents directly."

Jing Pei: ...

Master Jing sulkily turned to Su Luo, blinking at her as if to say, "Luoluo, my dear apprentice, from now on, I’ll be counting on you when it comes to Lu Mian."

Su Luo: I’m just a tool, aren’t I.

Xiao Jianli also shot Xiao Qimo a warning glare.

Xiao Qimo: I’m just a tool too.

Everyone: ...

"This is the first time I’ve ever seen Master Jing so desperately sucking up to someone!"

"Not just Master Jing, but Master Xiao as well! Look, that’s the famous Calligraphy and Painting Master Xiao Jianli!"

"Holy cow! Out of Jinjing’s three great masters, Lu Mian has already secured two! Regular people can’t even dream of winning over a single one."

"And yet here we are, seeing two esteemed and virtuous masters competing for her favor. This is straight-up fantastical!"