Chapter 312: Chapter 311: The Secret in Time (4) Chapter 312: Chapter 311: The Secret in Time (4) Gu Huai began, “It’s probably because I was born premature, I’ve always had poor health since childhood and was highly allergic. Each allergic reaction covered my body with rashes and swelled my face, making it hideous and frightening.

Every time I went to school, I either scared the other children or was ridiculed and disdained. As a result, I’ve always felt inferior and my sole hobby was to lock myself in the study and read books.

Later, my parents, worried that I would develop mental issues from being isolated for so long, sent me to Taoyuan Village for recuperation at my uncle’s suggestion.”

After hearing Gu Huai’s words, Qi Yue was utterly convinced that Gu Huai was indeed that young boy.

She remembered back at A University, Gu Huai had even taken sick leave due to an allergic reaction, but she could never have guessed that Gu Huai was that very same junior apprentice of hers!

Gu Huai continued to reminisce, “Later you said you’d take me as your apprentice and take me to practice fencing. Initially, I wanted to decline because, before I met you, I rarely went outside, let alone participate in any sports. I was afraid of the strange looks people gave me.”

Gu Huai smiled and glanced at the girl, “But you insisted that it wasn’t easy finding someone as uniquely handsome as you and insisted on passing down your mantle to me, dragging me to the fencing gym.

You put a fencing helmet on me, and that was the first time I relaxed and was myself. It was also the first time I fell in love with a sport.

Because of fencing, and because of you, I gradually stepped out of my world. Later on, even without the shield and protection of the fencing helmet, I could stop caring about others’ gazes…”
Qi Yue thought of a conversation she had with Gu Huai on the subway.

Many girls were watching Gu Huai, and he sighed, saying that people are always drawn to beautiful things, and asked her if one day he wasn’t handsome anymore, whether she would lose her love as beauty faded.

At the time, she didn’t understand Gu Huai’s meaning and joked that this must be the trouble of being too handsome.

Turns out, Gu Huai was feeling insecure at that time…
Qi Yue, with a helpless look, said, “I really can’t blame myself. Your face was like this at that time, and now it’s like this. How could I possibly think you were the same person? Moreover, I remember you weren’t very good at fencing, I taught you many times but you just couldn’t learn it, how come now you know everything?”

Gu Huai coughed lightly and hesitated, “Because… I was afraid that if I learned, you would ignore me.”

So, he pretended not to know as he didn’t want to graduate?

Qi Yue, finding the reason unexpected and somewhat speechless, finally said, “How could I ignore you? I think you have a very good personality, unlike other mischievous kids, both cute and well-behaved, and especially persistent, patiently learning no matter how many times it takes, never giving up!”

So even though he was slow at learning, Qi Yue was always willing to teach him patiently.

Gu Huai, with those peach-blossom eyes holding a burning warmth, looked at the girl and said softly, “Then… why did Master want to take on others? You said you’d only take me, and that was why I agreed to it.”

Qi Yue suddenly felt guilty, almost like a faithless lover, and quickly waved her hands as she explained, “Misunderstanding! I didn’t lie to you, I really didn’t take anyone else, I just took you as my apprentice. Later on, indeed there was another junior apprentice, Lin Yao, whom you know. But Lin Yao was in name only. I entrusted him to my senior sister, the person who really taught him was my senior sister, moreover, he learned shooting, not fencing.”

“Oh, in name only?”

“Yes, yes, exactly! The only real apprentice was you! So I didn’t lie to you, I really only took you as my apprentice!”