Chapter 139: Pfft! Shameless - I Forged Them in Darkness, and They Buried Me in It

### Chapter 139: Pfft! Shameless "Absolutely not." Chen An raised an eyebrow. Sharing a place with you? Could he still get a good night's sleep? He feared the moment he lay down, someone would immediately appear in his bed. It's not that he was entirely against getting close to Eileen—or even to Luo Cong An, for that matter. It just felt too rushed, leaving him with an uncomfortable feeling he couldn't quite overcome. Eileen received the expected answer and pouted, making no further demands. After all, she had only asked on a whim, assuming the priest, given his past behavior, would likely refuse. But it was no matter. Eileen wasn't in a hurry. She had already endured such a long wait in the temple. Why rush now? Still... She glanced out the window, the thought of the crazed woman outside instilling a sense of urgency. With a gentle, imploring demeanor, she grasped the boy's hand, the warmth providing her reassurance. "Father, I've worked so hard to find you again. Are you really going to abandon me?" Chen An furrowed his brows upon hearing this. He hadn't figured out what to do with Eileen yet. After all, since she had come this far, he couldn't just leave her be. Some hesitation flashed across his face. "But..." Eileen seized the opportunity, pressing her cheek against his hand. Her gentle voice floated over. "Father, you don't have to worry about anything. I won't be any trouble for you." She tilted her head up to look directly at him. "I'm sorry if I was too forward today; it’s just the uncontrollable longing from our long separation..." Her voice carried a hint of helplessness, her eyes a picture of pitiful desperation. "Please forgive my intrusion, would you?" "I promise never to do anything to upset you again." Her tone turned solemn as she slowly sank down, arms tightly clinging, resting her head in Chen An's lap. Her expression showed an unshakeable attachment. "I just... don't want to part from you again, Father." The tender tone betrayed an underlying unease. She was terrified of being separated from him once more. A soft sigh echoed in the room. Chen An leaned over, gently cradling her face with his hands. Her skin was smooth to the touch, making it hard to let go. He parted his lips to speak. Suddenly, the door burst open, noonday sunlight flooding in. A frigid voice followed. "I don't agree!" Luo Cong An stormed in, her eyes fixed on the vulnerable woman on the floor, eyes ablaze. From her demeanor, she had likely been eavesdropping at the door for some time. "I haven’t even lived with him. Why should she?" Her accusation made Chen An lift his gaze slightly. Before he could respond, another chilling voice interjected. "You claim he's your teacher, so since when do students live with their teachers?" Eileen's soft demeanor vanished as she furrowed her brow. Cursing inwardly, she hadn't anticipated another interruption just as she was about to succeed. Luo Cong An raised an eyebrow in defiance. "And you? What gives you the right to live with him?" "I, I..." Eileen began to retort but paused, realizing the question had genuinely stumped her. Despite always calling him "Father," she struggled to define their relationship. Luo Cong An seemed taken aback by Eileen’s faltering. Then she smiled. "As expected, you're nothing more than a stray moth relying on his kindness." Seeing her adversary falter thrilled Luo Cong An. Her mocking remark struck Eileen, who fumed with anger. Refusing to be outdone, she declared loudly, "I'm his betrothed!" Silence enveloped the room, so quiet a pin could be heard. Luo Cong An's eyes widened in disbelief, glancing between the boy seated and the woman who spoke. Her lips parted slightly in shock. She lowered her head, her body trembling subtly, her crimson eyes deepening in hue. Chen An felt a pang of concern, promptly denying, "Eileen, since when were you my betrothed?" His words seemed to calm the trembling figure. Luo Cong An took a deep breath, raising her head to declare coldly, "Someone of his stature wouldn't need a so-called 'child bride.'" The mention brought to mind her own encounter with Chen An when she was merely seven or eight. Amidst the icy winds and snow, it wasn't death's terror she recalled. It was the kindness of his outstretched hand. She redirected her assertion, "If anyone were to be, it would be me." Eileen, hearing this, shot her eyes wide open, retorting angrily, "Pfft, shameless!" Luo Cong An wouldn’t let it slide, retorting immediately. "Who traveled so far just to beg for a place to stay? You're the shameless one!" Unwilling to appear weak, Eileen countered sharply. "At least I’m not some woman pining for her teacher!" In front of Chen An, neither dared resort to physical arguments, resorting to verbal sparring instead. Touched on a sore point, Luo Cong An blushed. Bitterness welled within her, and she turned away from this back-and-forth to address the boy. Her eyes gleamed, tears nearly spilling over. "No matter what, I won't agree to her living with you." "If anyone should, it's me." The transformation from fierce to vulnerable left Eileen grumbling internally. What an act! Facing the gazes of both women, Chen An reminded them quietly, "But this is a dormitory." "Not a personal residence. Even if you both want to stay, there's no space..." (Chapter End)