Chapter 57: Little Qingyue Wants a Reward
An Unexpected Duel
“Wait a second, Little Qingyue, I heard the student council president is going to fight Ye Sheng today. Since you said you met with Ye Sheng…”
“Mm, I saw the student council president… and Lan Yi. They seemed to be troubling Brother Ye, so I went to help him.”
Yu Li looked at Fu Qingyue in surprise. “So, you’re saying… you’re involved in the duel?”
“Mm, I’ll probably have to fight Lan Yi.”
Fu Qingyue spoke nonchalantly, as if it wasn’t her own matter. Having just come to a realization, she no longer saw Lan Yi as a bad person, but deep down, she still harbored some dislike for her. This duel might just suit her intentions.
Hearing Fu Qingyue’s words, Yu Li grew worried. “Ugh, fighting a senior… Little Qingyue, be careful not to get hurt, okay?”
Yu Li’s concern was unhidden, her eyes fixed intently on Fu Qingyue’s.
A Stirring Heart
Seeing Yu Li’s caring gaze, Fu Qingyue froze, feeling her heartbeat quicken uncontrollably.
She recalled the day she sought comfort in Yu Li’s arms, how Yu Li had looked at her with the same expression. Back then, she realized she enjoyed—craved, even—Yu Li’s concern.
“If I get hurt, will Li Bao come comfort me?” she blurted out instinctively.
“Hm…?” Yu Li leaned closer, peering into Fu Qingyue’s purple eyes, which darted away. “Little Qingyue?” Her voice carried a hint of confusion.
Seeing Fu Qingyue’s evasive gaze, Yu Li could somewhat guess her thoughts. “I don’t want Little Qingyue to get hurt. If you do something foolish on purpose, I’ll be upset.”
A Gentle Warning
Yu Li’s words pierced through the fleeting, somewhat base thought that had crossed Fu Qingyue’s mind. Though her face remained expressionless, her fidgeting hands betrayed her flustered heart.
As Yu Li had said, even without visible changes in expression, she could easily see through Fu Qingyue’s thoughts. So, she warned her sternly.
“Sorry… I won’t do that… Li Bao, don’t worry.”
“Good. And…” Yu Li’s serious demeanor softened as she gently took Fu Qingyue’s hand. “Even if you don’t do strange things, I’m always here to comfort you, Little Qingyue. I’m your friend, after all!”
A Moment of Warmth
Seeing Yu Li’s gentle smile, Fu Qingyue’s purple pupils trembled slightly. For a moment, she wanted to throw herself into Yu Li’s arms.
She had never felt so unable to control her emotions before. Yu Li seemed to effortlessly sway her heart.
“Li Bao, will you come watch?”
Fu Qingyue forced herself to regain her calm, her voice slightly cold.
“The duel? You want me to watch, Little Qingyue?”
“Mm.”
“Okay, I’ll come… no matter what, I’ll definitely be there.”
“Mm, I’ll win. I’ll win quickly. After I win, can Li Bao hug me again?”
A Reward Worth Earning
Yu Li looked at Fu Qingyue with a hint of confusion, then spoke helplessly. “Even if you don’t do anything, I can hug you, you know?”
But Fu Qingyue shook her head. “It’s a reward. Rewards can’t be given without earning them.” She spoke with utmost seriousness, as if a simple hug held immense importance.
Since Fu Qingyue said so, Yu Li could only give a helpless smile and nod gently. “Alright, if you won’t regret it, then it’ll be after you win, Little Qingyue.”
“I definitely… won’t regret it, okay?” Yu Li’s lips curved slightly, her smile carrying a trace of mystery as she spoke meaningfully to Fu Qingyue.
But Fu Qingyue didn’t notice, simply nodding lightly. Winning against Lan Yi wasn’t difficult for her.
A School in Turmoil
Meanwhile, unlike the relaxed atmosphere between Yu Li and Fu Qingyue, the school authorities were in chaos.
Every victim of the attacks came from a prominent background. Though no one was injured, this was a major incident for the school.
The school investigated each attacker’s background—family, history, relationships—but no matter how they looked, there was no reason for them to target the victims.
The principal stood in the infirmary, rubbing his temples with an irritated expression. As the head of the school, he was obligated to investigate immediately.
A Frustrating Investigation
What gave the principal a headache was that, of the six attackers from the six first-year classes, five were unconscious, and the only one awake, from Class A, knew nothing.
Unlike the frantic principal, the young school doctor in a white coat remained indifferent, calmly doing his job.
With the investigation at a dead end, the school seemed to have no further leads. The principal could only wait helplessly for the others to wake up.
Knock, knock, knock—
“Come in.”
The infirmary door was knocked on, and the principal responded casually. Many had already come to report, but none had brought any progress.
A Mysterious Visitor
With the principal’s permission, the door opened, and an old man with a cane hobbled in.
Seeing the newcomer, the principal frowned instinctively. The man felt unfamiliar, but he wore a school badge, proving he was a teacher.
“You are…?”
Too tired to guess, the principal asked directly.
“I’m the new Disaster Beast Studies teacher.”
“Disaster Beast Studies…” The principal frowned, recalling vaguely that the school had hired a professor to teach first-years about disaster beasts.
Even knowing his identity, the principal was puzzled—there was no such person among the investigating teachers. “So, what brings you here, sir?”
“I heard about the incidents this afternoon and came to check on the students.”
A Strange Discovery
The old man, leaning on his cane, limped toward the only awake student.
Before reaching the student, he paused suddenly and explained to the principal with a serious tone. “Uncontrollably attacking others without reason—this matter might be related to my field of study.”
“Your field… you don’t mean disaster beasts, do you?!”
The old man didn’t answer, only shaking his head gravely. “Whether it is or isn’t, I’ll need to see for myself.”
He reached out, placing his hand on the shoulder of the conscious student and pressing lightly.
“Ugh…” The student let out a pained groan, as if something was slowly surfacing within him.
The next moment, specks of black flame were pulled out by the old man, writhing in his hand as soon as they appeared.