Chapter 60: What Would You Do, Little Ai?
A Playful Request
“…I knew it, you never do anything without a motive,” Ai Xinglan said after a brief silence, her expression one of resignation as she looked down at Yu Li.
“Hmph, so what do you want to do?”
“Hehe, I knew Little Ai would agree.” Yu Li’s face lit up with a satisfied smile.
“Hmph, stop wasting time and tell me your request!”
“No rush, let me think…” Yu Li tapped her chin, feigning deep thought, then her eyes sparkled. “I want Little Ai to be my pillow for a bit. Is that okay?”
Her silver eyes gleamed with anticipation, fixed unblinkingly on Ai Xinglan.
“Don’t look at me like that… ugh, fine, just for a bit!” Ai Xinglan turned away, unable to meet Yu Li’s eager gaze, and reluctantly nodded.
A Cozy Moment
“Mm… then… over here!” Yu Li thought for a moment, then pulled Ai Xinglan to a nearby sofa, gesturing for her to sit.
Ai Xinglan sighed, sat down as directed, and Yu Li immediately lay down, resting her head on Ai Xinglan’s lap.
“Mmm, as expected of Little Ai—soft and comfy~ And… smells nice.”
“…Shut up, and don’t sniff!” Ai Xinglan squirmed uncomfortably, Yu Li’s hair tickling her legs.
Yu Li just smiled silently at Ai Xinglan’s awkwardness, gently taking her hand and placing it on her head before closing her eyes.
Ai Xinglan, unusually, didn’t react much, simply stroking Yu Li’s hair gently as she wished.
A Quiet Concern
“So, what happened?” Ai Xinglan asked softly, but Yu Li remained silent.
Just as Ai Xinglan was about to ask again, Yu Li suddenly turned inward, wrapping her arms around Ai Xinglan’s waist and burying her face in her lap. “Hey, what are you doing?!”
Feeling the warm breath on her thighs, Ai Xinglan instinctively squeezed her legs together, but Yu Li didn’t stop.
“Yu Li, you idiot! Behave yourself and lie properly if you’re going to lie down!”
Instead of calming down, Yu Li mumbled something in that position, her warm breath making Ai Xinglan’s face flush slightly.
“You… ugh, idiot, don’t talk out of nowhere! And definitely don’t blow air like that!”
A Playful Reprimand
Unable to take it anymore, Ai Xinglan raised her hand.
“Idiot!”
With that, her hand came down in a light chop on Yu Li’s head. Yu Li winced, clutching her head as she lay back properly.
Rubbing her slightly sore head, Yu Li opened her eyes, looking pitiful and aggrieved, tears welling up as she stared at her “attacker.”
“Don’t give me that act—I barely used any force!”
“Oh… caught me.” Yu Li instantly dropped the pitiful look, sticking out her tongue with a grin.
Ai Xinglan turned away, cheeks red, muttering grumpily, “Hmph… trying to fool me with your bad acting.”
Seeing her expression, Yu Li laughed lightly. “Yup, can’t fool Little Ai after all.”
“You…” Ai Xinglan sensed there was more to Yu Li’s words. Today, she seemed off—her actions, her demeanor, everything.
A Serious Moment
“Little Ai,” Yu Li said, her tone suddenly heavy, her expression serious.
Ai Xinglan, cut off mid-sentence, responded softly, “What’s up?”
Yu Li stared intently into Ai Xinglan’s eyes, silent for a moment before speaking slowly. “Little Ai, you get shy too easily, so you end up like this. You’ll have to get used to it~”
“Huh? I thought you were going to say something serious, but… get used to what?!” Ai Xinglan had braced herself for something important, only to hear such a teasing remark.
Her cherry-red eyes glared at Yu Li, reflecting her mischievous grin.
Neither spoke for a moment, the playful atmosphere turning quiet.
A Deeper Question
“Little Ai,” Yu Li called again softly.
“What now?”
Looking at Ai Xinglan’s exasperated face, Yu Li paused before speaking quietly. “If… I did something really, really bad, would you forgive me, Little Ai?”
“Huh…?”
“Tell me… what would you do, Little Ai?”
“You…” Ai Xinglan thought Yu Li was pulling another prank and was about to retort, but then she saw her serious expression.
“Idiot, don’t overthink silly things.” Ai Xinglan gently stroked Yu Li’s hair, her expression earnest. “No matter what happens, our relationship won’t change.”
“Because…”
“Because you, you idiot, are…” Ai Xinglan’s face reddened, her voice trailing off. “…Someone I’m looking after…”
“Is that so… Got it.” Yu Li felt a strange sense of relief, squeezing Ai Xinglan’s hand on her head before sitting up.
A Reassuring Smile
Ai Xinglan looked at the now-standing Yu Li with confusion, but Yu Li just smiled happily and shook her head.
“That’s enough, Little Ai. Now I can sleep well tonight.”
With that, Yu Li turned and headed to her room. Ai Xinglan watched her back, frowning slightly.
“So weird… such an idiot.”
The Next Day
The school didn’t resume classes. Instead, a group of staff in white coats appeared, organizing comprehensive checkups for the students.
Though the school didn’t specify why, the sudden move gave Yu Li some guesses.
It was likely to check if other students were in the same state as the attackers.
Inwardly rolling her eyes, Yu Li maintained an obedient expression, standing beside Ai Xinglan as they awaited their checkups.
“Next, come in!” a nurse called out loudly.
Ai Xinglan entered the school’s makeshift infirmary for her full checkup, leaving Yu Li outside to wait boredly.
“Oh, little girl, you can come in too.” Just when Yu Li thought she’d be stuck waiting alone, the nurse quickly called her in.
An Unexpected Warning
Yu Li glanced at the nurse curiously but entered without suspicion.
As soon as she stepped inside, she saw the young school doctor she’d met once before, sitting in a chair, staring at her intently.
Before she could react, he stood and walked toward her. As they passed each other, he suddenly spoke. “Be careful of the Disaster Beast Studies teacher.”