Chapter 18: Contact Information.

One of them squatted down, carefully trying to examine the wound on Lin Xibai’s back. She reached out to support her shoulder. The other quickly unscrewed the seal on the healing potion, preparing to administer it.

“Move aside!”

Gu Ranying snatched the already opened healing potion. She jerked her chin toward the direction where the witch had disappeared, issuing orders arrogantly.

“The witch just ran away. Her magic trail hasn’t completely dissipated yet. Why aren’t you two going after her? Are you here just to eat for free?”

“Ah?”

“Uh…”

The two headquarters girls were left completely stunned by the scolding.

They exchanged a glance. Although they felt extremely aggrieved, pursuing the fleeing witch was indeed their highest priority right now. They could only hurriedly turn around again and transform back into streams of light, chasing after the direction the witch had vanished.

“Xier, bear with it a little, okay?”

Gu Ranying squatted down again. Her movements instantly became gentle.

She carefully unscrewed the cap of the special healing potion and slowly poured the cool liquid onto the charred wound on Lin Xibai’s back.

“Ugh…”

Lin Xibai’s body trembled violently. She bit her lip hard. Large beads of cold sweat seeped from her pale forehead.

But the intense pain did not blur her vision.

She slightly turned her head. Her gaze passed through Gu Ranying’s long pink hair and landed on the black-haired girl sitting dazed not far away.

The girl was still slumped on the messy ground.

She was still immersed in the near-death experience from moments ago. In her arms lingered the brief yet extremely clear warmth and impact from when Lin Xibai had thrown herself over to protect her.

She lowered her head. Her messy black hair fell forward, covering most of her face. Only her small chin and tightly pressed lips were visible.

Why did you save me?

Someone like me… isn’t worth anyone sacrificing for.

Guilt crashed over her like a tsunami.

It’s always like this. Every single time. Every time!

At home, that old man always humbly takes care of him, leaving the best things for him and spending all the family savings on medicine.

At school, Teacher Ye always gently accommodates him.

And now, even this white-haired magical girl whom she met for the first time — who looks even more delicate and fragile than herself — had used her own body to block a fatal blow for her.

He clearly didn’t want to trouble anyone.

He clearly wanted to prove that he was already strong enough, strong enough not to need that man’s sacrifices, strong enough to stop being a burden to anyone.

Yet in the end, no matter how hard he tried to prove he could stand alone, could stop relying on others, could handle things well, he always ended up in situations where he needed to be saved.

This feeling of being protected did not bring him any peace. Instead, it only deepened the heavy burden in his heart that he was nothing but a burden to others.

“Su… Su Jianying.”

The girl muttered softly. She used her damaged cloak to cover most of her face, revealing only a pair of moist, guilty eyes.

“My name is… Su Jianying,” she paused, her gaze quickly sweeping across Lin Xibai’s pale profile before dropping again. “Th-thank you. Are you… really okay? That kind of wound, if it were on an ordinary person, would already…”

“It’s fine. It looks scary, but it’s actually just a minor injury.”

Lin Xibai forced out a gentle smile.

For some reason, looking at this stubborn yet thoroughly defeated girl before her, Lin Xibai felt a natural surge of indescribable affection and pity in her heart.

Perhaps it was the habit formed from many years as a teacher. Whenever she saw a child who was clearly hurting inside yet forcing themselves to stay calm, with eyes full of confusion and unease, she would unconsciously want to say a few more words and offer some guidance.

She adjusted her breathing and spoke softly in a gentle, experienced tone of gentle admonishment.

“However, you really need to be more careful in the future. The power gap between witches and void beasts is like heaven and earth.”

Her gaze became serious. “You must understand that witches were once human too. They possess full intelligence and know how to deceive and cooperate. Even the weakest witch is a third- or fourth-tier monster, far beyond what you can handle alone. Don’t be so reckless next time, alright?”

“Mhm…”

Su Jianying gave a muffled reply.

She squatted on the ground, awkwardly twirling her slender little fingers.

The cool midnight wind blew across the empty street, carrying a few fallen leaves.

In the distance, the magic fluctuations from the two headquarters girls pursuing the witch had already become faint and nearly undetectable.

Warm light spilled out from the café, illuminating the area outside that had just experienced a fierce battle, as well as the three figures with different postures and subtle relationships standing there.

Silence spread between the three for a moment.

Then, as if having made up her mind, the black-haired girl suddenly raised her head. Her red eyes looked straight at Lin Xibai. Although her face still carried lingering embarrassment and a suspicious blush, a spark of light had returned to her eyes.

“Um… tomorrow night at eight o’clock, do… do you have time?”

After asking, she immediately turned her face away like a frightened rabbit, her fingertips twisting together tightly.

Before Lin Xibai could respond, Gu Ranying, who was bandaging her, suddenly paused.

This pink-haired Layer Lord slowly raised her head. A trace of sickly coldness flashed in her eyes. The corners of her mouth curved up as she answered for Lin Xibai.

“Of course she has time~”

Gu Ranying deliberately rested her head on Lin Xibai’s shoulder, as if declaring ownership to this uninvited guest.

She stared at Su Jianying, her tone sickeningly sweet.

“Xier saved your life, after all. Since the lifesaver wants to accept her junior’s invitation, how could I, as her partner, refuse? Isn’t that right, Xier~?”

Lin Xibai gave Gu Ranying a helpless glance, then looked at the black-haired girl who had lowered her head again, her face flushed red. She nodded.

“Alright…”

“What? You actually agreed?!”

Gu Ranying jumped up abruptly. She shot a fierce glare at the black-haired girl, her tone urgent and sharp. “You! Not only did you make my Xier suffer such a serious injury, but now you’re still plotting something? Speak clearly—what exactly do you want?!”

“N-no, nothing…”

Su Jianying’s gaze darted around. She didn’t dare look into Lin Xibai’s eyes at all.

“I-I just want to… thank you properly. And… there’s some information I want to tell you in person… It’s too late now, it’s not convenient.”

She spoke incoherently, but her intention to have a proper conversation was obvious.

“Mhm,” Lin Xibai endured the pain and nodded understandingly. Her gaze swept across the quiet night sky where lights had already come on in the tall buildings. “There should be someone waiting for you to go home, right? Here, I’ll give you my contact information. If there’s anything, we can talk about it slowly later. There’s no rush.”

She raised her hand, fished out a small pre-prepared note from the pocket of her intricate gothic dress, and slowly handed it over.

“You!”

Gu Ranying reached out to stop her, but the moment her fingertips were about to touch the paper, she was firmly glared back by a “behave yourself” look from Lin Xibai.

Su Jianying clutched the note like a precious treasure.

“Thank you… I’ll keep it.”