Chapter 2: Strange Aura
Ai Xinglan’s Anxiety
Xiao Ai… she still remembers… She seemed so distracted earlier… I’m glad I came to check.
Ai Xinglan paced restlessly, her brows furrowed with worry. She couldn’t shake her concern for Yu Li’s safety. Why hasn’t she come out yet? I need to check on her. Therefore, she moved to push open the door. Suddenly, Yu Li emerged, smiling brightly at her.
“Xiao Ai, I resolved everything. I’m fine~”
Relief washed over Ai Xinglan’s tense face. However, she still sounded annoyed about being asked to wait outside. “Hmph… you’d better be. Let’s leave now.” She grabbed Yu Li’s hand and pulled her away from the Yu family estate.
A Friend’s Watchful Eye
Yu Li glanced at the slightly haughty Ai Xinglan. Despite her tough words, Ai Xinglan’s cherry-red eyes kept checking on Yu Li, ensuring she was unharmed. Ai Xinglan, Yu Li’s childhood friend and heiress of a family rivaling the Yu family, was the “lifeline” Yu Li found in her memories. The original Yu Li didn’t hold vivid memories of her. However, Ai Xinglan clearly cared deeply. She returned on Yu Li’s awakening day to comfort her after her failure. Yet, the original Yu Li, lost in desperate prayers, barely noticed her.
Yu Li recalled this scene from her memories. Therefore, she gambled that Ai Xinglan would seek her out. She only needed to provoke Yu Feng, the volatile brother, at the right moment, letting Ai Xinglan witness her plight and take her away.
Gratitude and a Bold Request
“Thank you for saving me, Xiao Ai.” Yu Li smiled warmly as they walked. Ai Xinglan paused, glancing at her. “…We’re friends. Next time, tell me directly if something’s wrong… Got it?” Her cheeks flushed, her expression awkward, unused to such words.
“Got it,” Yu Li replied, her silver eyes locking onto Ai Xinglan’s. When Ai Xinglan averted her gaze, Yu Li spoke again. “Xiao Ai, the family disowned me.”
“Huh?” Ai Xinglan blinked, caught off guard.
“So… I’m homeless now, Xiao Ai. You’ll take responsibility, right?” Yu Li stepped closer, gripping Ai Xinglan’s hands, her eyes sparkling with expectation. She forced Ai Xinglan to meet her gaze.
“Too close! I get it, let go! You need a place to stay? Stay at my place as long as you want!” Ai Xinglan, flustered, her face red, quickly agreed.
Pushing the Boundaries
“That’s not quite it, Xiao Ai.” Yu Li leaned closer, backing Ai Xinglan into a corner. “I’ve got nothing now. Disowned, penniless, unable to cultivate. I could starve on the streets.” “What? With me here, how could—” Before Ai Xinglan finished, Yu Li pressed a hand over her mouth, smiling. “I don’t want to just be taken in, Xiao Ai. I’m done suffering. I want to live carefree.” She whispered into Ai Xinglan’s ear, her breath warm. “So… please take care of me, Xiao Ai.”
“…Huh???” “Can you?” After a pause, Ai Xinglan stammered. “What? Take care of you? What does that mean?” “Should I explain?” Yu Li smiled helplessly. “You know, like a rich person taking care of a poor girl?” “No… I know… I mean, that’s not… what?!” Ai Xinglan’s words jumbled, her confusion growing.
A Playful Plea
Yu Li leaned closer, their chests nearly touching, then stopped. “You don’t want to take care of me?” Her voice carried a pitiful tone, her breath brushing Ai Xinglan’s ear, making it redden. “Why… why did this happen?!” Ai Xinglan, dizzy and confused, lost her earlier confidence. Seizing the moment, Yu Li hugged her arm. “Please, Xiao Ai, take care of me. I want to stay by your side forever. I’ll do anything you ask~” Yu Li’s silver eyes turned golden, her voice enchanting, pulling Ai Xinglan in.
“W-What…” “Can you, Xiao Ai? You’re all I have…”
A Flustered Agreement
“Cough… fine. But… this isn’t ‘taking care of you.’ It’s an investment in a friend, got it?” Ai Xinglan crossed her arms, shaking her dizzy head, hiding her emotions behind pride. Her flushed cheeks betrayed her. “You’re agreeing?” “Mhm…” Ai Xinglan adjusted her wrinkled clothes and hurried off, almost fleeing. Her faint voice reached Yu Li clearly. Yu Li watched her retreat, dropping her coy act and closing her eyes.
She chose Ai Xinglan deliberately, not jokingly. Opening her eyes, her pupils turned vertical. Ai Xinglan, still flustered, had a faint pink aura of embarrassment, like others. However, a massive golden halo crowned her head, unique. Everything—sky, earth, trees—seemed to fuel it, as if she were the world’s favorite.
A Sweet Discovery
Yu Li stopped staring at the halo and followed Ai Xinglan. The pink aura drifted toward her. She caught a wisp, bringing it to her lips and chewing lightly. “Sweet…” Yu Li’s cheeks flushed, her lips curling into a soft smile.
Yu Family’s Aftermath
Meanwhile, in the Yu family hall, the red-haired girl stopped writing. She looked at her now-calm father, puzzled by his earlier outburst and decision to let Yu Li go. “Father.” Yu Quan raised a hand to stop her. “Your sixth sister awakened an ability.” He glanced at his palm, recalling his near loss of control. “She just awakened and already affects my emotions.”
“An emotion-manipulating ability? Why let her go?” The red-haired girl voiced her confusion. “She was right—I can’t clash with the Ai family yet.” Yu Quan’s face darkened with ruthlessness. “Since she awakened, her end can wait.” He glanced at the unconscious Yu Feng with disgust and waved at the red-haired girl. “Take this useless thing away. He’s an eyesore.”