Chapter 4: A Different Halo
Breakfast Teasing
“Miss Yu Li, please take a seat for breakfast.” A white-haired maid named Feng spoke expressionlessly to Yu Li, who had just emerged from her room. She pulled out the chair next to Ai Xinglan, deliberately adjusting it closer to her.
“Thank you, Feng.” Yu Li sat down, glancing at Ai Xinglan, who was already seated. Ai Xinglan’s face still held a faint blush from their earlier encounter in Yu Li’s room. She avoided Yu Li’s gaze, turning her head to the side.
Noticing this, Yu Li’s lips curled into a mischievous smile. She leaned closer. “What’s wrong, Xiao Ai? Your face is so red, and you’re making such a strange expression.”
“N-No way! I’m always like this. You’re seeing things!” Ai Xinglan’s cheeks flushed deeper, but she still refused to look at Yu Li.
“Then… why won’t you look at me?” “W-What? Who’s scared to look?” As if provoked, Ai Xinglan whipped her head around, glaring at Yu Li.
Seizing the moment, Yu Li leaned forward, wrapping her arms around Ai Xinglan’s. Her soft chest pressed against Ai Xinglan’s arm as she tilted her head, staring into her eyes with a playful smile. “You finally looked at me?”
A Flustered Standoff
Yu Li, barely 1.5 meters tall, contrasted with Ai Xinglan’s taller frame of over 1.6 meters. The sudden embrace from the petite girl threw Ai Xinglan into disarray, far more than any battle could. Her face burned red, and the words she meant to say slipped away. Despite her embarrassment, Ai Xinglan refused to back down. She lowered her head, her cherry-red eyes locking onto Yu Li’s. Neither yielded, creating a subtly intimate atmosphere.
“Hmm, the two misses are playing this kind of game today.” A rustling sound came from behind. Feng, the white-haired maid, stood there, expressionless, scribbling furiously in her notebook.
“Feng?!” Ai Xinglan snapped out of the moment, pulling her arm free and standing to face the maid, her voice tinged with embarrassed anger.
“You needn’t mind me, Miss. Please continue.” Feng’s tone remained flat, betraying no emotion. However, after glancing at Ai Xinglan’s expression, she gave Yu Li a subtle thumbs-up.
“Continue what?! Feng, get out! Prepare the car to take her to school!” Ai Xinglan, flustered and furious, shooed the maid away.
“Yes, Miss.” Feng waved her hands, tucking the notebook away somewhere, then bowed slightly and left the dining room.
Ai Xinglan’s Escape
“And you!” Ai Xinglan turned to Yu Li, unable to muster a cold expression. Her cheeks still flushed, she snapped, “Eat quickly and don’t forget to report!” Crossing her arms, she huffed and fled the dining room.
“She’s gone…” Yu Li, losing interest in teasing, quickly ate a few bites of breakfast and headed out.
“Feng, I’m here. Let’s go.” Yu Li approached the car but paused halfway. “Hmm… Xiao Ai, can’t bear to part with me already?” She turned to the open gate, but no one was there.
“Did I sense wrong?” Shaking her head, Yu Li got into the car and left.
Behind the gate, Ai Xinglan hid, her cheeks flushed—whether from embarrassment, anger, or both. “That idiot noticed me? Good thing I hid fast, or she’d tease me again. Hmph…” Relieved at her quick thinking, she turned to head back to her unfinished paperwork. Suddenly, her phone buzzed repeatedly with messages.
“Thank you for making time to see me off (๑╹ڡ╹)╭ ～ ♡~~” “But… Xiao Ai, next time, you can send me off openly, okay?” “Or… do you prefer this sneaky vibe…?” “Whatever you like, I’ll make it happen!”
“No way!!!” Ai Xinglan’s face turned scarlet as she shouted in exasperation.
Arrival at School
“Miss Yu Li, we’ve arrived. The school prohibits non-students from entering, so I can only escort you this far. I’ll wait here to take you home after you report.” Feng stopped the car, opened the door for Yu Li, and bowed slightly, expressing her apology.
“Thanks for your trouble, Feng.” “No, it’s my duty.” Feng paused, then added, “The young miss, she…” “I know.” Yu Li smiled at Feng. “Thank you, Miss Yu Li.” Feng’s face remained expressionless, yet a hint of warmth shone through. “No, I should thank you, Feng, in every way.” With a smile, Yu Li waved goodbye and entered the school.
Lost in the Maze
“This school is huge…” Yu Li hadn’t told anyone. She was slightly directionally challenged. “So… where do I report?!”
Since her academic year hadn’t started, the campus was nearly empty. After wandering for ages, Yu Li couldn’t find anyone to ask for directions. What she thought would be a simple check-in turned into a complete maze. Growing frustrated, she pulled out her phone to call Ai Xinglan. Suddenly, a flicker of black flame danced across her palm.
The black foxfire was her summon’s ability. After that morning’s antics, the little fox should’ve been avoiding her, yet now it reacted. “What’s up? Something make you show yourself?” Silence answered her. “You know I won’t get it if you don’t say.” After a pause, the black flames gathered, pointing in a direction.
“That way? Got it.” Yu Li followed the foxfire’s guidance toward a small park.
An Awkward Encounter
“Please stop following me.” “But, Lan Yi… we…” As Yu Li arrived, she overheard an argument. A girl with long, wavy blue hair walked ahead, followed by a black-haired boy who looked like a rich young master. He clutched a gift box, chasing her anxiously.
The girl, Lan Yi, had a refined beauty, her blue hair enhancing her elegance. More eye-catching was her ample chest, which swayed as she hurried. Hmm… at least twice Xiao Ai’s size. Yu Li couldn’t help comparing, then glanced at her own modest figure. Yeah, no comparison there.
“Hiss…” As if sensing her thoughts, the little fox turned the flames into a sharp point, pricking Yu Li. No one noticed her crouching nearby. Meanwhile, the boy caught up to Lan Yi.
“Lan Yi, slow down! I got you a gift. I bought this at an auction just for you.” He flashed a smug smile, offering the gift box. Inside was a blue gem, faintly glowing, clearly no ordinary item.
“Look, this gem matches your vibe perfectly. It aids cultivation and has a mid-tier protective array.” The boy rambled, brimming with confidence in his gift.
“Ye Sheng, I can’t accept it. We’re just classmates. It’s too valuable.” Before he finished, Lan Yi refused, her gentle voice firm. She didn’t even glance at the expensive gift.
“Lan Yi, take it. If you don’t like it, I’ll get you something better next time!” Ye Sheng, misreading her rejection, thought the gift wasn’t good enough and kept pressing.
The Fox’s Intent
“So, you brought me here to watch this drama?” Yu Li, bored by the rich boy’s one-sided pursuit, glanced at the foxfire pointing at the pair. “…” “What, you want me to ask them for directions?” “…” Stare. “…” Stare. (Don’t look at me like that! That’s not it!) Unable to bear Yu Li’s gaze, the fox broke its silence.
“Not playing mute anymore?” (…) “We’ll talk about you later. For now, explain.” (…I don’t know. Something here’s drawing me.) After a brief pause, the fox confessed.
“Got it.” Yu Li sighed, deciding not to press the fox further. Her eyes shifted to vertical pupils as she studied the pair. Ye Sheng was unremarkable, his emotions typical, blending with others. Lan Yi, however, was different. A blue glow formed above her head, coalescing into a blue halo with faint red patterns.