In the stable at the corner of Tiandu Academy's training grounds, Yan saw sweat continuously running down Zi Xue's forehead. He suddenly reached out and used a handkerchief to wipe it away for her.
"Ah, Yan, this..."
Zi Xue was startled by his sudden action. She first lowered her head and silently accepted what Yan was doing, then abruptly realized that Jin Lili was still beside them. She hurriedly looked up at her close friend, caught the meaningful look in her eyes, and her cheeks instantly flushed crimson.
"Oh my, oh my, isn't that your own handkerchief, Little Xue? Last time, you told me you'd lost it. So you lost it at your sweetheart's place. Tsk..."
Jin Lili was also displeased by someone's actions, but Zi Xue's reaction made her even more eager to tease her. Zi Xue lowered her head after those words, too embarrassed to look closely at either of them. Naturally, she failed to notice Jin Lili's little hand pinching Yan in annoyance.
"S-Sister Lili, Yan isn't... We didn't..."
Zi Xue wanted to explain, but how could she possibly be Jin Lili's match in this regard? She was bullied until she could not even form a complete sentence.
Yan simply took the chance to reach over and openly pull Zi Xue to his side. "All right, Senior Sister. It's not like this is something shameful."
"It is not!"
Zi Xue softly defended herself, but being beside Yan gave her such a strong sense of security that she did not really want to leave. Jin Lili's gaze at the pair grew increasingly unfriendly. The look in her eyes said she wanted to personally carve up a certain scumbag.
"Senior Sister! You have to keep our matter a secret!"
Yan put an arm around Zi Xue and spoke to