Wrong one-let's do it again~ / I'll be right back after a little kissing~ ...

Xia Shang, who wasn't looking at things from the Chosen One's perspective, was clearly more dangerously clever than she'd imagined.

Hua Nu: Master, could she mean the scent our bodies give off?

Hua Nu realized it immediately. Usually, they covered up their scents with deodorizing powder, but that night, they'd touched far too many books to treat them all in time.

If they'd accidentally left their scent behind, it would be easy to recognize that distinctive fragrance.

Qin Xiangyi: Don't panic yet. Even if she figured it out, she can't do anything to us without proof.

Qin Xiangyi's reassurance came just as Xia Shang spotted her. It seemed as though Xia Shang had said all that specifically for Qin Xiangyi's benefit, demonstrating her reasoning in painstaking detail.

Zhang Mou, completely in the dark, was startled again. She clung tightly to Qin Xiangyi's arm and asked curiously, "What kind of scent was it?"

Xia Shang replied, "The secretions of two kinds of flowers: roses and peonies." After speaking, she took a pen from her pocket and drew two outlines.

Her drawings were simple, and her gestures easy to understand, but Hua Nu and Shaoyao were both alarmed.

"If Madam's account of the location is correct, the two people must have been in this position while playing their prank."

Zhang Mou's face grew even paler. Pressing her lips together, she managed to ask, "In midair?"

"Yes. These two are unusual. They can both turn invisible and fly, and their bodies give off a scent. Judging by their builds, speed, and other factors, they're both probably women. One is about 1.7 meters tall, and the other is around 1.6."

From the corner of her eye, Qin Xiangyi glanced at the two flower people and saw that Xia Shang's guesses were quite accurate. Even in an age of Chosen Ones, science still clearly had its uses.

Shaoyao was even more frightened by what she'd heard and again suggested killing Xia Shang first.

Hua Nu objected, though she was actually interested in how Xia Shang had reached those conclusions. She was studying the equipment.

Seeing how relaxed Hua Nu was and how tense Shaoyao looked, Qin Xiangyi thought the contrast between them was rather striking. As for Oleander, she seemed even more interested in Xia Shang and wanted to challenge her to a contest.

Qin Xiangyi's thoughts began to wander again, but Xia Shang seemed to notice. She made a small sound to draw Qin Xiangyi's attention back.

Clearly, she was saying all this for Qin Xiangyi's benefit, letting her know she'd figured out the truth behind their little tricks.

"Also, I used those two scents to make a scent tracker. Madam, guess where I found traces of them." Xia Shang's final words explained why she'd come over and interrupted Qin Xiangyi while she was activating a flower person.

"Could it have been... my house...?" Zhang Mou turned deathly pale. Judging by her reaction, she probably wouldn't dare live at home for quite some time.

Xia Shang continued in her gentle voice, "That's right. I came today to remind you to be careful of the people around you."

The implication was so obvious that Qin Xiangyi felt uneasy, but she still held back from explaining. Xia Shang's words had already revealed some things, and explaining would only make Zhang Mou suspicious.

"I understand. You mean Qin Xiangyi?" Zhang Mou's expression turned serious. She knew exactly who had brought a group of people to torment her.

Xia Shang seemed a little taken aback. She probably hadn't expected her subtle warning to make Zhang Mou blame her adopted daughter instead of the beautiful, wicked-looking woman sitting beside her.

"She spent a month at Baichi Sanatorium not long ago. She must've met some unsavory people there, and now they're playing tricks on me..." Zhang Mou continued, laying out her theory and the deep-rooted impression she had of Qin Xiangyi.

Xia Shang raised a hand to stop her. "Mrs. Zhang, I think you've misunderstood. Qin Xiangyi doesn't have that kind of ability. I looked into her. She kept to herself at the sanatorium and barely made any effort to interact with anyone. The first time she did, it was only to help someone pick up a book." Xia Shang explained what she'd found. The sanatorium had cameras everywhere, and the bathrooms were all single-occupancy, so there was no chance to interact with anyone. Besides, there was no way an ordinary student like Qin Xiangyi could persuade an actual patient to help her with something so pointless.

"But if it wasn't her, who else would have a grudge against me?" Zhang Mou didn't believe her, but she glanced at the person beside her and softened her tone, muttering, "She is pretty awful, after all."

The person they'd been talking about, Qin Xiangyi, was a little bewildered. She almost burst out laughing at that description. And as she thought about it, she really did laugh.

"Little Flower! What's so funny? She really is awful. She barely scrapes by with passing grades, and she's always going against me." Zhang Mou's face reddened slightly. She realized that her insult sounded more like a petulant complaint, and it hadn't really conveyed anything bad about Qin Xiangyi at all.

"Hahaha... No, I just think you're adorable." Qin Xiangyi's smile grew wider. She met Xia Shang's gaze, thinking she could hold it for a full minute this time, but after only a few seconds, she realized Xia Shang's eyes were far too sharp and looked away.

Xia Shang wasn't surprised to hear them flirting. Back at the hotel, she'd noticed Qin Xiangyi because of the ambiguous way she acted with Zhang Mou. Qin Xiangyi had clearly stood up for Zhang Mou. Even if that was understandable, Xia Shang still found her underhanded methods repulsive.

Now they were discussing Qin Xiangyi, and Xia Shang felt a little angry on behalf of the young woman she'd come to like.

"From what I've observed, Qin Xiangyi has an excellent memory, quick reactions, and a very sharp mind. She simply doesn't like showing off her strengths, for fear of making others resent her." Xia Shang continued to point out that Qin Xiangyi's apparent uselessness was only a façade. In reality, she was hiding her abilities.

Seeing how well Xia Shang understood her, Qin Xiangyi, who had removed her glasses and transformed into Hua Linglong, gave her a playful smile. "Professor Xia seems to like this young woman quite a bit. Looks like I'll have to meet her sometime."

Xia Shang's expression didn't change, but Zhang Mou, beside her, gave Qin Xiangyi an unhappy smack and said, "You're not allowed!"

Naturally, Qin Xiangyi turned toward Zhang Mou and smiled, this time wrapping an arm around her waist.

Xia Shang frowned slightly as she watched them. She seemed not to like the sight. Adjusting her glasses again, she hid her disgust.

Hua Nu: Master, Xia Shang really doesn't like you without your glasses. How strange. Don't humans usually like beautiful people?

Shaoyao: Could Xia Shang be into men? Is that why she finds it disgusting to see you two together?

The flower people chattered away. Qin Xiangyi was used to random words suddenly appearing in her mind, but she was still a little startled. She'd been focused on watching Xia Shang, and now that her train of thought had been interrupted, she forgot what she'd been about to say.

Fortunately, Zhang Mou joined the conversation. "So what do we do now? I'm going to Heaven City tomorrow too, but if this happens every day after I get back, I'll go crazy."

Xia Shang looked surprised. "You're going to Heaven City tomorrow too?"

Zhang Mou nodded. "Yes. Didn't I mention it earlier? ...Never mind, that's not the point. The point is, what do we do?"

Xia Shang thought for a moment before saying, "How about this? I'll analyze things tonight and see if I can find any more clues to identify the culprit."

Zhang Mou immediately glanced at Qin Xiangyi, thinking that staying over tonight would be a bit inconvenient. But if she didn't do it tonight, she might not get another chance to spend time with someone as wonderful as Xia Shang.

"I'll stay downstairs. I won't get in your way." Xia Shang added that, and Zhang Mou hesitated, looking at Qin Xiangyi again. Xia Shang simply looked straight at Qin Xiangyi too, and the two of them waited for her answer.

"Sure." Qin Xiangyi smiled readily. She'd been wondering how to get out of the whole exercise-together conversation, and Xia Shang had arrived just in time to bail her out. With Xia Shang as her excuse, she could get what she wanted and had found a way to refuse.

"Okay."

"By the way, Professor Xia, there's a guest room on the first floor if you don't mind staying there."

Xia Shang declined, then added, "It's fine. I'll stay in that little room like before. I like the atmosphere there."

A little confused, Qin Xiangyi looked around. "The little room?"

"The storeroom outside. I turned it into a place for my adopted daughter to stay. When I invited Professor Xia over a few days ago, she seemed to like it there. What, are you interested too?" Zhang Mou answered with a knowing smile. Her tone was still rather suggestive, as though she thought Qin Xiangyi liked doing things in unusual places.

"No, I was just curious. I didn't know Professor Xia and your adopted daughter were so close."

Zhang Mou didn't want to talk about her adopted daughter anymore. She tugged on Qin Xiangyi's arm and gave her a meaningful look, inviting her upstairs to pick up where they'd left off.

Reluctant, Qin Xiangyi saw that Xia Shang had already lowered her head to the computer and resumed her analysis.

Helpless, Qin Xiangyi could only tell Shaoyao to keep an eye on things.

Qin Xiangyi: Shaoyao, watch things for me. Remember, don't do anything rash. I'm going upstairs to kiss her for a bit, then I'll be back.

Hua Nu: Master, then I'll stay too. I'm afraid Shaoyao will cause trouble.

Qin Xiangyi: Wait, if you're both staying, who'll watch over me while I make the flower person?

Qin Xiangyi groaned inwardly. She walked incredibly slowly, feeling like the whole time was torture. Then she noticed Oleander following behind her. She was still only palm-sized, but her power was too great for her to control, so there was clearly nothing she could do except watch.

Oleander: Please don't worry, Master. I'll do my best not to kill anyone.

Oleander's words weren't reassuring in the least. She swung her long sword, and a chill wind swirled around them, frightening Zhang Mou, who'd been walking beside them. She burrowed into Qin Xiangyi's arms.

"Scary. But at least you're here tonight." Zhang Mou looked frightened again, but she felt much safer with Qin Xiangyi around.

As she spoke, she wrapped her arms around Qin Xiangyi's neck, their lips drawn together. Qin Xiangyi wanted to kiss her, but worried something else might interrupt them. After thinking it over, she opened Zhang Mou's bedroom door first and set her down.

The lights dimmed, and Zhang Mou's voice grew tender enough to melt anyone.

"Come here... my little flower..."

Qin Xiangyi felt that something was wrong, but she still nervously approached and kissed Zhang Mou on the forehead, then their lips naturally met.

A fire began to burn, and the passion that burst forth made Qin Xiangyi feel as if she might be burned dry. She had to take complete control of Zhang Mou, listening to the calls escaping her lips.

"Make Auntie feel good..."

For a moment, Qin Xiangyi almost thought her disguise had fallen away and she'd stumbled into the classic forbidden route of a wrestling novel: the tangled affair between an adopted daughter and her adoptive mother.

But the system's prompt reminded Qin Xiangyi to keep her composure.

System: Activation countdown: 30 seconds...

System: Activation countdown: 10 seconds...

System: Activation stopped. Restarting countdown.

The prompts were so mood-killing. Qin Xiangyi waited silently. Zhang Mou was no longer content to leave things to her, so she changed positions again, ready to take the lead.

"Hehehe... You think I'll give in that easily? Let me see what you've got first." Zhang Mou's figure gradually blended into the darkness, revealing her charm.

At the same time, the fragrance of flowers drifted through the air. Qin Xiangyi stared intently, watching Zhang Mou try her best to put on a show. But she still retained a shred of reason and called for help mentally.

Qin Xiangyi: Someone save me! I can't hold out much longer!

The next second, Zhang Mou leaned down and kissed her again, like a victor claiming her prize.

System: Thirty seconds...

System: One second...

System: Flower seed activated successfully.

Qin Xiangyi thought this time would bring an impressive scene like Oleander's, but after the prompt, only a small, unidentifiable flower slowly emerged from Zhang Mou's heart.

Then the prompt began introducing the flower seed.

System: Activated flower person—Golden Grass.

If Little Grass had been a makeshift name Qin Xiangyi came up with by accident, then Golden Grass was a subtle form of malice from the world itself—a name she didn't know what to make of.

Qin Xiangyi didn't know how to describe this complicated feeling. Unlike Muning, Zhang Mou didn't pass up her chance. She kissed Qin Xiangyi, trying to wring every last bit of energy out of her that night.

Qin Xiangyi: I've activated it! Oleander, hurry, knock her out!

Qin Xiangyi hurried back to her senses and told Oleander to act.

Oleander hesitated and refused to move.

Oleander: Master, I can kill people, but I can't stop myself from killing them.

Every flower person had a distinct personality, but Qin Xiangyi still felt like they were going to drive her mad. At a loss, she continued calling for the other flower people bound to the Flower God Ring.

Qin Xiangyi: Hua Nu, I know you're watching this for fun! Even if you enjoy the show, don't mess with me like this. Shaoyao, where are you? Don't tell me you've been tied up?

No matter how much she called, the other two flower people didn't respond, so Qin Xiangyi could only call Little Grass.

Unfortunately, Little Grass was still sulking after being scolded earlier and wouldn't respond at all. Qin Xiangyi was completely on her own. She clenched her fists, but Zhang Mou thought she was just role-playing and teased her a few times, leaving Qin Xiangyi even more speechless.

Qin Xiangyi clenched her fists, then remembered how much she'd been working out lately. She couldn't control her strength anymore, and if she struck carelessly, she might crack Zhang Mou's skull.

Qin Xiangyi: Huangquan, help me! How can I knock her out without killing her?

Thinking of Huangquan as her last hope, Qin Xiangyi didn't expect much. But a miracle happened just then: the Flower God Ring glowed faintly, and a virtual figure appeared.

In an instant, the surroundings transformed into a sea of Higanbana, with body parts scattered everywhere. It was like standing atop hell itself. Zhang Mou noticed something was wrong and was just about to ask what was happening when she raised her hand and saw a squashed eyeball on it.

Zhang Mou fainted in fright, and the vision of the sea of Higanbana vanished with her. Yet, for some reason, the air still held the scent of flowers. Before Qin Xiangyi could ask Huangquan what she'd done, someone knocked on the door outside again.

Qin Xiangyi was about to open it, but the door seemed impossible to unlock. Xia Shang outside simply used her ability to kick it open.

Xia Shang hurried in and saw Qin Xiangyi pinned down, with Zhang Mou unconscious on top of her. Embarrassed, Qin Xiangyi quickly explained, "I can explain. Something terrifying just happened."

Xia Shang slowly put on a pair of gloves and spoke in her unhurried voice. "I hope your explanation convinces me. If it doesn't, you'll pay for what you did last time too."

Qin Xiangyi felt deeply uneasy. She'd escaped having to go through with the exercise scene with Zhang Mou, but had probably given her a lifelong trauma instead. Feeling helpless, she thought it over and described what she'd just seen.