Playful Antics, Back-to-School Season

"Alright."

After Qin Yuan finished preparing the ingredients, he stood up and turned around.

Mu Ning Xue stood there quietly like a lotus blooming amid proud snow. Her snow-white high-waisted fitted dress perfectly displayed her flawless figure.

Yet what truly drew the eye was not entirely her body, which exuded sensual charm, but her breathtaking silver-white, center-parted long hair.

She was like a snow fairy from a world of ice and frost, seated in the mortal realm—ethereally beautiful, yet not to be profaned.

"You've gotten prettier and prettier," Qin Yuan said, watching her for a moment before offering the compliment without reservation.

Mu Ning Xue did not answer, but the corner of her mouth lifted slightly.

Whether men or women, everyone hoped to hear praise from others.

Although Mu Ning Xue was aloof, she was also a proud girl. She wanted praise in her heart, especially when it came from Qin Yuan.

After setting up the grill, she passed by his side, and their gazes met.

"What is your Innate Spirit Seed called?" Mu Ning Xue asked.

She had already received word from the Mu family that Qin Yuan was an Ice Mage with an Innate Spirit Seed, just like her.

"Extreme Cold."

Qin Yuan did not hide it and replied with a smile.

"How much of a boost?"

"1.5 times."

"What effect does it have?"

"..."

Qin Yuan fell silent for a moment, then stepped forward and pinched Mu Ning Xue's pretty face. "Compared to me, you seem more concerned about my magic."

"Alas, after not seeing each other for so long, it seems our feelings have ultimately faded."

By the end, Qin Yuan had put on a deliberately heartbroken expression.

"Don't pinch me."

Mu Ning Xue slapped away Qin Yuan's wicked hand.

She was no longer the mischievous little princess who used to act cute. Now, she was a cold and proud eldest princess.

Qin Yuan could not tease her without permission. Only she was allowed to tease Qin Yuan.

However, this little thought of Mu Ning Xue's could not possibly escape Qin Yuan.

"I'm going to pinch you anyway."

Qin Yuan gave a wicked grin and continued misbehaving.

Because of his presence, Mu Ning Xue was slightly different from the aloof version in the original story.

Toward outsiders, she was still as cold as an iceberg goddess—quiet, taciturn, and rarely willing to speak to anyone first.

But inwardly—more precisely, toward Qin Yuan alone—she still appeared cold, though much of it was an act. Put bluntly, she was simply tsundere.

"You!" A faint blush surfaced on Mu Ning Xue's pretty face. Her gaze was shy and angry as the Star Track in her hand was about to connect. "Ice Vine..."

She wanted to freeze Qin Yuan a little and teach him a lesson.

Unfortunately.

Click.

The seventh Star Seed was suddenly affected by Mu Ning Xue's emotions and broke apart, causing the Star Track to collapse.

"You... went too far!"

Mu Ning Xue became even more embarrassed and angry.

Because Qin Yuan had used both hands, kneading her pretty face as though he were playing with a porcelain doll.

Unable to cast magic, Mu Ning Xue could only use her hands to push and tug at Qin Yuan. But with her little strength, she was like a child before Qin Mouren.

Mu Ning Xue was bullied until she was left hanging in an awkward state, her face flushed crimson with embarrassment.

After a long while.

"Brother Qin Yuan, Ning Xue, it's getting late~" Ye Xin Xia's soft voice drifted over.

Her bright, lively eyes stared directly at the two of them as they played around, filled with both happiness and envy.

Ye Xin Xia spoke up.

"Alright, I'll stop teasing you." Only then did Qin Yuan release Mu Ning Xue's face.

"Hmph!"

Mu Ning Xue stepped back and lightly kicked Qin Yuan with her right leg to vent her frustration.

Qin Yuan did not mind. He walked over to Ye Xin Xia, reached out to pat her head, and said dotingly, "I know you're hungry. I'll start grilling right away."

"Okay~"

Ye Xin Xia answered in a rather contented tone.

"Xin Xia, Qin Yuan only knows how to bully us. Stay away from him." Mu Ning Xue walked over and pushed her aside to chat.

That was right. She was going to "isolate" Qin Yuan for half an hour.

"Okay."

Ye Xin Xia nodded on the surface, but her gaze still drifted toward Qin Yuan from time to time.

Her best friend was wonderful, but... that was Brother Qin Yuan.

And so, under the casual conversation of the two women and their occasional glances, Qin Yuan completed the great feat of grilling the barbecue.

The sun clocked out, and the moon took over.

"Hoo hoo hoo~"

The evening breeze blew in, carrying a pleasant chill.

Under the moonlight, Qin Yuan, Ye Xin Xia, and Mu Ning Xue sat around the faint glow of the charcoal fire, each holding several skewers.

"How is Imperial Capital Academy? Have you gotten used to studying there? Have you made any friends?"

Qin Yuan fired off three questions in a row.

Hearing this, Mu Ning Xue's gaze remained calm as she replied with a touch of pride, "I'm not telling you."

"Not telling me?" Qin Yuan raised a brow, then said blandly, "Then forget it. I only asked in passing, just for show."

Mu Ning Xue: "..."

"What did you say?" Mu Ning Xue's willow eyebrows shot up, and her voice turned "icy."

"I said you're pretty."

"...You clearly said you were 'just doing it for show.'"

"Well, didn't you hear that?"

"Qin Yuan, go die!" Mu Ning Xue sprang to her feet in anger and fiercely stomped toward Qin Yuan's foot.

"Hehe."

Qin Yuan smiled faintly and stood up as well, dodging left and right.

Mu Ning Xue grew both angry and anxious at the sight. She chased after Qin Yuan, stomping at him with all her strength and occasionally swinging a fist at his chest.

Sitting on the grass, Ye Xin Xia quietly watched the scene. Whenever they were together in private, Qin Yuan would always anger Mu Ning Xue until her cold image was completely gone.

Watching the two chase and play around, Ye Xin Xia smiled unconsciously, as if she had returned to their childhood.

They played around for quite a while.

Mu Ning Xue sat down with great satisfaction. She looked aloof on the surface, but her slightly upturned, proud little face had already given her away.

"Make some room." Qin Yuan walked between the two women with a smile.

"Okay."

"Hmph."

Though Ye Xin Xia and Mu Ning Xue reacted differently, their bodies both shifted slightly to either side.

Qin Yuan unceremoniously lay down between them.

"Seriously, how is Imperial Capital Academy? Have you made any friends?" Qin Yuan asked again.

"The academy's teaching is decent. Friends... no."

Mu Ning Xue answered.

"Figures." Qin Yuan thought for a moment, then said, "Imperial Capital Academy is known for being a place where children of powerful families gather. They scheme against one another all day long. Making friends there is as hard as climbing to heaven."

As soon as he said that.

Mu Ning Xue did not refute him and instead nodded in agreement.

Although every academy had its share of scheming, Imperial Capital Academy was even more excessive. Sometimes, even an insignificant little matter could become incredibly complicated.

"What about you? Will you attend an academy after graduation?" Mu Ning Xue asked.

"Of course."

"Which academy?"

"Pearl."

Neither Mu Ning Xue nor Ye Xin Xia was surprised by Qin Yuan's answer.

Because Qin Yuer was in Modu.

They knew about Qin Yuer. During the World Academy Competition, although Qin Yuer had appeared in only a few scenes, every appearance had left a deep impression.

"Qin Yuan, if possible, I would like to ask Sister Yuer for guidance in Ice Element magic."

Mu Ning Xue said.

She greatly admired Qin Yuer's understanding of Ice Element magic. As an Ice Mage herself, her understanding of ice was far inferior to Qin Yuer's.

"Another time." Qin Yuan nodded slightly and said with a smile, "Sister Yuer has been quite busy lately and doesn't have much free time for now."

Qin Yuer was in seclusion, attempting to break through to become an Archmage. At such a critical time, she absolutely could not be disturbed.