Ashe followed Rui Mengmeng's gaze. Nearby, Ajie had taken off his sunglasses and was waving as he walked toward them.
Standing close beside Ashe, Rui Mengmeng leaned in like a child tattling to a parent, one hand raised to cover her mouth.
She glanced at Ajie as he hurried over.
Then she whispered, "Sister Ashe, it's him!"
After she spoke, she still seemed not to trust Ajie one bit.
Rui Mengmeng even took a small step behind Ashe to hide.
She only peeked out to keep an eye on Ajie as he approached.
Taking in Rui Mengmeng's reaction, Ashe explained, "It's okay, Mengmeng. Ajie might not look like a good person. Even with his sunglasses off, his eyes are so wide open they look closed."
"He dresses like an agent from S.H.I.E.L.D. every day."
"But everything he said is true."
"And I've joined that Super Seminary he mentioned. I'm one of its members now."
"So you can give it some serious thought. If you think it'll work out, go ahead and join. Don't worry—your big sister will look after you there just the same!"
Out of habit, Ashe raised a fist and gave her chest a horizontal thump.
A tempting bounce met her fist.
Ashe glanced helplessly at the giant Slime on her chest.
She reluctantly lowered her hand. It looked like she couldn't thump her chest anymore. It was indecent.
Rose, standing nearby, had naturally noticed Ashe's gesture.
She watched the Slime bounce right back after being thumped.
Rose admitted to herself that it really was quite bouncy.
More importantly, it was soft, and holding it felt so... No, damn it, what was she thinking?
She forced her gaze toward Ajie, who had finally walked over.
Rose felt like she shouldn't have looked at Ashe at all today.
Rui Mengmeng hadn't given it much thought, but as soon as Ashe said she was a member too, she replied without hesitation, "Since you're there too, Sister Ashe, I'll join."
Then she scratched her head, a little embarrassed.
Rui Mengmeng had wanted to join the Super Seminary in the first place.
Her family didn't have much money, and her grandfather was getting old. Even though Sister Ashe had always helped her, she knew a person should be content with what they had and always be grateful.
One reason she'd worked so hard was so she could repay Ashe someday.
Now this rare opportunity was right in front of her.
Rui Mengmeng felt it might be the most important opportunity of her life.
She had to seize it.
Besides, her grandfather had told her before:
"Child, defending our home and country is our duty."
Thinking of her grandfather, who could barely recognize a few characters, Rui Mengmeng clenched her fist and earnestly stressed those words to her.
She decided she absolutely had to join the Super Seminary.
"Good. Then join."
Looking at the decisive Rui Mengmeng, Ashe smiled and patted Mengmeng's hair twice.
Rui Mengmeng gave an embarrassed little "Hehe."
But she still let Ashe stroke her hair.
Ashe then turned to Rose beside her and said bluntly, "You heard her. Even my little sister says she's joining."
"Remember to get the conditions we agreed on in the car sorted out for me as soon as possible."
"Don't worry," Rose replied quickly.
Watching Ajie stroll over from a distance at an old man's leisurely pace, Rose felt an uncontrollable headache coming on.
She really didn't want to talk to Ashe right now.
Please, just hurry up and leave. Let's go pick up those two losers at the police station already.
Ashe paid no mind to Rose's cool response and introduced the woman beside her to Rui Mengmeng. "Oh, right, Mengmeng. This big sister is one of your classmates too. Her name is Rose, and she's my roommate."
"Go say hello and get to know her."
"Okay, Sister Ashe."
"Hello, Sister Rose. I'm Rui Mengmeng. I hope we can get along."
She smiled and held out a hand.
Rui Mengmeng seemed completely innocent.
Rose, however, was warm in her response, unlike the cool way she treated Ashe. "Hello, Mengmeng! Come to me anytime if you have any questions."
"Mm-hmm."
Rui Mengmeng smiled and nodded.
Then she stepped back behind Ashe.
When Ajie reached the group, she smiled at him and said softly, "I'll join, Brother Ajie."
"Great. Welcome aboard, Mengmeng."
Ajie didn't say much. He'd noticed how Ashe and Rui Mengmeng were standing, and already understood the situation.
He turned to Rose, whose expression was cold, and pointed toward the car in the distance.
"Rose, let's head to the police station. Old Du takes these two targets very seriously. We need to hurry."
"Okay."
"If that's the case, Mengmeng and I will—"
"You two should come along. You don't need to go into the police station, but you'll probably have to help Mengmeng pack later anyway."
"Ajie and I will be done soon."
"We can drive you to the Super Seminary afterward. It's free labor, and it'll save time. Why not take advantage of it?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Rose turned and walked off.
She hadn't looked at Ashe once the entire time.
If she didn't feel a natural fondness for Rui Mengmeng, she never would've let the two of them come along.
"Exactly," Ajie chimed in.
"Today's task is simple, and I'm the one who recruited Mengmeng, so it's only right that I take responsibility. I'll drive you there."
"Come on, Ashe, Mengmeng. Let's go together."
Rui Mengmeng instinctively looked at Ashe.
Ashe didn't hesitate. She took Rui Mengmeng's hand and followed Ajie.
"Sure. Let's go together."
Just as Rose had said, why not make use of free labor?
As for shopping, they could go after dropping off Mengmeng's luggage.
They could pick up Qilin on the way, too.
Two birds with one stone.
On the way, Ajie and Rose talked about the day's targets.
Ashe didn't interrupt. She let Mengmeng rest her head on her shoulder and responded to Ajie now and then.
They reached the police station a little while later.
Sitting in the back seat, Ashe gently adjusted Rui Mengmeng, who had somehow fallen asleep, so she could rest more comfortably.
Ashe looked toward the police station entrance and slowly lowered the car window.
She didn't plan to approach him ahead of time, but there was no harm in getting a look at Ge Xiaolun.
After all, there were some differences between the anime and real life.
She ought to recognize him beforehand.
And right then—
Rose and Ajie were walking out of the police station with the men they'd brought out.
Ajie kept emphasizing something to Ge Xiaolun.
But Ge Xiaolun was clearly focused on Rose up ahead.
He'd only caught bits and pieces of what Ajie said.
Ge Xiaolun scratched his head, thoroughly confused.
Just as he was about to ask another question, his gaze met Ashe's through the fully lowered car window.
It was love at first sight.
His mouth fell open involuntarily. The moment he saw Ashe's face, only one thought crossed Ge Xiaolun's mind:
"Mom, I'm in love!"
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