Ashe: A Meeting of Minds

Ashe slept soundly. When she woke up, Qilin and Rui Mengmeng, who had been waiting by her side, were sleeping next to her.

A ray of sunlight from outside the window shone on Ashe through a gap in the curtains. It made Ashe feel warm and also much more awake.

She looked at the two people beside her.

Ashe's lips curved upwards unconsciously. She extended a finger and gently poked the tip of each of their noses.

Rui Mengmeng frowned slightly, let out a soft "Mmm~," and snuggled into her pillow twice before falling back into a deep sleep.

Qilin, however, felt Ashe's touch and her eyelids fluttered. She slowly opened her eyes.

Unlike others, her eyes weren't hazy with sleep.

Qilin's pair of bright eyes met Ashe's directly, making Ashe feel a little embarrassed.

"Sorry, did I wake you? Do you want to sleep a bit more? It's still early."

"It's fine, no need."

Her lips moved as she answered Ashe's question. Qilin looked Ashe up and down.

"How are you? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, don't worry." With just two simple words, Ashe knew Qilin didn't need her to say more.

"That's good. Sister Lian Feng and Sister Yu Qin were saying yesterday that they wanted to give you a thorough check-up when you woke up."

"But I knew you'd pretend to be fine, so I told them you were asleep and that you'd see them tomorrow."

"Mhm, okay. Actually, I'm fine. I don't even have a scratch on me, just a bit tired."

Ashe explained to Qilin. She didn't ask why Qilin knew she was pretending.

After so many years together, Qilin could already tell Ashe's thoughts through her subtle expressions and small movements.

If Ashe had any real problems, she would be able to tell at a glance.

Their interactions were mostly unspoken understandings.

Just like now, Qilin slapped away someone's hand that was trying to cross the line.

She gave Ashe a glare and said grumpily, "You just woke up, and you're already being indecent. Behave yourself today."

"I haven't settled the score with you from the bathroom incident yet!"

"What? You're still going to bring up the bathroom incident? Weren't you quite..."

"Hmph!" Qilin's bright eyes glared, her small mouth pouted, and her cheeks flushed as she stared at Ashe, looking like she'd make Ashe pay if she dared to say more.

Honestly, she looked indescribably beautiful.

Seeing this, Ashe could only smile slightly and raise her hands in surrender on the bed.

At this, Qilin's anger turned into a smile, a smile that was incredibly sweet at that moment.

It seemed to make her very happy that Ashe would back down.

She got up from the bed briskly.

Qilin flicked her wrist, skillfully grabbed her hair with her left hand, and pulled a hair tie with her right.

Then she walked towards the kitchen in the dormitory.

"Rose said the academy's cafeteria still needs some preparation."

"The special ingredients they're preparing for us will take some time to be delivered."

"I bought some ingredients while you were asleep. You go take a shower first. I'll make breakfast."

"Okay, okay."

Without any delay, she gently pinched Rui Mengmeng's slightly chubby cheek.

Seeing her lips slightly parted and her face full of satisfaction, Ashe felt that this girl was probably dreaming of eating something delicious.

With a knowing smile, Ashe got out of bed and walked into the bathroom.

Meanwhile, in Rose's dormitory, next door to Qilin's.

Rose, who had already woken up, sat in front of her vanity and sighed unconsciously.

Last night, her mind was filled with Ashe again. But perhaps she was used to it, or perhaps she was shocked by the combat footage of Ashe on the streets.

Rose not only slept well last night but even dreamed of Ashe... sigh.

"What a curse!" She really didn't know how to describe her feelings at the moment. Rose, who was always sharp with her words, ultimately didn't know how to scold herself.

With nowhere to vent, she only knew that her mood was very complicated.

She couldn't exactly go to her father for advice.

The thought of carefully asking her father, who was dedicated to the country, that a girl had been on her mind lately and what she should do.

Rose felt her father might be stunned for a second, and then the next moment, he'd drag her to a psychologist.

Forget it, the scene was too much, Rose didn't want to think about it.

Sigh, she rubbed her cheeks.

A bunch of misfits, plus a roommate with gender identity issues, and now me, how are we supposed to fight these aliens?

The road ahead is bleak, terrifying even!

Shaking her head, Rose felt she shouldn't overthink it.

After a simple tidy-up and some makeup, Rose paused as she subconsciously reached for her cool jacket.

Why was she dressing up so nicely to pick up that loser?

She put down the jacket and found a plaid shirt she'd bought a long time ago from the closet.

Yeah, this would do.

Sizing herself up in the mirror, Rose walked out of the dorm.

Meanwhile, Ashe had also finished her shower and eaten breakfast. Having lived a previous life, she retained the habits from it.

She was exceptionally quick when it came to showering and eating.

She changed into the sportswear Qilin had prepared.

Ashe informed Qilin and prepared to head out for exercise.

As she opened the door, Rose, who happened to be walking by, turned her head.

Their eyes met, and both paused.

Ashe thought, With that outfit, she must be going to pick up Ge Xiaolun.

Rose thought, With that outfit, Ge Xiaolun will probably get all lovey-dovey when he sees her later.

Speaking of which, should I tell her that Ajie sold her out?