Don't Let Your Guard Down

Time flew by.

Ye Qiu's first year in Notting City had been quite fulfilling and orderly.

Apart from the classes scheduled by the academy in the mornings, he spent most of his time cultivating with Xiao Wu. When the little rabbit really wouldn't cooperate, he'd settle for strolling around Notting City with her or sparring to practice their combat skills.

It was worth mentioning that, while out strolling, they actually ran into the chubby girl who had joined in the commotion with an elbow strike when they'd bought their quilts at the start of the school year.

Xiao Wu naturally hadn't forgotten her. She paid her back with several vicious elbow strikes, knocking her to the ground. If Ye Qiu hadn't stopped her, the girl's back might have been broken. In the end, she fled in tears, limping away.

After being in tune with each other for so long,

Ye Qiu had become all too familiar with every expression and gesture of that silly rabbit.

Of course, Xiao Wu had also gotten to know Ye Qiu much better. In this world, apart from Ye Qiu himself, she could be called the person who understood him best.

As a result, she had grown bolder and bolder, paying little heed to Ye Qiu's threats. He often had to take matters into his own hands to put her in her place.

Besides,

Tang San, who kept making time to study with Yu Xiaogang and work at the blacksmith's, often sought Ye Qiu out for sparring. Ye Qiu naturally agreed. A free training partner, after all.

Of course, Ye Qiu kept some of his Martial Soul's abilities under wraps. Otherwise, Tang San might grow wary and keep his guard up. And if Yu Xiaogang found out, he'd be a real nuisance.

Even when Ye Qiu said that he'd learned to shoot silk from a spider, Yu Xiaogang had grown curious and wanted to study him. Ye Qiu didn't pay him much attention, though.

In Dorm Seven,

the students finished their studies for the year and gradually began preparing to return home.

Wang Sheng had become a true Soul Master and graduated from Notting Academy without a hitch. He was about to head to a mid-level Soul Master Academy to take its entrance exam. With his luggage on his back, he stood at the doorway and waved to Ye Qiu and the others.

"Boss Ye Qiu, Third Brother, Sister Xiao Wu, I'm off! Hope our paths cross again!"

Amid a chorus of farewells, Wang Sheng slowly disappeared from view.

"Probably won't ever see him again."

Ye Qiu lay on his bed with a lollipop in his mouth, watching Wang Sheng leave. He calmly shook his head.

Over the past year, Ye Qiu, Tang San, and Xiao Wu had all grown much closer.

Tang San was packing his things. Looking at Ye Qiu, who was still lying on his bed, he asked in puzzlement, "Ye Qiu, why haven't you packed yet? Aren't you going home?"

Tang San missed his father dearly. Though he'd waited all year and Tang Hao still hadn't come to visit him, he'd prepared a new forging hammer as a gift for him.

When it came to filial devotion, Tang San was beyond reproach.

"Isn't the holiday tomorrow? I can pack tonight," Ye Qiu said casually, waving a hand. He only had a few changes of clothes, so there wasn't much to pack.

Tang San smiled helplessly. Ye Qiu seemed interested only in cultivation and was lazy about everything else. Otherwise, he'd get Xiao Wu to do it for him. Come to think of it, Ye Qiu seemed pretty interested in Xiao Wu, too.

A hint of sadness showed in his eyes.

Compared with Ye Qiu, who loved cultivation, Xiao Wu probably spent a little more time dragging him around to "bully boys and girls."

Tang San turned to look at Xiao Wu.

He asked, "What about you, Xiao Wu? The holiday starts tomorrow. Are you going home?"

A few steps from Ye Qiu's bed,

Xiao Wu, who had long since started sleeping in a separate bed from Ye Qiu, sat on the edge of hers, gently swinging her bare feet.

Dorm Seven was growing emptier by the minute. At Tang San's question, a trace of loneliness appeared in Xiao Wu's eyes, at odds with her usual lively and energetic self.

She shook her head gently.

"I'm not going home. Maybe I'll stay at the academy."

Tang San froze, surprised. "It's been a whole year. You're not going home to visit?"

Tang San's question had rubbed Xiao Wu the wrong way, and irritation was starting to rise in her. Then she glanced at Ye Qiu, who was lying on his bed with a candy in his mouth, resting with his eyes closed. Her eyes immediately lit up.

She said cheerfully, "Xiao San, isn't your home close to the academy? How about I come visit you? What do you think? Wang Sheng and the others are all leaving, and there'll be no one left to keep Sister Xiao Wu company."

Looking at Xiao Wu, who was as lovely as a porcelain doll, Tang San smiled. After a year together, he'd gotten to know the little girl in front of him fairly well. She was always acting as if she couldn't wait for the world to descend into chaos.

When she was gentle, she was as sweet and well-behaved as a porcelain doll. But once she lost her temper, she lived up to her title as Notting's eldest sister.

Apart from Ye Qiu, even Tang San often had a hard time dealing with her.

Tang San smiled softly but didn't agree right away.

"My family's very poor. We don't have much to offer you."

"Poor? You're the richest person in Dorm Seven."

Xiao Wu jumped off the bed and planted her hands on her hips, glaring at Tang San with her rosy eyes. "You save most of your monthly allowance, and you get paid at the blacksmith's, too. Are you really worried you can't afford to host me?!"

"If anyone's poor, it's Sister Xiao Wu. I barely have any money left."

At the end, Xiao Wu couldn't help murmuring under her breath. She shot a resentful glance toward Ye Qiu. A large part of her money had gone to Ye Qiu—or, more accurately, to candy. She'd even had to work like a beast of burden to pay off her debts, just to get something to eat.

A few black lines appeared on Tang San's forehead. Looking at Xiao Wu, who had suddenly turned bossy, he gave an awkward smile and nodded. "Then come if you want. But my father doesn't have the best temper."

"I'm so sweet and adorable. Your father will definitely be happy to see me." Xiao Wu didn't care in the least. She wasn't going to live at Tang San's house, anyway. As she spoke, she gave Tang San a friendly smile and blinked her big, sparkling eyes.

"..."

Tang San stared at Xiao Wu and froze. He knew she was putting on an act, but he still felt a little uneasy.

Ye Qiu, who had been lying on his bed the whole time, also smiled strangely when he heard Xiao Wu say that.

Happy to see her? He'd be over the moon.

"All right, then it's settled!"

Xiao Wu waved her little hand, sealing the deal.

"Fine. Then we'll set off together first thing tomorrow morning."

Tang San came back to himself and nodded with a smile. He said no more. After quickly packing his things, he left Dorm Seven. He still had to say a brief goodbye to his teacher.

Dorm Seven fell quiet at once.

Xiao Wu looked around in boredom, then turned toward Ye Qiu, who was still lying on his bed. A blush rose on her little face as she hurried over to his bedside and kicked the foot of his bed twice.

"Ye Qiu~ Get up and pack your things, too! Sister Xiao Wu's going home with you tomorrow. You'd better look lively and not let me down."