Ma Xiaotao watched him approach. Seeing the fatigue etched between his brows and his complexion looking even worse than before, she felt a jumble of emotions. As usual, she put on a stern face and chided him, "Have you finished handling things? Look at you, all serious and proper, like some little old man. You're not fully recovered yet, so stop worrying about so much nonsense. The sensible thing is to hurry back and rest!"
Long Jinyu saw the concern she couldn't hide behind her fierce act, and a smile spread across his face before he knew it. He readily replied, "Yes, yes, yes. You're right, Senior Sister. I'll do whatever you say."
He stepped closer and asked lightly, "How's Tang Ya doing?"
Ma Xiaotao's expression grew a little more serious at the mention of Tang Ya. "Her physical injuries seem to have healed, and she's full of vitality, but... she seems to be in poor spirits, without much energy. Even when she talks to us, she's forcing herself to keep going. It feels like she has a lot on her mind. Bei Bei has been watching over her nonstop."
Long Jinyu knew exactly what was going on. Tang Ya's current state was probably due not only to the shock of the explosion, but also, more deeply, to the darkness hidden in her heart corroding her Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul, as well as... the secret influence of the Holy Son of the Holy Spirit Cult. He nodded without showing what he knew. "As long as she's all right, that's what matters. As for her emotional knot... that'll take time."
"Oh, right."
Ma Xiaotao remembered something. "Bei Bei told me that once Tang Ya's recovered, they'd come visit you and thank you in person."
"Got it. We'll talk about it once she's better."
Long Jinyu nodded and smoothly changed the subject, a hint of anticipation in his voice. "Senior Sister, things here are pretty much settled. Shall we... go 'home'?"
The word "home" made Ma Xiaotao's heart skip again, and her face warmed. She glanced at him and gave a soft snort, which was as good as agreeing.
"But I didn't expect..."
The corners of her lips curled up. There was a hint of teasing in her voice, though she couldn't hide her admiration. "You little brat... you're pretty good at winning people over. That whole performance just now really did have a touch of a leader about it."
"Of course."
Long Jinyu turned and flashed her a grin, looking a little smug. "Otherwise, how could I be worthy of being our Fire Phoenix Heavenly Maiden's junior?"
"Smooth talker!"
Ma Xiaotao shot him a mock-scolding look, but her smile only deepened. "Then let's go, our 'great' Dean Long."
"Ahem, ahem, ahem! Senior Sister, don't call me that. It feels weird."
Long Jinyu immediately surrendered, then very naturally opened his arms and looked at her with pleading eyes. "Senior Sister, about the trip back... what do you think?"
Seeing him switch in an instant from "composed dean" to "lazy brat begging for a hug," Ma Xiaotao was both exasperated and amused. In the end, she sighed helplessly and resigned herself to lifting him up in her arms once more.
"There's just no getting through to you!"
"Hehe~ You're the best, Senior Sister~"
Long Jinyu got his wish again, nestling comfortably in Ma Xiaotao's arms and contentedly narrowing his eyes.
Ma Xiaotao spread her phoenix wings and flew toward Shrek Academy with him in her arms.
Suddenly remembering something, she looked down and asked, "By the way, why didn't your elder come visit the academy with you? Is he really that confident leaving you on your own? Isn't he supposed to protect you, his young master, personally?"
Long Jinyu kept his eyes closed and answered lazily, "Mm... He has more important duties, so there's no need to trouble him. Besides, don't I have you looking out for me, Senior Sister? Hehe."
Ma Xiaotao gave a soft snort. "You certainly know how to sweet-talk people. But he must at least be a Super Douluo, right? Someone that powerful is only an outer elder in your clan?"
Long Jinyu panicked a little at the question, but kept his face composed and bluffed. "Ah... well... yes! That's right! Dragon Valley has a long history and deep foundations. Everyone's a genius! And they're all so nice! The inner elders are all at least level ninety-six Super Douluos!"
Ma Xiaotao clicked her tongue in astonishment. "Really? Your Dragon Valley is that powerful? Doesn't that make it even stronger than our Sea God Pavilion?"
"Of... of course it's true!"
Long Jinyu plowed on with his tall tale. "We're all noble descendants of the Dragon God Bloodline, so naturally... naturally, we're just a tiny bit stronger than the Sea God Pavilion!" He buried his face even deeper, secretly relieved that Ma Xiaotao couldn't see how guilty he looked.
Ma Xiaotao was skeptical, but seeing how proud he looked of his clan, she didn't dare ask more, lest she touch a sore spot.
Soon, the two landed near the entrance to Shrek Academy. Long Jinyu was still sprawled in Ma Xiaotao's arms, pretending to be weak and enjoying this rare "privilege."
Ma Xiaotao had a sharp eye and noticed that classes had just let out. The entrance was bustling with people coming and going. A sly smile curled her lips. She deliberately said nothing, wanting to see how the little brat would handle things.
Sure enough, a sharp-eyed student recognized Ma Xiaotao, a famous figure from the inner court. Then their gaze fell on the striking silver-haired "girl" in her arms.
"Pretty big sister! Pretty big sister's back!" Some child shouted, and the crowd erupted into a commotion.
Many of the students who had witnessed the explosion at the entrance and been healed by that miraculous light of life immediately gathered around, eagerly voicing their gratitude over one another.
"Junior Senior Sister! Thank you for saving us!"
"Junior Senior Sister, your healing Soul Skill was incredible! I feel even better than before!"
"Junior Senior Sister! You..."
What? What the heck is a 'Junior Senior Sister'?
The unexpected enthusiasm and bizarre title left Long Jinyu dumbfounded. Forced to snap out of his "playing dead" act by the chorus of "Junior Senior Sister," he was so embarrassed his toes could have dug a hole in the ground. He asked in confusion, "Ahem, um... could everyone tell me why you're calling me 'Junior Senior Sister'?"
One student called out an explanation. "Because the strongest and most senior person in the inner court is Grand Senior Sister Zhang Lexuan! Senior Sister Long, you're so young but already an inner-court student, and you're so powerful that you're every bit as good as Grand Senior Sister. That makes you the Junior Senior Sister!"
Long Jinyu: "..."
For a moment, he was speechless. It almost made sense? As if!
Seeing the grateful, adoring eyes all around him, he rubbed his forehead and gave up trying to fight it, waving a hand. "All right, all right. Since everyone's so enthusiastic... I'll... accept the title!"
"Junior Senior Sister is the best!!!"
The cheers grew even louder.
Well... now it's even harder to explain...
[ Ding! Congratulations, Host! You've acquired the title "Junior Senior Sister"! Reward: 666666 points! ]
The system's notification in his mind made Long Jinyu's mouth twitch.
...Mm... Fine. Th-thank you, I guess.
Ma Xiaotao stood to the side with her arms crossed, her face lit with amused delight as she watched the show.
She even added fuel to the fire. "Everyone's so enthusiastic, but your 'Junior Senior Sister' hasn't fully recovered yet. Don't crowd her."
Just then, a familiar voice rang out, carrying a touch of cheekiness but arriving in time to break things up. "Make some room! Make some room! Didn't you hear? My big sister needs to rest! Anyone else who crowds her is asking for trouble!"
It was Xu Sanshi. Though still a little pale from his injuries, he was full of energy. He darted right up to Long Jinyu, his eyes shining with gratitude and near-worshipful fervor.
"Big Sis! You're finally back!"
His voice trembled a little. He wanted to reach out and help her, but seemed afraid of overstepping. "How are you feeling? Is anything still bothering you? You're my great benefactor! If it weren't for you, this time I would've..."
He didn't finish the sentence, but his lingering fear and gratitude were plain to see. Ever since Long Jinyu had given him emotional advice and then saved his life, Xu Sanshi had truly come to regard him as both the benefactor who'd given him a new lease on life and a mentor in life. He felt incredibly close to him.
The barrage of concern and the utterly natural "Big Sis" made Long Jinyu's scalp prickle. He hurriedly waved his hands. "I'm fine, I'm fine. You're too polite, Sanshi..."
"Hey! Why be polite with your little brother?"
Xu Sanshi thumped his chest, then turned and waved at the students still craning their necks. "All right, all of you, move along! Let my big sister go back and rest! Just keep her kindness in your hearts. Don't block the way!"
As he spoke, he carefully hovered a hand near Long Jinyu to steady him, then gave him a knowing look and lowered his voice. "Big Sis, go back and get some rest. Once you're fully recovered, I'll come find you! There's something I need to talk about."
Seeing how Xu Sanshi seemed even more concerned than he was, Long Jinyu found it both funny and exasperating. He could only nod. "All right. Thanks for your help, Sanshi."
With Ma Xiaotao and Xu Sanshi escorting him on either side, Long Jinyu finally escaped the crowd of enthusiastic students.
As they walked along the path back to Phoenix Perch Pavilion, Long Jinyu was still a little dazed. He muttered absently, "Junior Senior Sister... what is any of this? And that Sanshi guy..."
"Pfft—hahahahaha!"
Seeing him look as though he were questioning his whole existence, Ma Xiaotao finally couldn't hold it in. She burst out laughing, then laughed harder and harder, her bell-like laughter echoing through the woods.
"Hey! Senior Sister! You're still laughing!"
Long Jinyu flushed with embarrassment and made as if to punch her.
Dodging him, Ma Xiaotao laughed. "What's wrong, our Shrek 'Junior Senior Sister'? It's such a sweet title!"
"Don't call me that!"
"I'm going to! Junior Senior Sister~ Junior Senior Sister~"
The two frolicked and teased each other, their figures gradually disappearing at the end of the path. The setting sun stretched their shadows long, intertwining them in a picture brimming with the vitality and vigor of youth.
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