I Like You, So I Can't Lie to You

The uproar over the hand-holding in the cafeteria, embellished by Tang Ya, had already spread through the Inspection Team's small circle.

That afternoon, the Sea God Pavilion formally conducted its inquiry. Wang Dong'er had gone to the outer courtyard to assist Xiao Xiao with suppressive training and did not participate.

The atmosphere inside the pavilion was grave. Xuan Lao sat at the head, his wine gourd unusually unopened. Several elders sat on either side, their gazes all fixed on Wang Qiu'er. She stood straight, with not a trace of fear between her brows.

Xuan Lao got straight to the point. "Wang Qiu'er, the academy has long known your origins. But with the soul beasts stirring and evil soul masters probing us again and again, some matters must be clarified—what exactly brought you to Shrek?"

"Huo Yuhao." Her answer was concise.

Xuan Lao narrowed his eyes. "For what reason?"

Wang Qiu'er looked at Huo Yuhao. "I don't know yet. But I know I had to come."

"Who sent you?"

"Destiny."

When the Emperor Auspicious Beast spoke the word "destiny," it carried an inherently weighty significance. The elders' expressions shifted slightly.

Xuan Lao turned to Huo Yuhao. "Yuhao, what do you think?"

Huo Yuhao pondered for a moment. "She isn't lying. My Eye of Destiny reacts strongly to her. In the corridor last night, when Dong'er and she approached at the same time, the Eye of Destiny, Dong'er's aura of light, and Qiu'er's auspicious beast power briefly resonated."

He detailed the disturbance from the previous night. Xuan Lao thought for a long while before speaking in a low voice. "Wang Qiu'er's identity is special. Keeping her at Shrek carries enormous risk. If the Star Dou Great Forest learns that she intends to remain at a human academy for an extended time, it could very likely trigger a beast tide."

Wang Qiu'er calmly said, "They know part of it, but they don't know how long I'll stay."

"What if they come to take you back?"

"I won't return."

"Is Yuhao still the reason?"

"Mm."

That soft "mm" made the pressure on Huo Yuhao's shoulders surge. Xuan Lao glanced at him, a faintly amused expression on his face. "Kid, did you hear that? She's placed every reason on your shoulders."

Huo Yuhao said quietly, "I'll take responsibility for finding out the truth."

Xuan Lao sighed. "Stay for now. Wang Qiu'er is not to leave the academy alone. Yuhao, you will be responsible for observing and recording her condition at her side every day. Dong'er should participate as well."

One elder said gravely, "Observation alone is not enough. The rune marks at the residence last night and the residual fluctuations in the sensing array today both indicate that someone is already probing us in secret. If we cannot establish a stable Destiny Fluctuation Recording Array, we will always be passively taking blows."

Xuan Lao nodded. "Kid, this task is yours. Your spiritual detection, Ultimate Ice, and Eye of Destiny are all perfectly suited to it. Starting today, you may use the No. 3 Inner Courtyard Soul Tool Laboratory. Your meals, lodging, and access permissions have all been arranged. Within three days, I want to see the first version of the recording plan."

Wang Qiu'er asked, "Am I going too?"

"Of course. Without your aura, what would he record?"

Huo Yuhao added, "Dong'er must participate too. Her aura of light is the key to stabilizing the resonance."

After the meeting ended, Huo Yuhao and Wang Qiu'er walked out of the Sea God Pavilion. Wang Dong'er had already been waiting outside. The wind stirred the hem of her clothes as she turned around, unconcealed exhaustion in her eyes.

"What was the conclusion?" she asked.

"Qiu'er will remain at the academy for now," Huo Yuhao said. "You will also need to participate in the Eye of Destiny's resonance records."

Wang Dong'er softly murmured, "Mm." She had already anticipated this outcome—Shrek would not let Wang Qiu'er go easily, and neither would Huo Yuhao.

"You don't need to worry about me seeking him out alone anymore," Wang Qiu'er suddenly said.

Wang Dong'er glanced at her. Her voice was calm, though it carried a trace of weariness. "Do you think that's all I'm worried about?"

Wang Qiu'er asked, "What else?"

Dong'er did not answer. What she truly feared was that Huo Yuhao's concern for Wang Qiu'er had quietly gone beyond mere "responsibility."

Huo Yuhao stepped in front of her and said in a low voice, "Dong'er, I won't hide anything from you because of her. From Wang Dong to Dong'er, you have always been part of my battle formation."

"You won't hide things from me, but you won't leave her alone either," Wang Dong'er said softly.

Huo Yuhao did not evade the matter. "No, I won't."

Wang Dong'er's eyes reddened slightly, but she still looked up at him. "I know this puts you in a difficult position."

Huo Yuhao took her hand, his voice low but resolute. "I like you. That won't change because of anyone. Qiu'er's appearance is indeed connected to me. I will uncover the truth, and I will ensure her safety—she is our companion now."

Huo Yuhao knew clearly that he could no longer casually brush aside the relationship among the three of them as a "misunderstanding" or "responsibility." He did not let go of Dong'er, nor did he reject Qiu'er.

This was the most dangerous beginning~