"We barely knew each other. I only saw her once in the bamboo grove on the day I arrived."
"Is that so?"
Zhongli Wo glanced at him and did not press further. Instead, he matter-of-factly recounted what had happened that day:
"She skipped a required class to come see you that day and received a demerit.
But the accident that happened afterward changed the nature of the matter and gave us some clues. Although her punishment has now been rescinded, anyone with eyes can tell that she has been rather absentminded in class lately...
If you two 'know each other,' go talk to her. Tell her not to worry."
After he finished speaking, Tan Lin fell silent for a moment before nodding.
"I understand."
"All right. Stay here for the next few days and get some proper rest."
Zhongli Wo turned and headed for the door.
"Classes will resume as normal tomorrow. I'll also be staying in the courtyard from time to time. If anything comes up, come find me whenever you need to."
With that, he left the room and casually closed the door behind him.
Only Tan Lin remained in the room.
The cover of the Dawn Ancient Chamber had long since opened. He sat sideways on its edge in silence for a long time.
At last,
he lowered his head and looked at his hands.
They were fair and small, only slightly larger than the hands of an ordinary seven-year-old child, with no great difference at all.
But he knew that he had ultimately become different.
And this was only the beginning.
With that thought, he raised his head and looked out the window.
Outside, the sunlight was bright, and everything seemed peaceful.
Yet an inexplicable premonition rose in his heart.
These peaceful days probably would not