"Brother-in-law~~"
A voice came from the courtyard.
On the surface, it sounded much the same as usual, with no hint of joy or sorrow. But the soft rise and fall at the end of her words suggested the girl was in a poor mood.
"What's wrong?"
Chen Shu walked to the doorway. The girl wore her Sun Dragon Bag across her shoulder and walked a little faster than usual. Concerned, he asked:
"Did your thesis defense go badly?"
"I messed it up..."
"How?"
"When I was defending my thesis..." The girl came up to him and faced him, then told him exactly what had happened. "A teacher asked me a question. I thought it was kind of stupid, so I didn't want to answer. I just stayed quiet and looked at him. I didn't speak, and neither did he. I looked at him, and he looked at me. A long time passed without anyone saying anything."
"Hmm..."
Chen Shu realized something.
He seemed to have neglected this part of the girl's upbringing. Of course, her personality and innate bloodline played a part, but whatever the reason, he ought to take responsibility as her guardian.
The girl said softly, "They must've thought I couldn't answer. After the defense, I regretted it so much..."
As she spoke, she glanced from side to side.
She was checking whether Qingqing was eavesdropping.
Instead, she spotted an old man.
"!"
How had this man made no sound? Even her Nightfolk instincts hadn't alerted her!
The girl immediately grew wary.
She wondered whether he had heard.
"No way! Your teachers know how capable you are, and they know your personality. They must know what you were thinking!" Looking at her, Chen Shu's heart softened despite himself. "It was just one tiny mistake. It's no big deal.