She was different

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Chapter 36: She was different

The golden-red sunset stretched Ye Xixuan's shadow across Sea God Lake. A pair of pitch-black wings beat behind him as he flew toward the outer academy at an astonishing speed.

Perhaps those who were favored always felt secure in that favor. Coupled with the rush of blood to his head after being provoked, that had led him to do such a thing to his eldest senior sister.

Deep down, he believed that no matter what he did, his eldest senior sister would forgive him.

And that was indeed the case. Zhang Lexuan had not uttered so much as a word of reprimand, indulging Ye Xixuan as she always did.

That was why Ye Xixuan felt so conflicted. Instinctively, he naturally longed for more intimate contact with his eldest senior sister, but continuing to take advantage of her indulgence like this left him feeling ashamed.

With his heart wavering between hope and apprehension, Ye Xixuan landed in the woods near Sea God Lake on the Martial Soul Department's side of the outer academy.

"Sister Lexuan." As though something had occurred to him, he murmured her name, his cheeks growing hot.

To a boy about to enter puberty, a mature older woman with such charm was nothing short of an attack from a higher dimension.

Ye Xixuan had to admit how powerfully Zhang Lexuan attracted him. Even now, he had yet to settle down from that earlier flutter of his heart. Shaking his head to clear away his distracting thoughts, he finally walked through the woods toward the Martial Soul Department's classroom buildings.

Tang Ya was currently a second-year student in the outer academy and would advance to the third year after the break. Both the second and third years were housed in that yellow classroom building.

Not long after Ye Xixuan reached the entrance to the second-year Class One classroom, the bell rang.

The neighboring second-year Class Two let out first, however. Xu Sanshi, his face flushed, was the first to push open the classroom door, coming face-to-face with Ye Xixuan.

"Xixuan?"

"Senior Brother Xu, what's the good news? You look so happy," Ye Xixuan asked with a chuckle.

Xu Sanshi could never keep a secret bottled up. In the original story, had he not been mindful of Jiang Nannan's feelings, he might even have spilled all that sordid business straight to Bei Bei. He froze briefly upon seeing Ye Xixuan, then strode over casually and slung an arm around his shoulders, trying to suppress his delight as he spoke.

"Didn't I tell my dad about that matter when I went home last year? Well, my family sent word today that my mom's found me a fiancée, and they want me to meet her when I go back this time. She's from a Soul Master family in the Dou Ling Empire. Apparently, she's about five years older than me."

"Doesn't that make her about Sister Xiaotao's age? Your fiancée wouldn't happen to have the same temperament as Sister Xiaotao, would she?" Ye Xixuan deliberately teased Xu Sanshi. Anyone who knew Xu Sanshi knew that Ma Xiaotao was the person he feared most.

At Ye Xixuan's words, Xu Sanshi shuddered reflexively and immediately denied it over and over. "Impossible! Absolutely impossible! My nonnegotiable requirement when I talked to my dad was that she had to be gentle. Preferably not too talkative, either. I know I run my mouth too much."

"So you do have a little self-awareness after all." Just then, Bei Bei sidled over without either of them noticing. The neighboring second-year Class One had also finished class.

Having finally found something that gave him the upper hand over Bei Bei, Xu Sanshi boasted smugly, "Whatever. I've got a fiancée now, so say what you like."

While Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi traded barbs, Ye Xixuan stood to the side, searching for Tang Ya.

At this hour, not only the classroom buildings but also nearby Shrek Square were filled with outer academy students who had finished class, gathering in small groups to chat.

Bei Bei suddenly fell silent and looked in a certain direction. Tang Ya and Jiang Nannan were walking over arm in arm. More precisely, they were heading toward Ye Xixuan.

With mischievous glee, Tang Ya approached from behind, snickering to herself. Then, without the slightest concern for appearances, she jumped onto Ye Xixuan's back, her face alight with excitement.

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"Xixuan, what made you such a good boy today, coming to wait for me after class?"

"Sister Xiaoya, isn't it perfectly normal for me to come see you?" Ye Xixuan supported Tang Ya's pert bottom with both hands, though his expression was somewhat helpless. He had actually noticed her long ago, but to indulge her little scheme, he could only pretend he had not seen her.

"Yay! Our end-of-term break starts tomorrow. Tonight, we have to go out and eat until our bellies are full!"

Tang Ya giggled and rested her chin on Ye Xixuan's head, still remembering to call to Jiang Nannan. "Nannan, come with us. You can talk to Xixuan about that matter from before."

Compared with Tang Ya, Jiang Nannan was much more reserved. But that matter was far too important to her. Ignoring the strange looks around them, she quietly followed.

Ye Xixuan looked back at Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi and gave a slight nod. "Senior Brother Bei, Senior Brother Xu, we'll be going ahead."

"Well, well, Bei Bei. I never would've guessed you already had someone in your sights."

Only after Ye Xixuan and the others disappeared from view did Xu Sanshi catch on. He studied Bei Bei with interest.

"You've actually set your sights on Tang Ya? Don't you know about her relationship with Xixuan?"

"There's nothing strange about Xixuan being close to her. They've known each other for ages, after all, and they came to Shrek City together back then. They've supported each other ever since." As the saying went, those caught in the game were lost,

while those watching saw clearly. Caught up in it himself, Bei Bei had lost his usual clearheadedness.

"Besides, Xixuan is only ten. There's an age gap between them. Their relationship probably isn't what you're imagining. Tang Ya might just see Xixuan as a little brother."

"Bei Bei, have you really lost your mind?" Xu Sanshi's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Even if Xixuan and Tang Ya aren't in that kind of relationship yet, can't you see that she treats him differently from everyone else?"

"You don't understand. She's different." Bei Bei shook his head. Having grown up in the inner academy, he had seen countless exceptionally gifted senior sisters. Instead, it was Tang Ya's pure kindness and sunny disposition that had touched him deeply.

Meanwhile, Ye Xixuan had already carried Tang Ya outside Shrek Academy's East City Gate. The vendors lining the main thoroughfare had long since begun hawking their wares with bustling enthusiasm.

Tang Ya squirmed restlessly on his back, drawn by all the snacks whose tempting aromas filled the air.

"Senior Brother Xu really did have a point."

"Xixuan, what did you just say?" Tang Ya hopped down and stepped lightly around to face Ye Xixuan, blinking her beautiful big eyes excitedly.

Ye Xixuan glanced at the silent Jiang Nannan beside him and said with a faint smile,

"I said we should find somewhere to talk about Senior Sister Jiang's situation."

Let's change that disgusting part of Jiang Nannan's storyline. It really was a bit too much to stomach.

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(End of chapter)