Xu An stopped his train of thought and turned to Ye Shunguang, who was still in her pajamas. Although the girl's pajamas covered her completely, the curves of her body were still visible.
When Xu An did not answer, Ye Shunguang found it a little strange, but she also noticed his gaze.
"Xiao An, stop staring at your senior sister. You're making me embarrassed~" Ye Shunguang lowered her head and looked at her feet, her voice rather quiet. Fortunately, Xu An's senses were sharp enough to hear her clearly.
"That was rude of me, haha. Sorry, Senior Sister. I like you, so I couldn't help taking another look," Xu An suddenly said very directly.
At his words, Ye Shunguang suddenly straightened up, seemingly about to turn and go back inside, only to realize she was still holding the lunchbox. Her body had already turned before she could react, and she bumped into the doorframe. Then she turned back and hurried to hand the lunchbox to Xu An.
Xu An quickly stepped forward to take it.
"Xiao An, I'm done eating. Um, um, I'm going back to my room now. You should hurry back too." Ye Shunguang stammered a little. Without waiting for Xu An to respond, she turned, went inside, and shut the door and windows in one smooth sequence.
Seeing such a strong reaction from her, Xu An did not know whether to laugh or cry. He seemed to have frightened his senior sister again. Still, she was as adorable as ever! Hehehe.
After closing her door and windows, Ye Shunguang flopped onto her bed and wrapped herself tightly in her blanket, clutching her plush toy.
"My head's a mess. Why did Junior Brother suddenly say something like that? Honestly! But he said he likes me. Should I dress up for him next time?" Ye Shunguang murmured to herself.
As for Xu An, he had been shut out rather abruptly.
Look at you. Why couldn't you keep your mouth shut?
Sigh, forget it. I should head back first. Still, could Senior Sister be so shy because she loses her memories sometimes?
He frowned. Looks like I need to resolve this as soon as possible, or things between us will be hard to work out.
After thinking for a while, Xu An said, "Senior Sister? I'm heading back!"
There was no response from inside, but he figured she must have heard him, so he did nothing more and returned to Yunkui Summit.
Ye Shunguang heard him but did not answer. Only after he left did she secretly open her window and look outside.
The figure that had stood beneath the maple tree was gone. After taking a deep breath, she hurried over to her desk, sat down, and recorded what had just happened.
"Junior Brother brought me food again... and said he likes me. I'm so happy. My heart's beating so fast, and my face feels so hot. Does that mean I like him too?"
By the time Xu An returned, it was late. Belle and Yixuan had gone somewhere to regulate their breathing. Finding the temple quiet, Xu An returned to his room to rest as well.
Early the next morning, Xu An had just gotten up when he saw several people chatting in the courtyard.
"Mm... there seem to be quite a few people gathering outside." Ju Fufu returned from outside, carrying a bag of soup dumplings.
"Everyone... (chew, chew, chew) seems really worked up. They're saying things like they can't forgive Hui Crystal Meike. (chew, chew, chew)"
"Fufu, swallow before you speak," Yixuan said, growing a little impatient listening to her.
"Mm-hmm! I heard from the workers that Dr. Lor has already made the investigation results public... lots of people have gotten pamphlets about Hui Crystal Meike's production accident now.
"Quite a few are planning to gather for a protest!"
Xu An walked over as he put on his jacket.
"They're moving that fast?" Xu An said.
"Morning, Junior Brother."
"Good morning, Senior Brother Xu."
"Morning, Senior Sister, Master, Senior Brother, Belle."
After greeting everyone in turn, he listened to their conversation.
Ju Fufu said it would have been nice if that rotten hand had not come reaching for her soup dumplings.
Xu An kept listening as he ate.
"Oh, right, I also saw Eric over there. He was rallying the workers to protest against Hui Crystal Meike too."
"Now that you mention it, why does it feel like they've been plotting this for ages?" Xu An said.
"What do you mean, plotting? Pick a nicer word!" Belle retorted.
"Then... scheming meticulously?" Xu An raised an eyebrow and teased.
"It's called speaking up for the people! Upholding justice, understand?" Ju Fufu said indignantly. She also slapped away Xu An's hand as he tried to take the last soup dumpling. "No more!"
"Hehe~ Then shall we go join the fun too?"
"Sure, let's go." Belle quickly agreed.
The group headed toward the scene.
Soon, they reached the alley behind the pet shop, where a group of workers had gathered and were discussing something.
"Miss Belle, Master Xu! You're here! Thanks to you, we were able to expose the accident Hui Crystal Meike and TOPS covered up!" Eric clasped Xu An's hand, his eyes full of gratitude.
As for why he did not take Belle's hand? She was a girl; it would not be appropriate to hold her hand.
Xu An: And holding mine is fine? What if he's gay?
Paro quickly chimed in and took Xu An's other hand. "That's right! Dr. Lor already told us that you went to the abandoned area and found evidence that the medicine had been contaminated!
"Thanks to your evidence, we have the confidence to band together with more victims and negotiate with Damian for compensation!
"We hold the initiative! We absolutely can't let them off." Paro could barely conceal the excitement in his voice.
"All right, all right, I know you're excited, but please let go of my hands first. Calm yourselves and show some restraint, okay~" Feeling their tight grip on his hands, Xu An pulled free.
The two men also realized they had been inappropriate and smiled sheepishly.
Eric continued, "Oh, right, Miss Belle, we're planning to protest to Damian soon. Could you let Dr. Lor know too... he should be at his clinic."
Belle looked at Eric with some confusion in her eyes. Noticing this,
"I haven't really dared to make calls lately... after all, those people at Hui Crystal Meike might listen in on my calls and find ways to sabotage our plans."
Only after hearing him out did Belle agree. "Understood. I'll let him know. I happen to be pretty good with electronics, so I probably won't be monitored."
Only then did Eric feel reassured.
Paro exchanged phone numbers with Belle, feeling it would be safer. If she wanted to contact Eric, she could simply call him.
"Then let's head over now," Xu An said once they finished talking.
"By the way, Belle, what do you think Senior Sister Xiaoguang would like?" Xu An asked as they walked.
"Um, what? Why are you suddenly asking that?" Belle paused at Xu An's question before asking one of her own.
"I went up the mountain recently and saw Senior Sister Xiaoguang twice. I feel like life might be a little dull for her, staying in seclusion on the mountain alone.
"After all, Senior Sister Xiaoguang isn't even twenty yet, right?"
"That's true, now that you mention it. Then why not find some time to bring her down the mountain for some fun? I feel like she'd really like to come down and have fun," Belle said after some thought.
"That... wouldn't be a good idea, would it? ~_~ Master told her to stay in seclusion at the sect and won't let her come out. She's probably worried something might happen to her. We'd probably cause trouble doing that," Xu An said.
"Oh, come on~ Heaven knows, earth knows, you know, and I know. If we don't say anything, how would Master find out?" Belle blinked.
"You have a point." Xu An thought it over and found that she did.
Although their master could perform divination, who in their right mind would constantly divine things about their own disciples for no reason? Though she might do so when worried about their safety.