Lin Qianyi shook her head, her gaze resolute. "What are you saying, Sister Xiaotao? We are all members of Shrek Academy. Protecting the Academy's honor is everyone's responsibility."
A flicker of emotion passed through Ma Xiaotao's eyes at those words, and she pulled Lin Qianyi tightly into her arms. Lin Qianyi instinctively raised her hands and gently rested them against Ma Xiaotao's back, as though drawing new strength from the warm embrace.
At that moment, no words were needed. Their hearts understood one another, and their mutual trust and gratitude condensed within that silent embrace.
Ma Xiaotao gently released Lin Qianyi and looked into her eyes with concern. "Qianyi, are you really all right? I transferred some Soul Power to you just now."
Lin Qianyi said somewhat self-reproachfully, "Sister Xiaotao, your Soul Power hasn't fully recovered yet. How could you give it to me...?"
Ma Xiaotao smiled gently, her eyes full of affection. "Silly girl, my Soul Power will recover soon enough. Besides, even if it takes a little longer, I still have to take care of you first.
Remember this: I've always treated you as my own little sister, so you should treat me as your real big sister too. You can come to me whenever something happens. Don't always worry about troubling others."
Lin Qianyi's heart warmed at those words, and her eyes gradually reddened. Tears welled in her eyes before finally sliding down her cheeks. During the year and more since she had come to the Academy, she had never cried, no matter what difficulties she encountered. Yet now, just because of those warm words, her tears flowed beyond her control.
Seeing this, Ma Xiaotao chuckled and rubbed her hair. "Oh my, you're crying!" She dabbed up a teardrop with her fingertip and smiled. "Look at how