When the Snow Lotus Blooms (Continued)

This is a lie.

In reality, she insisted on staying in the camp because of her physical inconvenience, simply because she was worried about the boy's condition.

Kiana even wanted to stay, but Raven, who knew the truth about the boy, forcibly took Raven away.

As for Wendy, Peggy, and the others, they also saw the Raven as a new breakthrough point and did not object to it.

This is probably a victory for those who are naturally naive.

"It's okay, you'll get used to it eventually."

Upon hearing Anna's explanation, Shi Hen simply sighed softly and did not harbor much doubt about it.

After all, in the past, the girls rarely actually took advantage of the vacations he approved for them.

Moreover, even now, Anna is still wearing a modified version of the Schicksal General Combat Suit, giving the impression that she is ready to enter combat at any time.

"Um..."

Anna blushed and nodded gently in response to the boy's words of comfort, placing her hands on her knees with an extremely solemn expression.

"It doesn't have to be so serious."

It's vacation time now, so just treat me like a friend.

Even if you act a little more casually, Anna, I won't deduct your salary or anything.

Seeing the girl's appearance, Shi Hen couldn't help but shake his head.

Although Welt White often likes to check people's water meters, as the Third Generation Leader of the alliance, he is pure and kind, and everyone who meets him will call him a good person.

"I... I understand."

Anna responded softly, her body still tense and not relaxing.

On the contrary, as if sensing the warmth in the boy's gaze, Anna became even more tense.

"..."

Noticing the girl's slight change, Shi Hen stroked his chin, glanced at her, and then stood up, saying, "It will probably take quite a while for the others to return. Anna, would you like to come for a walk by the lake with me?"

If Anna continued to sit still like this, he felt she was about to faint from nervousness.

This is quite awkward for a Herrscher.

"Ah? But it's Shi Hen Alliance Leader Shihen's body..."

Upon hearing this, Anna was first startled, and then deep worry appeared on her face.

"Don't worry, I'm not that weak. It's just that the headmistress and the others are overthinking it."

He smiled and Shi Hen to make the color on his face appear more natural.

"Well, okay then."

Anna replied somewhat helplessly, her face immediately tightening slightly, "But if Alliance Leader Shi Hen feels uncomfortable, you absolutely cannot force yourself to tell me."

"I will listen to Dr. Anna."

Seeing the girl trying so hard to be serious, Shi Hen couldn't help but smile.

"Leader of the Shi Hen Alliance~"

Hearing the boy's teasing, Anna stomped her foot in anger, her face flushing even more.

Seeing this, Shi Hen's smile became even more unrestrained, but he didn't say anything more to provoke the girl's emotions.

Everything should be done step by step; we shouldn't agitate Anna's emotions too much all at once.

Leaving the campsite made up of several tents, the two walked side by side on the pebbles by the lake. A gust of cold wind blew by, bringing the unique crispness of early spring.

The girl's hair was rolled up and fell on her face, causing a slight itch. Shi Hen couldn't help but turn his head to look at Anna's snow-white hair, which was even purer than Kiana's, and a look of disbelief appeared on his face.

Although both have white hair, Kiana's hair has a subtle, moonlit glow, quite different from Anna's pure, snow-like white hair.

"The Shi Hen Alliance Leader?"

Noticing the boy's intense gaze, Anna raised her hand to smooth her hair and asked.

"It seems like we rarely see Anna with her hair tied up."

He naturally looked away and said with a Shi Hen.

"Well, I'm not very good at... tying hair."

Anna said, her eyelids slightly lowered.

Having always considered Anti-Honkai as the sole purpose of her life, she had little time to consider such matters.

"Anna would be very cute if she had a different hairstyle."

Shi Hen sighed with some regret.

"That..."

Anna suddenly stopped, her cheeks slightly flushed, and looked up, her somewhat timid gaze meeting the boy's eyes. "Alliance Leader Shi Hen, could you help me with my hair?"

She spoke softly, her eyes filled with unease and fear, yet a glimmer of hope still shone within them, like a star shining brightly in the dark night sky.

No matter how faint or insignificant its light may be, even if it is so faint that it cannot illuminate anything, its brilliance is still worthy of the word "sparkling".

"..."

Seeing the glimmer of hope in the girl's eyes, Shi Hen was momentarily stunned.

"No... is that not okay?"

As Anna looked away, the light in her eyes quickly faded.

No, of course you can.

Or rather, I should feel honored to serve such a lovely Miss Anna.

He immediately shook his head Shi Hen said with a smile.

He felt that if he rejected her at that moment, the girl would probably be depressed for a long time.

"No, I should be the one feeling honored..."

Upon hearing this, Anna immediately defended herself in a low voice.

Having grown accustomed to the presence of Kiana and others, she didn't consider her Herrscher identity to be anything special.

On the contrary, the boy is clearly more important than her because he is recognized and trusted by so many people.

"Miss Anna should be more confident in herself when it comes to being cute."

Shi Hen smiled and said.

Without further arguing with the girl, Shi Hen directed Anna to sit down on a rock, and picked up a strand of hair from each side of the girl with his hands.

Although he hadn't styled Mei's or Kiana's hair many times, Shihen could recreate any hairstyle he had in Shi Hen, as long as the image existed in his mind.

Strands of hair were picked up, coiled, and wrapped around Anna, and her body trembled involuntarily, clearly not used to this behavior.

"Alliance Leader Shi Hen, you seem quite skilled at this."

Struggling to suppress the urge to run away, Anna asked softly, the image of a certain white-haired girl flashing through her mind, and a hint of doubt arose in her heart.

Given Kiana's limited hairstyle options, it's clear that the boy couldn't possibly possess such skill.

"Because I sometimes practice in private."

Shi Hen explained casually.

"Is it... for Miss Kiana?"

Anna felt an inexplicable pang of sorrow in her heart and couldn't help but ask.

"..."

Shi Hen paused involuntarily as she braided her hair.

He sensed the approaching danger.

"I apologize, Alliance Leader Shi Hen, I misspoke..."

Realizing her mistake, Anna immediately lowered her head and said.

"Mr. Welt is a truly great man who always puts the well-being of others first and never thinks of himself."

I hope to become someone like him.

Shi Hen said calmly, his expression showing little emotion.

With the grand goal of Anti-Honkai, even as the Third Generation Leader, he is not swayed by emotions.

As for after defeating the Honkai... he should have already obtained a ticket to the galaxy through the system.

He had this premonition.

"Alliance Leader Shi Hen..."

Feeling the weight of the boy's words, Anna's heart sank.

While selflessness and altruism may sound appealing, Anna deeply understands the weight of such ideals, having once considered Anti-Honkai as her sole purpose.

This statement sounds too heavy for anyone to hear.

"Okay, Anna, what do you think?"

Unaware of the girl's worries, Shi Hen finished tying up the last strand of hair before letting out a slight sigh of relief.

"..."

Still conflicted, Anna looked at the photo the boy had taken with his phone, her blue eyes suddenly lighting up. "This... this is..."

On the screen, strands of hair swirled and intertwined, forming an incredibly magnificent lotus flower. Only a few strands of hair hung down from the side, preventing the girl's slender neck from appearing too bare.

"This is a snow lotus, a flower that symbolizes resilience and hope."

The message is that no matter how many hardships you've faced, as long as you persevere, you will surely see hope.

Shi Hen smiled and said, "Therefore, Miss Anna can be more confident and composed."

Looking at the white snow lotus formed by intertwined strands of hair on the screen, Anna couldn't help but purse her lips, her eyes revealing deep hesitation.

But then she remembered what the boy had just said, and the hesitation in Anna's eyes quickly disappeared.

Anna stood up, turned around, grasped the boy's hand, and said with a smile, "Alliance Leader Shi Hen, do you know?"

The snow lotus can also carry another symbolic meaning...

Although she had some difficulty understanding it before, when she saw the snow lotus woven behind her head, she suddenly knew what she had been feeling these past few days.

"Um?"

Shi Hen blinked in confusion.

Anna, however, did not intend to explain further. With a slight pull, she led the boy into the lake.

Swish—

The girl's slender feet landed, and the mirror-like lake surface instantly froze, providing a place for the two to stand.

"Anna?"

Shi Hen couldn't help but shout out.

"Alliance Leader Shi Hen, would you like to dance with me?"

With a smile, Anna showed no trace of timidity. Instead, she resembled a confident hunter, her delicate and gentle face radiating boundless self-assurance.

Although she was born with the mission of Anti-Honkai, Anna, as the Big Three Families of the Schicksal Church, has also received a considerable degree of elite education.

For her, as long as the music starts, she can dance an entire song, even if it's just by instinct.

Regardless of personality, this is the composure of a true lady of the Schariac Family.

"I can't dance."

Shi Hen shook his head.

"It's okay, I'll teach you properly."

Without giving the boy a chance to refuse, Anna grabbed him and spun him around instantly.

Suddenly losing his balance, Shi Hen could only helplessly grab the girl's arm.