Selina Turned Bright Red

Chun didn't turn around, her voice carrying a hint of surprised interest:

"Oh? You've got guts. How about it, want to participate in my new branch assessment?"

What is the "New Branch Assessment"?

"Defeat me, or be defeated by me," Chun said casually.

"Sorry, I'm from the Montelli."

"Then you'll have to stop me."

"Um."

Kexi watched as the atmosphere between the two grew increasingly tense; the air seemed to crackle with electricity.

He knew Chun's strength all too well.

Selina's courage is commendable, but courage can't bridge the gap in strength. There's no need to make her get beaten up for her own petty matter.

He sighed, walked over, and patted Selina on the shoulder.

"Selina, let us go."

"Young Master Kexi?!" Selina turned her head, her brows furrowed tightly.

"It's okay, she won't hurt me." Kexi forced a smile at her.

He himself felt that his smile wasn't very convincing, but Selina stared at him for several seconds before finally stepping aside.

"Okay. I'll follow behind you."

Chun glanced at him, a slight smile playing on her lips, then grabbed his arm and leaped out of the training field.

She was incredibly fast, her toes lightly touching the rooftops and tree branches, each jump covering more than ten meters.

The wind whistled past her ears, and Kexi, being pulled along, felt like a field mouse being carried by an eagle.

He secretly glanced back.

Selina followed steadily behind, maintaining a distance of about twenty meters, neither too close nor too far.

Chun noticed it too, glancing sideways at the figure chasing closely behind her, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

"Your secretary is not bad."

Along the coast, the waves rhythmically lapped against the rocks.

The air was filled with the salty, damp scent of the sea, and the occasional cry of a seabird could be heard in the distance.

Chun sat down on the rocks and patted the spot next to her, gesturing for Kexi to sit down as well.

Selina stood under a coconut tree in the distance, watching them from afar.

Kexi reluctantly sat down, trying to maintain a safe distance from Chun.

Chun ignored his subtle movements, simply tilting her head to look at him, her gaze carrying an inscrutable, playful quality.

"So now, shouldn't you tell me why you wrote those letters to me?"

Kexi opened her mouth, her mind racing.

He knew he couldn't avoid this question, so rather than stammering, he decided to give a half-truth.

He lowered his head, his tone sincere. "I can't explain the reason to you. But if I've troubled you, I apologize. I'm sorry."

The waves crashed in and then receded.

Chun remained silent for a long while.

She had barely spoken when her tone carried a seriousness that Kexi had never heard before:

"You didn't bother me at all; on the contrary, I found your letter quite interesting."

Kexi was stunned.

Hearing these words from Chun was even more shocking to him than hearing Jinhsi's heavily accented Mandarin.

Before he could figure out how to respond, Chun had already turned her head and was gazing at the shimmering sea:

"I've lived this long, and life has always been boring. Every time your letter arrives, it's the most interesting moment of my day. I love listening to your nonsense, I love reading what you did today, what you want to do tomorrow, and whether you'll miss me the day after. This nonsense makes my life less boring."

She suddenly pressed herself against him, extremely close, her eyes filled with mockery.

"You wrote so many cheesy and twisted things, do you like me? Is it true that you wanted me to reward you handsomely, as you mentioned in your letter?"

Kexi's tactical lean back.

She continued to press closer, as if she wouldn't let him off the hook until he gave her an explanation.

Kexi could only laugh it off, "Um, um, I was just kidding."

Chun tilted her head, and her eyes became somewhat dangerous.

"Just kidding?"

She repeated the word, as if hearing it for the first time, and the curve of her lips deepened.

"So, you want to be whipped to the ground by your older sister? That's just empty talk, isn't it?"

Kexi froze.

The sea breeze blew by, and he felt his face burning.

"And that last line," Chun wasn't about to let him off the hook, holding up a finger and counting slowly, "When will it be possible for me to kneel at your feet and tie your shoelaces?"

"And also, if you ever do come and beat me up, please be sure to wear a skirt." Tsubaki continued to look at him with amusement, "I am wearing one today, do you want to check?"

Kexi suddenly moved half a meter to the side, almost slipping off the rocks.

Chun was amused by his reaction and burst out laughing.

"You," she laughed, then tapped his forehead with her finger, "You're so bold when you're writing letters, but you turn into a coward when we meet. What, is the you on the paper the same you sitting next to me?"

"The 'paper' version of me is already dead," Kexi said blankly. "What you see before you is the 'prodigal son returns' version."

"They turned back way too quickly."

I was born in the Year of the Rabbit.

Chun raised an eyebrow, clearly not satisfied with the answer.

She suddenly reached out and pinched Kexi's chin, turning his face to face her. The force wasn't strong, but Kexi couldn't break free at all.

"And all those things you wrote before," her voice lowered, as if it were a secret told only to him, "like 'wanting to be rubbed on the beach by Tsubaki-sama,' and 'please trample this disobedient bad child with your feet'—"

She paused for a moment, then leaned close to his ear, her breath brushing against his earlobe.

"Should I punish you now, you naughty boy, hmm?"

Kexi's brain completely shut down.

Society died.

A true social death.

No, this is not just social death, this is social annihilation.

I just want to find a block of tofu and smash my head against it.

When he wrote it, he never imagined it would become a reality offline.

The thought that Tsubaki was a yandere naturally made him much bolder when he wrote.

Oh my god, someone save me!

I made some casual jokes online, and someone followed the link and came to our door in real life. What should I do? I need help urgently!

Chun looked at his embarrassed expression, as if he wanted to pick his toes, and laughed, laughing so hard he almost shook his head.

Chun stood up, patted the fine sand off her skirt, and looked down at Kexi, who was still sitting on the rocks.

Okay, I'm not kidding anymore.

"Continue writing later. But I suggest you give it to me in person next time."

I'm leaving.

Where are you going?

"Back to Black Shores."

"So fast?" Kexi blurted out, then immediately regretted it.

Chun turned around, the sea breeze ruffling the hem of her dress. She gave a half-smile, "What, you can't bear to part with me?"

"No, not really." Kexi shifted her gaze to the sea, pretending to admire the scenery.

"I thought we'd have a lot to talk about, but after catching you, I don't feel like saying anything anymore."

Chun's tone unusually serious, "Maybe it's because you're just a little kid."

"What little brat? I'm an adult, okay?!" Kexi straightened her back reflexively.

Well, compared to this guy who's lived for hundreds or thousands of years, he really is just a little kid.

"I have to go now. Remember to think of me!"

"Etc."

"Uh-huh?"

Kexi took a deep breath and, without hesitation, said, "Um, there's something I need to ask you."

"Oh? Tell me about it."

"Could I kiss your Tacet Mark? Just for ten seconds."

Chun raised an eyebrow, her interest rekindling. "Do you know where my Tacet Mark is?"

"Um... Ah, of course I know." Of course he knew. In fact, his eyes were still fixed on him.

Give me a reason.

Kexi took a deep breath before speaking.

"I want to become stronger. My ability is to absorb the power of others by absorbing their Tacet Mark. Your power is immense; if I were to encounter an enemy like Christopher again, I would be able to put up a fight."

Chun tilted her head and stared at him for several seconds.

The corners of her mouth slowly curled up, her eyes full of amusement:

"That sounds far-fetched. You're not just using this as a pretext, are you actually a pervert who wants to nurse?"

"How... how could this be! You have to believe me!" Kexi's face flushed red, her hands clasped together, her tone sincere to the point of humility, "Please, please, please!"

"Hehe. No, you can't."

Kexi's shoulders slumped.

"But--"

Kexi's eyes lit up again, so bright that Chun couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"But if you call me 'Mom,' I might consider it."

"What a joke! I, Kexi, am the young master of the Montelli Family, a true man. I would rather be beaten to death than call you those two words."

Kexi straightened his back and spoke righteously.

The next second.

"Mom!" He rushed over.

"Mmm, good boy." Chun reached out and pulled him into her arms, gently pressing his head against her chest.

Chun thought he was so tough, is that all?

"I still prefer your defiant side from earlier."

Ten seconds later.

[Ding, Resonance Synchronization -- Chun.]

Under the coconut tree, Selina stared wide-eyed, instinctively rubbing her eyes, then rubbing them again.

It's not a hallucination.

Seriously? In broad daylight, can't you guys show some respect for others? There are people watching! Hey!

"Didn't you say ten seconds? You've been hugging me for a minute now." Chun looked down at Kexi, who was still hugging her, her tone clearly teasing.

Kexi abruptly released her grip, took two steps back, her face burning hot. "Ouch!"

"Okay, I'm leaving now. Remember to miss me."

Chun straightened her wrinkled collar, turned around and took a few steps, pausing as she passed Selina.

She glanced at Selina, then puffed out her chest with a smug smile.

Selina's face instantly turned bright red.

When Kexi walked over, Selina immediately raised her hands, speaking faster than when she usually gave a work report, "I didn't see anything!"

Kexi nodded in satisfaction, patted her shoulder, and said in a deep and sincere tone, "I'll give you a raise tomorrow."