Chapter 43: Hao Hui Felt That She Had Stumbled 

Wei Qingyu was startled by the words, her calm heart suddenly thumped.

Like a bell tied to a binding red string, it jingled in response, making a crisp sound.

Unexpectedly, Hao Hui laughed again, panting heavily as she said, "Since she got hurt again protecting you this time, you have to be responsible for changing her bandages."

Wei Qingyu, upon hearing this, calmly suppressed her earlier erratic heartbeat and nodded, saying, "Okay, I understand."

Her voice was as calm as ever, but in the subtle details, a hint of disappointment could be heard.

But what was there to be disappointed about?

Wei Qingyu couldn't figure it out.

“Tsk... Didn't you apply the medicine to your gland properly last time? Why does it feel like your gland looks ugly now?" Hao Hui teased, playing with Ji Xiao's hair, speaking thoughtfully.

“No way..." Ji Xiao said nervously, unexpectedly meeting Wei Qingyu's gaze.

The two looked at each other, each harboring their own secrets.

After that time, Ji Xiao indeed didn't apply the medicine properly. The whole process was awkward for her, as she awkwardly applied the medicine in front of the mirror by herself.

Mainly because at that time, she was even more timid than now, secretly putting the medicine in her backpack without daring to trouble Wei Qingyu.

And Wei Qingyu at that time still hadn't dispelled her wariness and doubts about Ji Xiao. Seeing that Ji Xiao didn't come to her again, she let the matter rest.

Hao Hui observed with keen eyes, instantly understanding the situation between the two. "You really can't help but cheat and once you do, it's immediately exposed."

With that, she let go of Ji Xiao's ponytail, and with dissatisfaction, she lectured, "You kids nowadays, really don't listen. You promised me before, but as soon as you go back, you have your own ideas."

As Ji Xiao listened to Hao Hui's serious tone towards Wei Qingyu, she was about to explain, but Wei Qingyu preemptively intervened, "It was indeed my negligence last time, I'm really sorry, but I promise it won't happen again this time."

Although the girl stood tall, there was guilt in her tone.

Ji Xiao had never seen Wei Qingyu bow her head to anyone before, and seeing her like this made her feel a bit heartbroken.

Seeing Wei Qingyu's upright attitude, Hao Hui didn't continue to blame them. She added, "Don't blame me for being angry. Everyone's glands are very important. If they get infected, it's a serious matter. You're only sixteen or seventeen, and there's a long road ahead. Now that you've already differentiated into Alpha and Omega, you need to pay even more attention to protecting yourselves."

"We understand, we won't make the same mistake again," Ji Xiao hurriedly replied on behalf of Wei Qingyu.

The sunset's rays cast into the clinic, falling evenly on Ji Xiao and Wei Qingyu's shoulders.

In front of Hao Hui, the two seemed like elementary school students who had done something wrong, bowing their heads especially obediently.

The golden light was dazzling, blending extravagance with coolness, creating two different scenes in front of Hao Hui. Although these seemingly incompatible scenes appeared together, they seemed particularly harmonious.

Hao Hui, pinching her waist, looked at this scene, and the annoyance in her heart decreased slightly.

Thinking back to the moment when the two had just defended each other, she felt like she had stumbled upon something.

"Dadada..."

Before Hao Hui could admire this scene for a bit longer, the sound of anxious high heels tapping on the tiled floor in the corridor outside echoed into the room.

In just a few seconds, a hand with crimson nail polish reached the door frame of the clinic.

Liu Yue hurried into the school clinic in her six or seven-centimeter high heels.

She looked at the three people in the room, walked straight to Wei Qingyu, and grabbed her hand, asking with concern, "Qingyu, what's wrong? Where are you injured? Let Auntie take a look."

Liu Yue glanced at the people in the clinic, then closed one side of the door behind her and said, "Don't worry, Qingyu. Tell Auntie, did someone push you and cause you to get injured? I've already dealt with the card club seriously, but how did those soft cards hurt you? Let me tell you, you don't need to be afraid. Now that Auntie is here at the school, if anyone dares to bully you, I won't let her off..."

Ji Xiao couldn't help but feel a lump in her throat as she listened to this, and the bench under her became even more uncomfortable to sit on.

These words from Liu Yue weren't meant for Wei Qingyu. It was clearly a veiled warning to her. Seeing Liu Yue's usual impulsive nature, Wei Qingyu withdrew her hand from hers and gently corrected, "Auntie Liu Yue, who told you that? I'm not injured..."

"Not injured?" Liu Yue was stunned at the words. "Then why did they tell me that someone scratched you with flying cards from the card club?"

"It's not me who was scratched, it's Ji Xiao," Wei Qingyu said. "She got scratched by the cards while protecting me."

As soon as she finished speaking, a look of astonishment flashed in Liu Yue's eyes.

She had only heard part of the story before rushing over, never expecting Wei Qingyu to be fine and Ji Xiao to be the one in trouble.

This little rascal actually protected their Qingyu?

Ji Xiao felt a strange tremor as she looked at the glamorous woman across her.

The bottomless black pupils seemed to peer into an unreachable abyss, making Ji Xiao finally squeeze out a smile from her face. "Hello, Teacher Liu."

"Is it really you... who protected our Qingyu?" Liu Yue still seemed somewhat incredulous and asked Ji Xiao again.

Hao Hui, who had been feeling like a bystander and refrained from speaking, couldn't hold back anymore.

Listening to the disbelief in Liu Yue's tone, she retorted, "Teacher, if you don't believe it, come over and see the wound on this child's back yourself."

As the words rang out, with her years of experience in the world of fame and fortune, Liu Yue easily detected the dissatisfaction in Hao Hui's words. She looked up at Hao Hui, her expression unclear.

Different from others who sought favor, Hao Hui didn't care about the teaching director badge hanging on Liu Yue's chest. She looked at her with firmness and justice in her eyes.

Those clear eyes were filled with righteousness.

"With such a long gash, it almost reached the gland, and if it had been any deeper, it would have needed stitches! Do you know how important the gland is for an Alpha?"

As she spoke, Hao Hui pulled Liu Yue to stand behind Ji Xiao's neck.

Right at the spot where it was only a tiny distance from the gland, there appeared a freshly scabbed scratch. The fair skin was stained with the colors of iodine and blood, looking particularly glaring.

So, even a notorious fop like her, living a life of luxury and indulgence, could also get injured?

And all for the sake of protecting someone else?

Liu Yue looked at Ji Xiao's straight back, suddenly feeling that her views of her had been biased all this time.

Just like what Liu Hu had said to her back then, this little rascal Ji Xiao... seems to have truly changed for the better.

"I think it's better not to question commendable actions like students protecting each other," Hao Hui said, releasing Liu Yue's hand that she had just pulled over.

A cool breeze passed by Liu Yue's wrist, which had been warm just a moment ago, making her feel a bit ashamed. "You're right, Doctor. I accept the criticism."

Then, after a pause, Liu Yue walked up to Ji Xiao and said, "Ji Xiao, I'm sorry. Teacher should thank you instead."

Ji Xiao looked at Liu Yue's now friendly gaze towards her and shook her head. "It's okay, Teacher Liu."

She thought, if this could prevent Liu Yue from pouring salt on her wounds in the future, from deliberately blunting the knife that gouged her gland, or from pressing that button to release the sharks, then she wouldn't feel the slightest bit wronged.

"Bzzz..."

At this moment, the quiet clinic suddenly buzzed with the vibration of a phone.

Liu Yue glanced at her phone and said hurriedly, "Oh no, I have to go. There's a meeting in the city center, and I'm already twenty minutes late."

"Are you going to drive to the parking lot on the east side?" Hao Hui asked quickly upon hearing this.

Liu Yue slapped her forehead. "Damn it, you're right. I almost forgot."

The school clinic was on the west side, and the Affiliated High School was the largest in City A. It would take at least ten minutes to walk from here to the parking lot on the east side.

Hao Hui looked at Liu Yue's contrasting expression and couldn't help but smile inwardly.

She shook the car keys in her hand and said, "If you don't mind, I can give you a ride. I'm just about to finish work, and my car is parked at the entrance."

"Really? That would be great, thank you so much." Liu Yue's face instantly went from gloomy to joyful. As she walked out with Hao Hui, she half-reminded and half-threatened Ji Xiao, "Also, make sure you study hard for the exam. Don't let Qingyu down. Got it?"

Ji Xiao was startled and nodded quickly, promising, “Understood, Teacher Liu."

As the sound of high heels gradually faded away, the clinic was once again left with only Wei Qingyu and Ji Xiao.

A strangely quiet atmosphere enveloped the room again. Ji Xiao and Wei Qingyu looked at each other as if they had something to say to each other, yet at the same time, they didn't.

A gentle breeze blew in through the gauze window, carrying the scent of disinfectant.

Wei Qingyu watched the lingering figure of Liu Yue at the doorway and spoke first, "She's my aunt. You probably haven't met her before."

Ji Xiao didn't know if the original owner had met Liu Yue or not, but she followed Wei Qingyu's lead and sighed, "Ah, so there are still people around you that I don't know."

Upon hearing Ji Xiao's words, Wei Qingyu felt a slight but unsettled wave in her heart.

The girl's turquoise eyes stared fixedly at the girl in front of her, speaking coldly, "You're the one who distanced yourself from me."

It sounded like a reminder, but there was a faint undertone of resentment.

The cool mint pressed against Ji Xiao's forehead, and the turquoise eyes trembled slightly.

It seemed like she unintentionally stepped on Wei Qingyu's landmine.

The room grew even quieter, with the slanting afternoon sunlight casting a hazy layer between the two.

Wei Qingyu looked at the gauze on the table and, under the twilight, walked around to Ji Xiao's back. "It's almost dry. Let me cover it with gauze for you."

"Oh... alright." Ji Xiao nodded slightly and obediently held her ponytail in her hand.

The girl's fingers, perhaps due to the conversation just now, seemed to have lost their usual warmth.

They lightly brushed against the sensitive skin of her neck, leaving behind scattered traces of coolness.

Ji Xiao looked at the shadow of Wei Qingyu cast on the ground and suddenly remembered how little Wei Qingyu used to squat in the withered flower bushes and talk to the original owner.

Their relationship when they were younger was really good...

A gentle breeze blew through the gauze window and gently swayed the shadows of dried branches on the floor.

Thinking about the deep bond between the original owner and Wei Qingyu when they were young, Ji Xiao's chest inexplicably felt stifled.

…

As dusk gradually enveloped the surroundings, the wind brushed over the surface of the river, creating golden ripples.

On one side of the cement road, four shadows were arranged unevenly, their laughter and chatter filling the air.

Qi Qi looked at the medicine in Ji Xiao's hand and the gauze behind her neck, teasing, "Sister Xiao, why have you been so unlucky recently?"

Fang Yiming nodded in agreement, “Yeah, with the college entrance exams approaching, how about we go to the temple to get an amulet for you? It can ward off disasters, expel evil, and bless you with smooth exams..."

Listening to Fang Yiming listing these benefits, Ji Xiao hurriedly interjected, "Stop it, I have no interest in such feudal superstitions!"

She didn't want to risk getting into even more trouble and potentially extinguishing the evil spirit that didn't belong to this body in the first place.

Fang Yiming didn't believe her and pointed to the small peach basket bracelet on Ji Xiao's wrist. "Then, how do you explain this small peach basket that suddenly appeared on your wrist? I heard that these things are also used to ward off evil."

"Exactly." Qi Qi nodded as if suddenly recalling something, she looked at the small peach basket on Ji Xiao's wrist and said, "Hey! Why does this small peach basket seem familiar? It's like I've seen it on someone else's hand before..."

"What's familiar about it? Are you getting mixed up with something else?" Ji Xiao's heart skipped a beat at Qi Qi's words, denying it quickly as she glanced at Wei Qingyu beside her.

The long-sleeved shirt on the girl seemed a bit loose, and the slightly loose sleeves effectively covered her entire wrist.

The white mechanical watch peeking out from the sleeve cuff completely trapped the small peach-colored bracelet, leaving no trace exposed.

A gentle breeze, carrying moisture from the river, brushed over the girl's long hair, revealing a delicate and cool profile.

Beneath the petite nose, slightly moistened thin lips were firmly closed, showing no timidity, like dew-kissed fruits, crystalline and enticing.

Wei Qingyu's hands remained hanging down throughout, calmly following everyone forward.

It seemed that from the moment she helped Ji Xiao put on the small peach basket bracelet, she had prepared herself for this.

Calm and possessing a keen insight into everything.

Beauty had turned into a mere embellishment on her.

"Ji Xiao!"

A breathless call came from not far away, abruptly interrupting Ji Xiao's contemplation.

The four of them simultaneously stopped in their tracks.

The street lamp illuminated the dim evening, and the figure of a young girl gradually approached.

Qiao Ni, carrying her backpack, was eagerly running towards Ji Xiao and the others.

Author's Note:

Pigeon: I wonder if Cold Wei has any insight into Qiao Nini's arrival~

Cold Wei: Die!!

Coward Ji: Mom, if you want me dead, just say it directly, okay?