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Work-Study Dormitory
Yuanen Yehui stood guard outside Tang Wulin's dorm room, seemingly acting as his protector. Tang Wulin had mentioned that he needed to go into seclusion for a few days and had asked for her help. Over the past few days, Bai Xu had run into her a few times while going out to eat, but at most, they exchanged nods in greeting—they weren't particularly close.
Xie Xie, on the other hand, had never gotten the chance to see Yuanen bathing. Their relationship was one of normal friendship. However, ever since he accidentally caught a glimpse of Yuanen's true form as a female Fallen Angel, he had felt somewhat awkward around her.
It seemed the stirrings of adolescence had finally begun to dawn on him.
In the Courtyard.
Bai Xu ran into Xie Xie, who hurried over and asked with a gossipy tone, "Bai Xu, did a beauty move into your dorm?"
"Yeah, her name is Na'er. Speaking of which, she should've challenged you to a spar, right?" Bai Xu carried a bag of trash in his right hand as he walked side by side with Xie Xie toward the garbage bin, chatting along the way.
"Heh, I won by a slight margin. But Na'er is really pretty. Since she moved in with you, doesn't that mean there are now two girls in your dorm? Are you trying to play both sides?"
Bai Xu was speechless. "What nonsense are you spouting? Being this gossipy isn't good for you. Hurry back to your dorm and use the holiday to grind hard—overtake others while they're slacking."
Xie Xie sighed mournfully. "Can't go back. Wulin's in seclusion, and Yuanen's guarding the door. I've been doing work-study tasks these past few days to earn some contribution points."
The two walked into the dormitory building together. As soon as they entered, they saw Yuanen Yehui standing guard outside Tang Wulin's room. Their eyes met—Bai Xu nodded in greeting, while Xie Xie seemed a little stiff. "Uh… hi, Yuanen."
Yuanen Yehui also greeted Xie Xie and said, "You can't go in yet. Tang Wulin should be finishing up soon."
"Oh, right. I'm not going in—I'm heading to Bai Xu's dorm." Xie Xie mindlessly followed Bai Xu, stealing a glance at the male-attired Yuanen before quickly looking away.
Bai Xu: "..."
"You're really coming to my dorm?"
"Huh? Can't I take a look? Is Gu Yue there? Na'er too?" Xie Xie asked, his gossipy side resurfacing. "Our dorm has a curtain dividing the boys' and girls' sections. Don't tell me you didn't set one up?"
"Well… no, we didn't. We just put up some bed curtains around each bunk for privacy."
"What?!" Xie Xie's eyes filled with envy.
The Dorm Room Door Opened.
Three beds came into view—two of them were pushed together on the right side, their curtains drawn open. Sitting cross-legged on them were two girls deep in cultivation. Hearing the door open, they immediately opened their eyes and gave Xie Xie a strange look.
"Uh… hi, Gu Yue, Na'er." Xie Xie felt awkward.
"Oh? Why do you seem so timid, Xie Xie? Is there something scary in this dorm?" Gu Yue stood up, smiling as she caught up with her friend.
Na'er, on the other hand, remained aloof. She didn't speak, only nodding slightly in acknowledgment.
"Haha, of course not. It's just my first time visiting, so I'm a little shy. But… your dorm's pretty nice. You separated the bunk beds, kept it clean, and even have some plants." Xie Xie looked around as he commented.
"The final exams are over. When did you get back?" Bai Xu asked.
"A few days ago. I rushed back when I heard Wulin had returned."
Na'er suddenly froze, then slowly asked, "Big Brother is back?"
Xie Xie was puzzled. "Big Brother?"
Na'er smiled. "Yes. Tang Wulin is my older brother—not by blood, though. When I was little, his family took me in for a while."
!!!
"You haven't seen each other in years?" Xie Xie asked.
"Mm."
"Then I'm going to drag him out right now! What kind of seclusion is this? How can he keep cultivating when his little sister's here looking for him?!"
With that, he turned and strode out with purpose.
Xie Xie stormed down the hallway and shouted at Yuanen Yehui, "I'm waking Tang Wulin up today! Move aside!"
"No! Tang Wulin asked me to guard him!"
"You—!" Xie Xie glared at the stubborn Yuanen but, knowing he was no match for her in a fight, had no choice but to rush out of the building. Standing beneath the window, he transmitted his voice inside: "Wulin! Your little sister's here! Wake up!"
BOOM!
A dazzling golden light erupted—Tang Wulin had successfully absorbed the fourth layer of his seal, his strength reaching new heights.
He immediately stood and rushed to the window, hope in his eyes. "Xie Xie, really? Where is she?"
A Short While Later.
Outside Bai Xu's Dorm Room.
Knock knock knock!
The door was rapped sharply.
"Come in!" Bai Xu called.
Click.
The door opened, and Tang Wulin's eyes immediately landed on the once-familiar figure. Back then, Na'er had disappeared without a trace. Now, she had suddenly reappeared—this long-awaited reunion made his heart ache.
"Na'er?" Tang Wulin called tentatively.
"Big Brother, it's me." Na'er smiled as well, rising from the bed and walking slowly toward him.
"Have you been… okay these years?"
"I've been fine, Big Brother. It's a long story. Let's go for a walk and talk, okay?" Na'er suggested.
"Sure. Sorry for the intrusion, Bai Xu." Tang Wulin glanced at Bai Xu apologetically.
"No problem. Take your time—just close the door on your way out."
Gu Yue didn't react much either, simply smiling and waving at Tang Wulin. The door clicked shut, and Na'er walked side by side with Tang Wulin as they left the dorm to catch up.
——————
"Compared to Na'er, am I too… ordinary?" Gu Yue suddenly asked.
"Not at all. You two were once the same person—how can there be any comparison? Besides, when it comes to appearances, beneath the flesh, we're all just 206 bones. But when clothed, there are 108,000 possible impressions—and yours belongs solely to you, to Gu Yue alone."
"Heh. Since it's the holidays, let's take a day off and go out. What do you think?"
"Hm? Where to?"
Gu Yue smiled but didn't answer.
——————
"So much has happened… Na'er, I'm sorry. I didn't know you were the Dragon Spear Goddess of the inner court. I failed you." Tang Wulin said guiltily.
"It's not your fault, Big Brother. My martial soul mutated, and I lost my talent. Coming to the outer court was just a twist of fate that led me back to you."
"Na'er, move into my dorm from now on. I'm the first-grade class monitor now—I'll help you get back into the inner court." Tang Wulin said protectively. He had seen Bai Xu's dorm setup—no dividing curtain between the boys' and girls' sections, just bed curtains for privacy. He didn't want his little sister staying in such conditions.
But Na'er shook her head. "Big Brother, I know you mean well, but it's fine. I'll stay in Bai Xu's dorm. Let's not talk about this anymore—it's almost dinnertime. Are you going to eat?"
"Alright…"
Tang Wulin felt he owed Na'er far too much. From now on, no one would be allowed to bully her! That was his silent vow.
——————
"Come shopping with me! There's a place not far from here." Gu Yue said, her eyes shining with anticipation.
"Sure."
Bai Xu and Gu Yue headed out to find a chain store. Nearby was a shopping mall, and Gu Yue wanted to browse around. The two walked side by side through the mall, looking left and right. Gu Yue kept stealing glances at Bai Xu's reactions.
Finally, outside one particular shop, Bai Xu's gaze lingered unusually long, a hint of confusion in his eyes.
Gu Yue followed his line of sight. Inside, the store was filled with all kinds of clothing in various colors—but one piece in particular had caught Bai Xu's attention.
By the time they left, Bai Xu had bought a black robe, and Gu Yue had purchased a white dress.