Summary: After giving the man a warning for daring to touch what was hers, Yao is determined to sooth her other teammates as she had not meant to scare them, well not as much as she had. A certain someone learns, when she is in Healer Mode? He had better listen because she is not afraid of him.
Overprotective/Darker/Morally gray: Chen Family
Darker/Morally Gray Powerful: Chen Yao
Darker/Morally gray Powerful: Chessman
Chapter Five
Rui stood frozen, his breath shallow, his body tense as if any sudden movement might trigger the wrath still simmering in the air. His mind raced for something, anything, that could fix this. But there was nothing. No clever excuse. No half-hearted justification. Because the truth was undeniable. He hadn't actually touched them but he had tried. He had reached out, ignored the warnings, ignored the law, and had nearly sealed his own fate. He licked his lips, forcing himself to speak. "I… I have no excuse." The words felt like lead, heavy and suffocating in the charged air.
Yao's viridian emerald eyes never wavered. Her magic still hummed dangerously beneath her skin, the space between them filled with something cold, final, and absolute.
Sicheng stood unmoving, his gaze sharp and unreadable, watching her not Rui because it was her judgment that mattered now.
The others said nothing. They did not interfere. Because they knew better.
"This is your first and only warning, Xiao Rui." Her voice was low, sharp as a blade, and edged with something lethal. Her wand remained in her hand, her fingers still curled around it as if she was debating whether she should have let it fly instead. "You didn't touch them." Her words hung in the air, heavy and final. "But you tried." She took a slow step forward, the weight of her presence pressing down like ice creeping over a lake. "In our world, that is the same thing." she continued, her voice as calm and merciless as a verdict being passed.
Rui swallowed. His heartbeat pounded in his ears, but he did not speak. Because he knew this was not the time to.
Yao's gaze burned into him, cutting through whatever shred of self-preservation he had left. Her next words were absolute. "Next time, there will be no warning." A chilling pause. "Next time, I will end you." The threat was not exaggerated. It was not an empty promise. It was a certainty. Her gaze did not waver, did not soften. "Or, perhaps… I'll let them tear you apart first." Behind her, where they had vanished moments ago, she knew her familiars were still alert, still waiting for her call.
Rui, to his credit, did not argue. Because he knew, truly knew that she meant every word.
Yao turned on her heel. Not waiting for anyone's response, not giving him a chance to breathe, not giving Sicheng or the others any time to react. She simply walked away. Her movements were graceful, controlled, but there was no mistaking the tension in her shoulders, the magic still simmering beneath her skin as she stalked toward her room.
~
Sicheng didn't move. Not even as Yao's footsteps faded down the hall, her presence leaving behind only the faint, lingering charge of magic still clinging to the air. Not even as the others shifted uncomfortably, clearly waiting for him to say something.
Not even as Rui, still pale, still trembling, let out a shaky breath, looking like he was seconds away from passing out. But inside his mind? He was calculating. Assessing. Breaking apart everything he had just witnessed and putting it back together with the precision of a strategist preparing for the most important match of his life.
Because this? This was not something to ignore. Chen Yao was different. Not just in the way she carried herself. Not just in the way she threatened without hesitation, without exaggeration, because she knew she had the power to follow through. No, it was deeper than that. It was in the way her magic felt. How it filled the room. How it lashed out and settled like a living thing, something ancient, something not entirely human.
How it had not scared him. How it had done the opposite. His teammates? They had been shaken. Rui? The fool had been seconds away from dying. And him? He had been intrigued. No, more than intrigued about the Xuè Jīnglíng (Blood fairy) Fascinated. Because he had never met someone like her before. Someone whose magic felt like his own. Someone whose magic was gray. And that? That was a rarity.
There were those who held light magic. There were those who held neutral magic. There were those who held dark magic. And then there were those like him. Those who held gray magic. Magic that was powerful, suffocating, and unlike anything else in their world. Magic that people either feared or revered. Magic that could potentially bend reality itself when controlled by the right hands.
He had met very few with magic like his own. And until today? He had thought he was the only one. But now? Now there was her. A slow smirk curled at the edge of his lips. Interesting. Very, very interesting. His gaze shifted back to Rui. The man was still too afraid to speak. Good.
Sicheng exhaled through his nose, his expression cold, calculating. "You're still breathing," he stated. Rui flinched. "Only because she decided to spare you." His voice was calm, emotionless. "She won't make that choice twice." Silence. No one dared to interrupt. "I took her under my personal protection." The words dropped like ice, absolute and undeniable. "I gave my word to her brother. That means anyone who crosses her?" His gaze sharpened. "Crosses me." Rui visibly tensed. Sicheng let the words sink in, let the weight of them settle into the man's skull before continuing. "This is the only warning you'll get from me." He leaned forward slightly, his presence suffocating, overpowering. "Make her angry again, and you won't have to worry about her killing you." A pause. "Because I'll do it first." His smirk was slow, cold, and lethal. Another tense silence. And then, with his point made, Sicheng turned on his heel, his long strides carrying him smoothly toward his office. There was nothing else to be said. Not to Rui. Not to the others. Because his mind was already elsewhere.
~
The door shut behind him with a quiet click. For a moment, he simply stood there, his hands in his pockets, his head tilted slightly as he turned over what had just happened. His mind was a ruthless, efficient machine, dissecting every detail, every flicker of power he had felt from her.
Her magic… It was unlike anything he had encountered before. Powerful. Raw. Ancient. There was no doubt in his mind that she could have killed Rui right then and there.
And yet? She had held back. Because she had chosen to. That was the most dangerous part of all. Not her power. Not her magic. But her control over it.
Sicheng's fingers tapped absently against the surface of his desk. This was a problem. Or maybe…maybe it was an opportunity. Either way, one thing was clear. He needed to keep his eyes on Chen Yao. And not just because he had promised to. But because he wanted to.
~
The ZGDX base was silent in the early morning light, the remnants of last night's tension lingering like a faint whisper in the air. But within the second largest bedroom downstairs, the world was anything but quiet.
Because Chen Yao had plans. Mischievous, chaotic, but ultimately well-intended plans.
~
Yao stretched, sitting cross-legged on her massive bed, her viridian emerald eyes flickering toward the closed door. She knew she had made her point last night. She knew Rui wouldn't dare step out of line again. And she didn't regret it. The man had deserved what he got.
But her teammates? Ming. Pang. Lao Mao. Lao K. They had been afraid. Not of Rui's stupidity. Not of the chaos she brought into their lives. But of her. And while she had no issue striking fear into someone who deserved it, she hadn't come here to make her new teammates terrified of her presence.
That wouldn't do. She needed to fix that. And what better way than through food? With a quick stretch, Yao hopped off the bed, her crimson-tinged hair still in its tight bun, and clapped her hands. "Dobby! Kreacher! Winky!"
Three sharp cracks filled the air. And then, her House Elves appeared. Kreacher, the oldest of the three, stood grumpily, his wrinkled face twisted into a permanent scowl. His arms were crossed, his sharp black eyes narrowing at her immediately. Winky, in contrast, had a far softer expression, her large brown eyes filled with warmth, hands already wringing together in a motherly fuss. Dobby, meanwhile, practically vibrated with energy, his huge green eyes filled with barely-contained excitement.
The moment he saw Yao, he gasped dramatically. "Missy Yao-er is awake! But Missy Yao-er should have slept longer! Missy Yao-er needs rest!"
"Missy Yao did not eat dinner last night either! This is unacceptable! Winky will bring food now!" Winky immediately nodded in agreement, her hands on her hips.
"I not asking. I stating. Mistress will eat properly this morning. There is no choice." Kreacher interrupted with a sniff.
Yao sighed as she really should have expected this. "You three do realize I'm capable of taking care of myself, yes?" she asked dryly, crossing her arms.
"Missy Yao-er says the most ridiculous things sometimes!" Dobby gasped again, looking personally offended.
"Mistress will sit and eat, or Kreacher will hex the chairs so she cannot leave them until she does." Kreacher simply snorted as he eyed his charge with a serious look on his face.
"That is blackmail, Kreacher." Yao arched an eyebrow as she tried to not laugh at the male.
"It is wisdom, Mistress."
Yao let out a suffering sigh, but her lips twitched in amusement.
"Then Missy Yao will help Winky make breakfast! Yes! Winky will not allow Missy Yao to do it alone!" Winky, sensing that her charge was relenting, clapped her hands happily.
"I was going to do that anyway." Yao grinned with a nod of her head as she could always count on Winky.
"Ooooh! Missy Yao-er is making the breakfast! Dobby will help too! We will make a feast! We will make—" Dobby perked up instantly as he was eager to help help.
"A full-sized English breakfast. Eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, baked beans, mushrooms, tomatoes, and of course, tea." Yao cut in smoothly as she listed on what she wanted to make for her new teammates.
The House Elves lit up at the task.
Kreacher gave an approving nod, while Winky clapped excitedly.
Dobby, however, had a more extreme reaction. He puffed up his small chest and declared proudly— "Dobby will make the best breakfast in the history of breakfasts! And if anyone does not eat, Dobby will drop them into a volcano!"
Yao choked on laughter.
"Dobby! That is not how we handle things!" Winky gasped as she swatted his arm with a scolding look on her face.
"Dobby is very serious!"
"Dobby, no volcano threats before breakfast." Yao said, barely holding in her amusement as she watched the house elves she considered to be family since they had been with her since she was infant.
"After breakfast?"
"We'll discuss it."
Dobby beamed.
Kreacher simply sighed long-sufferingly.
"Let's just get to work."
~
It took less than an hour for the kitchen to transform into a wonderland of aromas and sizzling sounds. Yao and the House Elves worked flawlessly together, filling the long dining table with more food than anyone could possibly eat in one sitting. By the time the others began to stumble out of their rooms, blinking blearily at the sight before them, the table was completely covered.
Ming, mid-yawn, froze. Pang, rubbing his eyes, stopped mid-motion. Lao K, who had barely been awake, suddenly looked like he was questioning reality.
And Lao Mao? He just blurted out the first thing that came to mind. "What the actual hell?"
"Morning." greeted Yao, who was pouring herself tea like she hadn't just taken over the entire kitchen as she grinned.
The four men stared at her. Then at the food. Then at the House Elves still bustling around, making sure everything was in place. Then back at her.
"…You cooked?" Ming asked, still half-asleep.
"I had help." Yao said casually, sipping her tea.
"Dobby has made the best breakfast! Dobby has also made sure Missy Yao-er ate first, or Dobby was going to throw someone into a volcano!" Dobby beamed as he was very protective of his Missy Yao-er.
The four men blinked.
"…Is the volcano thing a joke or…?" Lao Mao tilted his head as he eyed the little elf with some wariness.
"Is joke and is promise," Kreacher replied flatly as he eyed them with disapproval. He had no idea why his beloved mistress was even catering to these fools…but it was her decision. Kreacher would just have to keep an eye on them all, yes he would because no one would tarnish his mistress or treat her badly.
The four men stared harder.
Yao simply smirked. "Eat up. Before Dobby starts looking for volcanoes." she said, raising her cup with dark amusement lacing her tone.
~
Sicheng had not expected to wake up to the smell of food. Not because there wasn't food in the base, there was. But because no one ever cooked like this. No one in ZGDX woke up early enough to bother with a full meal. Breakfast, on most days, was instant noodles, takeout leftovers, or at best, a sad attempt at toast. But this? This smelled good. Really good.
Frowning slightly, he pulled his hoodie over his head, making his way toward the dining area. The moment he stepped into the room, he stopped in his tracks. This was not normal. At the long dining table, every single one of his teammates was already awake.
More than awake, they were eating. Not just eating. Devouring. Plates filled to the brim with eggs, sausages, toast, mushrooms, baked beans, bacon…a full English breakfast. And at the center of it all, completely at ease like she owned the place, sipping tea as if she had no part in this madness…Chen Yao.
Sicheng's whiskey-amber eyes flickered over the scene, assessing. Ming was shoveling food into his mouth like he hadn't eaten in days. Pang was midway through a stack of toast, looking like he had never tasted anything better in his life. Lao K, ever the careful eater, was at least pacing himself, but even he was clearly enjoying every bite. Lao Mao? Lao Mao was not even trying to hide his awe.
"Where did all this come from?" Sicheng finally asked, his voice even. Four heads snapped up at once, all eyes locking onto him.
"Good morning to you too, Heir Lu." Yao smirked over the rim of her teacup with mischief flashing in her eyes as she eyed the man.
Sicheng narrowed his eyes slightly. There was mischief in her tone. His gaze flickered to the House Elves still bustling around, ensuring the table remained stocked.
"Missy Yao-er has fed everyone well! It is the most glorious breakfast in the history of breakfasts!" Dobby, noticing his stare, beamed.
"Mistress decided the base was eating properly today." Kreacher, standing beside him, snorted.
"Missy Yao made sure to eat first. Winky is most pleased." Winky nodded in firm agreement.
Sicheng absorbed all of this in silence. Then, slowly, he pulled out a chair and sat down.
"You're joining us?" Yao tilted her head as she leaned more back into her chair.
"Apparently, I'm eating breakfast today." His tone was unreadable, but there was a glint of dark amusement in his eyes as he reached for the coffee.
"Good. Because Dobby was about to start looking for a volcano." Yao's smirk widened as said elf perked up and began to eye the males sitting with her.
Sicheng, for the first time that morning, gave a deep smoothed rumbling small chuckle laced with dark amusement and ignored his idiot teammates as they stared at him in shock. Interesting. Very, very interesting.
~
An hour had passed since breakfast, and the base was settling back into its usual routine. Well, almost. Because Chen Yao was not done. Not even close. She had let them eat in peace, allowing them to enjoy their morning without chaos. But now? Now it was time for business. She had come here as their Healer and she took her job seriously. And it was about time her new team realized it.
"Everyone. Living room. Now." commanded Yao as she stood up from the table, her viridian emerald eyes scanning the room, her expression turning all business.
"Uh… for what?" Ming, mid-stretch, blinked as he eyed the now serious looking female.
"For your check-ups, obviously." stated Yao bluntly as she arched an eyebrow
That got their attention. Lao K paused mid-sip of his tea. Pang and Lao Mao, who had been halfway to sneaking off, both froze. Even Sicheng, who had been scrolling through his phone, looked up, eyes narrowing slightly.
"I may have healed Ming's wrist, but I need to do full examinations on all of you. Wrists, hands, anything that might be developing strain injuries. I need to start medical files for each of you." Yao spoke as she crossed her arms over her chest as she had a feeling they were going to give her problems…men tough as hell with anything else but a doctor's appointment or taking medicine? Overgrown children.
A beat of silence.
"Actually, I think I'm good." began Pang as he made the mistake of trying to leave.
"Same." Lao Mao muttered, already shifting toward the hallway.
They didn't even make it two steps.
Because Yao turned on them. Her expression didn't shift much but the air in the room changed. Her eyes darkened. Her magic pulsed, subtle but dangerous. And when she spoke? Her voice was deceptively calm. "Either you sit down and wait to be examined, or I will have Kreacher stick you to your seats or body-bind you. Your choice."
The room went silent.
Pang and Lao Mao both stopped immediately. They looked at her. They looked at each other. Then, without another word, they turned and walked straight to the living room. Lao K smirked behind his teacup. Ming looked deeply amused. Even Sicheng's lips twitched slightly.
"Good. I'll be right back." Yao nodded in satisfaction as she turned on her heel, heading toward her office where she had left her charmed Healer's bag.
But as she passed through the hallway, her eyes caught on a familiar figure.
Rui.
~~~~~~
Rui had just stepped out of his room, looking like he had spent most of the morning mentally recovering from last night. He froze the moment he saw her. His entire body tensed.
"Relax. I'm not going to curse you." Yao sighed at the manager with a roll of her eyes.
Rui, still wary, did not look convinced.
"There's breakfast. Winky will fix you a plate. Just ask." offered Yao as she looked completely unbothered as she simply motioned toward the kitchen.
"Wait—you made breakfast?" Rui blinked, caught off guard as he stared at the younger female.
"With help." she corrected the man as she fought back the urge to prank him.
"And… I'm just allowed to eat?"
"What, did you think I was going to starve you?" Yao snorted as she gave him a flat look.
Rui had no response.
From inside the kitchen, Winky's voice called out—
"Yes! Yes! Winky has food ready! Mister Rui will sit, and Winky will bring him plate!"
"…Is there a catch?" Rui blinked again, looking at Yao suspiciously.
"Only that if you try touching my familiars again, you'll be too dead to eat next time." warned Yao as she rolled her eyes and then, before he could say anything else, she turned and walked off.
~~~~~~
By the time she returned to the living room, her Healer's bag in hand, everyone was already there. Ming was lounging on the couch, looking more amused than anything. Pang and Lao Mao were sitting stiffly, looking like they had been forced into something they weren't sure they liked. Lao K, always the most level-headed, was waiting calmly. And Sicheng? He was sitting in his chair, watching her with those unreadable whiskey-amber eyes.
Yao set her bag down, cracking her knuckles. "Alright. Who's first?" she asked, grinning wickedly at them.
"I feel like we signed up for a personal trainer, not a coach or healer." Pang groaned as eyed the female warily.
Ming snorted as Lao K hid a snicker at the man.
"At least she didn't stick us to the chairs." Lao Mao muttered as he shifted some in his chair.
"Yet." Yao's grin widened with twinkling eyes as she tilted her head some to the side.
Pang shut up immediately. Ming just laughed and Lao K? He gave a snort of amusement as Lao Mao looked horrified and afraid of the woman.
Sicheng, watching all of this unfold, leaned back slightly. Yao was chaos. But she was efficient chaos. And if there was one thing he could appreciate? It was efficiency. Plus he was actually enjoying as she terrorized his teammates with her own personal brand of chaos and mischief.
~~~~~~
The living room of the ZGDX base, which was usually a space of relaxed chaos, had now become a makeshift clinic.
Yao stood in front of them, her Healer's bag open, her wand already moving with precise, practiced efficiency. For all her mischief and unpredictable nature, there was no trace of it now. She was in full Healer mode. And it was something to witness.
With a quick, fluid motion, Yao flicked her wand, hovering it over Ming's hands first. A soft, glowing energy pulsed from her wand, scanning along his wrists, fingers, and joints. Within seconds, a parchment materialized out of thin air, floating gently in front of her, listing any strains or problems. Her viridian emerald eyes narrowed as she read.
"Anything concerning?" asked Ming with some concern as he eyed the female that had healed his wrist as he was sitting comfortably on the couch, tilted his head.
"Some minor strain. Nothing, a bit of salve and proper stretching won't fix." Yao clicked her tongue as she nodded her head.
"Oh, so I'm the healthiest one here?" Ming grinned with a pleased look on his face.
"Don't get cocky. You still need to drink a muscle-repairing potion after games." Yao gave him a flat look as she might have healed his ass but if he did not take care of himself? Then all her hard work would go down the drain.
Ming laughed, but nodded. Then, she moved to Pang. Same motion. Same spell. A new parchment floated into existence.
"Tsk. Your grip pressure is inconsistent. Probably from how you hold your mouse, adjust it, or you'll develop joint pain." Yao frowned, scanning the results as she explained the results to the Support of the ZGDX team.
"I've literally never had a doctor tell me that." Pang blinked in shock because he was. No one had informed him of this.
"Well, I'm not just a doctor. I'm better ." Yao shrugged as she stated more than bragged because she was. She was one of the best in her field and took great pride in that.
Lao Mao was next. Then Lao K. Each one had minor issues, easily fixed with a combination of stretching techniques and light potions. But when she reached Sicheng? Her expression darkened.
~~~~~~
Yao moved with the same precision, hovering her wand over Sicheng's hands and wrists, eyes scanning for even the smallest details. When the parchment appeared, her gaze sharpened. She didn't say anything immediately. Instead, she studied the results, her fingers tightening slightly around her wand. The others watched, sensing the shift in her focus.
Even Sicheng raised an eyebrow. "Well?" he asked of the woman in his normal cold tone as he eyed her.
"Your right wrist is inflamed." Yao exhaled sharply as she answered the man before her as she eyed the parchment.
"It's fine." Sicheng raised an eyebrow as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"It's not fine. You've been overworking it. If you don't treat it properly, it will worsen." informed Yao to the man as her tone was sharp, not leaving room for argument. She didn't wait for him to respond. Instead, she reached into her bag, pulling out two small potion bottles and a container of salve. "Drink this one, " she handed him a dark blue vial "and rub this on your wrist twice a day."
Sicheng glanced at the items, then back at her. And then, he did something predictable. He opened his mouth to refuse. "I don't—"
But before he could finish, Yao beat him to it. She swiftly put her wand into her bun, using it to pin her hair up, then placed her hands on her hips. Her stance was unmoving. Her gaze deadly serious. And what she said next? It left everyone in the room staring in shock.
"You will do as ordered, Lu Sicheng."
A heavy silence fell over the room. No one, not his teammates, not his family, not even his own mother or father. Had ever spoken to him like that. Not since he had reached his magical maturity at 17, the moment he had fully stepped into his power, the moment he had become the strongest wizard in his family. No one challenged him. No one dared to order him.
But Chen Yao?
She just did. And she wasn't done. "If you refuse. I will have Kreacher and Dobby hold you down and pour it down your throat." she continued, voice low and edged with unmistakable authority.
Ming, Pang, Lao Mao, and Lao K all gaped. Pang, the first to recover, mouthed a silent 'holy shit.' Lao Mao looked between them with something close to awe. Ming? Ming was outright grinning.
And Sicheng? He didn't move. Didn't react. Didn't show even a flicker of offense or irritation. Because he wasn't offended. He was intrigued. She wasn't scared of him. She wasn't intimidated by his presence, his power, his status. She had simply told him what to do and had made it very clear that he would listen, one way or another. And that? That was new.
Slowly, his gaze flickered to the potions in his hand. Then, without a word, he uncorked the vial and drank it. Just like that.
The others stared.
Ming's jaw nearly hit the floor.
Lao Mao let out a low whistle.
"I can't believe what I just saw." Pang muttered as he stared wide eyed at the scene before him.
Even Lao K looked impressed.
Sicheng placed the empty vial down, rubbing his wrist absently. Then, finally, he met Yao's gaze. "Satisfied?"
"For now." Yao smirked as she sassed the man without hesitation or care.
Sicheng stared at the female with an unreadable gaze as she went back to finishing up what she had started. "You certainly, make things Xuè Jīnglíng (Blood fairy)" he thought as he leaned back some in his seat with his arms crossed once more.