Hearing Xiao Wu's words, Lin Xian nodded.
Everything was unfolding exactly as he had anticipated.
"So," he asked calmly, "have you made up your mind?"
Xiao Wu's body trembled slightly. She knew very well what he was referring to. After a brief silence, resolve surfaced in her eyes.
"Are you certain you can help me become stronger?"
Lin Xian smiled faintly.
"I can say this with absolute certainty. I can even help you conceal your Spirit Beast aura right now."
"R-Really?"
"I value my credibility. I never lie."
"…Alright. I agree."
Lin Xian narrowed his eyes and stepped forward. His voice lowered, steady and serious.
"Once you agree, there's no turning back. Are you sure?"
Xiao Wu met his gaze without flinching.
"I'm sure. From this moment on, you are my master. But you must promise me—help me grow stronger. As for revenge, I'll shoulder it myself. I won't drag you into it."
Lin Xian nodded.
"Since I'm your master now, your path is no longer yours alone. If the day comes when you seek revenge, I won't stand aside and watch you walk into danger."
Xiao Wu's eyes reddened slightly. She nodded again.
"Like Rongrong, you'll have a one-month probation. If you don't pass, begging won't change anything."
"I understand."
"Relax," Lin Xian said. "I'm taking you somewhere."
He took her hand, and in the next instant, the surroundings shifted. They appeared within Moon Sea Cottage.
Compared to before, Moon Sea Cottage had changed completely. Under Zhu Zhuqing's management, the seaside pavilion had expanded significantly. What had once been a single room was now six, arranged like a small courtyard with the master bedroom at its center.
Lin Xian was quite satisfied.
Xiao Wu, however, stood frozen in shock.
A self-contained space of this scale… no wonder he had such confidence.
This man was far more mysterious than she had imagined.
"I won, Rongrong!"
Zhu Zhuqing's voice rang out.
"I know," Ning Rongrong replied cheerfully. "I'll go make you ten new outfits later."
"Make sure they look good."
"Don't worry. You'll be satisfied."
Hearing this, Lin Xian walked over.
"What are you two talking about?"
Zhu Zhuqing glanced at Xiao Wu behind him and smiled.
"Rongrong and I made a bet about whether you'd bring Xiao Wu here. I won."
Xiao Wu felt slightly embarrassed and lowered her head.
Now that Lin Xian was her master, Zhu Zhuqing's position was obvious.
Noticing her unease, Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward and gently hugged her. The sudden warmth eased Xiao Wu's tension.
"…Mistress—"
"No," Zhu Zhuqing said softly. "We're sisters here. Just call me Zhuqing."
Xiao Wu nodded. She had expected tension, but instead found kindness.
"Zhuqing," Lin Xian said, "remember the rabbit-ear maid outfit you designed earlier? Prepare one for Xiao Wu."
"Got it."
Zhu Zhuqing shot him a sideways glance, then led Xiao Wu into the bedroom.
Watching them leave, Ning Rongrong felt an inexplicable sense of pressure.
Long legs, slender waist… compared to Xiao Wu, she felt far less competitive.
"What are you spacing out about?" Lin Xian asked.
Ning Rongrong snapped back to attention.
"Xiao Wu…"
"She's on probation too," Lin Xian said. "So you'll need to perform well as well."
"Mhm! I will!"
She turned and hurried back toward the bedroom, her thoughts racing.
After returning to the academy, it would be time to deepen the bond with Ning Rongrong and observe the effects of the second planetary connection.
Lin Xian remained seated in the pavilion, feeling the sea breeze wash over him. It had been a long time since he'd felt this relaxed—so calm it felt as though his thoughts had been cleansed.
Suddenly, a pair of small hands covered his eyes.
"Guess who I am?"
He smiled. "First, we can rule out Rongrong."
"Hey! You're no fun."
She withdrew her hands and stepped in front of him.
Lin Xian's gaze paused.
It was still the pink maid outfit, but Ning Rongrong had clearly altered it herself—keeping the style while making it more eye-catching.
Seeing his reaction, she didn't shy away, spinning once in place before stepping closer.
"Well? Does it look good?"
When the Titan Giant Ape had attacked, Lin Xian had stood in front of her without hesitation. That image had never left Ning Rongrong's heart.
Handsome, powerful, mysterious—and different from everyone else who feared or flattered her.
Without realizing it, her feelings had quietly taken root.
So this time, she decided to be brave.
Lin Xian gently pulled her closer, and the moment lingered before the scene naturally faded, leaving only the soft sea breeze and the quiet beating of two hearts.
After a while, Ning Rongrong spoke in a small voice.
"…You won't abandon me, right?"
Lin Xian chuckled softly.
"What are you thinking? Do I look like someone so heartless?"
Ning Rongrong didn't answer, hiding her face as her cheeks burned red.
Seeing her reaction, Lin Xian leaned closer and whispered lightly,
"So our Rongrong… really is braver than she looks."
(Author's Note)
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