The next morning, Bai Ling got up early.
She liked waking up at dawn, watching the sun rise, seeing the world come alive—it was all so peaceful and calm.
She walked along the academy’s tree-lined path, listening to the cheerful chirping of birds, watching the morning dew on the leaves, and seeing the sunlight refract off the droplets like tiny diamonds, sparkling everywhere.
Right now, Bai Ling was like a dust-free fairy, seeing through all the world’s troubles, as if nothing could disturb her heart, nothing could shake her.
The sunlight shone on her, making her seem even more sacred.
She really liked this feeling, as if she had no conflicts with the world, carefree, not needing to think too much.
If she could, she’d rather be a salted fish her whole life, not having to think about so much, just knowing how to support herself and live happily every day! But things never go as one wishes.
With her strength, as the saying goes, “an innocent man gets into trouble because of his wealth.” She’d rather not have this power and just live as her true self, but she couldn’t.
She wanted to spend her life with the people she cared about, but even such a simple wish was so hard to achieve.
That’s why she hated war, hated her own strength.
But when it came to protecting the people she wanted to protect, she was also really glad she had this power.
It was a contradictory feeling.
But every day, she only had this short time to truly be herself.
She wished time could stop at this moment forever, because this was when she was the most perfect, the happiest, the most carefree, the truest version of herself.
Bai Ling just stood there, unmoving, enjoying this brief beauty like a meditating monk.
She knew she’d lose this feeling soon, but she didn’t regret it.
Only in the mornings did she feel this way, so she’d loved experiencing time like this since she was a child.
Ideals are beautiful, reality is cruel.
As time passed, Bai Ling had to pull herself out of that state, because the dew had already been dried up by the sun, the birds had stopped singing, and everything returned to the real world.
Just as Bai Ling was about to turn back to the dorm and call Lin Qiufeng to go have breakfast together, she heard rustling from the other side of the woods.
A moment later, a few figures emerged from that direction.
There were three or four of them, and the one in front was a sleazy-looking young man, wearing a gold-trimmed robe with a badge at his waist.
The badge had a big “Zhang” character on it.
Behind him was a group of equally sleazy-looking guys, all pretty average in appearance, but they all gave off a creepy uncle vibe.
As soon as they came out of the woods, they saw Bai Ling standing there.
Every one of these sleazy guys’ eyes lit up, thinking, “What a stunner.”
They were all drawn in by Bai Ling’s breathtaking beauty.
Plus, Bai Ling had just come out of that sacred, untouchable state and was still a bit dazed, like she’d just woken up and her mind hadn’t fully returned yet.
That made them think Bai Ling was a weak, easy-to-push-over girl.
So, the guy in front walked up to Bai Ling with a “friendly” smile and “politely” greeted her, “Good morning, beautiful miss!”
“Mm, good morning.” Bai Ling didn’t dislike them just because they looked sleazy, and greeted them back.
For Bai Ling right now, nothing could really threaten her anymore.
The only things that mattered were her family and friends.
As for strangers, she wouldn’t get too close, but she wouldn’t be cold either.
The guy in front was happy to hear Bai Ling respond to his greeting, thinking to himself, “I really am charming, just that no one else knows it.”
He kept smiling.
“So, beautiful miss, it’s dangerous to wander alone in the woods so early.
How about I escort you back?”
“No need, I can go back by myself.
Don’t trouble yourself, it’d be too embarrassing for me.” Bai Ling didn’t dislike them, but she wouldn’t get too close either.
As for their little schemes, she could pretty much guess—just some lame pick-up lines.
The guy in front thought Bai Ling was just shy, so he laughed, “Haha, it’s nothing.
Besides, if I can walk with a goddess like you, it’d be my honor.”
“Really, you don’t have to.
I’m fine.” Bai Ling was a bit helpless.
She didn’t want to cause trouble, just wanted to keep a low profile, but her looks just wouldn’t let her, so this guy kept pestering her.
“Alright, if you don’t want to, I won’t force you.” The guy knew if he kept pushing, she’d just dislike him more, so he decided to back off a bit—maybe that’d work better.
“Okay, I’ll be going then!” With that, Bai Ling turned and left.
She didn’t want to stay here any longer.
“Wait, I don’t know your name yet?” Seeing Bai Ling turn away, the guy realized he didn’t know her name and quickly called out.
“Bai Ling!” she said, and never looked back, walking straight away.
“I’m…” The guy hadn’t even said his name before Bai Ling was already gone.
“Bai Ling, huh? Nice name.
But I’m sure we’ll meet again!” He smiled, then led his little followers away into the forest.
Back at the dorm, she saw Lin Qiufeng sprawled out on the bed, muttering something in her sleep.
Bai Ling thought Lin Qiufeng looked really cute like this.
Feeling mischievous, she tiptoed over to Lin Qiufeng’s bed, reached out, and pinched her little nose, which was a bit flushed in the sunlight.
One second, no reaction.
Two seconds, still nothing.
Three seconds, Lin Qiufeng’s brows furrowed, and on the fourth second, she suddenly opened her cherry-like mouth with a whoosh.
Bai Ling was dumbfounded, feeling Lin Qiufeng’s warm breath on her palm, tickling her.
In the end, Bai Ling had no choice but to let go, and Lin Qiufeng, freed, went right back to her sweet dreams.
Bai Ling checked the time and figured it was about right, so she shook Lin Qiufeng’s shoulder.
“Qiufeng, get up, or we’ll be late!”
“Emmm, no, let me sleep a bit more, ahm ahm.” She even smacked her lips as she spoke.
“Then… get up, let’s eat, there’s something tasty!”
“???” Lin Qiufeng’s eyes snapped open, looking around curiously before finally settling on Bai Ling.
“Where’s the food?” That was Lin Qiufeng’s first question.
“We’re going to eat now!” Bai Ling covered her mouth and giggled.
She thought Lin Qiufeng was the cutest like this, tempted by food, so innocent.
She really envied people like her—no worries, no sadness, just a little ball of happiness, living however she wanted.
“Huh? Didn’t you say there was something tasty?” Lin Qiufeng looked confused.
“Yeah, I said it.
If I didn’t, would you have gotten up?” Bai Ling tilted her head cutely.
Lin Qiufeng was stunned, as if it was all her fault.
“Emmm, fine, aham.” She yawned, then rolled out of bed and headed for the door.
“You haven’t washed up yet.
Are you really going out like that?”
“Uh…” Only then did Lin Qiufeng realize, and she awkwardly backed up.
Bai Ling noticed Lin Qiufeng’s ears were turning red as she backed away.
Sigh! Bai Ling sighed in her heart.
How did she end up with such a silly girl? So dumb—would she ever get married?
Bai Ling really worried about her future.
