Chapter 70

Chapter 33: Just Tonight, Hurry Up

　After shocking the staff at the children’s clothing store, Bai Ling ascended to the third floor to search for anime merchandise that caught her fancy.

　This time went smoothly; Bai Ling not only bought what she needed for Children’s Day but also acquired a bunch of items that would come in handy later.

　”Excuse me, student, we need to place an advance order for some items. Could you leave us your address?” The shop manager said.

　Bai Ling pondered for a moment and wrote down her dormitory address.

　Items for future use required early orders, but what she needed for Children’s Day was available right away. She conveniently bought a bag on-site, packed it up, and took it with her.

　Alright, main tasks done. Now she could think about how the Chamber might retaliate while driving back.

　…………

　At Tianhai Tower, two girls walked out of the building, looking dazed.

　These were Yi Jie and Xin Lan. They had previously undergone Bai Ling’s “testing,” helping her probe Yunhai Company, but ended up contacting them by accident.

　Just moments ago, Chairman Murong Yi of Yunhai Company invited them upstairs for a chat, hoping they would collaborate. And the content of this collaboration was…

　“Xin Lan, what are you still hesitating about?” Yi Jie asked.

　It seemed she’d already made her decision.

　Xin Lan bit her lip, “But isn’t betraying someone like this wrong? Plus, we don’t even know Bai Ling well…”

　“What’s so bad about it? We’re just strangers who happened to meet once. Not even friends,” Yi Jie retorted. “Even if she has secrets, so what? The enemy is far stronger!”

　She bought a cup of bubble tea by the roadside and handed it to her friend before continuing, “The entire power structure of Tianhai City is going after her. The whole city! Even if she’s strong, can one person fight against an entire city?”

　Xin Lan held her bubble tea cup, undecided, “But we already promised… It doesn’t feel right.”

　“Don’t overthink it. Bai Ling’s situation is hopeless,” Yi Jie grabbed her friend’s shoulder. “As an old saying goes, ‘Those who understand the times are wise!’”

　“I… I’ll think about it more.”

　Xin Lan sat aside drinking her bubble tea, unsure. She picked up her mobile phone idly when suddenly she saw a post on WeChat Moments:

　【The road may be hard to tread, but I am my own direction.】

　A picture accompanied it: a man’s sleeve from a suit.

　That settled it. Xin Lan immediately threw away her bubble tea, stood up, and declared, “I’m going back.”

　“What?”

　“He’s facing difficulties, and I’m going back to help him.”

　With that, Xin Lan resolutely headed toward the airport.

　Yi Jie remained seated alone, stunned. Wait, wasn’t it someone who claimed they no longer liked that guy?

　“If you want to leave, fine. I can handle this alone.”

　She also pulled out her phone.

　…………

　“Hey, Yuan Xiaoling, have you heard?”

　In the middle of class that afternoon, Yuan Xiaoling heard a classmate tell her,

　“Bai Ling just returned to school carrying a big backpack. Who knows what’s inside? There’s even a print of Kitakawa Marine on the back.”

　“What? Let me see.”

　Yuan Xiaoling pulled out her phone and, following her classmate’s instructions, clicked into the post. Sure enough, there was a photo as proof.

　However…

　“That’s not Kitakawa Marine, it’s Kusaki Seina, an old anime character. Though they’re both blonde busty girls, there are quite a few differences,” Blonde Busty Girl Yuan Xiaoling explained seriously. “First, Kusaki Seina has a cuter art style, slightly mischievous. Moreover, her Dabeitu is bigger than Kitakawa’s.”

　Her classmate expressed newfound respect, never expecting Blonde Busty Girls to have such deep knowledge.

　So, back to the question—what’s stuffed in the backpack?

　【Lingling: Did you go shopping? What did you buy?】

　Bai Ling had just returned to the classroom and sat down when she received a message from the Blonde-haired Maiden.

　【Bai Ling: Nothing much, just some daily necessities.】

　She’d keep it hidden for now. No surprises otherwise.

　Of course, whether it would be a surprise for Yuan Xiaoling was uncertain, but Bai Ling felt sure she’d be delighted eventually.

　Buzz buzz buzz, another message came through. Bai Ling thought it was Yuan Xiaoling pouting and asking again, but upon closer inspection, it was from an unexpected person.

　【Yi Jie: Miss Bai Ling, it’s been a while. How’s your health? Please give my regards to Xin Lan.

　Due to some issues back home, Xin Lan had to rush back. So the task you entrusted will take me longer alone. My apologies. However, rest assured, I’ve completed it successfully.

　If you’re free, please visit Xiangshan Tea House in the East District of Tianhai City on Children’s Day. I’ve contacted someone useful who knows a lot about Yunhai Company.】

　Bai Ling read the message twice, feeling a strange emotion stir within—not disappointment or sadness, but rather thoughts of—how quickly life moves?

　In her previous life, Yi Jie betrayed her in the final three years.

　But upon reflection, it made sense. Wallflower girl always switched sides decisively, just not firmly.

　【Bai Ling: Can’t make it on Children’s Day, let’s do June 2nd instead.]

　Children’s Day was a holiday, and she wanted to spend it with Lingling.

　And visiting enemies on that day wouldn’t be auspicious.

　【Yi Jie: Oh… Alright, then June 2nd. See you at Xiangshan Tea House.]

　【Bai Ling: 1】

　…………

　Peaceful days on campus always passed quickly. Before they knew it, it was the weekend. These past few days, Yuan Xiaoling attended classes every day, transforming into a studious literary girl—a change even she found hard to believe.

　“You guys are leaving today?”

　On Sunday afternoon, seeing her two roommates packing their things, Yuan Xiaoling couldn’t help but ask curiously.

　Shouldn’t they leave Friday? Why Monday instead?

　“Don’t mention it,” Qiao Lili waved her hand. “Tomorrow’s Children’s Day, my aunt wants me to help look after my cousin, so we’ll go out for a trip.”

　Gu Hui didn’t say anything, just smiled helplessly, clearly facing the same predicament.

　“Well, take care then.”

　Going back to babysit kids sounded like a nightmare. Yuan Xiaoling sighed inwardly. Still, she was better off. With nothing tying her down, all she had to do was coast through life.

　Yuan Xiaoling lay in bed, sighing at how swiftly time flew like a white horse passing through a gap. This week had been surprisingly fulfilling.

　“In the blink of an eye, it’s Monday again.”

　Monday, Monday… Hmm, something feels off. Like forgetting something important.

　Yuan Xiaoling blinked her bright little eyes, rubbed her snow-smart head, and suddenly sat up straight.

　“Oh snap! Uh-oh!”

　…………

　Bai Ling carefully arranged her selected outfits into the anime-themed backpack she bought and sent a message to Yuan Xiaoling on her phone: 【Tomorrow, I’ll come to your dorm and celebrate the festival with you.】

　Though Lingling was already 18 and very well-endowed, her face looked like a lolita, so she could still count as one.

　Buzz buzz buzz, buzz buzz buzz, her phone rang twice. Bai Ling picked it up and saw—

　【Lingling: Forget tomorrow, come now! Immediately!】

　【Lingling: Hurry! Urgent!!!】