Luna and the others left the Research Building and stood outside the door.
“Li Na, you go back first. I’ll help my sister back by myself.”
Luna had originally planned to part ways with Dai Lina here, intending to support her sister alone on the way back.
But Dai Lina still couldn’t let go easily of the two sisters, so she wanted to make sure they got back to the Dormitory safely before leaving.
“Let’s bring her back to the Dormitory first. That way, I’ll feel more at ease…”
“It’s really fine, Li Na. You should go back first.”
At that moment, Xiao Xi spoke softly, gently adjusting the arm resting on her sister’s shoulder, a faint bittersweet smile on her face—one that didn’t want to trouble their friend any further.
She thought to herself that Dai Lina had already helped them enough; there was no need to bother her more.
Seeing their determined attitudes, Dai Lina sighed lightly, a trace of helplessness and reluctance flashing through her eyes. She knew that further persuasion was useless, so she nodded.
“Alright then, take care on your way. Xiao Xi, I’m counting on you, Luna.”
Watching Dai Lina’s figure slowly disappear into the distance, the remaining journey now depended on the two sisters themselves.
“Come on, be careful, sister. Let’s go slowly.”
Luna supported Xiao Xi as they walked back to the Dormitory at a slow pace. Fortunately, it wasn’t far—just a few turns and a few streets away.
“I never thought there’d come a day when I’d need my little sister to support me, right, Little Lu?”
On the way, Xiao Xi suddenly said this to Luna, her face carrying a look of helplessness mixed with warmth, as if lamenting the twists of fate.
She should have been the one protecting Little Lu, but now the roles had reversed.
“You can rely on me more, you know, sister.” Luna replied, her face brimming with happiness, her eyes shining with deep love and cherishing for her sister.
“It should be you relying on me instead. If Dai Lina hadn’t chased them away, I’m afraid…”
Xiao Xi smiled bitterly, still recalling how the three Blood Clan had knocked her down, her expression filled with unwillingness.
“…”
Luna stayed silent as she supported her sister. She knew very well that both Xiao Xi and Dai Lina had already done their best. If it weren’t for Eliza’s help, the outcome wouldn’t have been like this.
“I really… am still too weak. I couldn’t protect you well, Little Lu.” Xiao Xi suddenly said, blaming herself.
“No, sister.”
Luna interrupted her, a slight displeasure on her face. “You’re already very strong, and so is Dai Lina. We were just outnumbered this time, which put us at a disadvantage.”
“I know that, but the fact is I didn’t protect you!”
That was what she blamed herself for the most—the inability to protect her little sister.
“Hmm…” Hearing her sister’s self-reproach, Luna suddenly stopped walking, making Xiao Xi look at her in confusion.
“What’s wrong, little sister?”
Without warning, Luna hugged her sister tightly, as if she didn’t want her to leave her side.
“Don’t say that about yourself, sister!”
“I…” Xiao Xi tried to say something, but Luna cut her off.
“I know you’re worried about me, but don’t you think I’m worried about you just as much? Do you know how worried I was when you were severely injured and unconscious? I kept fearing you’d never wake up…”
“At that time, I really… really feared losing you, sister.”
Luna’s voice quivered slightly as she buried her head deep into Xiao Xi’s chest, feeling the familiar, warm aura.
“Do you know? When I saw you unconscious like that, I couldn’t help but tremble. I was afraid—afraid of losing you, afraid I’d never see your smile again or hear your voice…”
Those words touched Xiao Xi deeply. Her hands instinctively wrapped tightly around Luna. She deeply felt Luna’s fear and helplessness, and the hidden worry beneath it all—worrying about how Luna would cope if she fell.
“I’m sorry… little sister…”
“Don’t die… okay, sister? I don’t want you to worry, so please, don’t make me worry about you either.”
Luna’s voice carried a hint of plea, tears sparkling in her eyes.
“…Okay, little sister.” Xiao Xi responded gently, the ice in her heart melting at that moment.
They embraced tightly, no words exchanged—only the sound of their heartbeats and breaths intertwining.
Their embrace was so tender and resolute, as if the entire world had come to a halt.
In this moment, they were not just sisters, but indispensable supports in each other’s lives.
Xiao Xi was the first to release her hold, her gaze refocusing on Luna with a determined gleam.
“But for your sake, I still have to keep getting stronger, little sister.” She smiled warmly, her words filled with strength and a deep protective resolve for Luna.
After this attack, Xiao Xi deeply realized her own shortcomings and was determined to grow stronger to better protect both herself and her sister.
“For you, I’ve decided! Every week, I’ll find time to have a one-on-one duel with Dai Lina! Only then can I grow stronger faster!”
Xiao Xi regarded dueling Dai Lina as the first step in her path to strength, knowing well that fighting strong opponents would accelerate her growth.
And Dai Lina was exactly that strong opponent.
Seeing her sister suddenly regain enthusiasm, Luna’s worries eased considerably.
“It’s so good to see you full of energy again, sister. You don’t seem so weak anymore.” Luna’s words carried a hint of joy.
Xiao Xi chuckled softly, her eyes full of tenderness. “For you, little sister, I feel filled with strength now. All that weakness has disappeared.”
She slid her hand down from Luna’s shoulder and gently placed it on Luna’s head, softly stroking her hair.
Luna closed her eyes in pure contentment, like a pampered kitten, savoring her sister’s affection.
“Hmm… Okay, sister, stop stroking now. Let’s hurry back to the Dormitory.” Luna reluctantly let go of her sister’s hand, smiling warmly as she spoke.
“All right.”
And so, without any further assistance, they returned to the Dormitory.
“You’re back!”
The two playing video games in the living room immediately approached the sisters when they saw them return.
“So? What tasty things did you buy?”
“Yeah, Qingyan and I have been waiting for some snacks.”
Both eagerly asked the sisters, and Luna took out the packed fried chicken from her Space Ring and handed it to Qingyan and the others.
“This is all I brought back, plus some small snacks.”
They accepted the fried chicken and started eating. They had tried this place’s fried chicken before, so they knew how delicious it was.
“This place’s fried chicken is really good. Next time we go out of the Academy, Qingyan, let’s find it again.”
“Sure, sure. Let’s see what other delicious things we can find.”
Qingyan and the others planned to visit that street stall next time they left the Academy, but just as they were talking, Luna suddenly interrupted.
“By the way, I have something to tell you. It’s best not to leave the Academy recently.”
Luna’s sudden words left the two with puzzled expressions.
“Hm? Why?”
They asked in unison.
And the answer was revealed the next moment.
“Look at this.” With that, Xiao Xi loosened her white lab coat, revealing her already tattered and torn clothes.
“What!?”
Qingyan and Su Luoluo were both shocked as they stared at Xiao Xi.