Xia Yu gazed into Mo Yidong’s gentle eyes, feeling an inexplicable stir within her heart, especially in her most helpless moments.
The sound of his voice sparked a long-forgotten sensation deep inside her.
Snapping back to reality, she noticed a hand resting on her head, even rubbing back and forth as if trying to comfort her.
Xia Yu frowned and decisively pushed Mo Yidong’s hand away, mumbling angrily,
“Why are you touching my head?”
She had wanted to give Mo Yidong a good punch ever since they were under the sinkhole, and seeing the puzzled look on his face only irritated her more.
“Didn’t you agree to let me touch it before?”
“That was then, I never said you could keep doing it! Don’t touch it without permission!”
“Alright then.”
Mo Yidong felt a little disappointed, but seeing Xia Yu’s mood improve after such a short time reassured him.
“I must have misunderstood.”
After a while, Mo Yidong received a call from the medical staff.
They reported that ten girls had regained consciousness, meaning the situation was effectively resolved.
“What happened next?”
“Nothing… it’s all over.”
Recalling the terrifying experience under the sinkhole—being forced by monsters to bear children—Xia Yu still felt chills crawling down her spine.
No way.
She didn’t want to go through something like that ever again.
As a human, she feared nothing and was ready to fight anyone who came her way.
But as a member of the Blood Clan, she was at the bottom of the social ladder, inferior to other species in every way.
Moreover, Mo Yidong didn’t even know what species he was, let alone come to the rescue.
If he did, he’d only become monster fodder.
Xia Yu sighed helplessly.
Suddenly, Mo Yidong asked beside her,
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, just a little tired. I want to go back to the dorm and rest.”
To avoid causing panic or raising suspicion, the other students continued with their normal training schedule, while Mo Yidong and Xia Yu were dispatched to handle the girls’ dormitory issue and skipped the Second Round Combat Training.
Because the inhibitor was neutralized by the Vine Spirit, Xia Yu had to rely on Mo Yidong to cover for her while she sneaked back to the dorm.
She lowered her head, looking down at herself, covered in dirt and grime, planning to take a shower first, then take medicine, change clothes, and get a good night’s sleep.
Sticky, transparent liquid still clung to her arms and waist.
Xia Yu carefully washed herself several times with shower gel until her skin was clean and pure.
After rinsing with warm and cold water, she suddenly felt her body temperature was much higher than usual.
Her red eyes in the mirror were filled with a hungry yet flattering expression, like they were seducing someone to devour her.
Something wasn’t right…
The vines in the mountains had a problem, and Xia Yu had no antidote.
Even walking felt light and unsteady, and she looked like she had a fever.
No wonder the monsters in the mountains were so confident discussing pregnancy—they had planned this all along.
Luckily, the Vine Spirit’s effects appeared late; otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
Xia Yu changed into her pajamas and leaned against the wall, slowly making her way to the Main Bedroom.
She heard a knock at the door.
“Hungry? Want to eat something?”
The bright, steady, and pleasant voice lingered in Xia Yu’s ears, and her body unconsciously pressed closer to the door.
She couldn’t imagine what expression Mo Yidong would have if he saw her like this.
Some deep craving inside her told Xia Yu that she needed his comfort.
She couldn’t trouble Mo Yidong again, nor could she let him see her in this state…
“I’m tired. I want to rest…”
“Alright.”
Xia Yu feigned calm as she spoke, and after she walked away, Mo Yidong’s voice echoed persistently in her mind.
Xia Yu lay on the bed in discomfort…
She took another shower.
What she had done to Mo Yidong was utterly shameful.
Before sleeping, she took another inhibitor.
Only when her body heat gradually subsided and returned to normal did Xia Yu’s heart finally settle.
She had never suffered such humiliation in her life.
Her cheeks flushed red as she burrowed under the covers, eyes closed but still seeing Mo Yidong’s face.
Secretly doing such things to him made Xia Yu feel guilty, but she could only think of this one method.
Being touched by Mo Yidong didn’t stir any disgust in her, and perhaps, in her heart, he was becoming an indispensable part of her.
She recalled Mo Yidong’s words about giving up the inhibitor and living as a girl.
No, Xia Yu couldn’t accept that.
The pain from her time as a girl was too great.
Even though Mo Yidong was now by her side, someone she could rely on, one day, they would part like they had years ago, and she would be alone again.
Xia Yu had a dream.
In it, a silver-haired little girl held the hand of a black-haired little boy, softly calling him “big brother.”
“Big brother, slow down. Do you think there are bears in the forest?”
“Don’t be afraid. I’m here to protect you.”
At that time, little Xia Yu’s eyes were covered by bandages.
The darkness was impenetrable.
She only heard that big brother was taking her to a very beautiful place.
She heard the creaking of tree branches, and the two walked up the mountain for a long time before the boy said,
“We’re here. You can take off the bandages now.”
“Really? Is it okay?”
little Xia Yu asked worriedly.
“Just for a little while. The doctor won’t notice, so it’ll be fine.”
Following big brother’s instructions, little Xia Yu secretly removed the bandages covering her eyes.
The night sky was speckled with stars.
Big brother deliberately brought her to a wide-open spot on the hillside.
Little Xia Yu looked around at the dark surroundings and asked with concern,
“What’s so beautiful here?”
“It’s about to start. I’ll count down: 3, 2, 1…”
As the countdown ended, the night sky transformed into a canvas, with several shooting stars streaking across in beautiful, elegant arcs.
Xia Yu stared in amazement, unable to forget the sight.
“There’s a Flowing Star Rain tonight. I wanted to bring you to see it.”
Xia Yu tightly held big brother’s cool and soft hand, and they looked at each other.
“I heard if you make a wish when you see shooting stars, there’s a chance it will come true. Do you have a wish?”
“I want to get discharged from the hospital soon!”
After she spoke, she saw big brother’s faint smile.
“Wishes have to be made in your heart. If you say them out loud, they won’t come true.”
“Then what should I do…?”
little Xia Yu panicked, looking at the shooting stars.
“I’ll make one for you.”
In her dream, the young Mo Yidong’s face appeared—delicate and bright, with a cheerful and confident smile.
His hair swayed gently in the night breeze, especially handsome.
When the Flowing Star Rain ended, big brother kept holding little Xia Yu’s hand, never letting go.
“Let’s go back.”
They looked at each other, their faces glowing with pure happiness.
That was the first time Xia Yu smiled from her heart, the first time she was praised and liked as a girl.
It was a scene Xia Yu would never forget, a little secret buried deep in her heart.
Waking from the dream, Xia Yu immediately placed her hand on her chest, feeling her flat but firm chest, quietly exhaling.
Thankfully, the inhibitor was still working.
Lowering her head slightly, Xia Yu gloomily stared at her palm, recalling what she had done with that hand yesterday.
She felt deeply ashamed.
Clenching her fist, Xia Yu blamed the cursed Vine Spirit.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have faced such a situation.
After sleeping through the joint training’s end, everyone packed their belongings, ready to enjoy a wonderful weekend.
Xia Yu, still gloomy, carried her bag to the Bus and saw Mo Yidong casually walk up beside her, as if he had something to say.