Yun Jianlan walked over to Yuriko and lifted her hand to inspect it carefully.
“Hi, Little Yuriko, did you miss me~”
A red-haired girl appeared right after Yun Jianlan. Her personality was just like her appearance—lively and enthusiastic.
“Xiaoyu is here too~”
The red-haired girl’s name was Xiaoyu. It sounded like a nickname, but it was indeed her actual name.
Xiaoyu was a Beast Egg that Yun Jianlan had picked up during a training expedition.
After hatching, she recognized Yun Jianlan as her master, and the name Xiaoyu had been given to her by Yun Jianlan as well.
The naming taste was quite terrible, actually using such a name as a formal one.
Xiaoyu was like a cheerful bird as she circled Yuriko two times, saying, “Little Yuriko is so pretty today! You look completely different from how you do at home!”
Faced with Xiaoyu exposing her secrets, Yuriko wanted to cover the girl’s mouth.
However, with Carmilla still present, she could only laugh it off and try to save face.
“Well, that’s because we’re at home. If I’m coming to school, I obviously have to dress up a bit, right?”
“I suppose that’s true.”
Xiaoyu stared at Yuriko for a moment longer and said curiously, “Strange, why is Little Yuriko so easy to talk to today? Usually, you’re—”
Before she could finish, Yuriko lunged forward and covered her mouth.
“Xiaoyu, my friend is right here, so don’t go exposing my secrets~”
Although her voice sounded gentle, the strength in Yuriko’s hand was not light at all.
Xiaoyu felt like her jaw was about to creak, and she could only let out muffled groans.
“Is that clear?”
Yuriko’s eyes looked kind, but in Xiaoyu’s view, if she dared to say no, her jaw would be ripped off instantly.
This violent woman!
“Mmph, mmph!”
Xiaoyu nodded hurriedly to show she understood, and only then did Yuriko release her hand.
She reached out to rub her mouth, letting out a small whine.
“I feel like my mouth is going to shatter…”
‘It’s your own fault for talking too much!’
Yuriko turned back and explained to the somewhat dazed Carmilla.
“Sorry about that. Xiaoyu is still young and often speaks without thinking. It wouldn’t be good if you heard something strange.”
“Is that so?”
Carmilla was curious about what “strange things” would make Yuriko so desperate to interrupt Xiaoyu.
“It doesn’t look like there’s anything seriously wrong. I happen to be free, so should I take you to the hospital for an inspection? Maybe get an X-ray to see how the bone recovery is going?”
“There’s no problem at all! I’ve healed injuries like this many times before, and there have never been any lingering issues!”
Several years ago, Yuriko was nowhere near as powerful as she was now.
She often suffered severe injuries during fights, but fortunately, she had the help of her Phantom, which prevented any permanent damage.
Seeing Yuriko refuse, Yun Jianlan did not push the issue.
“Then I’ll take you for a comprehensive physical exam during the weekend.”
“Can I not go?”
“No. You haven’t had a checkup since you returned.”
‘The misery!’
Knowing her weekend was about to be occupied, Yuriko immediately put on a mask of pain.
But what could she do? Her older sister was both powerful and held a high status.
If she wanted to do something, Yuriko couldn’t stop her.
After confirming Yuriko’s condition, Yun Jianlan finally looked at Carmilla, who was standing beside her.
“Are you Yuriko’s friend?”
Hearing Yun Jianlan’s question, Carmilla immediately spoke up nervously.
“Yes, I am Ruri’s…”
Halfway through, Carmilla cast an uncertain glance toward Yuriko.
“I am Ruri’s friend. My name is Carmilla!”
Knowing that Yuriko’s sister was that legendary senior, Carmilla felt as if an idol had suddenly appeared before her eyes.
Although she wasn’t exactly a fan of Yun Jianlan, any student of Shengxiu Academy had heard of Yun Jianlan’s legends to some extent.
“I see. I didn’t expect Yuriko to make a friend so quickly. I thought she would end up with a delinquent…”
“Delinquent?” Carmilla tilted her head.
“Sister!”
Yun Jianlan glanced at Yuriko. Seeing her frantic expression, she roughly guessed what Yuriko was thinking.
“A child who is a delinquent in their studies. Seeing that she is a good girl like you, I’m relieved.”
One didn’t need a deep interaction to tell; just a few words after meeting were enough to sense that Carmilla was a good person.
Her personality was perfectly reflected in her exterior—her movements, her voice, and her appearance all resembled those of a quiet lady.
“Thank you.”
Carmilla’s face turned a bit red.
To be praised by Yuriko’s sister—did this count as receiving the family’s approval?
“My Yuriko still has many immature qualities. I hope that as her friend, you can look after her a bit more.”
“I will do my best!”
After a brief chat with Carmilla, Yun Jianlan prepared to leave.
Before departing, she said to Yuriko, “Do you want me to send you back to rest?”
Yuriko shook her head.
“I’m really fine. I’m not as fragile as you think, Sister!”
“Then I’m going.”
Yun Jianlan left. Xiaoyu glanced at Yun Jianlan’s back, walked up to Yuriko, and whispered secretly:
“Little Yuriko, don’t look at how cold Master seems. Actually, the moment she heard you were injured, she—”
An ethereal hand suddenly manifested and flicked Xiaoyu’s forehead with a loud thwack.
“Xiaoyu, let’s go.”
Xiaoyu had no choice but to leave with a pitiful expression.
After Xiaoyu left as well, Carmilla finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Meeting a popular figure from Shengxiu Academy had put quite a bit of pressure on her.
“Whew. Ruri’s sister seems like a very gentle person.”
‘Gentle?’
Yuriko remembered when Yun Jianlan gave her special training.
She hadn’t shown any mercy at all when swatting Yuriko’s palms!
‘If the plate falls again, no lunch for you today.’
‘Keep your back straight, or I’ll swat your behind.’
Thinking back to those days of special training, Yuriko’s heart was full of tears.
Only those who had experienced it knew how much of a demon Yun Jianlan could be.
However, she certainly couldn’t say those words out loud.
She was a “good girl” now; how could she speak ill of her sister?
“It’s just that she’s a bit too fierce sometimes.”
Hearing Yuriko’s complaint-like words, Carmilla smiled softly.
“Sometimes, being fierce is a manifestation of love. She probably only does that because she’s too worried about you.”
‘A manifestation of love?’
Yuriko actually knew that. Yun Jianlan cared deeply for her younger sister.
Perhaps it was because Yuriko was her only relative, or perhaps she naturally doted on her sister, but Yuriko always felt that she shouldn’t be the one receiving that love.
The real Yuriko had already died six years ago, which made Yuriko somewhat unwilling to accept this affection.
But for her own sake and for the sake of the younger brothers and sisters in the gang, she had to accept Yun Jianlan’s help.
‘So, it’s better not to tell her that Yuriko is already dead. At least that way, she won’t be sad.’