Chapter 24: Yuexue: Lin Lue, You Deceived Me

Lin Lue placed the kettle in a safe spot and then pulled the white silk stockings out of the teapot.

Looking at the slightly damp socks, he sighed helplessly.

He took them to be thoroughly washed and hung them by the window to dry.

After cleaning the teapot as well, Lin Lue added fresh milk and a little sugar.

He stirred it evenly, brewed a cup of sweet milk, and handed it to her.

‘For a little girl, sweet milk is better.’

Tang Xinxin extended her slender hands and steadily held the warm cup.

She took small sips, her eyes curving slightly in satisfaction.

Lin Lue poured a cup for himself too, sipping it slowly as the sweetness slid down his throat.

Sugar really could bring happiness to a person.

Just then, a dull thud sounded.

Lin Lue thought she had dropped her cup again, but when he looked over, the cup was sitting safely on the table.

The one who had fallen was Tang Xinxin herself.

She had rolled off the sofa onto the floor.

Using both her hands and feet, she crawled across the floor until she reached his feet.

Her small hands grabbed his trouser leg, and she climbed up bit by bit until she was finally sitting on his lap.

Shrinking into his embrace, she curled into a tiny ball.

In the blink of an eye, she closed her eyes and fell back asleep.

Eat and sleep, sleep and eat.

Such a terrible lifestyle, and yet she was still so light without gaining any weight.

Lin Lue marveled at how Witches were truly mysterious creatures.

Lin Lue had already gathered the information he wanted.

His sister was living well at the school and wasn’t the type to be bullied.

For instance, just this morning, she had knocked a classmate unconscious with a chair.

Lin Lue felt that his sister probably hadn’t been the one to start the fight.

Why?

Please, if he didn’t side with his sister, who would he side with?

Besides, the school teachers were responsible.

From the reverent attitude all the teachers showed toward this little Principal, it was clear that Tang Xinxin carried a great deal of authority.

The academy’s order should be beyond reproach.

Having gained plenty of information and feeling satisfied, Lin Lue prepared to leave.

He intended to place Tang Xinxin back on the sofa safely and then depart, but his hand had only just touched her small body when she spoke.

“Don’t move.”

Lin Lue’s movements froze.

Tang Xinxin’s eyes remained closed, but her mouth didn’t stop moving.

“You are aware that people from the Purity Sect have already infiltrated the academy.”

“That cult… they only do crazy things.”

“Their greedy eyes have begun to fall upon these children.”

She paused for a moment and continued, causing Lin Lue’s heart to gradually sink.

“Your sister is very talented. She might also be among their targets.”

It was true.

From the fake female teacher he had encountered before, it was clear the enemy had already penetrated the academy’s interior.

Lin Lue felt a surge of anxiety thanks to Tang Xinxin’s words.

[Trigger Mission: Stroke Tang Xinxin’s hair for 10 minutes.]

[Mission Reward: Magic Power Points +10]

Lin Lue remained silent for a moment.

Then, his palm fell onto Tang Xinxin’s soft silver hair, stroking it with a rhythmic motion.

Tang Xinxin slowly opened her eyes.

Her amethyst-like gaze met his, and instead of resisting, she snuggled deeper into his arms.

After adjusting herself into the most comfortable position, she closed her eyes again and completely relaxed.

10 minutes passed quietly.

When Lin Lue slowly retracted his hand, the little person in his arms was fully awake.

She sat quietly on his lap, her small feet swinging gently.

Her silver hair draped down, and her purple eyes were clear and calm.

“I know the location of a Purity Sect stronghold.”

“Why are you telling me?”

“Because I want to.”

“I will handle the issues within the school. You don’t have to worry about your sister’s safety while she is on campus.”

“However, if she is outside the school, I cannot guarantee it.”

“Your pastries are delicious, the brewed milk is very good, and lying on your lap is comfortable… so, I am willing to share this news with you.”

“This is a fair trade.”

Lin Lue understood.

It seemed he had raised her Affection Level enough to unlock some character information.

—

A sweet breath brushed against his ear.

Tang Xinxin had eaten milk candy, so her breath was sweet.

The little girl leaned close to his ear, whispering secrets.

She said it was a secret and insisted he lean in before she would use her soft voice to tell him the details.

Even while sitting, no matter how much she tilted her tiny head, she couldn’t reach his ear.

She could only reach the crook of his neck.

So, Tang Xinxin turned around and knelt on his lap, her knees resting on her skirt.

She straightened her petite body until her cherry-pink lips could press against his ear.

Lin Lue listened intently.

After a moment, his chest felt itchy.

Lin Lue looked down and realized her silky silver hair had slipped into his collar.

He didn’t pay it much mind, waiting until she finished speaking before pulling the strands out.

Suddenly, with a thud, Tang Xinxin flopped against his chest as if she had entered a shutdown mode, her eyes closing again.

Lin Lue instinctively prepared to shake her awake.

“Did you remember it?”

She spoke with her eyes closed. Lin Lue looked at her parted lips and nodded.

He had memorized the location.

They were a bit too close, making Lin Lue worry.

If someone happened to walk in right now… it would be disastrous.

Lin Lue grabbed her small shoulders, intending to push her back and make a clean getaway.

Click.

The sound of a door opening echoed slowly.

A smooth, long leg in a golden high heel stepped inside, followed by the sway of a bright red qipao.

The blonde, gold-eyed woman froze in her tracks.

Standing at the door, she looked at the scene inside with wide, confused eyes, as if doubting she had opened the door correctly.

Golden sunlight streamed through the window, falling over Lin Lue and Tang Xinxin like a painting.

Yuexue closed the door and opened it again, only to find the scene remained unchanged.

She remained silent for several seconds.

Finally, Yuexue spoke slowly.

“What… are you two doing?”

“Yuexue, what a coincidence.”

—

Lin Lue truly hadn’t expected to meet Yuexue again in Tang Xinxin’s office.

This was bad.

Especially given their current posture—Tang Xinxin kneeling on his lap, the two of them pressed together.

It was even worse than he thought.

Lin Lue almost felt like he had been transported to Aixue TV.

In Lin Lue’s long career from his previous life, such situations were rare.

After all, he was a professional and did his best to avoid them.

But he also knew that accidents didn’t care about logic.

Yuexue also hadn’t expected to see Lin Lue here, in the office of her friend, the Principal of the Witch Academy.

Her heart was heavy with concerns.

As soon as she had entered the Lower District, she had headed straight for that small room where Lin Lue usually stayed without a word.

She had been prepared to pour out all her depression to him and then, as usual, be properly ‘disciplined’ in his gentle yet firm way.

Thinking of the pain from the whip hitting her back, she instinctively pressed her legs together, the tips of her ears turning slightly hot.

This was a secret she couldn’t let anyone else know.

But she had waited and waited in that small room, her anticipation turning into disappointment.

Lin Lue never showed up.

She figured he must have some business to attend to, which only worsened her mood.

She felt an urgent need to vent.

She thought of her wife, Molly, being attacked.

She intended to ask someone for information to see if she could find the culprit and vent her frustrations on them.

If she couldn’t find Lin Lue to whip her, then she would use a whip on someone else.

Her friend in the Lower District, Tang Xinxin, was well-informed.

With her distorted mood, Yuexue had come to the Witch Academy.

She walked to the office door out of habit and opened it, never imagining that the scene inside would make her entire body freeze.

The Lin Lue she had failed to find was sitting in a chair, with Tang Xinxin on his lap, pressed against him.

Her silver hair was draped over his chest, and their distance was so close that it looked like Lin Lue was kissing Tang Xinxin’s face.

Yuexue was speechless.

Her fingers suddenly tightened, her knuckles turning white.

Her golden eyes were swallowed by the shadows cast by her bangs.

‘Did this guy find another client behind my back?’

…He couldn’t.

He had promised her that he wouldn’t look for a second guest until she grew bored of him.

People who broke their promises had to wear shackles.