Chapter 13: Unexpected Encounters and Lingering Doubts

Despite being in the blind spot at the corridor’s corner, the anticipated collision between Lin Xi and the person who suddenly appeared did not occur.

With her exceptional intuition, Bai Li swiftly pulled Lin Xi back just a split second before the impending collision, causing Lin Xi to lean directly against the softness of Bai Li’s chest.

‘Feeling the firm touch against her back, Lin Xi couldn’t help but muse inwardly that it felt a little stiff.’

This incident brought into focus the distinct differences in their physiques.

Bai Li, whose naturally elegant aura hinted at her stature, was slightly taller than Lin Xi.

While neither had reached the average height for their age, Bai Li stood around 1.5 meters, a few centimeters more than Lin Xi.

Ironically, however, when it came to their figures, Lin Xi was unexpectedly more curvaceous, while Bai Li was quite the opposite.

To put it kindly, she was slender; to put it less charitably, she was rather flat-chested, though this did mean she possessed a slender waist and delicate legs.

As these thoughts drifted through her mind, Lin Xi began to wonder what it would feel like to wrap her hands around Bai Li’s waist…

“Xixi?”

“Ah! What?”

The sound of her nickname instantly yanked Lin Xi’s wandering thoughts back to reality.

“They’re calling for you.”

“Who… ah…”

As her eyes met the beautiful woman dressed in men’s clothing, who stood a head taller than her, Lin Xi immediately recognized the newcomer.

“Qing Lan-senpai, what are you doing here?”

“I was about to ask *you* that!”

Qing Lan mumbled indistinctly, a bun halfway to her mouth.

Not only was her mouth full, but she also clutched a bag overflowing with steaming, hot meat buns.

“Xixi’s senior, perhaps you should swallow what’s in your mouth before speaking.”

“Gulp… How cold you are, especially since I might even become your senior someday.”

“The future is the future.

For now, I haven’t joined the Weichangzhe Organization.”

Bai Li typically maintained a frosty demeanor towards everyone except Lin Xi.

While Qing Lan was treated comparatively better, Bai Li’s attitude still bordered on indifference for most others.

“Hmm… never mind.

You two must have just concluded your ability awakening ceremony, correct?

Are you here for an early tour?”

“Yes, we thought it would help Little Bai (TL Note: A common Chinese nickname, often used as a term of endearment, literally meaning ‘Little White’) transition into her work here more smoothly.”

“Oho~”

Upon hearing Lin Xi’s explanation, Qing Lan’s gossip radar seemed to ping, and she offered a knowing, meaningful smile, as if she’d uncovered a hidden truth.

“How truly thoughtful of you.

But Miss Bai Li’s talent is quite remarkable as well; I imagine her joining the Weichangzhe Organization will be a matter of mere moments.”

“Hmm? Did other Weichangzhe members or you, Senpai, mention this?”

Qing Lan’s words struck Lin Xi, reminding her that information regarding ability awakenings was supposedly confidential and not to be divulged freely.

As Qing Lan hadn’t assisted with the ceremony, she shouldn’t have known the intricate details.

“Ah… I happen to have a few connections in this field, so obtaining information about valuable talents isn’t particularly difficult.

You two should also remember to cultivate your own networks in this regard; after all, intelligence is paramount.”

As Qing Lan offered her explanation and advice in her capacity as a senior, Bai Li couldn’t shake the feeling that she was concealing something.

Upon observing Qing Lan’s expression more closely, Bai Li watched her pluck a bun from the bag and stuff it into her mouth, looking for all the world like a busy squirrel.

‘…It must be my imagination,’ Bai Li mused.

‘Someone like her wouldn’t devise very intricate plans, and she certainly doesn’t appear malicious.’

What’s more, despite her undeniably dashing beauty—though still far from Lin Xi’s captivating allure—her current personality and actions truly seemed to squander such an impressive exterior.

“Oh, that reminds me, I just remembered there are other students visiting besides you two.

Their school uniforms suggest they’re from the same school as yours.”

“Classmates from our school? What are their names?”

“That, I wouldn’t know.

I still have afternoon tea to attend, so I’ll take my leave now.”

With that parting remark, Qing Lan vanished in a flash, clutching her bag of buns.

Afternoon tea, she said?

Could a bag likely containing dozens of meat buns truly be considered merely afternoon tea?

Still, considering she was an ability user, it wasn’t really anything to be surprised by.

“Hmm…”

“What’s on your mind, Xixi?”

“…I was just wondering if Little Bai might grow a little more if she ate as much as Senpai does.”

“…”

Bai Li remained silent for a beat, before slowly beginning to speak:

“…We’re both adults this year, so our height is pretty much set.

And even if I ate more, I doubt I’d grow any taller.”

This wasn’t merely a guess on her part.

In fact, not long after her awakening, she had pondered this very question, only to then encounter two mutated beasts attempting to stretch her by pulling on her limbs.

As for the outcome, she remained utterly unchanged, while the two mutated beasts, conversely, managed to dislocate their own arms.

“Ah… is that so…”

Lin Xi, wearing a resigned expression, then continued onward toward their next destination.

Whether by coincidence or fate, as they rounded the corner, they encountered the very student Qing Lan had spoken of.

“You’re…”

“Tch!”

Unlike Lin Xi, who was trying to recall the person’s name, a fleeting look of disdain and a click of the tongue crossed the other’s face.

Bai Li, however, recognized her immediately: it was Tian Yuxin, the student who had awakened a D-class ability during the ceremony.

This face-to-face encounter also brought back the memory of a persistent gaze she had felt in the classroom, which now seemed to originate from this very individual.

“Tian Yuxin-san, are you also hoping to join the Weichangzhe Organization?”

Lin Xi, seemingly oblivious to the other girl’s palpable emotions, posed the question.

“Is that even a question? What else would I be here for?”

Tian Yuxin’s blatant dislike for them stood in stark contrast to Lin Xi’s radiating goodwill.

“If you know, then step aside quickly, I still need to… Ugh!?”

Mid-sentence, Tian Yuxin was abruptly struck by a suffocating wave of pressure, as though the Grim Reaper himself had fixed his gaze upon her.

“Hmm? What’s the matter?”

“You… Tch!”

Ultimately, confronted by Lin Xi’s unwavering kindness and that unidentifiable aura, Tian Yuxin chose to turn and walk away.

“Oh… my apologies, Lin Xi-san.”

“Oh, no need.

You’re the staff member assigned to show her around, aren’t you?

You should hurry and catch up.

The routes here are quite complex, and it’s easy to get lost on your first visit.”

“Understood!”

The staff member, who had remained silent by Tian Yuxin’s side, thanked Lin Xi and then swiftly departed, almost as if fleeing the scene.

“…Little Bai.”

“Mm.”

“Do you also think she dislikes me?”

“…”

In response to Lin Xi’s question, Bai Li didn’t offer a direct answer; instead, she gently placed a hand on her head.

“If anyone were to harbor hatred for you, then I can definitively say they wouldn’t qualify as human, or even as a living creature.

They would have no right to exist, for you deserve to be cherished by all.”

‘And I will undoubtedly be the one who loves you most of all,’ Bai Li privately added, keeping the thought to herself.

“Oh, come on, that sounds so terrifying.”

Lin Xi chuckled softly, then, in a place Bai Li couldn’t perceive, a meaningful smile played on her lips.