Chapter 16: A Morning of Embarrassment and Revelation

Sigh…… This is truly bothersome, and the situation is quite thorny. When I return to the dorm tonight, if Ling’er is still there, how am I supposed to explain myself? May the heavens have mercy, I hope Ling’er has already left, so I can have enough time to come up with an excuse. Ugh! Ouyang Xiyue muttered to himself, his thoughts tangled like a mess of yarn. It looks like I’ll just have to apologize and then improvise from there. There’s no other way.

“Hishou-sama～”

“Who is it!”

Just as Ouyang Xiyue was lost in his chaotic thoughts, a soft female voice suddenly came from behind him, causing him to shiver with surprise and alarm.

“It’s me, Hishou-sama. The Princess told me everything about this morning. I never would have guessed that you, Hishou-sama, would do something like that while I was away. If you can’t explain it clearly, and the Princess tells Yuge about it, that would be trouble, eh heh heh.”

At that moment, a familiar figure emerged slowly from the rooftop. It was Shangguan Yun. She had returned home to get something after school and heard about the incident from the Princess.

“What? Ling’er told you? Doesn’t she know this needs to be kept a secret… Besides, whose fault is this! If you hadn’t stayed out all night, none of this would have happened.” Ouyang Xiyue’s face flushed with embarrassment, his mind filled with the memory of the morning’s events, causing his cheeks to burn.

“Oh, Hishou-sama～ Your face is all red. I had something important to do, who could have predicted you’d take advantage of the situation. Besides, even if I had been there, the Princess might not have wanted to sleep with me, right～”

Ouyang Xiyue looked at Shangguan Yun’s sly smile and sighed, rubbing his forehead in exasperation. What’s done is done, what can I do now?

“Well… If Yuge finds out about this, what can he do? He doesn’t even know I’m actually a man, hmph!” Ouyang Xiyue muttered under his breath, afraid of being overheard.

Ouyang Xiyue thought to himself that the Yuge mentioned by Shangguan Yun was the current Prince of the Holy Spirit Continent, Liuyu. He was incredibly handsome, with countless virtues and no apparent flaws. Most importantly… As a man, Yuge possessed a certain quality that Ouyang Xiyue lacked. Despite not wanting to admit it, it was the truth. Ah!

Yes, that quality was the iron will of a man, forged through countless battles. Yet, despite traveling with his master and facing countless life-and-death situations, why did he still seem so weak?

Damn you, fate! Give me back the iron will of a man! As a man, I refuse to be seen as a woman; it’s a disgrace and utterly embarrassing!

“Think about it, with Yuge’s tendency to overthink, do you remember what happened last time a man accidentally touched the Princess’s hand… You know, similar things have happened to women as well. The Princess is stunningly beautiful, even women are captivated by her, and you, Ouyang Xiyue, have committed a crime worthy of beheading. If the Princess spreads this, even Uncle Jian might not be able to protect you…” Shangguan Yun said seriously, though her expression was stern, her mind was already plotting mischief.

Seeing Shangguan Yun so solemn, Ouyang Xiyue’s face paled. He had heard of such incidents and knew he couldn’t let Ling’er tell Yuge, or they might be forced to separate.

Thinking this, Ouyang Xiyue looked up at the sky. There was still time; if he hurried back, it would only take about three minutes. There were still ten minutes before class, so he should make it, hopefully.

“Thank you, Shangguan Yun, I’ll be going now.” With that, Ouyang Xiyue summoned a shimmering silver sword from thin air and flew off, disappearing into the horizon.

Watching Ouyang Xiyue’s departing figure, Shangguan Yun’s lips curved into a sly smile.

“Hehehe, as expected of Hishou-sama, still so pure. Princess, I’ve done my part, the rest is up to you. But honestly, Hishou-sama is such a blockhead, can’t he see the Princess’s feelings for him? Well, as a servant, I can only do my best to support my master, as long as the deed is done, it’s all good.”

Meanwhile…

“Hm? Hishou, why are you back? Look at you, do you have an emergency?” Ouyang Xiyue rushed in, his appearance disheveled, hair tousled, and sweat beading on his face.

Ouyang Xiyue looked at Ling’er, who was safe and sound, and felt the heavy weight lift from his heart.

“I’m fine, Ling’er. About this morning, I want to explain, I didn’t mean to, I…”

Just as Ouyang Xiyue was about to continue, Luli Ling slowly walked up to him and gently placed a finger over his lips.

Ouyang Xiyue, already nervous, felt his heart race even more. Looking at Luli Ling so close, he swallowed hard.

“It’s alright, I know you didn’t mean to. Even if you did, I wouldn’t mind, because I can accept everything about you.”

Gazing at Luli Ling so close, Ouyang Xiyue was captivated. She was so beautiful, and the blush on her cheeks from embarrassment only made her more adorable…

“Why?” Ouyang Xiyue blurted out unthinkingly. Despite growing up with Ling’er, in his heart, Luli Ling was more like a little sister…

“Foolish Hishou, because… I like you.” Luli Ling’s face flushed with embarrassment as she finally confessed the words she had kept hidden for so long. Though shy, she cared more about Hishou’s response.

“Wh… what… Ling’er you… I” Ouyang Xiyue, already struggling to control his emotions, felt himself losing it. It was as if a demon was slowly invading his heart, and if this continued, something would surely happen!

As Luli Ling stood on her toes, slowly leaning in, Ouyang Xiyue watched her face grow larger, and those tempting lips…

Ouyang Xiyue couldn’t help but lean in as well… Just as they were about to kiss, suddenly…

Suddenly, Ouyang Xiyue’s phone rang loudly. The sound startled them both, and they quickly stepped back, looking at each other shyly, then down.

Embarrassed, Ouyang Xiyue pulled out his phone and glanced at the caller ID. It was Shangguan Yun. After answering, Shangguan Yun’s urgent voice came through.

“Is that Hishou-sama? Look at the time, class has been going on for a while. The teacher asked me to tell you and apologize to the Princess for disturbing you.”

“Beep beep beep…”

Seeing the call had ended, Ouyang Xiyue scratched his head awkwardly and looked at Ling’er, who was hiding her face in embarrassment.

“Uh… Ling’er, I have to go to school. Sorry.” With that, Ouyang Xiyue flew out the door, disappearing from Luli Ling’s sight.

Watching Ouyang Xiyue flee in embarrassment, Luli Ling smiled sadly. They had been so close to their first kiss, and she had thought her first kiss would be today, but it was such a shame…

“Damn Shangguan Yun, why did she have to call at such a crucial moment!” Luli Ling sighed, tapping her forehead.

But Hishou’s embarrassed escape was so adorable… Wait, I’m curious about Hishou’s response… Never mind, I’ll think about it next time we meet…

But what do I say when I see Hishou next? I’m so embarrassed. Luli Ling thought to herself, trying to figure out how to minimize the awkwardness when she next saw Hishou.

Unnoticed by Luli Ling, there was a shadow behind the door. After Ouyang Xiyue left, the shadow quickly disappeared as well.

Ouyang Xiyue was scolded by the teacher for being late to class. Though he wasn’t upset, thinking of Ling’er made his heart race. Why was that?

Thinking of Ling’er made him so nervous, could it be… No, no, no, Ling’er is just like a little sister to me.

“Excuse me, are you Ouyang Xiyue?” A small, cute girl appeared beside him.

“Hm? Yes, and you are?”

“I’m from the student council. Because you were late to class today, the teacher asked you to come sign in at the student office. Please note that in our Holy Sea Academy, students who are late or skip class without reason will face serious consequences.” The girl smiled at Ouyang Xiyue and left.

Oh no, am I in trouble just for being late? Whatever, I was careless. But speaking of being late, I remember Ye Xuehui didn’t come this morning, I wonder if something happened? Maybe he took a day off.

Lost in thought, Ouyang Xiyue soon found himself standing in front of the student office. He pushed open the door and stepped inside. Just as the door closed, a figure flashed by, pinning him against the door.

It all happened so suddenly, like a stone thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples everywhere. Ouyang Xiyue’s self-defense instincts kicked in, and without thinking, he threw a punch laced with ice magic towards the figure.

As his vision cleared, he saw the face of the person and was taken aback—it was Ye Xuehui! “Not good…” he thought to himself.

“Ye Xuehui, what are you doing? Are you alright?” Concern washed over him, and he quickly crouched down, reaching out to where he had punched.

Just as his fingers were about to touch Ye Xuehui’s clothes, Ye Xuehui’s strong hand gripped his tightly. Ouyang Xiyue struggled, but the grip was unbreakable.

“Calm down, let me see your injury. I didn’t mean to, you appeared so suddenly. That punch had six-tenths of my magic power, what if you got hurt? What would I do then?” Ouyang Xiyue’s voice was filled with worry.

Ye Xuehui looked down at Ouyang Xiyue, who was frantic like a hot potato, and a faint smile played on her lips.

“Don’t worry, I’m fine.” She spoke softly, then released Ouyang Xiyue’s hand and sat back in her seat.

But that ominous aura returned, hanging over them like a dark cloud…