What do I do, what do I do... Little Loli, freshly changed into blue pajamas like moonlit silk, hopped in place, anxiety fizzing like soda. Xiaoxue, Xiaoxue, why aren’t you out yet?

Her mom’s voice outside drifted nearer to the door, like footsteps crunching across frost. Little Loli yelped, voice cracking like a twig, Mom, don’t come in! I’m still changing!

Really? Then hurry up; the dishes are going cold, her mom called, warmth fading like steam off rice. Got it, I’ll be right there! The hallway quieted, distance stretching like fog, and Little Loli finally let out a breath, soft as a deflating balloon, then flopped face-first onto the bed.

Do I have to go full chuunibyou and wear an eye mask or a mask? Her face burrowed into the quilt; her golden hair, silk-bright, fell over her like a cape. Fine, glasses then—big frames, no lenses. At night, I’ll wrap my left eye with cloth. She pumped a tiny fist, cute as a kitten batting yarn.

The door slammed open—bang—like a drum. Xiaoxue, I’m calling you to eat, you still won’t come? Do you want to force Mom to get mad? Mrs. Xiao stood at the doorway, hands on hips, voice snapping like dry bamboo.

Wah! Shock hit Little Loli like cold rain. She rolled, quick as a squirrel, and dove under the quilt. Mom, didn’t I tell you not to rush into my room? she fired back from inside, voice muffled like a rabbit in straw.

You’ve been missing for three days. You finally come home, and you can’t even talk to your mom, make her feel at ease? Who goes straight into their room and won’t come out? Do you know your father and I have been worried sick? Her voice rose, thread-thin and sharp, like a violin string on the verge of breaking.

Soft-hearted, Little Loli couldn’t stand her mom’s hurt. She wriggled out, letting her gold hair spill across her face like a curtain to hide the red eye. Her hands folded at her skirt hem, posture small as a willow in rain. I was wrong.

That’s better. Hurry, come eat. Mrs. Xiao turned and left, footsteps receding like a tide. Little Loli had no choice; she trailed after, slow as a cat avoiding a bath.

At the table, Xiaoxue, this is your favorite—eat more, her mom said, chopsticks darting like swallows, piling food into her bowl. You were starving outside for three days; your nutrition’s shot. Eat, replenish. Her dad watched, eyes smiling like crescent moons, soaking in the warmth.

I know, Mom, stop adding, or I’ll get fat! Little Loli fought back with her chopsticks, clacking like little swords, her left eye squeezed shut, hair veiling the rest like dusk, afraid a stray strand would betray her.

After the cozy meal, her dad called her to the window. Hey, Xiaoxue, do you know who tried to kidnap you? His voice was calm, heavy as a stone in water. I know. It was that Ou Xiangyang, and I heard his family’s powerful, she said, palm on the cool glass, pinning hair over her left eye, a simple smile like sunlight on milk.

Yeah, that mutt. Her dad’s temper flared, hot as oil in a wok. He dared lay hands on my daughter? Even if his family’s got a deputy mayor, I’ll fight him to the death!

Dad, don’t. Save it for later. I’ll protect myself. Little Loli caught his big, warm hands, fingers soft as petals. She knew well what happens when a company boss slams head-on into a deputy mayor—like a moth into flame—so she tried to cool him down first.

A gust slid through the window like a sly fox. It lifted the veil of her hair. Her hands were busy, holding his, and her eyes—one gold, one red—looked straight at him, twin coins bright as sun and ember. Her dad saw everything, clear as winter air.

Xiaoxue, you... The red iris carved itself into Mr. Xiao’s mind like lacquer. Sigh. You saw. Little Loli stuck out her tongue, playful as a sparrow peck, then swept the rest of her hair behind her ear, leaving her gaze bare as a pond.

Xiaoxue, why are your eyes— His words stumbled. Her small white hand covered his mouth, gentle as snow, while the other raised a finger to her pink lips. Dad, don’t ask, okay? Call it your daughter’s secret. She spoke each word like beads on a string, then squinted, tilted her head, and smiled, sweet as a peach.

All right... fine. His shoulders sank like evening. Since his precious girl had said so, he had no more words. Promise me something else: don’t do anything stupid, okay? Little Loli’s voice was soft, a breeze through bamboo. Okay. I’ll listen to my daughter. I’ll listen, he sighed, helpless as a cloud, and turned back into the room.

Little Loli passed the kitchen; Mom was still washing dishes, sleeves wet as river stones. She hadn’t heard. Tiptoeing back, she eased her door shut, lock clicking like a cricket. Ou Xiangyang, huh? Hmph. I’ll make you pay. She licked the corner of her lips, tasting phantom iron, a smile thin as a knife. Her red pupil sharpened, feral as a wolf’s.

She fell onto bed, turned her head, and finally saw the long-lost phone resting by the pillow like a quiet little friend. She rolled once, twice, then stretched and snagged it, thumb pressing the home button. The familiar wallpaper bloomed like an old postcard, with a few unknown missed calls stamped across it.

She slid the screen. A ring trilled~~~~~ Hello? Joanna’s voice floated from the other end, bright and tight like a plucked string. Nana, is that you? Little Loli asked, soft as cotton. Ah, Xiaoxue— you haven’t come to school for days; I’ve been worried sick! Joanna’s urgency spiked, heat rising like noon sun.

It’s a long story. I got abducted just outside the school gate that day. Her tone went cool, flat as a lake. Kidnapped?! Who kidnapped you? Are you hurt? Joanna’s panic climbed another rung, fast as a cat up a tree.

No. It was Ou Xiangyang. He wanted to drag me back and— But someone saved me, and I ran home. She skimmed the surface, words thin as paper, hiding the rest in shadow. Good you’re safe. That damned Ou Xiangyang— I’ll find a chance and teach him a lesson, hard. Joanna’s fury flared, sparks snapping like a firework. But how did you get my number?

Ah-ha... about that... you don’t need to know, Xiaoxue. Joanna laughed, guilty as a kid hiding candy. Hmph. Whatever. We’ll talk more at school tomorrow. Okay. See you tomorrow, and remember it’s Friday— don’t forget your books. Joanna’s answer was crisp, clean as slate, then the call clicked off.

Having a friend like that is a handful, huh. Little Loli sighed, wind-soft, and sat at the computer. She pressed the power, the screen blooming like dawn.

Young master, what do you think of that girl? Far away, in a mountain manor wrapped in mist like silk, a butler asked, voice steady as stone. I like her. I want to be with her, even if she’s not ordinary. The answer came from Lin Fan, standing inside a high-grade training room where the air quivered like heat above desert. Red energy flowed along his forearms, shaping into blades, and he hacked at the custom target in a storm of strikes.

But sir, the master ordered you to train in seclusion before going out again, and to master your control over energy. The butler’s tone was respectful, firm as a pine. Damn old man... Lin Fan snarled, venom hot as pepper. Ever since he left Little Loli, his mind was flooded with her smile, her voice, and that jasmine scent, soft as rain.

One year. Just one year. Xiaoxue, wait for me. After a year, I’ll come find you! Lin Fan roared from the gut, the shout soaring like a hawk across the peaks.