Zixuan was coldly sent away from Yichen’s hospital room. She walked out of the hospital in a daze, aimlessly wandering the streets.
Pedestrians stared in shock at her disheveled appearance; many pulled out their phones to snap photos.
"Yichen…"
Zixuan murmured his name like a sleepwalker. Grief and heartache tangled inside her, filling her chest with a bitter ache.
Last night, she’d used her Soul Power to heal most of Yichen’s wounds—he only needed rest now. When she’d asked what happened earlier, she already knew the truth. The two Soul Force Wielders she’d secretly assigned to protect Yichen had grown careless, assuming he wouldn’t go out so late. By the time they arrived, he was already battered and bleeding. Her question had merely been a cover-up.
Zixuan drifted without direction, her mind blank. Unconsciously, she reached the riverbank and stared at her reflection in the water.
Even distorted by sorrow, her face remained dazzlingly ethereal. This beauty had always been her confidence—that Yichen’s eyes would hold only her. So when he’d suddenly brought Shiyue home, Zixuan had only felt a flicker of jealousy, no real resistance. But last night, he’d nearly died for Shiyue… and just now, he’d looked at her with disgust, driving her away. A cold unease coiled in her chest. The thought of Yichen walking away with another girl was unbearable.
Zixuan bit her lip, the bitterness choking her.
"Hey, gorgeous! What’re you doing all alone out here?"
A stranger’s voice cut through her thoughts. Zixuan lifted her head. Five flashy-dressed guys blocked her path. The leader—golden streaks in his hair, gaudy shirt under a black jacket, chunky boots—was Chen Hao, Yichen’s attacker from last night. Zixuan didn’t recognize him.
The five gaped, jaws slack enough to swallow eggs. They grinned like predators closing in.
"Cosplaying, babe? Damn, you’re stunning," leered a skinny guy, eyes raking over her.
Zixuan had no energy for them. She turned to leave without a word.
"Hey! Where you going?!" Chen Hao barked, grabbing her shoulder. Normally, he’d never have touched her—but lost in despair, Zixuan hadn’t sensed him. Rage flared. Her Soul Power erupted, flinging his hand away. Chen Hao stumbled back, assuming she’d shoved him. He shot his buddies a look. They encircled her.
"Listen up, sweetheart," Chen Hao sneered. "We had a real shitty night. Pissed off, y’know? Huh?"
Zixuan stopped, her glare sharp with fury.
"Mad? *You’re* mad? We’re madder! Had Lin Yichen and his girl cornered last night—then two busybodies showed up. Couldn’t even beat ’em! Ended up empty-handed *and* bruised. Fucking infuriating, right?"
*(These are the ones who hurt Yichen!)*
Certainty ignited Zixuan’s rage to its peak.
As all five lunged to grab her, an invisible surge of Soul Power blasted from Zixuan’s body. The four thugs flew backward, crashing ten meters away before tumbling across the grass. Luck spared them—no walls to slam into. Two scraped their skin rolling; two splashed into the river. Chen Hao’s luck ran out: he cracked his arm against a lamppost with a sickening **CRACK**.
"AAAAH! MY ARM!!!" he howled, clutching the broken limb.
Zixuan watched coldly. Their pitiful state melted the killing intent swirling inside her.
"Big Sister!"
A purple magic circle materialized beside her. Claire stepped out, her brows knotted with worry at Zixuan’s hollow expression. She wanted to comfort her but froze, unsure what to say.
"Claire…" Zixuan paused, then whispered, "Let’s go back."
Claire blinked. *Back?* This was the first time Zixuan had ever said those words. "Back where?"
"To our manor."
Claire’s eyes widened slowly. Then, a radiant smile broke across her face. She lunged forward, wrapping Zixuan in a bear hug.
"Yes! Big Sister!"
