"Yes."

Qingli nodded seriously. "Humans are indeed stronger than the Yao Race. Whether it’s the number of mid-tier fighters or the clash of top-tier power, humans far surpass us. Otherwise, things wouldn’t be the way they are now."

The "situation" she meant, of course, was the Yao Race’s dependence on humans—and having to offer their leader as a bride. I understood that much.

"But where do humans get their strength from?" I blinked like a curious child. "We have Yao Energy. What do they have? Superpowers? Immortal arts?"

"I’m not entirely sure," Qingli shook her head. "It’s their secret. They never let us in on it."

"I see."

A flicker of disappointment crossed my face. My thoughts drifted until something clicked. I blurted out, "Oh, Qingli—you said Yejia Yin was incredibly strong before. Is she really that powerful?"

The girl lying on the hospital bed calmly sliced a small piece of apple with a knife. She lifted it to my mouth, waiting until I started munching before replying leisurely, "Mhm. Ridiculously strong."

My mouth full, I could only blink rapidly to show my burning curiosity. My face practically screamed, *"How strong? HOW STRONG?!"* with invisible exclamation marks.

"Put it this way," Qingli set the apple aside and paused, thinking. "You saw my fight with that man yesterday. Fighters like us? We’re just mid-tier. Yejia Yin… according to rumors, she’s several times stronger than that."

"Guh—*that* strong?" I swallowed hastily, remembering something. "Oh! Qingli, let me tell you—Yejia Yin is terrifying. Last night at her place? Her expression nearly gave me a heart attack."

Qingli smiled softly at my rambling. But as I kept going, her smile froze. Her head snapped up, face stiffening abruptly.

Oblivious, I rambled on: "Seriously, last night? Yejia Yin’s face was like a block of ice. Like someone owed her millions. Wherever she went, the temperature dropped. She’s a walking cold front!"

Qingli forced a strained smile. "Do you feel… a chill in this room right now?"

I, Luo Xiaoyao—brilliant as snow and sharp as ice—caught her meaning instantly. A chill ran down my spine. I didn’t dare turn around. I just gave Qingli a bitter, apologetic smile for not warning me sooner.

She kept smiling, blinking innocently.

*Fine. A true hero knows when to yield.* Besides, gossiping behind someone’s back was my fault. If you’re going to stir the pot, you’d better be ready to face the heat—(what a terrible metaphor). As the icy pressure behind me crept closer… I…

I snatched a bright red apple from the table and spun around with a sugary smile. "Apple? I’ll peel one for you?"

Qingli had used this exact trick to distract me earlier. *Please work.*

Sure enough, Yejia Yin stood there, face unreadable. She must’ve overheard every bad word. Frostier than before—like she’d just stepped out of a freezer—her gaze lashed out at me. Two icy words slipped from her lips:

"No."

*Of course.* If this clumsy deflection hadn’t fooled even me, how could it trick the almighty Yejia Yin Qingli described? Wait… waitwaitwait—?

Yejia Yin wasn’t even scolding me for badmouthing her?

I exhaled a long, shaky breath, feeling life flood back into my limbs. I set down the apple and pulled a pear from another pocket.

"How about… a pear?"

Her expression didn’t flicker. "I don’t eat fruit."

After I sheepishly put the pear down too, Yejia Yin cut straight to the point:

"Come with me. We have something to do."

*Something to do?* I tilted my head. "What kind of something?"

Her eyes locked onto mine. Was that… a flicker of amusement beneath the ice?

"Choose a wedding dress."

—————Huh?