On the long street, a curvaceous mature woman sprinted, sweat glistening on her skin. She looked slightly disheveled but retained her noble grace.
Her body was exhausted, yet Gujiajia dared not stop.
Her mind was filled with the image of that cool, aloof girl.
With time, the memory only grew sharper.
She could even recall the girl’s startled eyes the moment she drew near, her breath hitching slightly.
Her heart pounded like a rabbit. In the distance, a familiar sign appeared.
She finally slowed to a stop.
Her heartbeat still raced wildly.
“Of course my heart’s pounding after such intense exercise!”
Gujiajia muttered softly to no one, as if explaining to someone unseen.
She couldn’t accept it—her heart racing for another girl!
They were both girls, after all.
She didn’t understand why and instinctively avoided thinking about it.
The more she tried to forget, the more vivid the soft touch of those red lips became.
Gujiajia walked slowly. By the time she reached the gate, she’d regained her composure—still the poised, gentle mature woman.
Azure Rainbow Martial Hall!
The four bold characters exuded strength yet held a delicate charm.
In the courtyard, two little boys played in the mud.
A brown-haired boy struggled to shape mud into a castle with his chubby hands.
Sensing a shadow, he looked up with wide, clear eyes.
White over-the-knee lace socks. An intricate blue-and-white court dress.
Above them, a stunningly familiar face.
The boy jumped up, back stiff with tension.
“S-Sect Leader.”
Caught playing mud by the Sect Leader—he was so nervous.
The other two boys turned, mouths agape at the sight of Gujiajia.
“Wow! Sect Leader, you look so beautiful today!”
“Sect Leader’s back!”
Their voices were a key unlocking chaos. The quiet hall erupted with noise.
Children poured from rooms and corners, swarming Gujiajia. They cheered “Sect Leader!” and marveled at her dress.
A gray-eyed little girl stood closest, gazing enviously at the skirt.
“Sect Leader, can I touch it?”
Adorably innocent, her clear gray eyes full of hope—Gujiajia couldn’t refuse.
Smiling warmly, Gujiajia nodded.
Surrounded by little girls and boys, she entered the main hall.
The girls approached in awe, gently touching the fabric. The boys hung back, afraid their muddy hands would stain it.
“I brought gifts today. Go wash your hands first.”
Gujiajia ruffled a boy’s hair—dignified yet kind.
Relieved he wouldn’t be scolded for mud, the boy happily ran off to wash.
Once all children gathered, Gujiajia opened her gift bag. Out came sweet pastries and cute plush toys.
The pretty desserts filled the air with sweet fragrance, drawing gasps from the kids.
So beautiful and fragrant—they’d never seen anything like it!
Seeing their shining eyes, Gujiajia felt deeply satisfied.
She handed out the pastries one by one.
“These are sweets. Go ahead and try them.”
Awe covered their faces.
“Sect Leader’s amazing! The gifts are so pretty.”
“It smells so good, but it’s too lovely to eat!”
One boy couldn’t resist. He carefully licked a bite.
His eyes instantly sparkled like stars.
“This is so fragrant! Delicious!”
The others followed, eating cautiously.
Watching their pure joy, Gujiajia felt both warmth and sorrow.
The children ate silently, focused on every crumb.
Only after licking their fingers clean did they swarm Gujiajia again, chattering excitedly.
“Sect Leader, where were you these two days? How’d you get such tasty treats and this pretty dress?”
Gujiajia flushed inwardly, though her face stayed calm.
“You’ll understand when you grow up. So train hard in martial arts, okay?”
“Can I be as strong as you when I grow up?” A boy gazed at her adoringly.
Before Gujiajia could answer, a pigtailed girl piped up.
“No way! Sect Leader’s a girl like us. You’re a boy.”
As they nearly argued, Gujiajia cut in.
But facing their innocent admiration, she felt deeply ashamed.
“Your Sect Leader fought the Dark Dragon these past days—so incredibly fierce!”
She lied under their earnest gazes.
The children kept chattering. Gujiajia smiled, but her thoughts drifted far away.
Truth was, the Dark Dragon had been kind today. She’d given gifts that made the kids so happy.
Gujiajia’s smile deepened.
She wasn’t evil at all.
It wasn’t just the kids who were happy—Gujiajia had enjoyed today too.
“I’ll grow up super strong and defeat the Dark Dragon!”
A child’s voice jolted Gujiajia back.
She’s the Dark Dragon!
How could she be good?
Today’s kindness was just an illusion to deceive her!
Gujiajia repeated to herself: That’s the Dark Dragon!
The evil Dark Dragon!
Yet even as stars filled the night sky, she couldn’t convince herself.
That cool girl had been genuinely kind.
If she wanted to harm her, why go to such lengths?
“She’s not bad!”
“She’s the Dark Dragon!”
Two voices clashed in Gujiajia’s mind.
She snapped her eyes open, rolled onto her side, and hugged her blanket tightly.
So confusing. Couldn’t sleep. Couldn’t figure it out.
She rolled again.
Reason said: She’s the Dark Dragon—evil.
But after a day together, Gujiajia couldn’t believe that aloof girl was wicked.
Outside, the sky slowly lightened.
Snap!
A crisp sound echoed softly.
White light flooded the dark room. The tiny turtle in its glass tank on the windowsill stirred, poking its head out before retreating.
“Host Sister! You were chosen by the great No-Evil-Left-Behind System! You should’ve grabbed the Female Lead’s hand and kissed her back fiercely! How could you let her escape?”
“You’re so useless. I regret binding to you—what do I do now?”
A chirpy, cute voice looped in Su Qingshan’s ears.
A vein throbbed on Su Qingshan’s forehead. Since Gujiajia fled, System Maiden had nagged nonstop all the way home.
The mission was complete—wasn’t that enough?
Su Qingshan opened the fridge and pulled out an ice-cold drink.
“Hey hey hey! That was the easiest mission ever. If you let the Female Lead slip away now, when will you ever reach life’s peak?”
