*Creak—*
The martial hall’s door opened.
A little boy peeked through the crack. Ink-black hair like seaweed, loose robes, a slender figure glimpsed between folds of fabric—only drawing more attention.
Gujiajia set down her bags, then turned to shut the heavy door behind her.
The boy’s eyes lit up.
“Sect Leader’s back!”
Gujiajia unpacked the feast, arranging dishes neatly.
The children sat quietly, bowls hugged in one arm, spoons clutched in the other. Their wide eyes followed her every move as lids lifted off steaming containers.
Aroma thickened with each opened box.
“So fragrant!”
“Sect Leader’s amazing! She brought us a real feast!”
“Is this what she meant—bitter before sweet? We starved, then got rewarded!”
Gujiajia’s smile faltered. A trace of moisture stung her nose.
*These kids… so obedient, so sweet. So pitiful.*
She *had* to work harder. Earn more.
How could she ever send such precious children to an orphanage?
But now—this job covered rent!
Thinking of that aloof girl forcing her to accept these meals, Gujiajia pressed her lips tight, fighting a rising grin.
“Eat while it’s hot. Reheating ruins it.”
She took the first bite.
*Sect Leader’s chopsticks move—time to dig in!*
Cheers erupted. Spoons clattered against bowls.
Gujiajia didn’t eat yet. She piled food on her plate, watching their joyful, focused faces. Pure contentment.
No “silent meals” rule here. Muffled chatter mixed with chewing.
“Sect Leader’s the best! Last time desserts, now a feast!”
“Of course! She defeated the Dark Dragon!”
Gujiajia choked mid-bite. Her ears flushed pink.
“But she was strong before… never brought feasts,” a rice-grain-dotted boy insisted seriously.
All eyes turned to him. He puffed his chest.
“Bringing treats *twice* means she found a job!”
“Grown-ups say steady work makes life good!”
“Wow!”
Gasps of awe—for the job, and the boy’s wisdom.
“Nope.” A golden-haired girl adopted a sage’s frown. “Jobs pay bills. But *this*? Feasts *and* desserts? Sect Leader’s in love!”
She nodded firmly. *She knew things.*
Doubt flickered in the others’ eyes. Both theories felt true.
Every gaze locked onto Gujiajia, waiting for the verdict.
Her face burned crimson.
“See? Only girls in love blush!” The golden-haired girl declared victory.
“Ooooh~ Sect Leader’s shy!”
*These kids!*
Gujiajia’s cheeks flamed. Annoyance warred with embarrassment.
“Manners,” she said sharply, setting down her chopsticks.
Heads ducked instantly. Spoons scraped bowls faster.
*No one wanted post-dinner fist-form punishment.*
Gujiajia picked up her bowl again. The heat in her cheeks refused to fade.
She pretended not to see the children’s sly winks.
Later.
Gujiajia stared at the white ceiling, tangled in sheets.
She burrowed deeper, cocooned like a caterpillar, rolling restlessly.
But the girl’s cool voice, her faint scent—impossible to banish.
*That Dark Dragon was awful. Always teasing her!*
Then why did her chest feel so warm?
Gujiajia squeezed tighter, as if hiding from that icy fragrance.
Her heart hammered.
*She’s a girl. A dragon!*
Why couldn’t she control this fluttering?
Just thinking of her made Gujiajia want to smile.
*This is bad.*
Had she… developed dangerous feelings for a Dragon Princess?
*Vvvv—*
Her phone buzzed. Gujiajia jolted upright.
An unknown number. She took three deep breaths, waiting for the blush to fade before answering.
“Hello?” Her voice stayed calm.
“Ms. Gujiajia?”
*Sponsor the martial hall?*
Elation surged. Rent worries would vanish!
But caution cooled her.
Azure Rainbow Martial Hall had no customers—just orphans training. Who’d fund a failing sect’s dojo?
*Scam?*
The caller didn’t bristle at her doubt.
“To prove our sincerity, we’ll transfer ten thousand yuan upfront.”
Scammers *took* money. Ten thousand was real.
“I… appreciate it,” Gujiajia said carefully.
*Too good to be true.*
But if the money arrived…
Her phone *pinged*.
*“Account **** received transfer: ¥10,000.00”*
It was real.
Gujiajia paced her room, giddy.
*Bitter before sweet.* Someone believed in them!
Rent was safe…
But why? The hall had only her and the children.
*Protect them.* Her stomach knotted.
What if the sponsor’s intentions were impure?
She hesitated. Yet they’d send an inspector tomorrow. The money was already hers—surely safe?
Gujiajia clenched her fists.
She’d prepare perfectly. Win this sponsorship.
Losing it over poor preparation? Unthinkable.
Meanwhile.
An empty street. No people. No cars.
A low hum grew from the distance.
A sleek black limousine glided to a stop before Azure Rainbow Martial Hall.
