"The Snow Maiden race is truly fascinating."

"In what way?"

Hearing Grandpa Xiao’s wistful sigh over the phone, Xiao Yingwan casually pulled a book from her room’s shelf and voiced her curiosity at just the right moment.

The book held the racial compendium Grandpa Xiao had compiled over the years.

"Lately, I’ve been chasing Snow Maiden legends. During a mountain climb, I had a minor accident—but it turned out lucky. A Snow Maiden saved me. Now I’m living in their village."

"Ahem, I should say the Snow Clan. Nearly all are female, and stunningly beautiful. That’s why we call them Snow Maidens."

"Mm-hmm."

Xiao Yingwan flipped the published pages, but her focus stayed on her grandfather’s voice.

His voice kept flowing eagerly:

"On the surface, the Snow Clan lives like us. But they can do truly magical things."

"First, every child born is 100% female. Or they can lower temperatures within a range. Wherever they settle, it becomes perfectly cold for them. So they all hate summer."

"Their body temperature runs low too. And they adore icy things."

"If you visit later, bring extra layers, hahaha."

"But honestly, they sound less interesting than the Blood Clan."

Xiao Yingwan sat at her desk, switched her phone to speaker, and slowly sketched a snowflake on paper.

"Haha, there’s more! The village chief says Snow Clan members past a certain age can shift between child and adult forms."

"Huh??"

"However... despite their abilities, their reproduction rate is terrible."

"Terrible?"

Xiao Yingwan, still amazed by their powers, couldn’t help but frown slightly.

Poor breeding meant time would erase them.

She jotted down the Snow Clan’s quirks while listening.

Grandpa Xiao continued:

"Yeah, likely due to their physique. The chief thinks they’ll face crisis in a century or so."

"This world stays balanced."

Xiao Yingwan had no reply to his sigh.

Except for rare blessed cases, all things bow to balance.

"But..."

"Hmm? But what?"

"The chief mentioned another Snow Clan village found some hope. Details are unknown."

Grandpa Xiao’s vivid tales had always sparked Xiao Yingwan’s curiosity about Rare Breeds.

The long-unseen grandfather and granddaughter chatted nonstop. Twenty minutes slipped by unnoticed.

As the call faded, Xiao Yingwan’s gaze drifted to the courtyard’s immaculate flowerbed outside her window.

Dusk’s last light lingered, draping everything in golden gauze—breathtakingly beautiful.

Yinyun City’s day-night chill wasn’t extreme, but a crisp coolness now brushed the air.

Suddenly, Xiao Yingwan recalled the brief coldness during her noon tutoring session.

Hearing about the Snow Clan’s traits, she oddly linked Chi Yuzhou—that homebody—to them.

Probably just a breeze dodging sunlight.

Besides, Snow Clan births are 100% female.

Maybe hanging with a bad student was making her dumb too.

She should brainstorm ways for that homebody to notice her charm instead.

...

"Yawn!"

Chi Yuzhou, just entering the tavern’s changing room, ducked his head and sneezed.

He pinched his nose. No fever coming on.

Must be some woman failing to catch him, fuming right now.

The thought amused him.

That woman always acted like she had everything under control.

Don’t ask why not 100%—that 1% was his chance!

He’d longed to see her lose her cool.

Watching safely? He’d mock her twice as hard.

By the time Chi Yuzhou reached the counter, guests began trickling in.

The regular female customer still sat at her usual spot, glancing his way now and then.

After serving her drink, Chi Yuzhou quietly focused on his tasks.

His calm aura stayed undisturbed.

While pondering tomorrow’s plans, the doorbell jingled. Two women of striking beauty and grace walked in.

Hengqinghuai and Qiujie Zhuo.

Having met by chance, they wordlessly took seats before Chi Yuzhou.

Qiujie Zhuo’s eyes burned into him as she ordered her usual drink.

Hengqinghuai merely gave a slight nod when their eyes met.

After Chi Yuzhou set down the drink and turned to brew coffee, Qiujie Zhuo’s gaze behind him grew faintly gloomy.

As he worked, Hengqinghuai spoke up:

"Heard you’re adjusting work hours for studies, Yuzhou?"

"Yeah, settled it with the manager."

Chi Yuzhou placed the coffee down. Qiujie Zhuo cut in:

"Adjusting? To when?"

"Regular weekends off. Leaving earlier."

"Oh, good."

Qiujie Zhuo’s gloom vanished. She wore sincere concern now.

"By the way... after that incident, are you fully recovered?"

"Yeah, rested up."

Hengqinghuai’s eyes darted between them at the ambiguous words.

"You two..."

"That Seductive Fiend—I later learned how dangerous it was."

"Protecting you... is simply my duty."

Qiujie Zhuo’s reliable words carried a tender gaze fixed on Chi Yuzhou.

Her tone held a trace of unspoken affection.