When Chuxingyue returned to the ward with a bag of watermelon, she saw only Li Yan inside. "Where's Xiao Mu?" she asked curiously. "Could he still be in the bathroom?"

Li Yan looked even more confused. "Sister-in-law, wasn't the boss with you? No way?"

"What's going on? Where did Xiao Mu go?" Chuxingyue grew anxious immediately.

"After the boss came out of the bathroom, he waited a while," Li Yan said helplessly. "But you hadn't returned, so he rushed out to find you. I couldn't stop him."

"But... he doesn't even know where I bought the watermelon. How can he find me?"

"Oh right!" Li Yan realized suddenly. "He's probably still searching everywhere for you out there!"

"No, I have to go find him!" Worried about Xiao Mu's weak condition, Chuxingyue set down the watermelon and headed for the door.

"Sister-in-law, you can't go!" Li Yan quickly blocked her.

Chuxingyue stopped. "Why?"

"Think about it—if you leave and the boss comes back not seeing you, he'll worry," Li Yan improvised. "Let me find him. You stay here and wait."

Chuxingyue hesitated. "Well... okay. But find Xiao Mu fast. His body's so weak—if he faints..."

"Don't worry, sister-in-law. I'll find the boss ASAP!" Li Yan patted his chest confidently.

After Li Yan left, Chuxingyue paced the ward, her face tight with anxiety.

Suddenly, she froze. "I can call Xiao Mu! How did I forget that?"

She grabbed her phone and dialed, but his phone was turned off.

"Maybe it died..." Chuxingyue murmured, lowering her phone.

Actually, Xiao Mu had powered off his phone after calling Night Glass—to avoid Chuxingyue's calls.

...

From afar, Xiao Mu spotted the figure at the school gate. Night Glass stood tall in her non-mainstream outfit, burgundy hair drawing every eye.

She radiated icy tension, making passersby steer clear.

Xiao Mu approached. Night Glass's eyes flickered when she saw him, then hardened.

"If you have something to say, say it," she said flatly.

"Are you angry?" Xiao Mu asked.

"No."

"You look angry."

"I said no!" Night Glass glared like a bristling lion cub, confused by her own fury.

Xiao Mu held her gaze. "Xiao Li, how can we talk properly?"

"We can talk now. What about?" Night Glass suppressed her emotions, voice cold.

"Can I still be your master?"

A sharp pain hit Night Glass's heart. The word "no" stuck in her throat. She clenched her teeth, eyes stubbornly refusing to yield.

After a long silence, she spoke. "I won't call you master now. But if you want to continue... complete one thing."

"Tell me!" Xiao Mu replied instantly.

"The school's basketball tournament runs three days. Lead your class to first place. That's it."

"Are you sure?"

"Sure."

"I accept!"

"FYI—your class's game starts soon. Better hurry."

Xiao Mu sprinted toward campus. Wind lifted his bangs. As he passed Night Glass, their eyes locked briefly.

Different emotions swirled in their gazes.