Children's Day.

It was one of Baiyi’s least favorite holidays.

Because on this day, whenever Baiyi stepped outside, he’d always be surrounded by pesky brats pulling mean pranks on him.

So usually, he’d hole up in his room all day, refusing to step out no matter what.

But today, he had no choice but to force himself to accompany a certain idiot to the city center.

To attend a nightmare gathering filled with mischievous kids and adults hurting each other.

Just thinking about it made Baiyi’s scalp tingle with dread.

“Young Master, we’re almost at the city square. Please get ready to disembark with Lian Ye,” Xiao Ling called from the front.

“Alright, got it. This guy…”

Hearing the maid’s words, Baiyi gently patted Lian Ye, who was still sleeping with her eyes closed on his lap.

He was supposed to take her to the square for fun today. Yet seeing Lian Ye sleep so carefree inexplicably annoyed him.

Who wanted to go out and play, anyway?

She slept comfortably while he had to watch this fool.

So frustrating!

“Hey, idiot, wake up. We’re getting off.”

“Mmm… hot.”

This girl, really.

Lian Ye ignored Baiyi’s patting and lazily rolled over.

She patted his chest with her small, fair hands, then tugged his clothes to wipe the sticky sweat from her body.

After all, the Great Empire’s morning was bright and clear.

But the sun blazed fiercely, the heat intense. Baiyi felt like he was trapped in a giant furnace, waves of scorching air crashing over him.

Weather this hot was simply unbearable.

Seeing Lian Ye use his clothes to wipe her sweat made Baiyi even more annoyed.

But wanting her to enjoy today, he held back the urge to spank her.

“I know it’s hot, but you’ve slept enough in the Imperial Palace. Keep sleeping, and I won’t buy you milk today.”

“Milk… milk!”

At the word “milk,” Lian Ye’s eyes flew open. She sat up excitedly, waving her small hands and slapping Baiyi’s face.

“No!”

This silly idiot—waking up was fine, but slapping his face?

So cheeky.

“Mmm… bad!”

Hearing no milk, Lian Ye pouted, hands on hips.

Her obsession with milk ran deep.

“Stop pouting. Sit still and wait—”

“My name is Xiao Ling, Young Master.”

Sure enough, he still hadn’t remembered her name.

Sitting upfront, Xiao Ling knew Baiyi forgot her daily.

Yet each reminder stabbed deep pain into her heart.

Even though it happened every day.

“Fine. After Xiao Ling parks the carriage, we’ll go play. So stop messing around, or I’ll spank you. Understand?”

“Mmm…”

Spanking…

Ouch, bad!

At the threat, the fussy Lian Ye instantly quieted, sitting obediently beside him.

But it was only surface-deep.

Her hands still clutched Baiyi’s sleeve tightly. Her serious expression made him think she was competing with him.

Just a kid—as long as she wasn’t fussing, he let her be.

Whether she clung to compete or to stay close, unwilling to part, remained unknown.

“Young Master, we’ve reached the city center. It’ll get crowded soon—let’s find parking first.”

“As you say.”

Baiyi stuck his head out to check outside.

Blinding sunlight shot down, forcing him to squint slightly at the scene ahead.

Sure enough, the square swarmed with dense crowds of naughty kids and silly adults.

Seeing brats exploit Children’s Day to coax or tantrum for toys and games, Baiyi felt unexplained dread.

“Tch, so many people.”

Watching the brats dominate the square, his sour mood worsened.

“Alright, Young Master, bring Lian Ye down.”

“Hmm, let’s go.”

Baiyi glanced at Lian Ye clutching his sleeve, then at the sea of people outside.

He shook his head helplessly and led her down.

Seriously, was the weather too hot today?

After stepping off the carriage, he watched parents squeeze through the square with kids, a wry smile on his face.

…

“Is everyone ready?”

“Yes, Boss. The Observer and magic sniper are in position. Others are in plain clothes, blended into the crowd, ready to move.”

“Good. Observe and stand by. At my command, everyone acts immediately. Understood?”

“Yes, Boss!”

In a room of an ordinary high-rise near the central square, S3 scanned the crowd through binoculars.

A half-mask engraved with white rose patterns covered half her face.

Beneath the pure white mask lay features rivaling a world-class masterpiece.

A lock of silky white hair flowed like gently falling snow.

A warm breeze lifted it, dancing in the air.

Yet on her pale face, deep burgundy eyes flashed a trace of malice and coldness.

“Baiyi… I’ve waited long for this day…”

A crimson-and-ink-black short blade materialized in her hands.

“Five years. You’re the Grand General now, a hero who unified half the nation.”

“And I, since you let me go… rose to the top ten in the Shadowblade Alliance.”

“My plan isn’t complete, and the leader called me early. But it doesn’t dull my anticipation to see you.”

In the pitch-black room, the cold blade reflected her slightly upturned lips.

An eerie, deeply meaningful smile appeared.

“For… my revenge.”