Late at night, at the Qu residence.

Inside Qu Yi’s dimly lit room, a stunning woman with long crimson hair gently combed Qu Yi’s freshly blow-dried locks.

The two beauties—one tall, one petite—shared not only the same captivating shade of red hair, but strikingly similar features, like sisters.

In truth, this was Qu Yi’s mother: Xia Qing, third-in-command of Southgate Garrison’s armed forces!

Xia Qing stroked Qu Yi’s hair with a wooden comb, voice warm with affection.

“I knew it! My Yi Yi would look even more beautiful with long hair~”

Qu Yi offered a bright, slightly shy smile.

“Mom is too!”

Two years ago, mother and daughter had made a pinky promise to grow their hair together.

Because of that promise, Qu Yi let her hair grow. Otherwise, she might still have that short, boyish cut!

Back in school days with Han Xiangxue and Lai Yingxin, people often mistook her for the girls’ guardian knight.

Truth was, Qu Yi’s wild, fierce childhood likely came from imitating Xia Qing.

Imitating her short hair.

Imitating her capable, no-nonsense personality.

Imitating her unwavering, sincere heart.

Noticing this unconscious mimicry, Xia Qing had proposed the pinky promise—to grow their hair together.

Xia Qing pulled Qu Yi into her arms, fingers lightly tracing her daughter’s strands.

She felt proud, happy—to be her child’s role model.

But Qu Yi’s path differed. Xia Qing had grown up with Qu Yingguang, her childhood sweetheart.

One scholarly, one martial—their personalities complemented each other perfectly.

Minor bumps aside, they’d found each other early.

Yet Qu Yi’s only childhood companions were two girls. Xia Qing couldn’t help but worry: would her daughter find someone who truly fit her?

Especially knowing both Lai Yingxin and Han Xiangxue had received confessions… while her own daughter never had. How bothersome.

Ahem—truthfully, it was because Qu Yi had been raised *too* well!

Since childhood, no classmate could match her. She’d effortlessly take them down.

Even after awakening as a Demonhunter, she stood among the elite.

Bare-handed? One fell, then two—no contest.

Qu Yi had always given Han Xiangxue and Lai Yingxin unshakable security.

If Qu Yi were a boy, those two would’ve surely fallen for her.

Though… Han Xiangxue seemed to be showing signs of feelings beyond friendship.

Seeing the worry in her mother’s eyes, Qu Yi understood.

Her cheeks warmed slowly.

After a quiet moment, she gathered her courage.

“Mom… I like someone.”

Shy? Absolutely. But she couldn’t bear adding to her mother’s burdens.

Mom was already exhausted fighting demons.

And she wouldn’t lie—she genuinely liked Uncle Ye.

Qu Yi didn’t know why, but the moment she saw Ye Thirteen, something pulled her in.

With every interaction, her heart leaned closer.

She knew he carried secrets—but never pressed. She wanted to understand him, slowly, gently.

Most of all, she believed Ye Thirteen was good. Someone she could trust.

Age gap aside… nothing else mattered.

Xia Qing froze. Then memories surfaced: Qu Yi coming home later lately, eyes lighting up at the door… always sneaking off with her phone.

Honestly, the signs had been obvious. They’d just been too busy to notice.

Though Xia Qing had always hoped for this day… hearing it now brought no joy.

She narrowed her eyes, smile faint.

“From school?”

Nestled in her mother’s warm embrace, Qu Yi pouted playfully.

“No way! They’re too immature!”

Xia Qing’s smile stilled.

*Not from school?!*

Met during patrol duty?

Please don’t be some street punk…

Her expression hardened. Fists clenched. A cold glint flashed in her eyes.

But this was Qu Yi’s first crush. She couldn’t shut it down cold.

Eyes still narrowed, voice measured:

“Maturity isn’t bad… How far have things gone?”

Qu Yi’s face flushed crimson—as if a kettle whistled on the stove.

She buried her face in her mother’s chest, voice muffled.

“N-nothing like that yet!”

“One-sided?”

Xia Qing almost laughed.

*So the little witch has a soft spot too?*

Qu Yi mumbled, “We just met recently…”

Then her eyes sparkled.

“But he’s really nice! Kind, upright, his big hands are so warm, treats me so well~ And he’s *incredibly*, *incredibly* handsome!”

Xia Qing suspected the last part was the real hook.

Still, she smiled warmly.

“Got a photo? Let Mom see~”

Qu Yi, seemingly prepared, tapped her phone and showed a picture: her and Ye Thirteen at Jiale Square in Sector 069, Zhanlong River flowing behind them.

Qu Yi beamed—joy practically bursting from the screen.

Behind her, the man leaned against a railing, cigarette in hand, gaze tilted toward the sky.

Not a full-face shot, but enough to see clearly.

No pretty-boy idol look. Instead: capable, steady, quietly commanding.

Given Qu Yi’s tastes, this made perfect sense.

Even in a photo, his mature charm carried a hint of weathered mystery.

Early twenties, yet radiating quiet depth.

No wonder he was such a heartthrob—especially for a girl like Qu Yi.

No wonder she was smitten.

With looks like that? As long as his character held up, few girls would stay unmoved.

Qu Yi stole glances at her mother, heart pounding.

This photo hadn’t been easy.

Ye Thirteen didn’t shave often.

She’d waited for the perfect post-shave moment to snap it—so he looked younger.

If he’d appeared over thirty? Mom would’ve flipped.

After all… her own parents were barely past thirty.