Senior Sister!
"Ugh... this academy life."
The melodic voice grew clearer as its owner stepped into the room.
Xuan Yan turned his gaze toward the entrance, his golden eyes catching the light of the setting sun streaming through the windows.
A beautiful young woman entered, her flowing silver robes embroidered with delicate plum blossoms and her striking face was framed by short orange hair hair that shimmered with a faint golden hue.
Her steps faltered the moment her eyes landed on Xuan Yan.
Eh? Surprise flickered across her face as she stopped in her tracks, her delicate brows furrowing. "An outsider?" she murmured, almost to herself.
Xuan Yan tilted his head, blinking innocently at her.
The woman quickly regained her composure, her gaze softening as she took in the sight of the boy.
His small figure seated on the couch, and his cheeks slightly puffed from sipping his drink... it was a sight that disarmed her completely.
Hu Liena knows that no one dares to step here without the permission of Bibi Dong 'Hm? Someone teacher knows?'
She slowly walked to him and asked curiously "Who are you, little one? And how did you get in here?"
Before Xuan Yan could answer, she sat beside him on the couch, her eyes narrowing playfully as she reached out and pinched his cheeks gently. "How adorable."
Xuan Yan's cheeks squished under her soft fingers, and he mumbled through the pinching, "I... I'm Xuan Yan... Teacher brought me here..."
Her hands froze mid-pinch, her eyes widening in realization. "Teacher?" she muttered, leaning back slightly as she looked at him more closely.
"Wait... You mean Her Majesty?"
Xuan Yan nodded as best he could with his cheeks still in her grasp.
Eh? Hu Lian was taken aback to hear this 'Calling her as Teacher? Don't tell me...'
*tap* At this time, the maid came there with a steaming cup of tea "Young Lady.. this is your new junior brother, the second disciple of Her Majesty."
Wha-
Hu Liena turned her gaze to him, her lips partly opening in shock 'As I thought, he is a new disciple.'
Xuan Yan silently took another sip of his coffee and snapping out of her shock, Hu Liena also reached out to pick the tea in her hands.
Sipping her own tea, she reached out and gently ruffled his hair "Seems like you must be talented for Teacher to accept you as her disciple."
"I am Hu Liena, your Senior Sister."
"Senior Sister?" Xuan Yan repeated, tilting his head.
A proud smile spread across her lips. "That's right. Since we're going to be fellow disciples under Her Majesty, I'll make sure to take good care of you, Little Junior Brother."
She continued to pat his head affectionately, her fingers weaving through his soft hair and Xuan Yan nodded his head lightly
But Hu Liena's teasing nature got the better of her and she giggled, her hand moving to gently pinch his cheek. "You're really too cute, you know. Like a little dumpling... maybe I should just call you that... Little Dumpling."
"Wawa..was... S-Senior Sister..." Xuan Yan felt his cheeks being played by Hu Liena.
Looking at his squishy face, Hu Liena giggled even more and retracted her hand "I'm sorry, Junior Brother. You're just too adorable... it's hard to resist."
Xuan Yan rubbed his slightly red cheeks, muttering under his breath. "I didn't ask for this face..."
Still laughing, Hu Liena leaned forward slightly "Good. Now, do you need anything else? Tea? Snacks? A new set of cheeks to pinch?"
Xuan Yan's lips twitched into a faint smile. "No, thank you. I'm fine for now."
She moved a little close to him "Well, Little brother.. I am happy that I got a new junior brother."
Xuan Yan glanced at her, his expression softening as he offered her a small, genuine smile. "Yes, Senior Sister, I'm also happy to have a Senior Sister like you."
"Awww…" she cooed, hurriedly setting her tea down on the table. Without hesitation, she leaned forward and cupped his face in her hands again, squishing his cheeks as though they were made of the finest dough.
"You're really too cute. I can't take it."
Xuan Yan's eyes wobbled 'L-Let me drink coffee in peace, woman.. ahhh, damn my cute face.'
Eventually, Hu Liena released his face, still grinning ear to ear as she watched him recover, his hands rubbing his poor, pinched cheeks.
"Seems like you are getting along well."
Hearing a voice, Hu Liena turned her head and looked at Bibi Dong who just entered the main hall.
"Teacher..."
With a faint smile, Bibi Dong spoke "Well, I assume you two have already introduced yourselves," she said, her gaze flickering between Hu Liena and Xuan Yan.
Hu Liena nodded her head head "Yeah, teacher and I really like Little Brother."
The maid hurriedly came there and bowed "Your Majesty... anything for you to drink or eat."
Bibi Dong waved her hand "No need, I am going to rest a little..."
She then glanced at Xuan Yan "Yan'er, we can go to the Star Dou forest tomorrow to get a spirit ring for you."
Looking at her, Xuan Yan nodded his head "Yes teacher."
With a satisfied nod, Bibi Dong turned and left the hall, leaving the two disciples behind.
As soon as her figure disappeared from sight, Hu Liena's curious eyes landed on Xuan Yan once more as she crossed her arms and tilted her head slightly.
"So, Little Brother," she began with a teasing lilt in her voice. "As I thought, your innate soul power must be level 10 if Teacher is already planning to get you a spirit ring. You really are a genius."
Xuan Yan just nodded his head and continued to drink his coffee.
Hu Liena let out a soft sigh "Do you know how rare it is for someone to possess innate full soul power? Little Brother."
Xuan Yan glanced at her, "I'm just lucky, I guess,"
Hu Liena chuckled. "Humble too? You're going to make a lot of people jealous."
She leaned back, stretching slightly as she continued. "You know, when I first became Teacher's disciple, I worked so hard to prove myself worthy of her attention. But you..."
She pointed at him with a smirk. "...you've already got everyone's attention just by existing. Not fair, Little Brother."
Xuan Yan's lips curledinto a faint smile. "I don't think that's entirely true, Senior Sister. You're clearly very talented too."
Hu Liena blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the sincerity in his tone and for a moment, she was silent, her expression softening.
Then she laughed lightly, shaking her head. "You really are something else, huh?"
Before Xuan Yan could respond, Hu Liena stood up abruptly, "Alright! Since Teacher wants you to rest tonight, I won't keep you up too long. But before I go…"
She leaned down once more, cupping his face in her hands and squishing his cheeks again. "I need one last pinch for the road! You're just too cute, Little Brother."
"Wawa… S-Senior Sister…" Xuan Yan's muffled protests fell on deaf ears as Hu Liena giggled playfully.
Finally releasing him, she straightened up and gave him a wink. "Get some rest, Little Dumpling. Tomorrow's going to be an important day for you."
With that, she turned and strolled out of the hall, leaving Xuan Yan alone with his thoughts... and his poor, abused cheeks.
Xuan Yan is also excited to get his spirit ring tomorrow.
[Ding!]
[Mission: Obtain your first spirit ring, Age limit: more than 2000 years]
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I hope you guys liked this chapter!