Chapter Six: Starlight Wounded

“That really scared me just now,” Lexi said, patting her chest, still visibly shaken—though her eyes kept darting toward Ang, glinting with mischief and evident interest.
“How did you do that back there? Have you trained in martial arts?” Lexi asked Ang, her face full of admiration.
Ang, as always, maintained his cold, stoic demeanor, ignoring Lexi’s questions entirely.
“Nana, your butler’s ignoring me,” Lexi complained, giving up on Ang after a while and turning to me for sympathy.
I studied Lexi, curious. Ang was already nearing four hundred years old. Thanks to his Silver Wolf heritage, there was an unmistakable air of ancient wisdom about him, yet he looked no older than forty, with striking silver hair and that forbidding countenance—undoubtedly attractive. Could it be that Lexi was drawn to this type? I watched her with growing interest, and Lexi’s cheeks flushed under my gaze.
“Nana, Xingyu, let’s go! If we don’t hurry, we’ll be late for roll call!” Embarrassed, Lexi seized Xingyu’s arm and dashed off, as if fleeing. Watching their retreating figures, a smile tugged at my lips.
“Ang, let’s leave it at that,” I commanded, turning toward him as I walked after the others.
“Yes, Miss,” Ang replied, withdrawing the icy glances he’d been shooting at Mo Chen. In a low mutter, he added, “Lucky boy. Congratulations on escaping with your life.” He then followed me closely, umbrella in hand.

During gym class, the students ran laps around the track, warming up. As someone not skilled in athletics—and with special exemption—I stood leisurely beneath a tree, watching them.
“Nana is far too sly,” Lexi complained to Xingyu as they ran.
Xingyu didn’t answer, only smiled. His stamina was even poorer than most girls’, and two laps were a heavy ordeal for him. He spared no energy for idle conversation—he probably envied me, relaxing in the shade.
As they neared completion of the second lap, Xingyu finally reached his limit. Stumbling, he tripped and fell hard onto the track.
The nearby students immediately clustered around him, voices full of concern. Lexi, flustered, hurried to check on him. The gym teacher rushed over too, dispersing the crowd and asking after Xingyu’s condition.
I strode over, genuinely worried that Xingyu might be hurt.
“It’s alright, just a fall. My knee’s scraped, that’s all. Sorry for causing trouble—I was careless,” Xingyu apologized, letting Lexi help him up.
“It’s fine, Xingyu. As long as you’re okay,” the others said, relief visible as they gradually dispersed.

“Xingyu, are you alright?” I asked once the crowd cleared.
“I’m fine. Just twisted my ankle and scraped my knee, nothing serious,” Xingyu replied with a smile. “That’s good.”
“But just to be safe, you should go to the infirmary,” Lexi said anxiously.
“Alright,” Xingyu agreed after a moment’s thought. For someone as stubborn as Xingyu to concede so easily—was he just looking for an excuse to skip gym class? The thought crossed my mind.
“Can you walk?” I asked.
“I think so.” Xingyu took a few steps—though he managed, I could see from the way his brows knit with every step that he was pushing himself.
“Ang!” I called, seeing him grit his teeth through the pain.
“Yes.” Ang handed me the umbrella, stepped forward and respectfully asked, “Excuse me, may I carry you to the infirmary?”
“Is there anything I can do to help?” came Bai Ye’s voice, always accompanied by that gentle, sunny smile as he appeared at our side.
“Thank you, but that won’t be necessary,” I refused him outright. My dislike for this human was sincere and deep.
“It’s alright, Bai Ye, I can walk,” Xingyu said, not wanting our relationship to sour, and with Lexi’s support, struggled forward.
“Um, is there anything I can do to help?” Another male voice sounded behind us. We turned—it was the boy who had nearly hit us with a ball earlier and narrowly escaped Ang’s wrath. His name was Mo Chun, if I recalled correctly.
“You’re Mo Chen, right?” Xingyu greeted him with a smile despite his pain.
“Yes,” Mo Chun—no, Mo Chen—responded, looking awkward as he came to stand before us. “Let me carry you to the infirmary.” He looked at Xingyu, worry etched on his face.
“No need, I can walk. Don’t trouble yourself,” Xingyu declined, clearly embarrassed by the idea of being carried by a boy.
“Please, let me help. Otherwise, I’ll feel terribly guilty,” Mo Chen pleaded.

Xingyu looked torn; it was obvious he was not good at refusing others.
“Xingyu, let him help. You’re pushing yourself too hard,” I said. My aversion was only for the insincere Bai Ye; the others were merely passing presences in my world.
“Alright then—thank you,” Xingyu finally relented.
I glanced at Bai Ye. His perpetual, gentle smile remained, but I caught a fleeting, cold gleam in his eyes—a sign that the ever-smiling Bai Ye was not as simple as he appeared.
“It seems my assistance isn’t needed after all. I’ll head off, then. Xingyu, take care,” Bai Ye said as if nothing had happened, the trace of chill in his eyes concealed beneath his gentle words.
“Thank you for your concern, Bai Ye,” Xingyu replied, while I merely scoffed.
With Xingyu’s consent, Mo Chen lifted him onto his back and jogged toward the infirmary. Lexi followed at an easy pace, calling out, “Nana, hurry up—you know where the infirmary is, right? We’ll wait for you there!”
Watching them disappear into the distance, my expression turned cold. “Ang!”
“Yes, Miss,” Ang answered dutifully.
“I don’t want any trouble,” I commanded.
“Understood. I’ll have someone warn that human, Bai Ye. Don’t worry, Miss.” Ang had also sensed the chill in Bai Ye’s eyes and immediately grasped my intent.
“Good.” I nodded slightly. I didn’t want anything to disturb these precious, ordinary school days, and even less did I want Xingyu harmed. Xingyu belonged to me; no one would be allowed to hurt him. No matter whom Bai Ye’s murderous intent was truly aimed at, I would crush every threat before it could take root. As for what kind of warning Bai Ye would receive, I didn’t care—as long as he stayed out of my life and didn’t ruin my mood. Even if he died, it would mean nothing to me.
Having settled matters concerning Bai Ye, I hurried toward the infirmary.