Chapter 36: After Class, Come Into My Arms (34)

Chao Yun rested her chin in her hands, gazing at Asi.
Her charming eyes blinked mischievously, brimming with ill intent.
Asi set down her spoon, swallowing the last sweet bite of cake.
She pulled a napkin from the table, dabbing away the crumbs from her lips.
Only after erasing all evidence did she look at Chao Yun, push the cake toward her, and shake her head firmly.
“No.”
Chao Yun glanced at the half-eaten little cake. “Asi, you’ve already taken a bite. You have to agree.”
Asi licked her lips, her gaze glistening with reluctance.
“I don’t want to agree with you.”
It was obvious what Chao Yun wanted her to promise without even saying it.
She must want her to stay away from Little Bai—back in the Celestial Palace, Chao Yun had already warned her that Little Bai’s origins were suspicious and she should keep her distance.
Asi hopped off her chair and slung her backpack over her shoulders.
“Goodbye, Sister Chao Yun.”
She waved obediently, then cast one last wistful look at the strawberry cake on the table.
“I will never give up Little Bai.”
She tilted her head, thinking it over, then pressed her lips together and said to Chao Yun in all seriousness, “You’d better give up on that idea.”
Her dark eyes fixed intently on Chao Yun before she turned and left without a trace of hesitation.
Not even the sweet cake could make her stay—Asi must have been poisoned by that fiend Shang Yuan!
Clenching her fists in indignation, Chao Yun’s resolve to separate Asi and Shang Yuan only grew stronger.
Asi didn’t go to school.
Instead, she headed to the narrow alley by Lu Yu’s house.

On the way, she ran into someone she really didn’t want to see.
Lu Zhouyuan, who was always bullying Lu Yu.
Asi pressed her lips together, her eyes cast down, clearly unhappy.
Lu Zhouyuan and his gang of friends had come to settle the score with Lu Yu.
Lu Yu had sent one of their own to the hospital, and that person had always been close to Lu Zhouyuan—otherwise, he wouldn’t have dared to insult Lu Yu to his face.
It was unexpected to see Asi here.
At the sight of her, Lu Zhouyuan instinctively stepped back half a pace, haunted by the memory of being dragged away by his collar under her command.
Even his voice dropped a notch.
“Wh-what are you doing here?”
Asi didn’t want to acknowledge him; she gave him a single glance, then thought for a moment.
In a soft voice, she replied, “That’s none of your business.”
There was no threat in her tone.
It was gentle, almost as if she were acting coy.
Lu Zhouyuan was speechless.
Why was she so cute? Was he really the bad guy for trying to block her way?
“Bro, it’s this girl. She was there when that brat Lu Yu beat up our guy, and she even helped him!”
She hadn’t hit anyone; she’d only helped Lu Yu wipe his hands.
Why was this guy lying?
So annoying.
Asi lowered her head, not wanting to look at them.

She walked straight past.
Although Lu Yu had left his house, he hadn’t gone far—he was slouched in the stairwell, wallowing in his misery.
Asi wanted to comfort Little Bai.
Poor, pitiful Little Bai.
“Hey! Do you even know what kind of person you like?”
Lu Zhouyuan quickly moved to block her path, his expression dark and menacing.
The young girl pouted, clearly displeased, but still replied patiently, “I know. You don’t need to tell me.”
“No, you don’t! He’s—”
“He’s mine.”
Little Bai was hers—had always been hers.
Asi lifted her chin, a trace of impatience flickering in her usually gentle eyes.
“Could you stop standing in my way? It’s very rude.”
She waited a moment, but seeing Lu Zhouyuan had no intention of moving, she tried to go around him.
She reached up, almost instinctively, to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.
The moment her hand rose, Lu Zhouyuan recoiled in fear, taking a full step back.
He stared at Asi in terror, as if staying any closer would mean a beating was inevitable.