"Are you okay?"

As she and Zhenxi left the arena, Huai Shi felt the teenage girl's gaze and noticed she seemed to want to say something but was hesitating.

"...My cousin told me some things about Miss Amber," Zhenxi said after some thought, struggling to find the words. "Some not-so-good things."

"And what do you think about it?" Huai Shi asked.

"I don't know what to say." Zhenxi sighed in frustration. "But it feels like everyone's life is so difficult."

"Wanting to live means you can't take it easy," Huai Shi shrugged. "Working is tough, and wanting to live a better life is also tough. Everyone just wants to minimize the hardship and live a little better."

"Also..." Zhenxi continued, "my cousin wants me to drop out of the selection, but I didn't agree."

"It wouldn't really matter if you did," Huai Shi said. "If you don't want to deal with it anymore, then just leave. Even without relying on the Li Jian family, the Ivory Tower will always find a way."

The thought of stabbing that annoying little sister Amber in the back... well, it's quite exciting! Even though I probably couldn't bring myself to do it... And I'd most likely end up saddled with even more bothersome tasks, becoming an even more exhausted pawn.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but sigh.

"Miss Huaizhi, um..." Zhenxi said shamefully, "Actually, you don't have to go to so much trouble for me... I'm already very grateful for all the help you've given me."

"You're overthinking it." Huai Shi glanced at her. "You don't need to feel guilty or anxious. I'm not doing this hoping to get something from you. It just so happened that we met, and I just felt like doing it. Consider it self-satisfaction, me wanting to play the hero. If it were someone else, I'd most likely do the same."

"Huh?" Zhenxi blinked, surprised, her instinct to tease kicking in. "Miss Huaizhi, according to how TV dramas usually go, shouldn't this be the part where you say, 'For a girl as pretty as Zhenxi, I'm willing to do anything'?"

Huai Shi chuckled, amused.

Suddenly, she stopped, leaned in close, reached out and lifted Zhenxi's chin. Looking down at Zhenxi's rapidly dilating pupils, Huai Shi's lips curled into a deviously charming smile as she whispered into her ear, "Do you think you're prettier than I am?"

Zhenxi's expression stiffened, and her rapid breathing caught in her throat.

To be honest, no, she really wasn't... But this turn of events is a bit too absurd!

She looked away indignantly and couldn't help muttering, "Miss Huaizhi, you're so cruel."

"Can't be helped. My previous boss taught me that if you're too much of a pushover, life gets very difficult." Huai Shi walked ahead, stretching and replying casually.

After a long pause, Huai Shi heard Zhenxi's hesitant voice; it seemed she had finally made up her mind.

"Miss Huaizhi, I've thought about it for a long time... and I feel that, after all, I should continue."

"Well then, do your best." Huai Shi nodded, offering a bit of encouragement.

But then she felt the teenage girl behind her tugging at her sleeve. With a solemn yet anxious expression, Zhenxi's eyes widened, full of hope, as she asked the most important question, "So... can I come along when you go to Paradise?"

As if terrified Huai Shi would refuse, she quickly added, "I'm very capable! I can help everyone carry their bags!"

"..."

Huai Shi stood bewildered for a long moment, her expression twitching.

She finally realized Zhenxi had taken the words she'd said to those Hua Clan ladies—back when she was trading barbs with Enrico—seriously? What was even more unbelievable was this: had Zhenxi been beating around the bush all this time just to ask this one question?

"Is that... not okay?" Zhenxi began to look uneasy.

"Fine, fine." Huai Shi sighed. What else could she say? "We'll go tomorrow. Happy now?"

Instantly, Zhenxi's face lit up, her eyes crinkling with a smile. She couldn't help but cheer, utterly elated, as if she'd won some incredible grand prize.

Huai Shi could almost feel an invisible little tail wagging furiously behind her... This is really too much.

Once her burst of happiness subsided, Zhenxi began to pester Huai Shi, asking what to prepare, whether they needed sunscreen, if they should make boxed lunches in advance, and also, how to befriend the other Hua Clan young ladies who would be going without being annoying.

"If it's too much trouble, then just don't bring them," Huai Shi waved her hand dismissively. "They're just a bunch of young ladies with nothing in their heads but swooning over boys... It feels like it would be really bothersome if they got clingy."

"Huh? You're just going to ditch them like that?" Zhenxi was astonished. "Casually breaking a promise to those girls... Miss Huaizhi, you're so heartless!"

"What did you expect? I never intended to take them along in the first place." Huai Shi walked on, completely unconcerned, not batting an eye at her recent 'bad girl' behavior.

I came to Yingzhou to use a smurf account, not to pick up girls. Even if I were, I wouldn't need to go for those Hua Clan young ladies, who are full of schemes and quicker to plot than to eat, right? Besides, what does a promise made by Huaizhi Sushi have to do with me, Huai Shi? Ditch them, ditch them! 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

She brazenly made a decision that deserved universal condemnation, feeling no burden whatsoever.

Then, she heard Zhenxi chuckle softly behind her.

"What is it now?"

"No, it's nothing." Zhenxi pursed her lips, quickened her pace, and followed.

Seeing that gradually familiar back, she couldn't help but smile, feeling an indescribable sense of reassurance.

Lady SuZi always seems so cold and heartless, but she's actually tender and kind... She's just too cute!