"Xiang Peng… what are you doing here?

" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

"… C-Can I come in?

" She stuttered, averting her gaze, which was rare for her.

I sighed and peeked my head out the door, glancing both ways to make sure no one was watching, then moved out of the way and beckoned her to enter.

After closing the door behind her, she immediately became the center of attention to everyone present.

"Do you have business with Master?

" Mei Gui asked coldly, standing between Xiang Peng and I.

"L-Listen… what happened earlier today… I had no idea it would turn out like that…

"

"Oh? I find it quite hard to believe you didn't know about your father's strictness,

" Lin Luo snorted emotionlessly.

"He is your parent. You should know him better than anyone, and what he will do given a certain situation — and yet, you still brought us there. Now, you stand here begging forgiveness?

"

"I'm not asking for forgiveness,

" Xiang Peng said sternly, then turned away.

"I just… wanted to say my part. That's all. I-I'll leave now, sorry for distu-

"

But as she tried brushing past me and leaving, I suddenly grabbed her arm and stopped her.

Her beautiful green eyes, lined with tears, widened a bit as she looked up at me in confusion.

Slowly, I turned to her.

"Are you really just going to leave like this?

"

"I… I've said my part. Since you don't believe me, which is perfectly understandable… there's nothing more to be done, really. Me being here is just wasting your time.

"

"I believe you,

" Lan Xiao Su said firmly, walking over and patting her shoulder.

"Back at the mansion… you seemed pretty shocked this was happening as well. Besides, if you wanted to betray us, you had many opportunities to do so already. You're not a bad person, Xiang Peng. I'm convinced of that.

"

"Xiao Su…

" Xiang Peng murmured, shocked that someone was willing to stand up for her here.

"I believe you as well,

" Yu An Yan said, folding her arms.

"You went to the point of breaking past your own family's guards to try and intervene in the battle between Xuan Kai and your father. If you were truly trying to lure us into a trap, doing that wouldn't make sense.

"

"Oh? She could very well have done that in order to save her own father,

" Obsidia scoffed, leaning against the wall haughtily.

"After all… she knows about Xuan Kai's abilities quite well.

"

"I didn't want either side to be harmed,

" Xiang Peng replied, gritting her teeth.

"I realize my words are hard to believe given what happened, but…

"

"It doesn't matter who's telling the truth here,

" I cut in, tired of the arguing, taking sides and whatnot.

"Either way… you have to stay away from us for the time being. Since Liu Jian is here, I have enough to deal with as it is. I don't want any more trouble from your family.

"

"I… I understand.

"

Xiang Peng wiped her eyes and quickly dashed out the door. I didn't stop her this time.

"Xuan Kai… that was a bit harsh, no?

" Feng Mian shifted uncomfortably.

"Sorry, I don't sugarcoat my words. And if I'm being honest… what happened earlier today left me quite the feeling of distrust for her, even if she didn't betray us. That's just how the human heart works. From now on, us and her are strangers. We have no connection whatsoever — everyone got that?

"

Girls like Lin Luo, Obsidia, and Mei Gui accepted easily, while the others were a bit hesitant.

"I don't care if you remain friends with her deep down — just don't show it on the surface.

"

Leaving behind that final message, I headed back to the couch.

*****

- The Next Morning -

I opened my eyes slowly after hearing the familiar ringtone of my phone's alarm. Mei Gui and Qing Yue slept cozily on either side of me, wrapping their bodies around mine, which I wasn't too surprised about. Sighing, I gently tore my arm out of their tight grip and rubbed both of their heads.

"Come on. Time to wake up.

"

"Mm… Master…

" Mei Gui shook her head unwillingly and reached for my body once more, but I quickly jumped out of the bed.

"It's time for our first day at this university. Wouldn't want to be late, now would you?

"

"En… Big Brother Xuan Kai… just a bit longer, please…

" Qing Yue moaned in complaint, still refusing to snap her eyes open.

I shrugged.

"If you want to keep sleeping, go ahead. But just saying, you're going to have to deal with that spider beside you on your own…

"

"E-Eek! Spider?!

" Qing Yue immediately leaped off the bed and hid behind me, glancing at the sheets in worry.

"Where?!

"

I chuckled.

"Mei Gui… you aren't going to get off as well?

"

Sighing, Mei Gui sat up, rubbing her eyes cutely.

"I do not care about any spiders, but… I shall follow Master's instructions.

"

Smiling, I patted Qing Yue's head gently, who had tears in her eyes.

"Relax, Qing Yue… there wasn't actually a spider.

"

"Wha-!

" Her eyes widened, then she hugged me tightly.

"Mou… Big Brother Xuan Kai, you meanie…

"

*****

Apparently, Qing Yue's yelp was loud enough that it woke the other girls. Or it was just their alarms, but that wasn't important. The ten of us soon got ready for the day and headed out together. Plenty of other students were already down in the dormitory lobbies when we got there, heading out, so we just followed where the majority of the students were going.

It didn't take us long to realize that we were heading to the Auditorium. I had thought we were going to go directly to our classrooms in the Main Campus, but the thought of a welcome ceremony completely slipped my mind. I found them pretty pointless, but perhaps I could obtain some useful information here.

On the campus's sidewalks were dozens of students, some of which returning and some completely new, just like us. Upon entering the Auditorium, a large majority of the hundreds of seats had already been taken. I spotted a few open spots near the top right of the massive audience chamber and headed there without any hesitation.

However, a male student who eyed us as we walked past him suddenly got out of his seat and jumped over it to take the spot I had been planning on, shooting me a smug grin.

"Sorry, bud. This seat's taken. And so is the rest of this row, for my friends.

"

"You have friends?

" Yu An Yan scoffed, annoyed with the boy's actions.

"Sorry, doesn't seem like it.

"

Unlike the other arrogant young masters we've seen before, however, this guy managed to keep his cool and merely smiled.

"Oh, but of course. People of your caliber are so restrained by your limited imagination and low-level thinking. Even talking to you right now is a waste of time.

"

"If that's the case, then may I ask why you bothered to switch your seat to back here?

" I raised an eyebrow.

"How hypocritical.

"

"I switched back here because I wanted to. Is there a problem?

" He asked right back, completely shameless.

"You lot overvalue yourselves, thinking I would do something because of you. How naive.

"

I chuckled.

"Keep lying to yourself… we'll be off.

"

"Uh-uh, wait,

" the student said, getting out of his one-legged crossed gesture.

"Did I say you could leave?

"

However, we merely ignored him and continued walking upwards, before finding a few seats at the topmost row.

But right as we settled down, the same student got out of his seat and walked up to us.

"You dare ignore my instructions, mongrel?

"

I sighed deeply.

"Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?

"

"Who gave you permission to talk?

"

"Who gave you permission to talk?

" Qing Yue shot back, unable to take it anymore.

"You're so annoying… just leave already.

"

"Leave? But this is my seat.

"

"But… your seat's down there…

" Lan Xiao Su pointed out hesitantly.

"Um, do you have really short memory, perhaps?

"

"No,

" the student replied with ease.

"My memory is perfect, thank you.

"

"If that's the case, then the same can't be said about your intelligence,

" Obsidia snorted.

"It's one or the other, human.

"

"Oh? You speak with such a condescending tone towards your superior?

"

"Hey,

" I interjected, glaring at the student as my eyes flashed a dangerous gleam of red.

"Do you want to have a taste of death?

"

His eyes stared into mine, as if drawn to them, but right before I could make him back off by releasing my killing intent, someone else interjected.

"Xiang Tian!

" A familiar female voice called out, walking up behind the student, a glare in her eyes.

The student spun around, surprised to see her, and smiled.

"Why, it's Big Sister Xiang Peng. How are you doing? Shall we eat together for lunch today?

"

"Leave,

" she said coldly, pointing down.

"Ah, but my seat is here-

"

"I said leave.

"

And after a few seconds of silence, Xiang Tian gave in at last.

"… Whatever you want, Big Sister.

"