CHAPTER 56 — "THE NIGHT BEFORE THE STORM"
Bai Qianlan was still pouting.
She wasn't doing it obviously.
No crossed arms. No sharp words. No dramatic sighs.
She was just… distant.
Which, to Ling Yifan, was far more unsettling.
They stood with the rest of the Azure Dragon team near the edge of the plaza as instructors finished reorganizing platforms and formations for the next day. The sun had begun its slow descent, casting long shadows across Dragon Turtle Academy's stone structures.
Ling Yifan stole a glance at her.
She was listening.She was responding.She was doing everything correctly.
She just wasn't looking at him.
"…Bai," he said quietly.
She turned.
"Yes?"
That tone.
Ling Yifan sighed internally.
"We need to talk."
She hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
"…Alright."
They stepped a little aside, just far enough that Chen's dramatic whispering wouldn't reach them.
Ling Yifan rubbed the back of his neck.
"I didn't go on a date."
Bai blinked.
"…What?"
