Morning sunlight filtered through the dorm curtains.
Fang Yang was still half-asleep when a sharp "beep-beep" suddenly startled him awake.
He instinctively ducked his head, burying his face deeper into his pillow.
"Whose soul-guided communicator is that? Answer it already…"
Xie Xie groaned from the next bed, voice thick with sleep and annoyance.
"Not mine…" Tang Wulin mumbled, pulling his blanket higher.
Fang Yang rubbed his eyes and looked around—then realized the sound was coming from his own wrist.
He jolted upright, voice hoarse from sleep. "Sorry—that's mine."
Squinting at the communicator, he wondered: "Who'd call this early?"
He pressed the answer button.
"Hello?"
A crisp, melodious voice instantly filled his ear.
Fang Yang hesitated. "Who's this?"
On the other end, Xu Xiaoyan huffed in playful exasperation. "Silly Fang Yang—can't even recognize my voice? It's me—Xu Xiaoyan!"
"Xiaoyan!"
Fang Yang snapped fully awake, voice rising. "Why're you calling so early? Something wrong?"
"What? I need a reason to call you?" Her tone turned teasingly reproachful.
"Of course not! You're always welcome," Fang Yang quickly assured her.
"That's more like it," she laughed. "But seriously—still in bed at this hour?"
Fang Yang scratched his head sheepishly. "It's the weekend… slept in a bit…"
"You're such a lazy pig!" Xu Xiaoyan's laughter tinkled through the communicator.
Before Fang Yang could protest, she added: "Alright, get up already—I'm at Donghai Academy."
"What?! You're here?" Fang Yang's eyes widened.
"Mm. Waiting for you at the main gate. Bye!"
Click.
The communicator went silent.
Fang Yang sat frozen on his bed, mind still processing the sudden call.
Then—he felt the dorm's atmosphere shift.
Turning, he found Xie Xie, Tang Wulin, and Zhou Changxi all wide awake, watching him with knowing smirks.
Xie Xie was the first to speak, dripping with mischief: "Ohhh~ Look who's our romantic hero! Not satisfied with Gu Yue, now you're keeping another beauty hidden away?"
Tang Wulin perked up, eyes shining. "Fang Yang, you're amazing! I haven't even gotten Senior Sister to—"
Zhou Changxi silently gave a thumbs-up, eyes brimming with envy. "So well-hidden…"
Fang Yang's face burned crimson. "You guys—it's not like that! Xiaoyan's just a friend!"
Xie Xie shot Tang Wulin a look. "Wulin—why don't you tell the truth?"
Tang Wulin cleared his throat. "If I recall correctly, Xu Xiaoyan was the first person we met when we arrived in Donghai. Back then, they—"
"Stop! Stop!" Fang Yang scrambled out of bed. "I've gotta go—sleep well!"
As Fang Yang rushed out, Xie Xie quietly slipped out of bed too.
He tiptoed into the dorm bathroom, locked the door, and pulled out his soul-guided communicator.
Beep… beep…
"What is it? Speak," Gu Yue's icy voice answered.
Xie Xie lowered his voice, oozing with faux concern: "Gu Yue—Fang Yang just left. With a girl named Xu Xiaoyan."
He deliberately stressed the word "girl."
Silence.
Then—Gu Yue's calm, emotionless reply:
"Okay."
The call ended.
Xie Xie stared at the disconnected screen, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
"Now… this'll be entertaining."
Whistling cheerfully, he stepped out—only to meet Tang Wulin's knowing gaze.
They exchanged a look—a silent pact sealed in an instant.
—
Outside Donghai Academy's gate, the campus basked in tranquil morning light.
Fang Yang hurried toward the entrance—and spotted a familiar figure waiting.
Xu Xiaoyan wore a blue dress, her pale-blue twin tails catching the sunrise, making her glow with fresh, vibrant charm.
She idly kicked a pebble—then looked up at his footsteps, her face lighting up with a radiant smile.
"Finally decided to wake up?" She tilted her head, eyes glinting with playful mischief.
Fang Yang rubbed his neck awkwardly. "Sorry to keep you waiting. But why'd you—"
"Wanted to surprise you!" She cut him off, winking. "What—don't you want me here?"
"Of course I do!" Fang Yang said quickly, warmth spreading across his face.
But then—a sudden chill prickled his neck.
He spun around—nothing there.
"Let's go—I'll show you around," he suggested, pushing down the unease.
Xu Xiaoyan nodded eagerly, skipping beside him.
As they strolled beyond the gates, a cool breeze brushed past.
"Fang Yang—are you alright?" Xu Xiaoyan suddenly stopped, gaze serious.
"Huh? I'm fine—why?" he asked, puzzled.
She bit her lip. "I heard… your Teacher Wu one-shot Guang Biao with a single sword strike."
Fang Yang blinked in surprise. "You know about that already?"
She nodded. "A Battle Armor Master appearing in Donghai City? The news spread like wildfire."
Her eyes softened with worry. "Were you there? Did you get hurt?"
"I'm fine," Fang Yang said, touched. He gently explained what happened.
When he finished, Xu Xiaoyan's eyes sparkled. "Wow—you're even more amazing than my brother! You actually subdued that Guang Long!"
Admiration filled her face. "That bully terrorized the streets—he deserved to die!"
Fang Yang chuckled shyly. "It wasn't that big a deal…"
As they walked, Fang Yang's hand brushed against hers.
He hesitated—then gently took her soft hand in his.
Xu Xiaoyan's cheeks flushed pink. Her voice dropped to a whisper: "Mmm…"
But she didn't pull away—squeezing his hand back.
"Let's go, Xiaoyan," Fang Yang said softly, heart pounding.
"Okay," she murmured, head down—but a sweet smile tugged at her lips.
He showed her around campus, pointing out favorite spots.
Time flew.
Soon, it was time to part.
"Fang Yang… I should go find my brother now," Xu Xiaoyan said reluctantly, fingers fidgeting with her skirt.
"Next time, then?" Fang Yang asked, equally reluctant.
"Mm," she whispered, blushing—then tried to pull her hand free.
Fang Yang pretended not to notice, lightly squeezing her palm. "Really leaving?"
She looked up, big eyes glistening. "Alright, let go… I really need to see my brother."
Yet her feet didn't move.
Fang Yang smiled at her flustered cuteness. "So… next time?"
"I'll… let you hold my hand."
Xu Xiaoyan blurted it out—then yanked her hand free and dashed away.
Her twin tails bounced like happy little rabbits in the sunlight.
Fang Yang stood watching her retreating figure, a fond smile tugging at his lips.
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