Yin Xuan studied Dugu Yan—who had suddenly switched gears, all swagger and attitude—with an amused look. He blinked. Now, that's more like her. This was exactly how he expected Dugu Yan to be.
From their very first conversation, he always felt Dugu Yan wasn't exactly the "good girl" type. But honestly, that mix of being tough to outsiders and soft to those she cares about? That's pretty hard to dislike.
Dugu Yan caught his gaze, blinked, and beamed. Meanwhile, the crowd that had been gossiping a minute ago scattered as soon as she laid into them. Nobody wanted trouble with her.
Who at Heaven Dou Royal Academy was the biggest untouchable? No question—it was Dugu Yan. She was Dugu Bo's only living family, and that meant a lot. Plus, everyone knew how scary Dugu Bo's reputation was. His name was wrapped up in "poison" and most factions kept their distance.
"Don't be fooled by appearances," Dugu Yan said, grabbing Yin Xuan's big hand around her waist to keep him from backing off. "I'm actually pretty ladylike most of the time. That was just for show, to get them out of here."
Yin Xuan let out a helpless smile. "Yeah, I get it. You didn't want them sticking around gossiping."
Dugu Yan blushed, annoyed. She wished she could give those gossipy students a piece of her mind. They'd completely ruined her vibe.
The Academy's restaurant was massive—easily the size of two football fields, with two floors. From the outside, it looked almost like a mini palace.
Inside, on the second floor in a fifty-square-meter room, Yin Xuan and Dugu Yan sat on a bench, just a couple of fists apart. Dishes kept coming, and the delicious smells filled the air.
"Yin Xuan, since we're already this close, isn't it weird to keep using each other's full names?" Dugu Yan picked up her chopsticks and dropped a piece of meat—who knows what Spirit Beast it came from—onto Yin Xuan's plate.
"What, we haven't even known each other for four hours, right?" Yin Xuan chuckled and shook his head. She was being a little too familiar, honestly.
"So what? We barely met, but it feels like we hit it off. Talented guy, beautiful girl, both interested. What else do you need?" Dugu Yan kept weaving her logic further.
Yin Xuan had to laugh. "Alright, then. You can start calling me Brother Xuan."
"Brother Xuan?" Dugu Yan's eyes sparkled. "Aren't I older than you, though? My spirit power is two levels higher."
Yin Xuan grinned. "So, lower spirit power means I'm younger now?"
She rolled her eyes. "You don't look like someone with low Innate Spirit Power. Anyway, I'm pretty sure I'm older."
"But whatever! You're the boss." She smiled. "So, when it's just us, I'll call you Brother Xuan. When there are other people around, you call me Sister Yan. Fair, right?"
Yin Xuan picked up another dish and put it in front of her. "Fair enough. Deal. Now eat—food's best when it's hot."
Dugu Yan's smile was sweeter than ever. Yin Xuan had a huge appetite—his digestion worked fast—but with Dugu Yan nearby, he tried to keep things tidy. She didn't eat much herself, just watched him with those bright, blinking eyes.
"So masculine…" she thought.
Good thing Yin Xuan couldn't read minds. If he knew what she was thinking, he'd probably choke on his food. Still, her gaze made him feel a little self-conscious, and he tried to tune it out and focus on dinner.
He kept piling food onto her plate, and Dugu Yan never grabbed anything herself, but ate every bite he gave her.
"Xuan, why not come home with me tomorrow? I want you to meet my grandfather. I bet he'll like you." Dugu Yan said, anticipation shining in her smile.
Yin Xuan nearly choked on his food. He set down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and said, "Wait, isn't that a bit fast?"
He didn't feel happy about meeting Dugu Bo. He felt nervous. Every time Dugu Yan opened her mouth, she managed to surprise him.
She just smiled wider. "Don't be nervous. It's nothing. My grandfather's actually pretty easygoing."
Her mood softened, sadness flickering in her eyes. "My mom died from complications when she had me, and my dad died from illness when I was four. It's just been my grandfather and me ever since. We're everything to each other."
"Now that I've met someone I really like, I want him to know."
Yin Xuan didn't expect her to be this straight with him. Human emotions really are odd.
"Thank you for trusting me," Yin Xuan said gently. "Okay, I'll come. Let's call it a visit, then."
Her smile erupted. Overjoyed, Dugu Yan piled more food onto his plate. "Eat up, eat up!"
"As soon as we're done, we'll head to Heaven Dou City. I'll get you some proper outfits—dress you up right!"
Yin Xuan was almost dizzy from how quickly everything was happening. Just yesterday, he'd been stressing out about getting into Heaven Dou Royal Academy and somehow connecting with Dugu Yan. Now… things had taken a wild turn.
Dugu Yan noticed his nerves and gave him a soft, sly smile, resting her chin in her hands. That warm feeling she had earlier—when Yin Xuan's Binding skill wrapped around her—lingered in her heart.
"Xuan, is your Second Soul Skill both a control and a support ability?" Dugu Yan asked.
"No," Yin Xuan said. "It's got control and attack effects."
She blinked, puzzled. "Why, then… why did I feel so relaxed and comfortable after you used it? Even though I felt drained, it was nice. And afterward, my spirit power recovered, like a support Spirit Master's skill."
Yin Xuan nodded. "That's because my skill messes with your spirit power circulation and absorbs it. But it can also give power back to you. Earlier, I drew some toxins out of your body."
"Toxins?" Dugu Yan frowned, remembering the faint purple light she had seen on his blue silver emperor vine. For the first time, she realized she might not understand her own body as well as she thought.