"Who goes there?!" At the courtyard gate, two female guards gripped their sword hilts, their sharp gazes fixed on the girl emerging from the darkness.
When they recognized her, they were first stunned, then flew into a rage.
So, you college slacker, strolling with the princess on campus during the day, and then meeting this vixen at night.
The last time the Qin princess came to the courtyard, she caught Chen Ke and Shui Changqing embracing. Since then, Shui Changqing had become the focus of the two female guards' surveillance.
They had Shui Changqing's image etched in their minds; how could they mistake her?
Shui Changqing coldly said, "I've come to say goodbye to him. Get out of the way!"
The eight-winged goddess, having relinquished everything, though only in a physical form, possessed an innate aura that ordinary people could not withstand.
As if possessed, the two female guards, swords drawn, stepped aside, clearing the doorway.
With a bang, Shui Changqing pushed open the door and went inside.
Chen Ke had actually heard the noise, but seeing Shui Changqing approaching with a beaming smile still sent a chill down his spine.
This girl is persistent; why is she here again?
Sheathing his sword, Chen Ke made no attempt to hide his surprise: "Miss Shui, it's you. What brings you here so late?"
Shui Changqing said calmly, "You're a slacker in college. I've come to say goodbye."
"School's about to start, and you're leaving?" Chen Ke was even more surprised.
He could tell that Shui Changqing was acting strangely today, yet also seemed perfectly normal; something just felt off.
Shui Changqing said softly, "Headmaster Wu Jiutian is here, so I'm leaving."
Chen Ke looked astonished: "You transferred to Haotian Academy?"
Shui Changqing looked at Chen Ke, but couldn't detect anything amiss, and felt a wave of relief wash over her.
It seems it really has nothing to do with you.
If Chen Ke betrayed her, he would never have attributed Wu Jiutian's arrival and departure to the reasonable conclusion that she wanted to transfer schools.
It was clear that Chen Ke was completely unaware.
Shui Changqing shook her head slightly: "There are some things to take care of at home, so I have to leave for a while."
Chen Ke suddenly understood and sighed with deep sympathy: "I understand, you have no choice."
Yes, she had no choice.
Shui Changqing turned around and looked at the two female guards who were on high alert with their brows furrowed, and suddenly let out a hearty laugh.
The laughter was very pleasant and hearty, but coming from the mouth of a gentle southern woman, it was somewhat incongruous.
Chen Ke looked puzzled, not knowing why, but when he heard the laughter, he thought of Dongfang Bubai.
Of course, the two were different; Dongfang Bubai had changed genders, while Shui Changqing had changed her appearance.
"Here you go, this is a gift for you." Shui Changqing smiled and handed the jade box to Chen Ke.
A gift for me?!
Chen Ke was extremely surprised, truly surprised.
Looking at the girl's kind and unyielding eyes, Chen Ke had no choice but to reach out and accept the jade box.
The jade box opened, and a burst of golden light exploded, illuminating the entire courtyard.
Inside the box was a golden bead, its golden light flowing and radiating a sacred yet powerful dragon's breath!
Chen Ke immediately closed the jade box, utterly shocked, his incredulous gaze fixed on Shui Changqing.
Shui Changqing, seeing Chen Ke's expression, secretly felt a surge of pride and calmly said, "This is a dragon bead, a treasure indeed, but it's useless to me, so I'm giving it to you."
"A dragon bead?!"
Chen Ke's eyes widened. "Does that mean if you collect seven, you can summon a dragon and have a wish granted?"
Shui Changqing's eyes also widened; she had never heard of such a legend.
However, out of reverence for the unknown, Shui Changqing cautiously said, "I don't know what you're talking about. This dragon bead comes from a true ancient dragon race, and it probably truly possesses some incredible power."
"That, that's too precious, Miss Shui, I can't accept it." Chen Ke's heart pounded, but he didn't return the box.
How pretentious!
Shui Changqing rolled her eyes at Chen Ke.
She rested her chin on her hand, thought for a moment, and said, "Then how about this, you give me a gift too, something you made yourself will do."
What good could a college loser like Chen Ke possibly have? Shui Changqing didn't want to make things difficult for him.
Asking Chen Ke for a gift was purely to keep a memento.
Chen Ke looked miserable. The only thing he could make by hand seemed to be a bellyband.
But could he give a bellyband as a gift? Did he dare to?
If he gave it to her today, even if Shui Changqing didn't beat him to death on the spot, the Qin princess would beat him to death tomorrow.
Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and Chen Ke turned and walked back into the room.
When he came out again, he was holding a delicate little box.
Chen Ke said shyly, "These are duck necks I made myself, and I designed the box myself too. Please, please don't dislike them."
Shui Changqing's eyes lit up: "The box is very delicate, and I also love duck necks. It's not easy to get something made by you!"
Watching the girl leave happily with a box of duck necks, Chen Ke felt like he was in a dream.
He quickly came to his senses, his heart filled with guilt.
A beauty gifted him a Dragon Pearl, and he returned the favor with a box of duck necks—what kind of behavior was that?
Well, what you give isn't important; the sentiment is what matters most.
At least when he gave her the duck necks, he had no other thoughts in mind; he simply considered it a gift.
Besides, you caused me so much trouble, almost costing me my life. Consider this Dragon Pearl your apology.
Chen Ke comforted himself for a moment, and after regaining his composure, he roughly guessed what was going on.
Wu Jiutian must have exposed Shui Changqing's identity, and the two sides reached some kind of agreement, which was why Shui Changqing was leaving.
The new emperor was about to lead a campaign, yet a member of the demon royal family, a ruthless and cunning ghost king, was hiding in the capital—how unreliable was that?
Go, it's good you're leaving; this isn't your world after all.
Chen Ke felt inexplicably relieved, yet also somewhat melancholic.
Come to think of it, this was the first time he had formally said goodbye to someone since arriving in this world.
Ma Xiaoshu hadn't even considered giving him a gift, and of course, that grandson didn't have the chance.
Chen Ke put away the jade box; the dialog boxes that kept popping up in the window like they were infected with a virus finally stopped.
He looked helplessly at the two female guards who were storming forward.
The two female guards had red eyes and pouting lips; although they exuded a murderous aura, they looked like wronged young girls.
They were both quite young.
Chen Ke forced a smile and said, "I will explain this to the princess myself."
Hmph!
The two female guards rolled their eyes and raised their chins.
Explain what?
Exchanging gifts—such a formal and ceremonial affair, is this something that should happen between ordinary male and female classmates?
Faced with the facts, your explanation is paler than moonlight!
The two female guards were determined to give Chen Ke a thorough dressing-down, reporting every detail of tonight's events and his conversation with the vixen to the princess.
They couldn't let the princess be fooled by him.
"Explain what?" A voice came from outside the door, and Wu Jiutian strode in.
Headmaster?!
Chen Ke was overjoyed and hurriedly stepped forward to bow: "This student greets Headmaster!"