Chapter 51: Back to New York, An Encounter
Inside the speeding yellow school bus.
"Gwen, have you been exercising lately? Something like yoga?"
Xi Nian asked curiously while gently massaging Gwen's small, delicate foot in his hand.
Her petite foot felt soft, almost boneless, yet through the thin black tights that faintly revealed her skin, he could feel each subtle flex of her muscles as they instinctively resisted the pressure of his fingers, as if trying to fight back against the intrusion.
"Yes…" Gwen bit her lip tightly, her response barely louder than a mosquito's buzz.
"When did you start?" Xi Nian asked, his fingers now pressing along the smooth line of her ankle.
He usually spent every school day with her, and he'd never seen Gwen participate in sports.
"Uh… on the rooftop—no, I mean, just some aerobics in my bedroom once in a while…"
"I see."
Xi Nian didn't think much of it. Truth was, he didn't have the mental space to think at all. Most of his attention was fixed on Gwen's perfect little left foot.
Honestly, it felt even better than when he played with Xiao Huang.
Before he realized it, his careful massage turned into a caress.
His broad palm cupped her soft white foot, then slid slowly upward along the thin tights. His fingers spread greedily, savoring the smooth, silky sensation beneath his touch.
"Ah!!"
The overwhelming feeling hit Gwen like a bolt of lightning. Her whole body trembled, eyes glistening, and with a muffled cry, she opened her mouth—her sharp little canine teeth biting down hard on Xi Nian's shoulder.
Xi Nian winced from the pain, finally snapping back to his senses. He hurriedly let go of her foot.
"Mm—" Gwen clamped down, stifling the sound that almost escaped her throat.
Xi Nian gave a helpless smile and let her bite.
The bus rolled smoothly forward, the cabin still quiet. No one noticed what had just happened.
After a long moment, Gwen finally released him, lowered her legs back down, her face flushed with shame and anger as she pretended nothing had happened.
"Sorry, Gwen. I didn't mean to." Xi Nian looked at her apologetically but didn't bother explaining further. What was he supposed to say—that he mistook her for Xiao Huang?
Gwen didn't answer, nor did she look at him. Instead, she raised one finger.
Xi Nian immediately understood and exhaled. "I owe you another favor, right? No problem."
As long as it wasn't another foot massage.
It wasn't that he couldn't handle it—he really couldn't handle it.
Xi Nian felt that if he kept massaging, he might awaken some strange new fetish.
"Your shoulder, is it okay?" Gwen's anger lasted less than three seconds before she looked at him with concern. She pulled a tissue from her pocket and gently wiped the damp spot left on his jacket.
"I'm fine. My skin's thick."
Xi Nian glanced at his shoulder. She hadn't bitten that hard—just enough to leave a faint mark on the fabric, no real damage underneath.
Otherwise, it might have triggered the Master of Affection again.
Though, even if it did, Gwen was just a normal human. It wouldn't have caused much trouble.
"Xi Nian, what's that on your left hand?"
Gwen, as if forgetting her earlier embarrassment, returned to her usual calm, collected self. She lowered her gaze to his left wrist.
"This?" Xi Nian noticed his sleeve had slipped, revealing a silver bracelet on his forearm.
It was the artifact known as the Guardian's Silver Bracelet.
Forged from fragments of Zeus's shield, it could block all attacks—physical or magical. When both arms were crossed, it generated a powerful protective barrier and shockwave.
Even his aunt Diana, clad in divine armor, ranked this artifact just below the Sword of Hephaestus.
Of course, it was originally a pair. With only one, its power was greatly reduced.
Still, that was precisely why Xi Nian could barely use its basic abilities even in his human form.
"My aunt gave it to me as a lucky charm, for protection," Xi Nian smiled, tugging his sleeve back down to cover it.
"Lucky charm?" Gwen repeated softly. For some reason, she felt like she had seen that unique silver bracelet somewhere before.
…
New York, Manhattan.
By the time the school bus reached the bustling district, the sun was already setting. The golden light reflected off skyscrapers, while neon signs flickered to life across the streets.
Instructor Rod and his assistant Mysterio arranged a group dinner at a restaurant, then led the students to check in at an apartment complex nearby.
When Xi Nian finally walked into his single dorm room, the last rays of sunset had disappeared, and the dark night of the sleepless city had descended.
The first day in New York had nearly ended before it even began.
Evening was free time. Students could wander the nearby streets, but they had to be back by ten o'clock sharp for room checks.
Tomorrow, the real group activities would begin.
Xi Nian sat on his bed, pulled out his phone, and texted his aunt to let her know he'd arrived safely. That was when he heard a knock at the door.
Opening it, he wasn't surprised to see Gwen standing there.
But she had clearly just showered—her short golden hair still damp, and she now wore a stylish, sharp-looking outfit that made her look mature and composed.
Arms crossed, she said firmly, "Come shopping with me. That's the compensation I want."
"Didn't you bring enough clothes?" Xi Nian scratched his head.
"That's not the point…" Gwen cut herself off, glaring at him before turning on her heel and heading downstairs.
Xi Nian didn't get it, but he grabbed his phone and keys and followed anyway.
…
On the bustling pedestrian street.
After dragging Xi Nian through several stores, Gwen finally settled on a dress she liked. This time, Xi Nian made the rare decision to pay for it himself, using half a month's allowance.
The effect was obvious.
Gwen carried the shopping bag the whole way back, clearly no longer upset, while Xi Nian couldn't help but smile.
But just as they were walking back through a quieter residential street—
Heavy footsteps and ragged breathing approached from behind.
A silver-haired boy wearing goggles rushed up to them. Without warning, he shoved a woman's handbag into Gwen's arms, then pretended he was still carrying it as he bolted down the street.
Before they could react, a burly man with a beard came barreling past, catching up to the silver-haired boy before he could escape.
"Kid, where's my bag?" the man growled, grabbing his shoulder.
"That's not yours, you stole it!" the boy shot back stubbornly.
"Oh yeah?!" The bearded man snarled, yanking him by the collar and dragging him into a dark alley without street cameras.
"Xi Nian, take this!" Gwen shoved the shopping bag and purse into Xi Nian's hands, then rushed toward the alley.
Xi Nian glanced at what she'd handed him, then followed without hesitation.
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