Yesterday, until late at night, Xie Yier never showed up, and even in the morning when Aier woke up, there was no sign of her.
But Xie Yier must have come back at some point, because Aier noticed on the bed another mark left by someone lying there, and the lingering scent on it was that signature fragrance unique to Xie Yier.
She really is a busy woman.
But Aier thought, thatโs not so badโif Xie Yier could stay this busy until their three-year Contract ends, wouldnโt she finally be free to enjoy her own life~
Aierโs eyes were full of anticipation. (ใใyใ) Sigh.
Now is the time for daydreams!
Of course, Aier knew that wasnโt realistic. She had seen Xie Yierโs work efficiency beforeโso very high. Maybe sheโs only busy for a while, and soon things will quiet down again.
The next day, Aier attended all her classes as usual.
During the day, she strictly kept to the schedule of reporting in every two hours, as promised. If she was in class, sheโd just send a message.
[Good girl, Aier. Youโre doing well following your promise with your Master. Once I finish with this busy period, Iโll definitely spoil you and love you properly.]
From the other end of the secret communication crystal came Xie Yierโs gentle and teasing voice.
Aier felt a little complicated inside.
Such rewards are really unnecessary.
(Master, Iโm going home now. The butler will come pick me up in a bit.)
[Alright. Iโll try to come home early today. Itโs been so long since I last chatted face-to-face with my lovely canary. I miss you already.]
(I really miss you, Master.)
Maybe it was from spending so much time with Xie Yier, but Aier had now learned how to say sweet words as naturally as breathing.
After all, she was someoneโs Golden Canary. If she couldnโt even provide the necessary emotional value, sheโd really be unqualified. Besides, if she acted a little sweeter, maybe sheโd suffer less.
After finishing her scheduled report, Aier let out a long sigh and quietly left the Academyโs Flower Garden.
She didnโt want to attract attention, so she usually picked out quiet, empty spots for her calls with Xie Yierโlike this Flower Garden, which was always deserted.
As she stepped out of the garden, a fresh and gentle voice came from behind her:
โJunior! Youโre hereโโ
Aier turned to see Mary jogging over.
Her pure white school uniform fluttered in the wind, and her soft pink hair draped gently over her shoulders.
When Mary reached Aier, slightly out of breath, her green eyes were full of warmth and concern as she looked at her.
โSenior, I havenโt seen you for several days. Have you been busy lately? Iโve gone to your Classroom looking for you a few times, but you were never there. So you were here.โ
โItโs alrightโฆ I know, Senior, youโre actually a really good personโฆ but you donโt have to look after me for so longโฆโ
That day, the two had already talked things out, and Senior Mary had promised to keep getting along with Aier as friends and not to give her any unnecessary trouble.
Still, Aier thought itโd be better if things were simply cut off.
But now, seeing the concern in Maryโs green eyes, Aier knew that her wish was impossible.
Mary smiled softly, tucking back a few strands of hair damp with sweat, and said, โJunior, Iโm not good to just anyone. I only want to be good to you.โ
โEhโฆโ
Aier was speechless for a moment, her heart fluttering awkwardly.
She didnโt dare look directly at Maryโs face, but from the corner of her eye, she saw that Mary was looking at her deeply, her big eyes as gentle and clear as a deerโs, full of affection.
Aier quickly changed the subject: โItโs just because youโre a warm-hearted person, Senior. Classmates should help each other, unite, and be friendlyโthatโs a good thing.โ
Mary stopped and said softly, โJunior, no matter what you think, Iโll only be good to you. That will never change. Of course, donโt be afraidโbefore your Contract with your Senior ends, I wonโt do anything out of line. Iโll wait.โ
Aierโs heart: What do you mean by โout of lineโ?
Mary really wasnโt pretending anymore, she might as well have written โI want youโ on her face!
All Aier could do was play dumb: โHaha, got it, Senior! Wellโฆ itโs getting late, I should hurry back.โ
With that, she practically fled the Academy.
Another day passed, and the weather in the Royal Capital was growing coolerโautumn had arrived.
In the Royal Capital, autumn weather could change in an instant.
Just after finishing lunch, when the sky was still clear, suddenly a torrential rain poured down.
Like right now, just after lunch, it suddenly started to rain heavily outside.
Aier was stranded in the Teaching Building, so she returned to an empty Classroom and lay her head on her desk, planning to nap for a bit.
She didnโt know why, but whenever she listened to the sound of rain, she felt especially relaxed.
From noon until one oโclock, she slept deeply.
It was only when the one oโclock bell sounded that she woke up, still groggy. The rain had already stopped. She rubbed her eyes, got up, and headed for the public wash basin at the end of the corridor to freshen up.
Just as she stepped out of the Classroom, she heard a few students who hadnโt left yet whispering nearby.
โLook! Senior Mary is still there!โ
โOh my! Sheโs been standing there for almost an hour, hasnโt she?โ
โSheโs not afraid of getting wet in this heavy rainโฆโ
โMaybe sheโs waiting for someone.โ
Aier followed their gaze, and sure enough, on the corridor outside the Classroom, a slender figure was standing there.
She stood under the eaves, shielded from the rain, but the overhang couldnโt completely block the slanting raindrops.
The cuffs and hem of her school uniform were visibly damp in several places, and her pink hair was decorated with a few tiny droplets of water.
She hugged herself with both arms, shivering slightly from the cold, but her face showed no sign of impatience.
At that moment, Mary spotted Aier and waved.
Aier quickly walked over, and Mary greeted her with a relieved smile:
โSenior! Youโre awake!โ
As she spoke, she pulled out a small packet, wrapped in oiled paper and tied with a red string, and pressed it into Aierโs hand.
โHere, take this.โ
Aier accepted it without thinking; she could still feel the lingering warmth from Maryโs hands.
She was a little stunned. โSeniorโฆ whatโs this?โ
โLook, Junior, this is a Potion to relieve symptoms, and this one is for healing injuriesโฆโ
Aier stared blankly as Mary carefully explained each item.
She unconsciously touched the button on the ribbon around her neck.
Mary spoke as she casually wiped the rainwater from her arms, a few strands of damp hair clinging to her temples.
At this moment, her expression was gentle, and she looked genuinely happy to see Aier.
Aierโs heart trembled a little. Had Mary really been waiting here for an hour? So much that her clothes were soaked through by the rainโฆ Yet when she saw her, she was still so cheerful.
Aier looked at Maryโs slightly damp hair and clothes, then glanced down at the carefully protected little packet in her hands completely dry and a corner of her heart was gently touched.
She hesitantly asked, โSeniorโฆ have you been waiting for me here all this time? Even in such heavy rainโฆโ
Mary shrugged casually. โIt wasnโt that long. I finished eating and stopped by to check on you, and then it started raining. You looked so tired, I didnโt want to wake you. Anyway, the rain always stops eventually.โ
Aier felt a quiet, hidden corner of her heart softly tremble.