“It’s good that everyone is alright.”
Ye Xingyao let out a long sigh of relief. As long as the people she knew were safe, it was the best possible outcome for her. As for everyone else…
She had already done everything within her power, hadn’t she?
“It’s not quite alright yet. Qiluo sent a certain brat to the Regulatory Department on the charges of obstructing combat personnel and causing significant losses. She said her subordinate saw that person trip you, which led to you being captured by that Mite. Is that true?”
Hongye Qiu raised an eyebrow, staring at Ye Xingyao until the girl awkwardly rubbed her hair.
“It is…”
Ye Xingyao had never seen Hongye Qiu look so serious before. She must have been truly angry this time. Ye Xingyao answered honestly.
“Hmph… Apparently, that brat is the child of some big shot in the business world from a Satellite City. Her parents are demanding that the Human Alliance provide evidence and release their daughter immediately. Out of respect for Qiluo’s status, the Regulatory Department waited until now to contact me to confirm the details.”
Hongye Qiu snorted coldly and glanced at Ye Xingyao, who was being supported by Yi Shiyue.
“In that case, I’ll just have a little chat with the Human Alliance. They already know about your mission anyway. We’ll just slap the label of ‘colluding with Mite’ on her. Even if her parents’ influence reaches the heavens, they won’t be able to save their precious daughter.”
“Can… Can we really do that?”
Ye Xingyao felt a bit sheepish for a moment. It wasn’t that she didn’t know how to frame someone, but jumping straight to ‘collusion with an Elf’ was quite unexpected…
One had to realize that this label came with the suffix of ‘harming a Hunter on a Human Alliance mission, leading to her capture by an Elf.’ Given the level of animosity people in Zhongzhou held toward Elves, that girl would likely suffer for the rest of her life.
Of course, she was no saint. Such a punishment only made her a little surprised. As far as she was concerned, that person deserved every bit of what was coming to her.
“And you, you brat…”
Hongye Qiu sighed and stood up, walking over to Ye Xingyao. Seeing the girl’s flickering gaze, she flicked Ye Xingyao’s forehead in annoyance.
“There won’t be a next time, understand? You aren’t usually the type to play the hero, so why were you so impulsive this time? Your safety is the most important thing, whether it’s for the people close to you who love you, or for those who value your status. Do you understand?”
Hongye Qiu spoke aggressively, poking Ye Xingyao’s fair forehead twice with every question. By the time she finished, several red marks had appeared on the girl’s head.
“Ugh, I get it… Sister Hongye.”
Ye Xingyao covered her aching forehead, acting like a pampered child to appease her.
“…Fine, let’s leave it at that for today. You’re all tired. I still have to go coordinate with The Elders, so get back soon.”
Seeing her act this way, Hongye Qiu sighed and ended the conversation.
“Miss Blood Elf over there, what are your plans for the future?”
She turned her gaze toward Fumier, who was sitting to the side.
“Me? My plans… Can I stay by Sister Xingyao’s side? I’m considered an Entering Dream Grade combatant. I… Uh, I’m very useful! Please don’t send me back home…”
Fumier initially had a look that said, ‘Wait, this involves me?’ but as she spoke, she grew more and more anxious, her voice even carrying a hint of a sob.
“Sister Xingyao…?”
For the first time, a look of confusion appeared in Hongye Qiu’s eyes. She looked at Ye Xingyao, questioning her with her gaze.
Hongye Qiu found this situation quite troublesome, but… what was this ‘Sister Xingyao’ business?
“…That’s me, Sister Hongye,” Ye Xingyao explained with a strained voice, trying to use her peripheral vision to comfort the teary-eyed Fumier.
“Oh, ‘Sister Xingyao’… You two seem to have gotten quite close…” Hongye Qiu said sarcastically.
“Sister Hongye, is it that fun to tease me?!” Ye Xingyao protested loudly.
“It’s pretty fun. Alright, get settled for today. As for the Blood Elf over there, since Ye Xin thinks you can stay, then so be it. I’ll send over some identification papers and necessary supplies later. Of course, if you plan to betray her… I wouldn’t mind paying the Blood Elves a visit at their doorstep, you know?”
A wicked smile curled on Hongye Qiu’s lips, as if she were talking about some mundane household chore.
Yet, everyone present could feel the chill in her words.
“O-Okay, thank you, Big Sister…”
Fumier was so scared she pulled her neck in, quickly agreeing.
“There shouldn’t be anything else you need me for, right? Then I’ll be going. Once you’re done with your nonsense, The Elders are going to get busy…”
Hongye Qiu nodded and stretched her arms high above her head, showcasing a figure that would make countless men salivate. She then tidied her hair and strode toward the door of the Safehouse.
“Alright, thanks for everything, Sister Hongye ~ I’ll go cook for you in a few days ~”
Ye Xingyao pitched her voice higher, waving goodbye to Hongye Qiu.
“Hmph.”
Hongye Qiu didn’t look back. She gave a cold snort and walked out the door.
However, in a place where the girls couldn’t see, a genuine smile unconsciously broke across Hongye Qiu’s cold and beautiful face.
‘This sister wasn’t raised in vain!’ That was exactly what she was thinking.
—
“Ugh… that lady is so scary.”
Fumier let out a long breath, only speaking quietly once she was sure Hongye Qiu was far away.
“But she really is amazing. It turns out Sister Xingyao has so many powerful people around her… I need to work harder too!”
Fumier clenched her small fists, looking at Ye Xingyao with determined eyes.
“Well… you don’t really have to go that far.”
Ye Xingyao gave a bitter smile. She had been about to explain to Fumier that Hongye Qiu was just sharp-tongued and was actually a very kind and reliable person, but before she could speak…
Fumier had already turned everything into motivation. It would be a shame to dampen such a spirited display…
“If you want to stay in the Satellite City, where do you plan to live, Miss Fumier? At my home, there are ordinary people who don’t know about things like Elves…”
Ye Xingyao scratched her hair in frustration, finding that her freshly washed and dried hair felt surprisingly good to the touch.
“Um… can’t I stay here?”
Fumier looked at Ye Xingyao with a troubled expression. Her translucent red eyes stared straight at her, which was a unique experience in itself.
“I mean, you could… but don’t you want to find a more comfortable environment or something? There are Magic Stones and things like that here. It might feel a bit oppressive for an Elf who can sense Magic Power…”
Ye Xingyao voiced her concerns.
“Not at all? Isn’t it fine here!”
Fumier patted the bed beneath her, looking as if she hadn’t felt anything at all.