“Nine dragons?”
In the midst of casual chatter, the two of us sat beneath the deep forest shade.
Suddenly, I stood up from the bench, shadows circling beneath my feet and winding around my body.
I murmured softly, my voice as delicate as blooming petals.
Looking back over the history of this land, anything associated with the word “dragon” was destined to be extraordinary.
“Are there really nine dragons?”
“No—what I should be asking is, do actual dragons even exist in this world?”
“That’s just a little too unbelievable.”
The fact that cultivators and ghostly beings existed had already shattered everything I thought I knew.
And now, a legendary true dragon had appeared—of course I was stunned.
Su Liumeng covered her lips and let out a soft, girlish laugh.
“Big brother, where would dragons come from in this world? I’m the first one who wouldn’t believe it.”
“At least for now, they definitely don’t exist.”
“But~ there are a bunch of old fogies in the Su family who believe in them very firmly.”
“The Su family even has a mysterious totem that depicts nine true dragons. Legend says the Su clan has existed since the tribal era, and that totem was their faith back then.”
Su Liumeng blinked her big eyes, her tone playful and teasing—I couldn’t tell if she was joking with me.
“That’s the official Su family story, anyway. If you ask me, it’s clearly a bunch of old geezers making stuff up to make themselves look better, trying to glorify the family’s history.”
The tribal era.
Just how many years ago was that?
Countless noble clans had been wiped out under the wheels of time.
So, I didn’t believe it either.
A light floral fragrance lingered on Su Liumeng.
It was like that early bloom scent from March or April—the first wisp of flowers on the spring breeze.
A pale blue ribbon was tied into her hair.
Her ponytail swayed left and right as she moved, making her delicate face appear even more lively under the sunlight.
Her soft whispers floating on the wind held a shyness I had never seen from her before.
Instinctively, I reached out and caught the ribbon that had been tossed around by the breeze.
“It kind of looks like a butterfly,” I commented.
“Then I’ll give you a whole box of them!” Su Liumeng’s eyes sparkled like stars.
Before I could respond, she went on.
“I want to help you comb your hair,” she pouted, “and I want to pin you under the covers…”
“…”
I responded with tactical silence, choosing to ignore someone’s accidentally exposed true nature.
But of course, the young lady’s generosity was on another level—she didn’t just give me one, but a whole box.
If I wasn’t mistaken, this was the latest luxury co-branded release from some high-end designer.
One ribbon alone was worth tens of thousands.
From where I stood, Su Liumeng’s profile still carried a touch of baby fat—yet not even a trace of puffiness.
Her rosy cheeks looked so soft I couldn’t help but imagine how they’d feel in my hand.
As I was thinking this, I suddenly grew curious:
In Su Liumeng’s eyes, what kind of person was I now?
I’d ask her next time I had the chance.
After walking for about an hour, I began to feel a bit tired.
My hair was damp with a fine layer of sweat.
There was no point pushing myself to walk further—it wouldn’t do me any good.
Even gentle exercise needed proper limits.
Su Liumeng slowly took my hand.
I noticed the gloom in the depths of her eyes, but for once, she didn’t resist it.
My hand’s bone structure was slightly smaller than hers, and when our palms met, the softness of her grip reflexively tightened around mine.
“It’s okay.”
Su Liumeng looked at my furrowed brow and said gently, “Even if the Su family finds out about you, I’ll protect you.”
“Anywhere you don’t want to be, no one will be allowed to force you.”
The firmness in her tone startled me—it carried a resolve that could rival mutual destruction.
“Don’t do anything reckless.” I quickly tried to calm her down.
“If you go head-to-head with the Su family because of me, isn’t that like a moth flying into the flames Besides… you’re still a Su. Your family lives there, your kin… You’ll be torn between both sides.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”
I said it with all the seriousness I could muster, but Su Liumeng only took it as me trying to comfort her.
In her eyes, I was just a delicate girl without the strength to truss a chicken.
How could I possibly resist the crushing force of a behemoth like the Su family?
And so, it had to be her.
If even she didn’t help me, I’d truly have no one to rely on.
Suddenly, Su Liumeng smiled, breaking the gloomy mood that had been weighing us down.
“Relax. They might not even find out. I’ve already caught the tail of the person stirring up trouble behind the scenes.”
“As long as I can eliminate them, you’ll be free to start a brand-new life.”
“Mm.”
A few loose leaves drifted down in front of me.
I caught one in my hand and, with uncharacteristic seriousness, said to her:
“No matter what happens… promise me you’ll always protect yourself first.”
“I’ve got backup plans to keep me alive. I’ll be okay.”
Su Liumeng agreed to it—for now.
As for whether she truly believed any of it—well, that I couldn’t say.
*****
Late at night.
The dormitory was especially quiet; only the soft rustling of leaves outside the window could be heard.
Tonight, the wind was a little strong.
Li Mei sat with her back to me, fiddling with her worn-out phone.
[Can you agree to take the pictures now?]
[This is the final three-day deadline. If you can’t get me the photos, your mother will find out you’ve been making money at school.]
[And not just her—everyone in school will know you sold out your roommate for cash.]
She clenched the phone so tightly it cracked slightly, her eyes full of deep regret.
Had she known it would end up like this, she never would’ve accepted that bag of money in the first place.
After a long silence, she collapsed into the chair, utterly drained.
Things had already come to this point—what else could she do?
The only option left was to keep going down this path.
She glanced at the luxury skincare products on the table, and a trace of comfort finally flickered in her heart.
At least…
This person was truly generous.
As long as she did what they asked, she wouldn’t be left wanting for material things.
Perhaps it was the last remnants of her conscience that drove her to type out a message:
[Why do you want me to take these photos?]
[Are you trying to blackmail Si Xinyan?]
A minute later, the mysterious person replied.
[I need private photos of her—the more, the better.]
[Blackmail? Please. I wouldn’t lower myself to that.]
[You’re a pathetic loser, so I’ll spare you the lies. My greatest joy is destroying everything that is pure and beautiful.]
[To utterly ruin someone like Si Xinyan—this flawless flower—don’t you think that would be… fun?]
On a dark rooftop, the mysterious figure stared at the glowing screen, lightly licking their lips.
The taste of a fallen soul… must be exquisite.
“Pervert.”
Li Mei trembled as she forced out the word.
[I can’t even take anything private. She’s super conservative—her sleepwear goes down to her knees. She never does anything inappropriate in the dorm.]
[What’s the point of a basic pajama photo? It won’t accomplish anything.]
Mysterious Person:
[That’s your problem. Fail—and you’ll be the first sacrifice.]
Li Mei looked at the girl playing her game, her gaze filled with both pain and inner turmoil.
At the computer, I stared at my reflection on the screen, the corners of my lips curling into a cold smile that no one noticed.
Ever since Su Yi warned me, I had started paying closer attention.
When you actually started counting them up, Li Mei’s odd behaviors recently were far too numerous to ignore.
That sudden influx of money, and her increasingly sneaky glances around the dorm…
If that didn’t seem suspicious, then there really must be ghosts in the world.
I picked up the phone on my desk.
[I suspect Li Mei’s been bought off. I seriously can’t think of who I’ve pissed off lately.
After thinking it through, there’s really only one possibility left.
Could this person behind the scenes… actually be the same one you warned me about?]
Su Liumeng:
[What are you planning to do?]
I wasn’t some clay Buddha that people could step on without consequence.
If someone dared to bring the fight to my door, they’d better be ready for a response.
[Just watch and see.]
[Who’s the hunter and who’s the prey… that’s still undecided.]
I lazily twirled my ballpoint pen between my fingers.
The pale tips of my fingers glowed under the desk lamp—almost blindingly bright.
Su Liumeng immediately got anxious.
[You just told me not to act rashly—so you better not do anything reckless either!]
[Don’t forget you’re still pregnant! The first few months are the riskiest for a miscarriage!]
I pouted.
[Do I look like some brainless thug to you?]
[“Outsmart, don’t outfight”—ever heard of that?]
[It’s just like fishing. Even if you’ve got all the strength in the world, you can’t catch anything if the hook’s got no bait.]
*****
Meanwhile.
In a villa somewhere, Su Liumeng was looking at her phone screen—but her thoughts had drifted elsewhere.
After going through something like this…
Surely Si Xinyan couldn’t keep living in that dorm, right?