Wuke, Xiqi, while patting her chest in panic, was also being poked by Lady Xie Yier on the forehead.
Wen Er was terrified that the two might find out she used her whip by the river, so she instinctively pulled her hand away from Donna.
Mary was stunned for a moment, then immediately stomped her foot in anger.
Seeing this, Lady Xie Yier’s heart naturally relaxed, this proved that Xiqi was leaning towards her in her heart.
She smiled at Wen Er and said, “Little Ai, your master is going home now. I’ll pick you up again after school this evening, all right? Give your master a kiss.”
Obediently, Wen Er kissed Lady Xie Yier on the cheek.
So embarrassing… And it had to happen in front of Donna and Mary, being ordered around like this.
But Aier had no choice, especially now that the secret was already half-exposed. If she did anything wrong, it could lead to Lady Xie Yier making a big scene.
After the kiss, Xiqi immediately wanted to step back, but Lady Xie Yier stopped her, holding her hand.
She whispered in Wen Er’s ear, “Don’t go doing anything out of line—otherwise, your master will be in a very tough spot.”
After saying that, Lady Xie Yier finally let go of Aier, waved her hand like a victorious general, and swept out of the wooden door.
Once the door closed, the tense atmosphere in the room instantly eased by half.
Mary no longer cared about keeping up appearances. She grabbed Wen Er’s wrist and demanded, “What exactly is going on between you and her?”
“She’s just my benefactor,” Shang Ji blurted out, exposing Wen Er’s little secret on the spot.
“I was asking you!” Mary said, her chest heaving with anger. Though she might not match Lady Xie Yier, dealing with this little wild chicken Donna was still more than enough for her.
“Sigh, Little Wen Er, what a messy life you’re leading.”
Right now, even Rabenyan had returned to her playful side, tapping her tobacco pouch on the bar, glancing mischievously at Xiqi.
“Senpai, is it really like this?”
“It’s not like that, Senpai, what she said is true…”
Wen Er suddenly felt a heavy guilt, as if she had betrayed someone’s feelings, and her voice grew cautious without her even realizing it.
“What’s going on? Are you really that short on money?” Mary asked again, not quite believing it.
She even suspected that Shang and Aier were acting together, never doubting that Aier might truly be Lady Xie Yier’s golden canary.
“Yeah… My family owes a lot of money, and my younger sister is sick and needs a lot to get better. This was my only option. Sorry, Senpai, I never told you guys about this…”
Well, now her biggest secret was out, but perhaps that was for the best. With this, she should be able to get through her remaining three years at the Academy in peace.
Wen Er’s strong self-soothing ability always allowed her to calm herself down quickly.
She had thought Mary would be so disgusted she’d cut off all ties, but unexpectedly, Mary just laughed: “Psh, I thought I’d caught some huge dirt on you. That’s it? How much do you owe that woman, anyway?”
Donna perked up her ears, obviously very interested.
Wen Er didn’t speak, just held up three fingers.
“Thirty gold coins? Did you blow up her alchemy workshop or something?”
Donna’s eyes widened, teasing like she’d found a fat oyster.
“It’s three hundred gold coins… If it were three thousand, I’d need to work myself to death for the next decade to pay it off… I might as well die right now if that’s the case.”
Donna immediately scoffed, “So, whether you die now or not, it doesn’t make a difference—you’re just a plaything now, without even your own freedom.”
“Can’t you say something nicer?” Mary was so annoyed by Donna’s sharp words she nearly exploded.
Donna just pursed her lips and mumbled.
“But I’m telling the truth…” Donna muttered, her voice much softer now, obviously lacking confidence.
“Truth or not, with Lady Xie Yier’s personality, she’ll have her ways to keep you close by her side for a long time to come.”
“Um… Could you please stop talking about this?” Aier was close to tears, begging the three, “Anyway, you’ve all seen it today. There’s nothing left to hide, but please, I’m begging you—keep a little dignity for me, please…”
Having her secret so exposed, Xiqi felt like a heavy stone was pressing on her chest.
Wen Er clenched her fists, and after a moment’s thought, took the opportunity to speak up: “Donna, Mary, I… am just a lowly nobody, not worthy of your company. It’s best if we stop interacting from now on.”
That would be for the best for both sides.
Once she got those words out, Aier felt instantly relieved.
Everything she’d been holding deep in her heart, everything she never dared say, she’d finally let out.
In the end, Xiqi bowed deeply and apologetically to the two of them, looking so small and pitiful that even if someone wanted to be mad at her, it was impossible.
After that, Aier left the café all alone, head hanging low in dejection.
“This is good. This way, everyone can accept the result, and no one will blame me for anything.”
Wen Er replayed the scene in her mind, convinced she’d done her best.
She had properly cut the red string that was binding her to both of them.
All she had to do was grit her teeth for three more years, and she could return to a normal life with Xiqi.
That’s what Wen Er thought.
She did feel guilty for turning down the kindness Donna and Mary had shown her, but she simply couldn’t accept it, so she had no choice but to refuse.
At this very moment, watching Aier’s lonely figure leaving for home, Mary’s heart was awash in a swirl of complex emotions.
Let her go? How could that be possible!
I, Mary Woersa, have never failed to get what I want!
Even though her rival this time was a bit overwhelming, that didn’t mean there was no chance of victory.
A spark flashed in the depths of Mary’s emerald eyes. After a moment’s thought, she made up her mind to catch up.
Before she left, she glanced back at Donna, who was still rooted to the spot with a complicated expression.
“You, you tactless oyster, from now on, stay away from me.”
Mary gave Donna a fierce glare.
“Like your family education is any better. Polite and well-mannered? Hah, that’s just hypocrisy wrapped in manners!”
Donna glared at the departing Mary, and stomped after her (Five into one/).
But this time, unlike before, she didn’t immediately charge after Aier, instead hesitating and staying put for a while.
Donna felt a pang in her heart. Her words had really hurt Aier, but at the same time, she had no idea how to apologize.
After all, Xiqi had asked them not to approach her again.
Ugh! So annoying!
The more Wen Er wanted to distance herself, the more Donna wanted to get close.
But although she had a fiery temper, she wasn’t the kind to ignore others’ feelings. She understood Xiqi’s situation and didn’t want to push her too hard.
So all she could do was clench her fists tightly and remain where she was.
Behind them, Rabenyan leisurely sipped her coffee and teased, “Don’t be sad, little princess. Even if your sweetheart just left, you still have three cups of coffee to keep you company~”
Donna rolled her eyes at her and grabbed the latte she’d ordered, then tilted her head back and gulped it down in one go, trying to soothe her own frustration.
Watching Donna’s wild display, Rabenyan burst out laughing and sidled over. “Actually, I might have some advice for you, little Donna~”
“Advice? Really?!” Donna’s golden-brown eyes immediately lit up.
Rabenyan smiled meaningfully. “Of course. Want to know? Come here, big sis will teach you… how to get Little Wen Er into your hands…”