"The General likes me?" Xi Yue thought, and then asked.
Xing Yuan froze, two rosy patches instantly appearing on her face. Was she really this direct? How embarrassing!
But she answered without hesitation, "Mmm."
Xi Yue's gaze, tinged with scrutiny, fell upon Xing Yuan's face. She had felt something was off before. It was normal for a person's disposition to change, but not so drastically. Combined with her usual behavior, it was more like a peacock displaying its plumage, a courtship display.
"Does the General truly like me?" Xi Yue's lips curved slightly. She leaned forward, her fingertips gently touching Xing Yuan's lips, silently seducing, utterly captivating.
Xing Yuan, pathetically, swallowed. "Sister is so alluring, I want to kiss her so much!"
She proved her affection with action, for she suddenly sucked on Xi Yue's fingertip and bit it gently, leaving a small tooth mark.
Xi Yue was startled and quickly withdrew her finger, her face flushing red.
"What... what are you doing?" Xi Yue's expression was one of panic.
"To prove it to Sister!" Xing Yuan's expression was innocent and guileless.
Hmph! Now she knew how formidable she was!
Xi Yue looked at her for a moment, then suddenly laughed. She leaned down and gently bit Xing Yuan's ear, a smile on her lips, her voice seductive, "Tit for tat. You bit me, so I'll bite back."
Xing Yuan felt like she was about to be cooked. This shouldn't be happening! Wasn't this supposed to be her turn? How had she been outmaneuvered?
Xi Yue: *Heh! Did you think I would give in so easily? I've never lost a negotiation, let alone in matters of the heart.*
While Xing Yuan was lost in thought, Xi Yue had already calmly sat down, smiling, "When did the General start liking me?"
"I... I..." Xing Yuan stammered, unable to speak.
Xi Yue sighed helplessly and coaxed, "Then, does the General want to be with me?"
"Mmm, mmm," Xing Yuan nodded eagerly, squatting on the ground and looking up at her, like a remarkably well-behaved and loyal pet.
"Then, if the General is with me, will you listen to me?" Xi Yue continued to ask.
"Mmm, mmm," Xing Yuan continued to nod obediently.
Xi Yue suddenly lowered her head with a hint of disappointment, lamenting, "But the General doesn't listen to me now. Won't it be even easier to go back on your word in the future?"
"I'll listen, I'm very good," Xing Yuan quickly retorted, trying hard to prove herself.
"Then, is the General willing to study obediently for me and write a book report?"
"I am willing!" To demonstrate her sincerity, Xing Yuan immediately grabbed a book and began writing furiously in her notebook.
She completely failed to notice the sly smile in Xi Yue's eyes, nor the look of having found a "fool."
Alas! The General was truly naive!
Xi Yue also sat down contentedly to read, and for a moment, the atmosphere in the study was surprisingly harmonious.
After a long while, Xing Yuan shook her wrist, which was sore from writing, yawned, and sleepily bid farewell to Xi Yue beside her before returning to her room to sleep.
Xi Yue couldn't help but chuckle. After Xing Yuan left, she finally burst into uncontrollable laughter. The General was too amusing!
Xing Yuan woke up, and the memories of the previous night slowly returned. Something felt off!
What was off?
Right, it seemed Sister hadn't explicitly agreed to her proposal. That was probably the only thing that was off!
Xing Yuan nodded confidently, put on her slippers, and ran to the study, clutching the fruits of her all-night labor.
Xi Yue didn't go to the First Legion today; she stayed at home. She was somewhat anticipating Xing Yuan's reaction when she discovered she had been coaxed.
However... that "fool" hadn't realized she had been tricked at all.
Xing Yuan happily ran over, threw herself into Xi Yue's arms, tilted her small face up, and handed Xi Yue the book report she had written, looking at her with expectant eyes:
"Sister~ I'm done. Can you agree to date me now?"
"Okay!" Xi Yue nodded gently, her fingers lightly stroking Xing Yuan's hair.
Although this person was a bit silly, she couldn't help but like her. It was fine; she had plenty of patience to teach her slowly. If that didn't work, she could trick her a few more times. With experience, she wouldn't be so easily deceived by others.
Xi Yue praised herself for her plan. Xing Yuan looked at her, dazed and confused, seemingly not understanding why she was suddenly so happy. Was it because they liked each other?
"Let me see how you wrote it?" Xi Yue said with a serious expression. The writing was a bit messy, with a wild style that matched her personality on the battlefield, bold and unrestrained.
However, it was clear that she had put in effort. Xi Yue was quite satisfied with this attitude.
"Sister~" Xing Yuan leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.
Xi Yue showed no displeasure, merely raising an eyebrow and smiling.
"Ah Yuan is so good, just this little reward isn't enough!"
She lowered her head and kissed Xing Yuan's lips. After a moment, she lifted her head, her eyes sparkling. She gently pinched Xing Yuan's ear and said in a lingering, affectionate tone:
"This is enough!"
Xing Yuan nodded obediently and smiled, delighted with herself. Her motivation was boosted. Hehehe! She would work even harder in the future to earn Sister's rewards.
Thus, they began their "pleasant" cohabitation. Pleasant for Xi Yue, at least. As for Xing Yuan, she was working hard on the book report for her third book.
Her heart was filled with tears. The Sister in this world was excessively passionate about reading, and what's more, the thing she hated most in this world was reading.
Three days passed quickly, and Yu Xuan'an delivered his investigation results as promised.
Just as she had suspected, the royal family was indeed behind it, but it was a Seventh Prince with a low status. Her nominal adoptive father had promised him some benefits, even agreeing to help him contend for that position.
That made sense. The General of the First Legion held real military power. Frankly speaking, if Xing Yuan wanted to rebel now, she would have a large number of supporters and followers, let alone helping a prince ascend the throne.
Xing Yuan was so angry she laughed. Using the benefits he obtained to curry favor with others and have them kill her – what a brilliant scheme! She could hear every calculation they made.
The more these things he desired, the less she was willing to let him have them. Her possessions, she would rather throw them away than give them to an enemy.
Yu Xuan'an: [My sincerity has been shown. It's time for you to show yours!]
Xing Yuan: [Alright! Since we are now allies, I will not be stingy. Whatever you want, as long as I have it, I will not refuse.]
[Good. I want you to open a convenient door for me. If I want to succeed, weapons are indispensable. I will pay you the market price for the money, and if anything goes wrong, you can find someone to take the blame.]
[Agreed! Give me your contact information, and I will have someone contact you.]