Barsaq

"It's so boring outside."

"Wasn't it your idea to come to school?"

After taking Alice around for a stroll, Ye Shuang returned. The food street offered the same old things, and if they were looking for something truly [interesting], they should’ve gone to the teaching building for the themed activities instead.

"The ice cream is good," Alice said, munching on hers, when she noticed a girl with shoulder-length short hair at the lemon tea stall. The girl was staring at Bobo as if observing some rare creature.

"Hey," the girl lazily greeted Ye Shuang when he returned.

Spotting An Shiyu, Ye Shuang introduced Alice, "This is Alice, Bai Yuyou's little sister."

"How rare. Haven’t seen a foreigner in ages," An Shiyu bent slightly, her eyes fixed on Alice. "Hmm..."

"W-what do you want?!" Alice, sensing An Shiyu was another weirdo, instinctively hid behind Ye Shuang before putting on a fierce face. "If you try anything funny, Bobo won’t let you off!"

"Tch." An Shiyu smirked dismissively but then teased, "Little golden retriever, say 'Berserker' for me."

"What does 'Berserker' even mean... No way!"

"You and your sister really are polar opposites." An Shiyu glanced toward Bai Yuyou, who was awkwardly but earnestly helping a couple order lemon tea.

Alice, irritated by the comparison, sulked. "Hmph, I won’t stoop to your level." She eventually huffed, "Not worth arguing with a kid."

An Shiyu retorted, "Says the one who’s barely four feet tall."

"Maturity isn’t about looks!" Alice declared pompously, turning to Bobo, who was making lemon tea. "Right, Bobo?"

"Indeed. Our Lady Alice has even mastered nighttime bathroom trips without company," Bobo chimed in.

"Not that part!!"

"Pfft." An Shiyu covered her mouth, visibly stifling a laugh.

Alice: "Hey, what’s so funny?!"

"Wasn’t laughing. You imagined it."

"You totally were!"

...

"Such chaos," Ye Shuang mused, watching the scene unfold. But he didn’t dislike it—the noisy camaraderie gave him an indescribable sense of belonging. Maybe it was a side effect of growing older, but solitude had lost its appeal.

Before long, lunch break arrived.

The food street grew even busier as students and visitors streamed out to eat.

"Move it over here."

"Got it."

Ye Shuang and Bobo carried a large table, setting it up for their meal.

As they placed it down, Ye Shuang noticed a commotion in the distance—a crowd had gathered around something. Squinting, he spotted a bald head.

Correction: six bald heads.

Each figure stood tall, dressed in sharp suits and sunglasses, and they marched straight toward the lemon tea stall.

"Um... would you like some lemon tea?" Zhixia asked the black-clad men.

The bald men remained silent, stationing themselves in front of the stall.

Their gaze, however, was locked onto the dining table.

"Hmm..." At that moment, Alice seemed to recognize these people. She pursed her lips and muttered, "So fast..."

"From the Zhou family?" Ye Shuang asked, though upon closer thought, it didn’t seem likely. Even if it were the Zhou family, would they really assign so many bodyguards to Alice?

It felt like something straight out of a TV drama.

"No, though it’s close enough," Alice replied, sounding bored. "Annoying."

She then turned to Ye Shuang. "Go on, Ye Shuang. Use your 'Flame Fist' and defeat these six bald guys for me."

"I’m not a Pokémon," Ye Shuang said helplessly.

"Miss, we should head back now," Bobo chimed in, eyeing the six bald men.

Alice glanced at the silent, black-suited bald figures. Her shoulders slumped slightly as if resigning herself. "Fine... Oi, you lot, wait until I finish lunch. Don’t block my view right now."

The bald men nodded in unison and quickly dispersed.

"Gone?" Ye Shuang looked around.

"Nope, they’re hiding nearby," An Shiyu remarked, sipping her lemon tea through a straw. She could sense their presence lingering in the surroundings.

Ye Shuang turned back to Alice. "So, you’re leaving?"

"Pretty much. I barely got any time out here..." Alice grumbled before adding, "I’ll come back to visit next time."

"You’re always welcome here," Ye Shuang said with a smile, especially since she was Bai Yuyou’s sister.

People naturally extend kindness to those connected to their loved ones, especially younger ones.

"W-Who said I was coming to see you?!" Alice immediately bristled, like a cat with its tail stepped on. "I just meant I’d come to the mainland to have fun, that’s all!"

"Alright then," Ye Shuang replied, unfazed.

Alice twirled a strand of her golden hair between her fingers. She stole a glance at Ye Shuang, perhaps feeling a bit guilty for her earlier tone, and mumbled, "W-Well, if you insist... I guess I could drop by occasionally."

Ye Shuang chuckled. "Sure."

"Mmm." Alice looked around awkwardly before lowering her head to focus on her snacks.

After lunch, it was time for Alice and the others to leave.

"Until next time, Mr. Ye Shuang," Bobo said, adjusting his black hat before departing.

"Take care, Bobo."

Under the escort of the bald bodyguards, Alice was soon gone. Ye Shuang had initially thought she might stay for a few days and had even considered buying her some clothes after school.

"Ye Shuang... she’s gone," Bai Yuyou said softly.

Ye Shuang patted her head reassuringly. "We’ll see her again."

"Mm."

Meanwhile, Alice had reached the school gate, where a sleek van was waiting. As the door slid open, a voice called out from inside, "Anna, you’re being too reckless."

Alice lowered her head at the sight of the person in the vehicle.

"Miss was just—"

"Bo, I don’t need your explanations," the voice interrupted coldly. "Silence is your duty at all times."

"Yes, Master."

...

Back at the lemon tea stall.

"Ding—" Ye Shuang’s phone rang as he was cleaning up. He set aside the dishes to check the caller ID—Chen Qin.

"Hello?"

"Ye Shuang, guess where I am?" On the other end of the phone, the girl's voice was brimming with playful delight.

"Where?" Ye Shuang paused for a second. "Yinshan Academy?"

"How did you know?"