"Wuwu... Yan Yan, are you serious!?"
"I feel like my mouth's about to tear open…"
Ye Lingling's eyes were full of grievance.
At this moment, Lin Xiao and Dugu Yan had already set aside their differences and, surprisingly, became acquaintances through their fight.
The three of them were walking together on the road toward the Dugu estate.
Ye Lingling walked on the left, Dugu Yan on the right, while Lin Xiao proudly occupied the center.
Dugu Yan crossed her arms and spoke coolly:
"So what? You've always had a big mouth!"
"How come you're all quiet at school?"
"Were you just bottling everything up to mess with me later!?"
Ye Lingling clenched her delicate fists and snapped:
"Yan Yan! Don't think I can't handle you!"
"Believe it or not, I could totally put you in your place!"
Dugu Yan didn't reply. She just looked at Ye Lingling with contempt, arms still crossed, her expression saying it all:
—"You? Seriously?"
A Support-type Spirit Master wanting to take on a Control-type?
What a fantasy.
Ye Lingling snorted and said:
"Yan Yan, don't underestimate the heroes of the world."
"Weren't you, a Grandmaster Spirit Master, just beaten up by a little brother earlier?"
Dugu Yan's face flushed red.
"That's because he's strong. What's that got to do with you?"
Ye Lingling chuckled slyly.
"Jejeje~"
"Yan Yan, don't forget—you still owe him three favors!"
"You're not thinking of backing out now, are you?"
Dugu Yan's face turned red with anger as she retorted:
"When did I say I would back out!?"
"He hasn't even asked for anything yet!"
"I, Dugu Yan, always keep my word!"
That reaction was exactly what Ye Lingling had been hoping for.
She immediately jumped in:
"If I became his girlfriend, wouldn't that let him use those three requests however he wanted? And then I could make you my personal maid! I'd even spank you in return!"
As she spoke, Ye Lingling reached out to pinch Lin Xiao's cheek.
"Little brother~ What do you think of this plan?"
"Free girlfriend, you know? That's a huge win!"
Dugu Yan was fuming!
"Lingling! Could you be serious for once!?"
"Stop harassing kids!"
Lin Xiao remained expressionless.
He silently swatted Ye Lingling's hand away.
Today, he finally understood what "duality" meant.
Every day at the school gates, Ye Lingling looked even colder and more aloof than Dugu Yan—only ever giving the slightest nod when greeted by classmates.
But in private, she was so… lively?
"Ahem."
Lin Xiao cleared his throat, interrupting the antics of the two adolescent girls.
"Dugu Yan, I really came to see you for something serious."
"Just now, didn't you say you'd agree to three conditions if you lost?"
"Well, my first request is for you to take me to your home. I need to…"
—I need to see the Poison Douluo…
Before he could finish, Ye Lingling exclaimed:
"Going to her house on the first day? That's way too fast!"
"How about just booking a hotel room instead?"
Dugu Yan had had enough. She reached out and gave Ye Lingling a flick to the forehead.
"Lingling, that's enough!"
"You pervert! Making dirty jokes to a kid!?"
"Ouch…" Ye Lingling covered her head, pouting miserably. Seeing that her best friend was truly annoyed, she finally shut her mouth.
Lin Xiao glanced at Ye Lingling.
A strange sense of satisfaction welled up in his heart.
Well done, Dugu Yan! That felt so cathartic!
Dugu Yan turned to Lin Xiao, "Alright, Lin Xiao, go ahead."
"Dugu Yan, the Emerald Phosphor Serpent Spirit really does have a flaw. It won't affect your combat abilities, but it will shorten your lifespan!"
"Unless you have some kind of opportunity, anyone born with this spirit won't live long!"
Dugu Yan's expression changed instantly.
Ye Lingling, afraid Dugu Yan would get angry, quickly scolded Lin Xiao, "Hey! Lin Xiao, what nonsense are you— Yan Yan, he's just a kid, don't take it seriously…"
"Lingling. He's not talking nonsense."
Dugu Yan's voice was quiet.
"Dying young has always been the curse of the Dugu family."
"I never knew the reason before…"
"Could it really be because of our Spirit's defect?"
Seeing her believe him, Lin Xiao was overjoyed.
Finally! Someone was actually listening to him!
He continued immediately:
"That's exactly why I want to see the Poison Douluo!"
"I want to make a deal with him!"
The air grew awkward.
After all, a six-year-old wanting to negotiate with the Poison Douluo?
That just sounded ridiculous.
And yet…
It also kind of made sense.
Dugu Yan stopped walking.
She faced Lin Xiao directly, stepping closer—her pressure overwhelming.
Her matured figure towered a full head and a half above him. As she approached, Lin Xiao couldn't even see her face.
"Lin Xiao, look into my eyes. I'll ask you this."
"Are you doing this out of kindness or with hidden motives?"
Lin Xiao: "…"
He couldn't look into her eyes.
Because they were blocked.
Annoyed, he craned his neck and answered:
"I just want to save myself… and save you too."
"Because my Spirit has a flaw as well."
Both Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling were stunned.
Lin Xiao continued calmly.
"If your Spirit defects aren't fixed, you can still live for a few decades. But mine… I've only got days left."
To him, it was just the truth.
But Dugu Yan looked guilty.
"…I'm sorry, Lin Xiao."
"It's fine."
"But I'm afraid meeting my grandfather won't be possible."
"Huh?"
"He went traveling. He's usually gone for months at a time."
"That's alright. I can wait. I'm staying at Maple Leaf Inn."
"Hmm? What about your family?"
"I'm an orphan."
A long silence followed.
Ye Lingling's heart softened, "Lin Xiao, why not stay at my place instead? My mom's super nice and loves helping people."
Lin Xiao was about to decline.
But Dugu Yan spoke first:
"Why stay at her place? Her family line only has one descendant per generation—her mom is obsessed with finding a live-in son-in-law. Stay too long and you might become a child groom."
"Come live with me. It's just me and my grandpa, aside from the servants."
Lin Xiao figured he'd be waiting for Dugu Bo anyway, so he agreed.
But Ye Lingling wasn't having it. She blushed with anger:
"Yan Yan, what child groom!?"
"That's slander! I think you're the one trying to lure an adorable little boy back to your place to do God-knows-what!"
Dugu Yan sneered.
No words were needed.
Shockingly, Ye Lingling didn't argue further. She turned away with a flushed face.
Suddenly, Lin Xiao felt a chill down his spine.
He glanced at Ye Lingling with panic.
Holy crap…
Could Dugu Yan actually be right?
Ye Lingling… isn't a good girl!