126: Everyone cares about a little bit

Outside the window, the moonlight poured in like mercury, enveloping the entire bedroom in a clear, cold, and pure halo of light.

The clamor of the day had long faded away, and the quiet solitude of the moment felt especially precious.

On the floor in the center of the bedroom, several Spirit Stones were quietly arranged according to a specific pattern, emitting a faint, ethereal glow. Lin Luo sat down cross-legged, slowly closed his eyes, and his breathing gradually became long and rhythmic, subtly aligning with the fluctuations of the surrounding Spiritual Qi.

His consciousness, like the receding tide, slowly withdrew from the mortal world and sank into the depths of his Dantian. As the circulation of spiritual power quietly accelerated, the light in the bedroom seemed to dim slightly, as if all the illumination was being absorbed by the invisible force field around him.

After an unknown amount of time, a faint chirp of an insect sounded outside the window.

Lin Luo slowly opened his eyes, a sharp light flickering within them. His tone held a hint of helplessness but no surprise: "I clearly locked the door." He didn't turn around, seemingly having sensed that unique presence long ago. "How did you manage to slip in without a sound?"

Not far behind him, Ye Nianyao was leaning against the wall, having appeared at some unknown time. Her white clothes looked even more cold and ethereal under the moonlight. She was casually playing with a Spirit Stone that Lin Luo had depleted, its luster now dull. Hearing his words, she raised her eyes, and her clear voice created faint ripples in the quiet room:

"Your method of Cultivation is quite extravagant." Her gaze swept over the Spirit Stones on the floor that were almost entirely depleted of spiritual power. "I see many of these Spirit Stones with residual spiritual power scattered around your room. Are these," she paused her finger slightly, "no longer needed?"

"I've carved Purifying Spirit Talismans on them, which can cleanse the surrounding Evil Qi, so it's not exactly a waste." Lin Luo's tone was frank; he didn't feel regretful about the consumption.

Ye Nianyao casually beckoned, and another Spirit Stone lightly fell into her palm. Her fingertip traced the faint traces of runes on the stone surface. Her lips curved slightly, and her clear voice carried the knowing certainty of someone who saw through everything:

"A novice." She looked up at him, her gaze seeming to penetrate all superficialities. "No wonder they're piled up everywhere in your Xiao Mafuyu's room!"

Lin Luo's cheek muscles twitched unnaturally, and he argued stubbornly: "At least... I can successfully engrave them."

"Oh?" Ye Nianyao raised an eyebrow, her tone calm and steady. "What's the point of comparing yourself to me?"

Lin Luo looked as if his secret had been exposed. He immediately turned his face away and mumbled softly: "I didn't..."

He simply changed the subject, turning to look at this uninvited "visitor": "It's late at night. Instead of sleeping or Cultivating, why did you specifically come running over here?"

The Spirit Stone at Ye Nianyao's fingertip dissolved into a streak of flowing light. She took two steps forward, the moonlight flowing around her robes. "To see how your Cultivation progress is coming along."

"That simple?" Lin Luo didn't believe she was just there to check his homework.

"What else?" she said calmly. As she spoke, she very naturally placed her hand on Lin Luo's shoulder. The movement was smooth and effortless, as if it was meant to be.

Lin Luo felt a pure and icy stream of spiritual consciousness instantly probe into his Meridians, tracing the path of his spiritual power circulation once before receding like a tide, so fast that he couldn't react.

Ye Nianyao withdrew her hand, a subtle arc of satisfaction curving her lips: "Spiritual power circulates smoothly, Foundation is solid, vital essence is at Perfection, Pure Yang..." She paused, her cold gaze fixed on his face. "You've maintained it well."

How could Lin Luo not understand her intention? His expression immediately darkened: "I already achieved Breakthrough past that stage; I don't need to be restricted anymore. Even if I were to lose my virginity, it wouldn't affect anything now."

Ye Nianyao's eyes narrowed, and her voice carried a chilling intent: "Try breaking the oath, I dare you."

"Why?" Lin Luo raised an eyebrow at her. "You're not my girlfriend, so why do you demand that I remain pure?"

The moonlight filtered through the window lattice, casting cold, clear shadows between the two of them. Ye Nianyao's fingertips unconsciously tightened, and a trace of undetectable fluctuation appeared in her usually calm eyes.

"You're right," she suddenly spoke, her voice very soft. "I am indeed not."

That sentence was exceptionally clear in the silent room. Lin Luo was stunned; he hadn't expected such a response.

Ye Nianyao turned to face the window, the moonlight outlining her cold profile: "But precisely because of that, I must interfere even more."

Her voice was light, yet it carried an unspeakable weight, drifting away in the moonlight with the night breeze.

In the school courtyard during the afternoon, several people were sitting around a long bench, eating lunch boxes.

Lin Luo was joking around as usual on the surface, but Kato Megumi keenly noticed something. When he unconsciously poked at his rice grains with his chopsticks again, she asked softly, "Did something happen? You seem a little unhappy."

Shiina Mahiru also looked over with concern when she heard this. "Did Sister Nianyao give you a hard time?"

"Sister Nianyao?" Furuhashi Fumino looked up curiously. "Is she Mr. Lin Luo's older sister?"

Mahiru nodded gently in response.

Lin Luo smiled. "It's nothing, just a little tired." He naturally turned to Furuhashi Fumino and Ogata Rizu. "Speaking of which, how has your studying been lately? I haven't been around for a while; I hope I didn't hold you back."

Furuhashi Fumino's breathing hitched slightly, and her eyes involuntarily drifted elsewhere. Ogata Rizu pushed up her glasses and replied earnestly, "We are currently in a state of stability maintenance."

"So you haven't made any progress," Lin Luo clicked his tongue.

Furuhashi Fumino's face immediately flushed red. "N-No, that's not it! It's just that the scope of recent exams is quite broad, so we're consolidating our Foundation..."

Ogata Rizu nodded and added, "Based on data statistics, our grade fluctuations remain within a reasonable range of plus or minus three percent."

"I remember summer vacation is coming soon, right? Will you have enough time?" Lin Luo said faintly.

Furuhashi Fumino immediately brightened up, pressing her palms together and saying, "I've planned everything! During summer vacation, let's organize a study group together! A study camp retreat, how wonderful!"

Her eyes shining, she looked at everyone: "We can find a quiet place where we can focus on studying, and also cook and chat together..."

Ogata Rizu nodded seriously: "From an efficiency perspective, group study is indeed better at guaranteeing study duration than individual review."

Kato Megumi gently put down her chopsticks and smiled. "That sounds like a good suggestion."

Shiina Mahiru also agreed softly, "If everyone can come..."

"Then come to my house," Lin Luo smiled.

Furuhashi Fumino's cheeks were slightly red, and she mumbled softly, "A guy's house..."

Lin Luo lightly flicked her forehead. "What nonsense are you thinking? Teacher Kirisu will be watching you; she lives right next door to me."

Furuhashi Fumino covered her forehead, but her eyes dimmed. "Teacher Kirisu lives there too? Let's change the location then! The teacher won't be able to relax there!"

Lin Luo helplessly rubbed his forehead. "Relax about what? I want you to study, not to take you out to play."

Ogata Rizu nodded seriously: "A study environment requires appropriate disciplinary constraints."

Kato Megumi covered her mouth and chuckled softly. "It certainly feels safer with a teacher present."

Shiina Mahiru added quietly, "And Teacher Kirisu is very gentle..."

Furuhashi Fumino looked at her friends, who had suddenly formed a united front, and puffed out her cheeks in distress. "Why are you all like this!"

...The setting sun dyed the street a warm orange, and the crowds of students leaving school gradually dispersed.

After saying goodbye to everyone at the intersection, Lin Luo naturally took Kato Megumi's hand. The two walked slowly along the familiar street, their shadows stretching long behind them.

"It feels like it's been a long time since we did this," Lin Luo said softly.

"Mhm." Kato Megumi gently squeezed his hand in return. "It really has been a while."

Fat Wave's steady snoring came from the backpack, adding a touch of life to the tranquility.

After walking a bit further, Kato Megumi suddenly spoke: "Are you willing to talk about it now?"

The lingering sunset stretched their shadows long. Lin Luo's fingers unconsciously rubbed against Kato Megumi's fingertips.

"I mean, Megumi..."

"Mhm. I'm listening."

"Do you mind me being with other girls..."

Kato Megumi glanced lightly at the slightly uneasy boy beside her, her tone calm: "I have absolutely no right to mind."

"Why?"

She looked at the setting sun sinking into the horizon, her voice soft like a breeze: "I'm not Mr. Lin Luo's girlfriend either, so I can't stop him from being a flirt. I can only watch as the number of girls around him increases."

Lin Luo was instantly speechless, and the hand holding hers tightened involuntarily. Fat Wave in the backpack seemed disturbed by the movement, grumbled discontentedly, and then fell back into a deep sleep.

The two walked in silence for a while until Kato Megumi suddenly stopped and turned to face him. The sunset reflected a gentle light in her eyes.

"But," she tilted her head slightly, "if Mr. Lin Luo is willing to explain properly, I might be willing to listen."

Lin Luo stopped and turned to face her. The twilight settled into a gentle light in his eyes: "Perhaps it's the same as Megumi—you've completely integrated into my life." His fingertip gently brushed her hair. "An existence I can't live without, as natural as breathing."

Kato Megumi's eyes widened slightly, then she lowered her head, the tips of her ears turning a faint pink. "That's cheating." Her voice was so soft it almost vanished in the wind. "Let's hurry, it's getting dark."

The two walked side-by-side down the darkening street, and the streetlights lit up one after another. As they passed the third streetlight, Kato Megumi suddenly spoke softly:

"Anyway, since I'll never be noticed by anyone else, it seems I don't have any other choice besides Mr. Lin Luo, right?"

Her tone was so calm, as if stating a mundane fact, yet it made Lin Luo's heart clench slightly. He stopped, gazing earnestly at her in the hazy twilight: "That's not true."

Kato Megumi raised her eyelids, quietly waiting for him to continue.

"It's not that Megumi has no other choice," Lin Luo's voice was gentle and firm, "it's that I am incredibly lucky—lucky enough that Megumi chose me."

He gently held her hand, feeling the warm touch of her fingertips: "Just like now, even though there are so many people on the street, my eyes can only see Megumi."

Kato Megumi paused slightly, then a faint smile spread across her lips. She turned her hand to hold his, and whispered, "That line is even more of a cheat."

She paused, her steps light as she trod on the fallen leaves, her voice carrying a hint of dissatisfaction: "So, who are the girls Mr. Lin Luo cares about? Mahiru? Fumino? Rizu? Or Teacher Kirisu!" She intentionally elongated her tone, her eyes curving into crescent moons. "It must be Sister Nianyao, right? Mr. Lin Luo has looked preoccupied all day; it's practically written on your face."

Lin Luo gave an awkward laugh and rubbed his nose: "They're all just friends, so I care about them just a little bit."

"Just a little bit?" Kato Megumi tilted her head slightly, the streetlight reflecting tiny points of light in her eyes. "Then what about me? Is it also 'just a little bit'?"

Her question was light, yet it instantly rendered Lin Luo speechless. He looked at her smiling eyes, suddenly realizing this was a sweet trap.

"Well..." He deliberately drew out his words, and under Kato Megumi's expectant gaze, he gently tucked the strands of hair that the wind had messed up behind her ear. "For Megumi, it's probably just a little bit more than 'just a little bit'."

Under the streetlight, Kato Megumi softly "hmphed," but the corner of her lips couldn't help but turn up: "That kind of answer is too sly."

"However," she proactively linked her arm through his, her voice gentle, "I'll reluctantly accept that answer."

She tightened her arm slightly, rested her cheek lightly on his shoulder, and spoke in a volume only they could hear: "I don't mind Mr. Lin Luo's flirtatiousness, but next time..."

The night breeze swept past, and her voice carried a subtle hint of jealousy: "I don't want to hear the names of other girls again. Even I get jealous."

The remark was made lightly, yet it warmed Lin Luo's heart. He looked down at the girl nestled beside him, noticing the faint pink on her ear tips, finding even her attempt to look composed exceptionally cute.

Their silhouettes gradually overlapped under the streetlight. He leaned down slightly, and that moment of gentle lowering of his head created ripples in both their hearts.