Standing up from the ground, she dusted off her clothes, stomped her foot in frustration, and suddenly felt foolish for believing and forgiving him so easily.
Thinking carefully now, how could Fu Lin, who possessed the Garuda Factor, die so easily? The sudden events had clouded her judgment, making her forget to think rationally.
Realizing this, Fu Shi's face darkened. She grabbed the nearby Black Kite, who had been watching the scene unfold, and dragged her back several steps.
Before Black Kite could react, Fu Shi hurled her toward Fu Lin.
"Chirp?"
"Take this…!"
"Edge of Taixuan, Phoenix? Manifestation!"
"Chirp Chirp Chirp!"
-----------------------
Fu Lin jolted upright in shock, his eyes widening like two bronze bells, bloodshot as if they were about to pop out of their sockets.
Looking at the equally bewildered Black Kite in his arms, then turning his head to the unconcerned Fu Shi, the veins on his forehead twitched slightly before he foamed at the mouth and fainted.
The progress bar, which had barely increased, even regressed a little.
Fu Hua glanced sympathetically at the unconscious Fu Lin.
"Uh... Fu Shi, the Phoenix Manifestation technique I taught you isn't supposed to be used like this." At the very least, it shouldn't be this weak...
Turning to look at the smug Fu Shi, her eyes were filled with helplessness, and she internally facepalmed. Witnessing such a ridiculous scene, she probably wouldn't be using this move again.
"As long as it's convenient, simple, and effective, that's all that matters. Besides, I wasn't really trying to kill him."
Fu Shi whistled as she skipped back to Fu Lin's side, reaching out to poke his cheek. Her big eyes blinked, and her gaze softened a little.
Fu Hua adjusted her glasses, an unreadable emotion flickering in her eyes as she spoke softly,
"Fu Shi, you... seem to care about him a lot. Is he the Fu Lin you've been waiting for? But your appearances..."
"Who? Me? No way! There's no way I care about him! I just... just..."
Fu Shi's heart trembled, and her face instantly flushed red. She wanted to deny it, to say something to cover up her embarrassment.
But it was as if something was stuck in her throat—she couldn't say anything. She could only squat there dumbfounded, staring at Fu Lin.
Seeing that Fu Shi didn't want to talk, Fu Hua chose not to press further and changed the subject instead, "Fu Shi, let's take him to the infirmary first. As for what happens next, we'll leave it to the principal."
Fu Hua hoisted Fu Lin onto her shoulder and walked toward the infirmary, while Fu Shi and Black Kite followed on either side.
Hearing the messy footsteps behind her, Fu Hua turned around and looked at the crowd that had gathered. Pushing up her glasses, she spoke, "It's getting late. You should all head back."
The Valkyries chattered for a while before dispersing into the night with endless sighs.
...
Inside the infirmary, the soft lighting illuminated the room, filling the small space with a warm atmosphere.
Fu Shi rested her chin in her hands, sitting on a high stool with her legs dangling, but her gaze never left the hospital bed where Fu Lin lay.
As the door behind her creaked open, Fu Shi finally snapped out of her daze. She rubbed her dry eyes and turned her head—only to see the old antique.
Fu Hua walked in, holding a steaming bowl of wonton noodles, and smiled at Fu Shi, "Fu Shi, I made some wonton noodles. Want some?"
The aroma of the noodles reached Fu Shi's nose, making her stomach growl loudly—a sound that seemed especially clear in the quiet infirmary.
"...Okay."
Rubbing her belly, Fu Shi eagerly picked up the chopsticks, scooping up a large mouthful and stuffing it into her mouth. In no time, she had finished every last bite.
Perhaps she had eaten too quickly—she smacked her lips and, still unsatisfied, picked up the bowl and gulped down all the broth.
Fu Hua merely smiled slightly at this, then took a towel and wiped Fu Shi's face before tidying up an empty bed beside her.
"Fu Shi, it's getting late. Since you don't want to leave, you should rest here."
Fu Shi patted her now full stomach and looked up at the clock on the wall. Only then did she realize that it had unknowingly become midnight.
Stepping onto a small stool, she quickly climbed onto the bed and lay down. Patting the empty space beside her, she said, "Aren't you coming?"
"I'll be there in a bit. Let me take care of this one first, Fu Shi."
Fu Hua looked at Fu Lin with a solemn expression, lost in thought. Then, she slowly crouched down and took out a dusty shackle from the corner under the bed.
Fu Shi sat up in confusion, staring at her, not understanding what she was doing.
Fu Hua didn't explain. Silently, she locked the shackle around Fu Lin's ankle, securing the other end to the bed leg. Her movements were swift and decisive, without a hint of hesitation.
"Old antique, you..."
Fu Shi was startled, wanting to persuade Fu Hua not to do this, but she didn't know how to start.
She could already imagine Fu Lin's expression when he woke up.
Fu Hua seemed to know what Fu Shi wanted to say and shook her head, signaling her to stay silent.
Fu Shi sighed helplessly. She understood why the old antique was doing this—it was nothing more than a precaution, in case Fu Lin woke up in the middle of the night and tried to leave.
If he was just leaving St. Freya Academy, maybe it wouldn't be necessary. But if he stayed, they had to consider the safety of the Valkyries.
Fu Hua stood up, glancing at Fu Lin, then at Fu Shi, before saying, "This is for his own good—and for all of us."
'Uh... Fu Lin isn't that kind of person.' Fu Shi silently refuted in her heart. Then, covering her head with her hands, she rolled around on the bed, shaking all the unhealthy and healthy thoughts out of her mind.
'Forget it. I don't care about his feelings. He didn't come to find me for a whole month—consider this a little punishment.'
After a long while, Fu Shi stopped talking. She glanced at Fu Lin's side profile before quietly lying down, offering a moment of silent mourning for him in her heart.
Fu Hua smiled faintly. She knew Fu Shi had come to terms with her decision. Lying down, the two silently gazed at each other, their clear eyes curving into crescents. With a hint of a smile on their lips, they closed their eyes.