Three days later, the Yan Family’s passenger ship arrived right on schedule at the docks in Silver Moon City.
Yan Zhen was the first one off the boat. His feet, which had been swaying for two straight days, finally touched solid ground, filling him with a surge of emotion.
Riding a boat for a little while was fun with all that constant rocking, but after several days at sea, it just made you nauseous.
With Mystic Academy’s term about to start, people were flooding into Silver Moon City from all over the country. The docks were bustling with activity—crowds as far as the eye could see.
To make things easier, the Yan Family group split into three teams, each led by a few upperclassmen from the academy, who guided their respective parties to register at Mystic Academy.
Yan Ruyu was in charge of Yan Meng’er and Yan Zhen.
The three of them left the docks, passed smoothly through the city gate inspection, and officially entered the city.
Mystic Academy stood tall on a mountaintop in the northern part of Silver Moon City. From the streets below, one could make out the vermilion-red gatehouse in the distance.
Even with the trees partially blocking the view, it was easy to catch a glimpse of its grand and imposing presence.
The trio hailed a carriage, but the destination Yan Ruyu gave wasn’t Mystic Academy—instead, it was some residence in the northern district.
Yan Zhen remembered it well: that was where Yan Ruyu lived, along with her best friend’s place. Their mentor, who was extremely close to both of them, lived there too. And once Yan Meng’er enrolled, she’d be joining them.
Mystic Academy provided room and board, but students were free to live off-campus if they wanted.
Later on, Yan Zhen himself would move out of the dorms for easier practice of the Art Refining Path, and the place he found would happen to be right across the street from Yan Ruyu and the others.
After vegging out on the ship for two or three days, it was time for the plot to kick back into gear.
When they arrived, Yan Zhen looked at the courtyard house before them and delivered his line:
“Where is this place? Aren’t we supposed to head to the academy to register?”
Yan Ruyu paid the carriage driver before replying:
“We’ll go in the afternoon. Let’s rest at my place first.”
“You live here? Not in the dorms?” Yan Zhen pretended to think it over. “I remember Mystic Academy covers room and board, all included in the tuition.”
“That’s right, but the dorms are doubles—lots of inconveniences. If you can afford it, living off-campus is way more comfortable.” Yan Ruyu stepped forward and knocked on the door ring, producing a loud clanging sound. “Meng’er will be staying with me after she enrolls too. I suggest you find a place soon yourself. It’ll be harder once they’re all snapped up.”
Yan Zhen furrowed his brows, putting on an expression like he was seriously considering it.
Yan Meng’er suddenly piped up:
“Cousin Ruyu, how many rooms does this house have?”
“Six, I think. Four in the main building, two in the side rooms.”
“That’s plenty of space. Why not let Cousin Yan Zhen stay with us? We’re family—no one will gossip about us living together.”
A blush crept across Yan Ruyu’s cheeks:
“There’s me, my friend, and our mentor in the house. How could we let a guy move in?”
“Then let’s talk it over with them?”
Yan Meng’er rolled her eyes playfully, a sly glint in her gaze.
Yan Ruyu was thunderstruck by the suggestion.
“Meng’er, don’t mess around.”
“I’m not! I just don’t want to be separated from Cousin Yan Zhen.” Yan Meng’er clung tightly to Yan Zhen’s arm, putting on a pitiful expression. “If Cousin Yan Zhen can’t stay here, then I won’t either. Meng’er wants to live with him.”
A vein throbbed on Yan Zhen’s forehead. His silly little sister was improvising again, derailing the script right after switching scenes. He’d give her a good spanking later!
He had no intention of living with them. This was a xianxia story without a female lead, not some urban harem tale with one guy and a bunch of girls under one roof!
He put on a stern face and scolded her:
“Enough of that nonsense, Meng’er. Boys and girls should keep their distance. I’ll find my own place. You stay here obediently with Cousin Ruyu.”
“Cousin~ It’ll be so lonely if you live alone. Let Meng’er keep you company.”
“…”
Yan Zhen was speechless.
Fine, he’d ignore his scene-stealing idiot sister. Luckily, Cousin Ruyu was sticking to the script.
What he didn’t know was that Yan Ruyu actually wanted the three of them to live together too, but she had no idea how to explain it to her friend and mentor.
Even if she tried, she knew they’d never agree.
Maybe she could move out from here and find a place for just the three of them?
As she pondered, the sound of the door bolt sliding back came from inside. The lacquered red gate swung open, and out stepped a beautiful girl in Mystic Academy’s uniform.
The young woman had a pear-blossom hairstyle with straight bangs and fluffy curls. Her light brown hair gleamed softly, perfectly framing her delicate and charming face. Her pale blue eyes resembled a clear, serene lake.
Her figure was outstanding too. Even in the somewhat loose academy uniform, the feminine curves were unmistakable.
It was none other than Mi Xue’er, one of the Campus Belles alongside Yan Ruyu.
Seeing Yan Ruyu at the door, joy lit up Mi Xue’er’s lovely features. She threw herself into Yan Ruyu’s arms with a whine:
“Ruyu, you’re finally back! I’ve been here all alone—it’s so lonely~”
Yan Ruyu casually patted her bestie’s forehead:
“Alright, alright. I’ve brought some people over. Act a little more ladylike.”
“Ah? You didn’t say so sooner!”
Hearing that, Mi Xue’er stopped her dramatics, straightened up from Yan Ruyu’s embrace, and quickly assumed the poise of a proper young lady. Her beautiful eyes swept quickly over Yan Meng’er and Yan Zhen, surprise in her voice:
“These are your cousins?”
“Let me introduce them. This is my little cousin Meng’er, and that’s my cousin Yan Zhen.”
“Wow, Ruyu, you’re so pretty, and your cousins are a handsome guy and a beauty too.” Mi Xue’er waved a small hand at Yan Zhen and Yan Meng’er. “Hi, you two underclassmen! I’m Mi Xue’er, Ruyu’s best friend. Nice to meet you.”
“Hello.”
Yan Zhen gave a simple response, but Yan Meng’er’s words were sweeter than candy.
“Hello, Sister Xue’er! You’re so pretty~”
“Oh, no way—Little Sister Meng’er, you’re the pretty one, and your figure is amazing… Mystic Academy’s about to gain another golden flower.”
After the obligatory round of compliments, the two girls hit it off instantly.
Only after a while did Mi Xue’er turn her gaze back to Yan Zhen, a flicker of something unusual in her eyes that she quickly hid.
“Little Brother Yan Zhen, Ruyu mentions you a lot in front of me. You’re even handsomer than I imagined~”
Yan Ruyu immediately elbowed Mi Xue’er:
“What are you saying? I don’t mention him that much… Just once in a while.”
“Didn’t you say that once you’ve made progress in your cultivation, you’re going to give Little Brother Yan Zhen a good lesson to get revenge for that spanking you got back then?”
Mi Xue’er tilted her head innocently. Yan Ruyu’s face flushed bright red:
“Mi Xue’er, are you asking for it?!”
“Hey, don’t hit me! I won’t say it anymore.”
The two tumbled into a playful tussle, leaving no room for Yan Zhen to get a word in.
Yan Zhen’s mouth twitched slightly as he let them finish.
Once the commotion died down, Mi Xue’er invited them inside.
The three girls walked ahead, chattering away, while Yan Zhen trailed silently behind.
“Ruyu, once Little Sister Meng’er enrolls, she should just live with us. No need to look for another place— we’ve got tons of empty rooms here.”
Mi Xue’er’s fondness for Yan Meng’er had skyrocketed; she was already treating her like a little sister, her tone warm and affectionate.
Yan Ruyu hesitated:
“That was my plan all along, but…”
