Chapter 52
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Volume 3 + Chapter 52: The Osmanthus Cake Grudge
So anxious.
Yue Liu stood up abruptly, showing fierce opposition.
“Hmm?”
Xia Yi turned to her with a puzzled look.
“Hehe.”
The headmaster looked at Yue Liu and smiled.
“As expected, you two really are a couple, huh?”
“Ah…”
Yue Liu quickly realized her reaction had been too intense.
“N-no, that’s not it! Rival, I’m only sticking with you to keep watch on you — don’t forget, we have that thing… it mustn’t be exposed!”
Oh, right.
With that reminder, Xia Yi also recalled the situation.
Even though she didn’t get along with the fox radish, she had to keep this creature by her side to keep her in check.
What if she spilled the secret about Xia Yi’s identity?
The two of them were locked in a mutual deterrence pact.
Xia Yi couldn’t allow Yue Liu to reveal that she was the dragon princess.
And Yue Liu couldn’t allow Xia Yi to tell anyone about… her bedsheet incident.
“Headmaster, I don’t want to be separated from Yue Liu either!” Xia Yi said firmly. “We have to stay together!”
“Alright, alright, you two — no need to show off your love in front of me. I really can’t take any more dog food,” said the headmaster with a chuckle.
As expected, Xia Yi thought, the more she tried to explain, the worse it looked. People were going to misinterpret no matter what.
But still… Something felt strange.
If the two of them had already been widely rumored as a couple, then why didn’t the little fox seem more disgusted by it?
“Come, have some sweets to lighten the mood. We can talk slowly.”
The headmaster stood and offered to brew coffee for them himself.
“Would you like anything added?”
Suddenly, Xia Yi recalled how she once put on airs in front of Hill, insisting on drinking pure, black coffee with nothing added… and nearly crying from how bitter it was.
Yeah. Maybe don’t go that far this time.
Saving face wasn’t always worth it.
“I’ll have—”
“I want it black — plain, no sugar, bitter coffee!” Yue Liu declared loudly.
“Got it. And you, Xia Yi?”
“I…”
Xia Yi hesitated.
“What’s wrong, rival? Don’t tell me you need sugar to drink coffee?” Yue Liu asked curiously.
Xia Yi clenched her tiny fists. This damn fox radish!
How could she allow herself to come off like a child in front of this annoying creature?
She’d never hear the end of it!
“I’ll also have plain black coffee. No sugar,” the little princess quickly changed her answer.
“Rival, our tastes actually match?”
“Hmph, don’t be ridiculous. You think I’d want sugar and milk? Adults should have adult tastes,” Xia Yi replied disdainfully.
The headmaster placed the freshly brewed coffee in front of the two girls.
Yue Liu picked hers up and casually took a sip.
“Hmm, the headmaster’s brewing skills are pretty good. I quite like this flavor!”
Xia Yi was shocked. Wait — Yue Liu wasn’t just putting on an act? She actually liked bitter coffee?
“Rival, you’ve been staring at me for a while now. Is something wrong?”
“Nothing!”
Seeing Yue Liu drink so naturally made Xia Yi even more unwilling to lose. She forced herself to take a sip.
So bitter. So bitter. So incredibly bitter!!
Her tongue was screaming in protest, sending frantic signals to her brain.
“Mmm, very nice. I also enjoy this flavor,” Xia Yi said with a smile, putting on a show.
“Rich and aromatic, worth savoring. A refreshing way to start the day.”
“Thanks for your feedback, both of you. Here are some pastries — it’s not good to just drink without eating something in the morning.”
The headmaster brought out the pastries he kept in his office.
In an instant, the headmaster’s office turned into a morning tea room.
It worked out nicely — Xia Yi hadn’t eaten anything yet today.
She scanned the treats. They were all delicacies from the human world. And among them — there it was:
Osmanthus cake.
Her favorite dessert.
Xia Yi spotted it immediately.
Hehehe… Osmanthus cake~ My precious osmanthus cake~
Her thoughts floated dreamily. But she made sure to restrain herself in front of others. She couldn’t rush at it headfirst and lose her composure.
She was still a princess. Always be mindful of etiquette!
“Hmm~ just in time, I was feeling hungry~”
Yue Liu didn’t think much and casually reached for a piece.
Xia Yi’s expression changed drastically.
It was osmanthus cake!!
Yue Liu had just eaten the only piece of osmanthus cake.
Damn it. Damn it all!!
Stupid fox radish!
Xia Yi glared at Yue Liu, practically on the verge of tears. That was her only osmanthus cake!
So this fox really was just born to go against her?!
“Eh? Rival, what’s wrong…”
Yue Liu’s cheek twitched. Her butt scooted back slightly — she felt like Xia Yi was about to leap over and bite her. So scary.
In a panic, she looked toward the headmaster and tried to change the subject.
“Headmaster, um… why did you call us here?”
“Ah, right, I almost forgot while chatting,” the headmaster laughed.
“It’s about what happened in your dorm. There was a conflict, and you broke school property — that does need to be compensated.”
“You’re paying up, you pink-haired menace!” Xia Yi sneered.
“Why only me?”
“Because I acted in self-defense,” Xia Yi shrugged. She was going to get her revenge for the osmanthus cake today!
“You’re not trying to weasel out of this, are you?”
“Ugh, fine, I’ll pay! It’s not like I can’t!”
Yue Liu gritted her teeth. She could feel her wallet crying.
“Additionally, your… romantic entanglement has caused quite a stir here at Laurel Tree Academy,” the headmaster said.
“This matter has spread through the entire school — not just the students, but even the teachers know. It’s the first time we’ve had something like this happen.”
“W-we’re not getting expelled, are we…?”
Xia Yi was a little nervous. She had just entered the academy.
She hadn’t even received the gift Xia Lulu had left her yet.
“No way — if I get expelled over this, I’ll be a laughingstock back home…” Yue Liu murmured.
“Under normal circumstances, yes — this would require disciplinary action. But…”
The headmaster shifted tone.
“If the issue is the negative influence on the school atmosphere, then… What if you two became role models for the students instead? Wouldn’t that solve the problem?”
“So you mean… you want to help us?” Xia Yi asked, surprised.
“I’m well aware of both of your talents. I have high hopes for your futures. If you were to be branded as troublemakers because of this, it would be a real shame.
But given my position, I also can’t show favoritism.”
“Then… is there a way to turn public opinion around?” Yue Liu asked eagerly.
“Strictly speaking, it’s not me — someone else wants to help you.”
The headmaster smiled, then looked toward the door and said loudly:
“Come in.”
—
As his voice fell, a familiar figure stepped into the office.
—
Author’s Note:
Swiss Roll has continued steady daily updates and bonus chapters — never skipping!
So how about… a little support with monthly tickets?~
Also, to that reader who promised to vote this month — Swiss Roll wrote your name in their little notebook. No. Escaping.
