It Was Me First

The morning light filtered into the small room.

Shen Yiyue's sleeping posture was far from "elegant" - she was sprawled out, completely lacking any ladylike demeanor.

Her nightgown was barely containing her ample chest, with a large portion of the dress open, revealing her fair thighs carelessly positioned.

She lay on her silky black hair, her delicate form turned to the side as sunlight gently touched her beautiful sleeping face.

There were only two girls in the room.

The other was Bai Xuan, who was curled up sleeping, now recovered and doing well.

As for Ning Yu, the study-obsessed little girl, she was already doing her morning exercises on the gymnasium's rooftop.

The damp black tank dress from last night had already been washed.

Though she had wanted to wash it herself, Shen Yiyue had insisted on doing it for Ning Yu, so she let her have her way.

Now she wore fresh white sportswear that was slightly oversized, enveloping Ning Yu's small frame.

The oversized clothing actually emphasized the silver-haired little girl's petite and adorable nature even more.

Ning Yu was stretching her post-workout body, the morning sunlight making her crystalline sweat gleam brilliantly.

Her brows were furrowed as she recalled yesterday's battle with the blue-haired girl.

After activating [Dark Side of the Moon], she had been at her peak condition with maximum stats, her enhanced physical abilities reaching a terrifying level of 20.

Yet she couldn't even last one move against the girl's "second phase."

Moreover, that girl's cracked greatsword had sliced through the incredibly tough Crimson War Blade in a single strike.

Such terrifying combat ability made her feel that even ten Gluttons together might not be able to defeat that girl.

She was... still too weak after all.

She had to become stronger.

Ning Yu narrowed her beautiful eyes: next time they met, she would definitely smash that girl's head in.

Suddenly, the rooftop door opened, and two familiar girls came up.

Shen Yiyue had already tidied her messy black hair and wore a fitted white striped t-shirt with a light pink skirt.

She was holding Bai Xuan's hand as they walked over.

The marks on Bai Xuan's neck had faded considerably, and she had recovered well.

Her eyes lit up with joy when she spotted Ning Yu, and her short legs carried her running over.

"Big Sister Ning Yu!!"

Seeing Bai Xuan running over, Ning Yu's cold, expressionless face broke into a beautiful smile, like ice melting.

As soon as Bai Xuan reached her, she threw her arms around Ning Yu, who didn't try to avoid it.

She just smiled and said:

"Big sister just finished exercising, I'm all sweaty..."

Bai Xuan didn't care at all, just stubbornly buried her little head in Ning Yu's embrace, with a slight sob in her voice:

"I don't care, Big Sister Ning Yu smells nice...."

"Yesterday... I thought I was going to die there..."

Ning Yu stroked her head, comforting her.

Watching the two girls of different heights hugging, especially seeing Bai Xuan getting hugs and head pats from Ning Yu,

Shen Yiyue felt somewhat envious, wondering when she would get such treatment from little Yu....

Just as she thought this, she felt Ning Yu's expressionless stare on her.

"You're 5 minutes late, we agreed to train this morning."

Why does she only give me that kind of expression?!!

Shen Yiyue internally protested in frustration - why was her treatment so different when they were all girls?

After all... after all, she was here first...

Pushing down her indignation, Shen Yiyue tried to make excuses:

"I just slept in a little bit...."

"Never mind, since Bai Xuan is awake too, let's go to Fatty Zhao's place first."

Ning Yu didn't scold her, and continued gently comforting Bai Xuan:

"Come on, let's go get that food for our classmates!"

The three of them left the rooftop and went straight to Fatty Zhao's room.

Sun Jiao was already awake, though still very weak, but her wounds had been treated and she was in better condition than last night.

Bai Xuan saw her serious injuries and asked with innocent wide eyes:

"Big Sister Sun..."

"She was the first one to protect you last night, before we arrived," Ning Yu explained.

Bai Xuan was incredibly surprised - she had passed out after being choked by Fatty Zhao and didn't know what happened afterward.

But seeing Sun Jiao's bandaged injuries now, and hearing Ning Yu's words, she understood.

Though she didn't know why Sun Jiao had been so kind to her, she walked over.

Taking Sun Jiao's hand in her small ones, she sincerely thanked her:

"Big Sister Sun, thank you for saving me..."

Hearing this, Sun Jiao's eyes lit up, as if something within her had been redeemed.

She held Bai Xuan's hand tightly in return.

They fell into a moment of wordless understanding.

The food that Teacher Zhang had brought back was prepared by Bai Xuan using a steamer and distributed to their classmates.

As for Fatty Zhao's original food supplies, Bai Xuan had stored them safely, with some kept at Sun Jiao's place due to lack of space.

The survivors in the gymnasium, learning that the Butcher had disappeared, organized an exploration team planning to transport food back from the cafeteria.

The original equipment manager of the gymnasium took over Teacher Zhang's position and started organizing everyone's tasks.

The next day, people successfully brought back food from the cafeteria - without the Butcher, the outside wasn't so frightening anymore.

With the food crisis resolved, the atmosphere in the gymnasium improved considerably. The previously gaunt students now had smiles and energy on their faces.

That night, under another starry sky,

Three girls sat on the rooftop steps - Ning Yu, Shen Yiyue, and Bai Xuan.

"You meanie, Yu! You should have brought me here earlier to see such beautiful stars!"

Shen Yiyue's eyes sparkled as she looked at the beautiful starry river, protesting to Ning Yu.

"Someone was too busy sleeping like a pig, not naming names."

Ning Yu mercilessly exposed her excuse.

Shen Yiyue could only pout with a 'hmph, I'm ignoring you' expression.

Beside them, Bai Xuan obediently leaned against Ning Yu, both hands holding onto Ning Yu's left arm, asking somewhat dejectedly:

"Big Sister Ning Yu, are you really leaving tomorrow?"

Hearing this, Ning Yu took out several strawberry lollipops and stuffed them into her hands without ceremony:

"Yes, but don't forget about big sister, okay?"

"I'll never forget!!"

Bai Xuan quickly replied, holding on even tighter.

She didn't want to let go of Ning Yu, and her eyes started glistening with tears.

"Then let's make a pinky promise."

Ning Yu held out her little finger and linked it with Bai Xuan's.

"Big Sister Ning Yu, are you this gentle with everyone?"

Bai Xuan looked up at Ning Yu and asked softly.

This question made Shen Yiyue want to jump in with an answer, as she felt like a complete outsider next to these two.

This troublesome little girl wasn't gentle with her at all!!

"No."

"Little Xuan is special."

Ning Yu smiled as she looked at Bai Xuan.

Bai Xuan nodded, not fully understanding, but immediately showed a happy expression, her eyes curving into beautiful crescents as she hugged tighter:

"Big Sister Ning Yu is the best!!"

Bai Xuan didn't know why she was special, but only Ning Yu knew the reason.

Ning Yu lifted her head to look at the beautiful sky above.

Her silver hair swayed gently in the summer night breeze, her amber eyes deep and distant.

As if remembering something from long ago.

Bathed in the scattered light of countless stars, the three girls chatted and laughed.

Time seemed to freeze in that moment.