Chapter 77: The Harassment from Lantus

Chapter 77: Lantus’s Harassment

In the evening, the academy’s grand hall was abuzz with excitement. Layla looked around, but there was no sign of Ye Tian. She sighed, glanced at Angelica beside her whose eyes sparkled with delight, and said, “You enjoy yourself. I’ll head back first.”

“What, leaving already?” Angelica complained unhappily. “We’ve only just arrived.”
“It’s fine, you go ahead. I’m not feeling well, so I’ll leave now.” With that, Layla turned and walked away.

“Hey, Layla? Layla?” Angelica called after her twice, but Layla didn’t stop. Angelica sighed, tried to rally her spirits, and dove back into the ball. “Alright, gentlemen, here I come!”

Layla slowly made her way out of the ball. The gown she wore was enormous and hardly comfortable. “If I’d known, I wouldn’t have worn something so big.” She hadn’t originally planned on wearing it, but she’d been unable to resist Angelica’s persistent coaxing.

She wandered along the little lake at the edge of campus, gazing at the moon reflected in the water. With a sigh, she crouched by the shore, picked up a pebble, and tossed it in. Ripples spread across the surface, erasing the moon’s reflection. But as the water stilled, the moon reappeared.

Layla pouted in frustration. Stupid moon, even you’re against me.
“Layla, what are you doing here?” a voice sounded by her ear. Startled, Layla tried to stand but slipped, nearly falling into the lake.

“Careful.”
A pair of strong arms caught her waist and gently pulled her back. Her nose was nearly touching his, and her cheeks flushed instantly. “Um, let go of me.”

“Heh, didn’t you go to the ball?” Ye Tian asked with a grin, “Why are you out here in your gown?”
“I didn’t want to stay.” Layla replied, her tone dim. “What about you? Why are you out so late?”

“Oh, I was just out for a walk—with him.” Ye Tian pulled from his jacket a snow-white ball of fluff. The little squirrel was still fast asleep; who knew when it would finally wake up.
“Let me hold him!” Layla said, delighted.

Ye Tian carefully placed the little fellow into Layla’s hands. She cradled it gently in her arms, and the small creature squirmed a bit, seemingly comfortable. “He’s so cute! I never asked you—where did you buy him?”

“I didn’t buy him. I found him on the road,” Ye Tian said, smiling. “He’s my companion.”
“So adorable,” Layla stroked the squirrel’s white fur.
“Thank you,” Ye Tian said with a smile.
“For what?” Layla asked, puzzled.

“You know what I mean.” Ye Tian grinned. “I’m not stupid. I can tell after all this time.” Layla’s cheeks reddened, and she lowered her head. “It’s nothing, really.”

Ye Tian gazed at her quietly, then said, “Will you dance with me?”
“Huh?” Layla was startled as Ye Tian produced a tiny box. “This thing is really something,” he said, setting it down and opening it. A gentle waltz began to play.

“Beautiful lady, may I have the honor of a dance?” Ye Tian asked with a cheerful smile.
“But…” Layla glanced at the little squirrel in her arms, smiled, and tucked it into her bodice. Instantly, her already ample chest became even more prominent.

“No peeking!” she scolded playfully.
“Alright, I won’t look,” Ye Tian replied, grinning as he extended his hand. Layla gently rested hers on his shoulder. Softly, in time with the music, they began to dance.

Under the quiet moonlight, beside the shimmering lake, the young man and woman danced together. Everything was serene and natural, as if they’d become part of the beautiful scenery itself—untouchable by the outside world.

“Gray, where did you learn to dance?” Layla had been worried at first that Ye Tian might not know how, but though his movements were a bit stiff, he made no mistakes. Clearly, he wasn’t one to frequent balls.

“A girl taught me,” Ye Tian replied with a smile.
“A very, very good girl.”
“And where is she now?” Layla asked quietly.
“She’s gone,” Ye Tian said, still smiling. “But don’t be sad—for her, maybe that was the best ending.”

“Oh.” Layla lowered her head, her mind wandering. “Gray, is that your real name?” she asked suddenly.
“No, it’s not. Why?” Ye Tian replied, puzzled.
“Then what is your real name?” Layla asked in surprise.
“Well, I’m not telling you!” Ye Tian grinned, but a moment later, his foot was in agony—Layla had stomped hard. “Serves you right for being mysterious!”

“Ouch!” Ye Tian grimaced in feigned pain.
“That’s what you get for teasing me!” Layla said, indignant.
“Alright, alright, my fault,” Ye Tian sighed. Girl, your name should be Miss Unreasonable.

After two delightful dances, Ye Tian gently released her.
“Thank you, Gray.” Layla’s mood had improved greatly.
“It’s nothing. You’ve helped me so much—it’s my honor to dance with you,” Ye Tian said with a smile. “By the way, would you like this music box? Is it called a music box? I’d like you to have it.”

“That’s too precious,” Layla was startled. Such a delicate music box was not something ordinary people could own. Yet Ye Tian offered it as a gift so casually. “No, I can’t accept it.” She shook her head.

“Alright then, I’ll give it to someone else.” Ye Tian reached to take it back.
“No way!” Layla snatched the music box into her arms with such speed that even a master swordsman would have been impressed. “You can’t give it away.”

“I don’t even like this thing. If you don’t want it, why keep it?” Ye Tian grinned. “Give it back.”
“Who says I don’t want it?” Layla clung to the music box.
“Fine, it’s yours.”

“Mhm,” Layla nodded softly.
“I’m heading back to sleep,” Ye Tian said with a grin. “Give me back my Barbecue.”
“Barbecue? That’s its name?” Layla took out the snowy squirrel. “That’s a terrible name!”

“When I first met him, he’d always steal my barbecue, so I named him that.” Ye Tian scratched his head.
“No, that’s awful. How about Snowy?” Layla stroked the little squirrel’s white fur.

“No, that’s even worse. Barbecue sounds better,” Ye Tian pouted. “Ask him yourself if you don’t believe me.”
“How am I supposed to do that?” Layla rolled her eyes. “How long has he been asleep?”

“Hm, quite a few months now,” Ye Tian thought aloud.
“I don’t really know much about pets. Maybe you should ask Miss Arcana—she knows a lot,” Layla said, still caressing the little creature.

“We’ll see,” Ye Tian said, shrugging. “Best not to let others see Barbecue.”
“True,” Layla agreed. She liked him so much herself—let alone those wealthy young ladies. For a good pet, they’d stop at nothing.

“I’m off to bed.” Ye Tian held out his hand, and though reluctant, Layla returned Barbecue to him.
“I’ll be counting on you in the future,” Ye Tian said with a grin.
“Of course!” Layla answered, suddenly cheerful.

Ye Tian tucked Barbecue securely into his jacket.
“I’ll walk you back.”
“Alright.” Layla nodded, a blush slowly creeping up her cheeks.

He walked her to the dormitory door. With a wave and a smile, Ye Tian turned and left. Layla watched him go, step by step, then turned—only to find Angelica standing there, her expression dark.

“Ah!” Layla jumped in surprise.

“So that’s why you came back so soon—you went on a date,” Angelica remarked, glancing at Ye Tian’s retreating figure. “Not bad—though a bit poor, I’d say.”

“What are you talking about? I’m not listening to you.” Layla huffed and went inside.

“Look at you, already defending him before you’ve even married,” Angelica teased, following her in. Then she spotted the music box in Layla’s hands. “Whoa, did he give you that?”

“Mhm,” Layla nodded softly.

“That’s a real treasure!” Angelica wiped her hands on her apron. “Dear Layla, let me take a look, will you?”
“Alright,” Layla replied, giving her friend a sidelong glance before handing her the music box.

“A real treasure!” Angelica carefully opened it, and a burst of dazzling golden light spilled out. “Layla, Layla, this is gilded!” Angelica exclaimed. “That guy has money?”

“Is it real gold?” Layla was startled. She’d only noticed how beautiful it was, not how valuable.
“It’s not gilded—it’s solid gold, judging by the weight. My goodness, this music box would fetch at least fifteen hundred gold coins on the market—no haggling!” Angelica was nearly beside herself.

“Maybe I should return it tomorrow,” Layla said, alarmed. Solid gold—she could work her whole life as a maid and never afford such a thing.
“Why bother? It’s yours. I’m just wondering who this guy really is, to have such precious things. Hope it’s not stolen.”

“It can’t be, can it?” Layla was shocked.
“Kidding! Where would he steal something this nice? Just keep it safe,” Angelica said, handing the music box back as carefully as if it were a baby. Layla gazed at the precious object, sighed, and placed it in her jewelry box.

The next morning, Ye Tian awoke refreshed. After washing up, he opened his door, ready to start the day—only to find a stern-faced middle-aged man waiting outside. Ye Tian was startled—it was Lantus, the man who’d tried to take him as a disciple.

“Do you need something, Mentor Lantus?” Ye Tian asked politely.
“Here’s my final warning: become my apprentice, or else…” Lantus threatened, his tone icy.

Ye Tian scratched his head, exasperated. What’s with today?