Chapter 15

Zhang Baishui and his desk mate overheard bits of the conversation, and the excitement distracted them for the entire last class of the day.

“What do you think is going on between Yue Yin and Jiang Suliu? Do you think they’re dating?” Zhang Baishui asked in shock.

His desk mate, Li Cheng, immediately dismissed the idea. “Impossible!”

In his mind, Yue Yin and Jiang Suliu were from completely different worlds. Jiang Suliu was the golden boy from a top-tier family, while Yue Yin was practically an outcast, nearly kicked out of her own family—a pitiful, timid girl filled with insecurity.

The two were utterly mismatched, whether in terms of personality, background, or academic achievement.

After pondering for a moment, Li Cheng confidently said, “It must be that Young Master Jiang is just being charitable and took pity on Yue Yin, helping her out!”

Zhang Baishui looked at him as if he were an idiot. “Who gives someone 10,000 yuan out of pity to buy KFC?”

…

Even on their way home after school, Zhang Baishui and his desk mate were still discussing the relationship between Yue Yin and Jiang Suliu.

Meanwhile, Yue Yin had no idea that her brief conversation with Jiang Suliu had stirred such a storm among her classmates.

At that moment, Yue Yin was sitting on the couch, chin in hands, staring blankly into space. Beside her, in the same pose, sat Shen Xiaodi.

Not far from them, Shen Baozhu and Bai Xiulian were talking to a man.

Shen Xiaodi leaned closer to Yue Yin and whispered, “That’s Zhou Huai’an. Mom said he’s here to help Aunt Zhang with some treatment.”

“Zhou Huai’an?”

Yue Yin finally recalled who the familiar name belonged to.

As the original heroine of the novel, Shen Baozhu naturally had a Mary Sue charm. Although it was a supernatural world, everyone loved her—including, but not limited to, her childhood friends from the Xuanmen Association, sinister ghosts out to cause trouble, and even the villainous bosses behind strange incidents.

Zhou Huai’an was one of those admirers.

He was the genius childhood friend, a young B-level ability user on the verge of advancing to A-level. His future was so bright it was practically written on his forehead—“Bound for greatness.”

But none of that mattered to Yue Yin.

Bored, she continued snacking on sunflower seeds, while Shen Xiaodi excitedly rambled on about how amazing Zhou Huai’an was.

He leaned in conspiratorially, imitating characters from TV dramas, and whispered, “There are some things I can’t tell you, but Zhou Huai’an is not someone we can afford to offend. He’s super powerful…”

Yue Yin, distracted by thoughts of what to have for dinner, responded absentmindedly, “Wow, is he really that amazing?”

“Of course! He can create things out of thin air, draw little paper figures, and even exorcise spirits!”

Yue Yin feigned amazement. “Whoa, so he’s like a modern-day Ultraman!”

Shen Xiaodi clicked his tongue in admiration. “Yeah, Zhou Huai’an is really something.”

It was clear he admired Zhou Huai’an greatly, and as he talked about him, his words were filled with praise.

While Shen Xiaodi kept talking, Yue Yin scratched her head and pulled out an invitation letter from her bag, sent by the Xuanmen Association.

It read:

“Dear Madam,
We at the Xuanmen Association have heard of your success in resolving the A City crisis and are deeply impressed. Our association includes many talented A-level ability users, and we sincerely invite you to meet with us for further discussion.
—Xuanmen Association, Zhou Huai’an”

Shen Xiaodi leaned over suspiciously. “What are you looking at, Yue Yin?”

Yue Yin casually tossed the invitation behind her and brushed it off. “Nothing.”

Shen Xiaodi narrowed his eyes. “Were you even listening to me?”

Feeling ignored, Shen Xiaodi grumbled, “My sister said Zhou Huai’an is… what was it… the youngest Xuanmen master! He has loads of fans online!”

Yue Yin cracked another sunflower seed and asked curiously, “Why do you keep calling him ‘Zhou Skinscraper’?” Judging by his praise, it seemed like he admired Zhou Huai’an.

Shen Xiaodi pouted and muttered, “He doesn’t like me.”

For some reason, Zhou Huai’an seemed to have a paranoia complex, firmly believing that his love interest’s stepmother wasn’t a good person, so he didn’t like Shen Baozhu’s half-brother either.

“Whatever, he’s no saint either,” Shen Xiaodi mumbled. “Let’s just stay away from him later.”

Yue Yin, constantly teased by Shen Xiaodi’s snarky remarks, didn’t expect him to have such a timid side.

She thought to herself that her reputation as a deity was really losing its edge!

She leaned closer to Shen Xiaodi and whispered, “Did he bully you? Want me to get revenge for you? Lend me fifty yuan first, so I can buy a comic.”

Shen Xiaodi, who had been moping about Zhou Huai’an’s disapproval, was instantly snapped out of it by her comment.

He stared at her in disbelief. “Wow, Yue Yin, you’re scamming an elementary school kid for fifty yuan? Are you even human?”

Crossing his arms, he stood firm. “Well, I’m not giving you a single cent!”

yue Yin tried to tempt him, “Come on, try it! Don’t you hate him? Give me fifty yuan, and I guarantee he’ll embarrass himself today.”

Shen Xiaodi snorted. “You’re full of it.”

Moon Yin: …

She mimicked his snort. “Fine, don’t believe me then.”

As the siblings bickered, the adults inside were growing more tense with Zhou Huai’an’s presence.

Young Master Zhou was indeed remarkable.

After coming out of Aunt Zhang’s room, he spoke concisely: “Baozhu, your housekeeper is possessed… it’s a creature from the inner world, and it’s at least C-level.”

Zhou Huai’an, about twenty years old, stood tall with short brown hair.

“Is it serious?” Shen Baozhu asked, anxious.

Zhou Huai’an gave a confident smile. “It’s fine. I can handle it.”

Shen Baozhu’s eyes gleamed with gratitude. “Thank you, Huai’an. Without you, I don’t know what I would’ve done. Aunt Zhang has been with me since I was little. She’s like family to me. Seeing her like this…”

Touched by her distress, Zhou Huai’an softly replied, “No need to thank me. I know you’re kind-hearted.”

As her childhood friend, Zhou Huai’an knew how gentle and pure Shen Baozhu was. He felt it was his duty to protect her.

The two exchanged heartfelt words, gazing into each other’s eyes, as if the atmosphere had suddenly become romantic.

Yue Yin stood off to the side, bewildered. She glanced around, scratching her head.

How had this turned into a romance in the middle of an exorcism? This wasn’t right!

What’s more, there were other people in the large living room. Did Zhou Huai’an and Shen Baozhu think everyone else was just background NPCs?

Sigh, the world’s morals were really declining. As a mere side character, had her presence as the Moon Goddess been reduced to nothing?

Feeling disheartened, Yue Yin resumed snacking on sunflower seeds.

Zhou Huai’an seemed particularly annoyed by her behavior. Watching her exaggerated munching, he frowned slightly, ignoring her.

He knew all about Baozhu’s stepsister—timid, selfish, foolish, and secretly envious of Baozhu…

Someone like her didn’t deserve his attention.

Not long ago, he had learned from Baozhu’s close friend that Baozhu had been upset because of Yue Yin.

From that moment, Zhou Huai’an had known that Yue Yin couldn’t stay.

Her dark nature worried him, and he feared she might harm the pure and kind-hearted Baozhu.

Zhou Huai’an’s primary mission in A City was to investigate the sudden appearance of an A-level ability user, but his secondary goal was to rid the Shen household of Yue Yin’s threat.

Reflecting on his mission, Zhou Huai’an’s thoughts were complicated.

The Xuanmen Association had already sent an invitation to the Jiang family. He wondered if the A-level ability user had received it yet, and whether they would agree to meet him…

Lost in thought, Zhou Huai’an said to Shen Baozhu, “Don’t worry. As a B-level ability user, I can handle the malicious energy around Aunt Zhang.”

Crunch, crunch. Someone was munching on sunflower seeds.

Shen Baozhu sighed in relief, thankful. “That’s wonderful, Aunt Zhang can be saved.”

Crunch, crunch.

Zhou Huai’an gently patted her head and said in a soft voice, “Don’t worry, I’m here…”

Crunch, crunch. The sound of munching grew louder, almost rhythmic.

Zhou Huai’an’s forehead twitched: Who the hell is this? Can’t they read the room?!

Even Shen Baozhu couldn’t take it anymore and snapped, “yue Yin!”

Yue Yin, still snacking on sunflower seeds, looked up in surprise. “Huh?”

Shen Baozhu glared at her and softly scolded, “With Auntie Zhang in this condition, how can you still be snacking?”

Yue Yin, still munching on sunflower seeds, looked confused. “Huh? Why not? Aren’t you two busy falling in love anyway?”

Shen Baozhu’s face flushed bright red, and she whispered, “Stop talking nonsense.”

Yue Yin suddenly understood. “Oh, was I interrupting you?”

She quickly apologized, “Sorry, sorry! You two were so into it, almost about to kiss. I thought you couldn’t see me, like I didn’t even exist.”

As she apologized, she changed her seat and resumed crunching on her sunflower seeds.

Shen Baozhu and Zhou Huai’an were left speechless: Ugh, why is she so annoying?!

They both decided it wasn’t worth the effort to argue with her.

Anyway, Zhou Huai’an planned to speak to Shen’s father soon about sending Yue Yin away from the family.

Taking a deep breath, Zhou Huai’an turned to Shen Baozhu and said, “I’ll get back to work now.”