Chapter 76: Sister Bai in a Rush
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 76: Sister Bai in a Rush
The afternoon sun was at its peak, blazing down on the world outside.
And yet, this was the exact moment I chose to wake up.
I rubbed my blurry eyes and let out a long yawn. If it weren't for a strange, inexplicable sense of urgency prickling at the back of my mind, I would have happily drifted back to sleep for a while longer.
"Phew... it’s only a bit past two in the afternoon... I guess I didn't sleep that long."
I lay in bed, reaching out to grab my phone from the nightstand to check the time.
What would Sister Bai be doing at this hour?
I unlocked my phone, but the private message interface was dead silent. It looked like I was in for another boring stretch of time. Come to think of it, should I try to make some friends?
I really do envy the life of a "normie."
All that previous busyness turned out to be a facade; the moment I started my paid leave, I reverted right back into a "salted fish," rotting away like a corpse in bed.
Maybe I should find a way to make some extra money?
Even though I have my part-time job at the bakery, it’s not like I’m forbidden from doing other things.
Actually, never mind. I’ll ask Sister Bai if she’s free first. If she isn't, I’ll check the Academy System to see if there are any high-paying tasks I’m qualified for.
Money is still the top priority.
I opened the chat with Sister Bai. Since I didn't know if she was busy, I didn't dare call her directly. When I succeeded in my meditation earlier, I had been too excited to notice such details, but luckily, Sister Bai hadn't minded.
I tapped away at the screen to send my greeting.
Yang Yuehan: Sister Bai, are you free?
Bai Yu: I am.
I was just starting to wonder how long it would take for her to reply when she messaged back instantly. This efficiency... if regular couples saw this, they’d be green with envy.
Bai Yu: Are you not at the Baking House?
Bai Yu: I went there.
Bai Yu: Found it closed. Are you at the villa?
Yang Yuehan: Yeah.
Yang Yuehan: Sister Bai, you went to look for me again?
Yang Yuehan: I’m on paid leave this afternoon—just for half a day—so I’m just rotting away in the villa.
Bai Yu: Paid leave?
Bai Yu: ?
Bai Yu: I’m coming over right now.
Yang Yuehan: Eh? Is something wrong?
I stared at the chat interface. I hadn't realized Sister Bai was such a woman of action. Was something about to happen that made her so eager to come over?
Unfortunately, she didn't reply to my last message. Was she already on her way?
She has a flying broom, after all, so her travel speed is terrifying. I’m so jealous.
I got up and straightened my clothes before smoothing out my long hair. Since I’d just woken up from a nap, I was a bit of a mess, and I didn't feel right meeting Sister Bai looking like this.
In the past, I wouldn't have cared much, but everything is different now. If I don't maintain my image properly, Sister Bai might worry that I’m failing to adapt to life as a girl.
It wouldn't be right to let her worry over such a trivial thing.
Once I was presentable, I went straight to the door to welcome her, since she didn't have a key.
After waiting outside for a short while, I spotted a figure appearing on the distant horizon.
It seemed Sister Bai hadn't come from the direction of the Baking House; she must have been busy with her own affairs elsewhere.
I raised my hand and waved at the figure, eventually confirming it was indeed her.
As she reached the villa, she went into a steep dive, ending with a beautiful tail-flick across the lawn in front of the house before her feet touched the ground.
I’m so envious... Sister Bai never flies like that when she’s carrying me. Though, even if she did, I probably wouldn't be able to handle it.
"Sister Bai, you got here so fast. Were you busy with something?"
"Nothing much, just some... personal matters. The new semester is starting soon, so I’m going to be getting busy." Bai Yu didn't give me any specifics, brushing the question aside.
"Well... if it’s your personal business, I won't pry. But why did you come over in such a hurry?" I asked. I had originally intended to ask about the flight license, but before I could even bring it up, she had rushed over here. Whatever it was, it had to be more important than my business.
"This... I just wanted to see you again, Xiao Han. I might not be at the Academy for the next few days. I’ve already spoken with the Senior Sister at the bakery; if you run into any trouble, you can go to her for help."
Bai Yu seemed to blink in surprise at my question. She didn't have a particularly specific reason for coming; it was mostly the news she’d received recently that had left her feeling unsettled.
When she suddenly received a message from Xiao Han, she had rushed over subconsciously.
"You’re leaving, Sister Bai?"
I asked, slightly stunned. To be this busy before the new semester had even begun—Sister Bai was working far too hard.
I could see the flicker of hesitation she’d shown just now, but I didn't press her. It really must be something important.
Sister Bai rarely acted this way with me, but I knew my own strength was too low to be of any help. The least I could do was avoid being a burden.
"Yes. With the start of school approaching, the maneuvering between the academies has already begun... so naturally, I have to head out," Bai Yu explained.
"Maneuvering between academies?" I asked curiously. But surely it wasn't that time yet? There was still over a month left. Unless it was that? "Is Sister Bai going out to snatch new students too?"
"Snatch new students? That is indeed a part of the maneuvering, but I’m not going for that. Snatching you was enough for me." Bai Yu nearly tripped over my train of thought, but she reached out with a doting smile and patted my head before quickly changing the subject.
"Right, Xiao Han, didn't you say you wanted to take the exam for your flight license? I’ve already handled that for you."
"Eh? You’re so efficient, Sister Bai! So fast? I was just thinking about that." I looked at the card she handed me; it appeared to be a temporary identity card.
"That just means we were thinking the same thing. Keep it safe. I won't be able to go with you this time, though."
I took the card. It wasn't on the same level as a student card—it didn't even have traces of transcendent power on it—but it contained my information and my ID photo, which was the same female photo used on my student card.
The back of the card listed the testing location and other details.
"Wait, Sister Bai, shouldn't there be a fee for the license exam?" I asked, holding the card. If the ID card was already processed, did that mean the fee was...
"I’ve already paid it for you. Just go and do your best," Bai Yu said with a smile. Seeing my reaction, she immediately added, "If you feel like you owe me, you can pay me back later. It’s not a huge sum of money to me anyway."
"Then... alright..." Since she put it that way, insisting further would just seem petty. Besides, even if I wanted to pay her back now, I didn't have the money. At most, I could ask the Shopkeeper for an advance on my wages, but that was just robbing Peter to pay Paul—not a real solution.
"I knew Xiao Han was a good girl. However, I only paid enough for one attempt. If you fail, you’ll have to pay for the retake yourself." Seeing me agree, Bai Yu looked relieved.
"Oh, and you can check the progress of your flight license exam through the Academy System. You can look up the specifics yourself. I have to leave now." Bai Yu hadn't put her broom away, making it clear just how much of a rush she was in.
"Eh? You’re leaving already?"
"Yes. I’ll contact you the moment I’m back. Take care of yourself, okay?"