Originally, Yae Shenzi had decided to wait until Lin Anyi took a shower before taking action. However, since Funina had taken the initiative to offer repayment, it would feel impolite for her to leave without doing anything.
"Well, in that case, I'll charge a little interest..." she whispered to herself, a playful and calculating expression crossing her face. Then, Yae Shenzi deliberately lowered her head, hiding the cunning glint in her eyes.
Lin Anyi, unaware of her subtle actions, waved enthusiastically and began walking forward.
"Let's go, Sister Shenzi. I'll take you to my home."
Just as they were about to leave the ruined house, Yae Shenzi suddenly called out:
"An Yi, wait a minute!"
"What's wrong?" Lin Anyi turned around, puzzled, ready to ask if she needed any help.
Before he could speak, he suddenly felt his mind go blank.
"Hmm?" Lin Anyi was momentarily stunned, feeling a slight pain in his neck.
"Strange, is it a bug?" He touched his neck, confused, but found nothing unusual. At the same time, he noticed a wet sensation on his lips. Subconsciously licking them, he tasted a faint sweetness.
"Shenzi, is there anything else?" he asked, still puzzled.
At that moment, Yae Shenzi's cheeks flushed. Her voice, almost inaudible, carried a rare softness:
"No, nothing."
Her eyes flickered, betraying her surprise at her own actions.
"Ah, okay." Lin Anyi nodded, his confusion lingering as he studied her expression. Her uncharacteristic shyness caught his attention, making him wonder why someone so composed and charming would suddenly display such girlishness.
However, Yae Shenzi quickly regained control over her emotions, her demeanor returning to its usual calm and confident state.
"Okay, let's keep going," she said softly.
Seeing her composure return, Lin Anyi felt a sense of relief. Although the strange moment lingered in his thoughts, he chose not to dwell on it. Perhaps, he reasoned, it was just a fleeting emotional fluctuation.
He continued leading the way, muttering to himself,
"I don't know what happened to Sister Shenzi just now."
Though still curious, he respected her privacy and refrained from pressing further.
Hearing Lin Anyi's puzzled musings, Yae Shenzi felt a sense of satisfaction. This time, using her new ability had been something of an experiment, and she wasn't entirely sure of its effects. Judging by Lin Anyi's reaction, however, he seemed completely unaware of what had just occurred.
"If the time is extended a little longer, will Anyi figure it out?" Yae Shenzi pondered, gently fiddling with the pocket watch-like button in her hand. Her thoughts swirled with possibilities as she observed Lin Anyi.
A plan began to take shape in her mind.
"It just so happens that I can experiment again tonight."
Her lips curled into a meaningful smile, her eyes sparkling with mischief and anticipation.
_______________
On the way home, Lin Anyi walked cautiously, staying close to Yae Shenzi as if her presence alone could ward off danger. His eyes constantly scanned the surroundings, his heart gripped with anxiety over the possibility of Alechino reappearing and whisking him away to an unknown place.
Meanwhile, Fernina noticed the proximity between Lin Anyi and Yae Shenzi. A pang of sadness crept into her heart, her eyes flickering between the two. Jealousy surfaced, unbidden, though she quickly suppressed it. Rationalizing the situation, she reminded herself that Yae Shenzi was a genuinely good person who had protected Lin Anyi when he needed it most.
Even so, the sight left her feeling uneasy. Stubbornly, she held onto Lin Anyi's hand, her grip firm, silently declaring her presence and her claim over him.
Fortunately, Alechino did not reappear along the way, making their journey home relatively peaceful. Once they reached the safety of their home, both Lin Anyi and Fernina breathed a sigh of relief, silently grateful for Yae Shenzi's help.
As they stepped inside, Lin Anyi slowed his pace and turned toward Yae Shenzi, his tone sincere.
"Sister Shenzi, thank you so much for your help today. If it weren't for you, I don't know what would have happened."
It was no mere courtesy; Lin Anyi truly meant it. Alechino had proven to be far more dangerous and unpredictable than he had imagined. Her audacity to kiss him right in front of Fernina had shaken him to his core. If Yae Shenzi hadn't appeared in time, Lin Anyi dared not even imagine what might have transpired next.
Yae Shenzi waved a hand gracefully, her smile warm.
"This is what I should do," she said. "Seeing that you're safe is enough for me."
Fernina, still clutching Lin Anyi's hand tightly, chimed in with a grateful smile.
"Yes, it's such a blessing to have you here, Miss Yae. Please, stay for dinner tonight. It's the least we can do to thank you."
Yae Shenzi's eyes gleamed faintly, though her expression remained serene. She had been waiting for this exact invitation. The pretense of patience she had maintained all day wasn't for nothing—it was all part of her plan to "have some fun" at Lin Anyi's house.
Of course, she wasn't planning anything overtly outrageous, at least not yet. But playful teasing, subtle touches, and a bit of light-hearted mischief were definitely on the menu.
Keeping her warm smile intact, Yae Shenzi nodded slightly, her tone playful.
"That's wonderful. I look forward to spending a pleasant evening with you."
Lin Anyi and Fernina exchanged relieved smiles, clearly happy with Yae Shenzi's agreement. Neither of them noticed the faint, hidden meaning behind her words.