Chapter 448: A Beautiful Childhood
============================================================
Before she could finish speaking, Xiao Ai felt a chill run down her neck. Something grabbed her collar, lifting her up like a little chicken…
Then came a dizzying whirl, followed by…
"Hey, Xun Ye… Ugh! Ssh~"
As if tossing away trash, Xun Ye casually snatched her from the training ground and flung her onto the lectern.
"Xiao Ai, you think you're tough? Daring to skip my class?"
Xiao Ai looked pitiful and aggrieved, rubbing her still-aching little bottom as she slowly got to her feet.
"No…"
Xiao Ai thought to herself, Last night I was out on a mission with Chen Feng. How unreasonable is that?
Who would choose to bake in the drill field when they could be inside?
Xiao Ai glanced around. Truth be told, she was now surrounded by intense stares.
Xiao Ai had always concealed her identity as an Executive Blade while observing, but now… she was famous.
This classroom held several students favored by Lord Xinyè, some even assisting in the R&D workshop occasionally. But Xiao Ai was the first one ever dragged in like this…
Lord Xunye didn't say much, but the four sisters weren't strangers to these two. For the next three or four days, Xiao Ai would likely have to eat standing up and sleep sideways.
However, as the saying goes, one doesn't discipline children in public. Xun Ye wouldn't beat Xiao Ai in front of so many people. He merely gave her a look before starting the lesson.
Even though Xiao Ai had been dragged here, there was no seat for her anyway. She simply sat down at the edge of the lectern, opened her little notebook, and began listening while taking notes.
But the poor thing wouldn't be let off that easily. Xun Ye's expectations for Xiao Ai were exceptionally high.
Truthfully, Ye Qinghan felt it was a case of one willing to strike and one willing to endure. That was just Xun Ye's nature. He clearly only wanted Xiao Ai to sit closer to listen to the lesson, but he insisted on doing it in a way that looked like he was bullying her, scaring Xiao Ai.
Even Ye Qinghan knew Xiao Ai hadn't managed to grab a seat. How could Xun Ye not know? If he truly hadn't noticed, how could he have reached out and pulled her over in an instant?
Barely ten minutes into the lecture, Xun Ye's gaze settled on Xiao Ai again. It felt like his skill cooldown had ended, or like he'd spotted an easy target.
"What are you writing down?"
"The fundamentals of maintaining spatial constancy…"
Xun Ye picked up Xiao Ai's notebook, examining it as if savoring its contents…
The others present shot her envious and jealous glances, thinking: With so many taking notes, how come she alone seems so studious?
To be noticed by Xun Ye was practically like being handed a golden rice bowl—a family's livelihood secured!
Yet Xun Ye had specifically chosen this poor little thing's notebook, recognizing her earnest dedication!
But…
As Xun Ye's expression shifted, Ye Qinghan realized she'd completely overthought it…
Xun Ye glanced at the notebook, then at Xiao Ai: "I don't care about them. They're Military Academy students—not my jurisdiction."
"But you're different, right? You actually need a notebook to jot down just those two sentences?"
"If word gets out, people will think I'm raising a bunch of pigs at the Blade of Execution!"
With that, Xun Ye flung Xiao Ai's brand-new notebook—a costly purchase—across the room…
Xiao Ai seemed a bit heartbroken, her gaze following the notebook as it flew away…
Ye Qinghan saw it, and Xun Ye saw it too.
Xiao Ai was on the verge of tears, her eyes brimming but she dared not cry…
"If you dare go pick it up…"
"Xiao Ai wouldn't dare…"
"Just look with your eyes! Memorize it with your heart!"
"Yes…"
But it didn't end there. Xun Ye continued: "Also, what's written in your notebook? Is that correct? To maintain the stability of a constant space, you need to alter the spatial medium, the energy structure…"
"If you don't understand, why don't you ask? Are you mute? Even with a notebook, you can't grasp it!"
Dongfang Jue was utterly dumbfounded. That formidable Immortal Sovereign was being scolded by Lord Xunye into a pitiful, wronged Immortal Sovereign!
Before, Dongfang Jue had thought her childhood was filled with nothing but studying this and that, never a moment of joy!
But now, seeing Lord Gu Ai's childhood, he realized she truly grew up in a honey pot…
The other trainees in the room all looked at Xiao Ai with confusion. If you said Lord Xunye cared for her, well, he was practically scolding her to tears…
But if you said Lord Xunye was bullying her? When had Lord Xunye ever shown such concern for anyone else?
Regardless, Lord Xunye's lesson—though theoretical—was packed with practical knowledge, greatly benefiting Ye Qinghan and the other three.
Those who didn't understand could wait until Xiao Ai was called on to explain it again…
After two full morning sessions, Ye Qinghan felt Xiao Ai had practically become Xun Ye's teaching prop!
Without Xiao Ai, what's the point of this class?
"Running off after class! Who said you could leave?"
"Master Xunye, Xiao Ai's backpack is still at the training ground…"
"Xiao Ai, I don't think this is the first time I've told you to change your skirt?"
Xun Ye seemed at a loss for what to pick on next, so he fixated on Xiao Ai's clothes instead.
But Ye Qinghan didn't blame Xun Ye. Xiao Ai only had these two dresses, both worn to shreds with frayed hems! Yet she still wore them…
"Master Xunye gave this to Xiao Ai. She dares not…"
"If you really appreciate my kindness, then stop embarrassing me! People will think the Executioner's Blade is so poor we can't even afford proper clothes!"
"Yes, Xiao Ai understands."
"Go get Ku Mu Ling. Haven't you seen everyone else wearing military uniforms?"
At these words, Xiao Ai's face fell in utter disbelief!
"Can Xiao Ai get one too?"
Honestly, Xun Ye was speechless…
It was precisely this child—the one who could handle anything on her own, the most dependable one—who worried her the most.
Execution Blades were all strong individuals, and Xiao Ai was no exception. Yet, Xun Ye secretly wished this child could be a little less resilient.
Xiao Ai wasn't incapable of crying. She had cried before, with Xun Ye, but only that one time.
Ever since Lady Xunye had mentioned she disliked children who cried and whined, Xiao Ai stopped crying altogether.
Even if Xun Ye wanted to take back those words, it was too late.
This truth was evident in Xiao Ai's small backpack.
Xiao Ai's backpack weighed fifty jin, but that was nothing to her—Xiao Ai was no ordinary person.
The backpack was custom-made—fireproof, waterproof, even equipped with bulletproof armor…
Unzipping it revealed just two books and three notebooks.
After removing her school supplies, emptying the contents of the backpack would create a small mountain.
A half-drive combat knife, a disassembled Godslayer crossbow, dozens of armor-piercing rounds, and various types of arrows.
Two sets of drive mechanisms for handling various situations, two independent drive sight mechanisms.
A thermos flask, still holding yesterday's leftover water.
Additionally, there were some cash, field rations…
It was clear that even if the world ended, Xiao Ai would be well-prepared.
But Xun Ye felt it resembled more of a runaway's preparations, as if driven by a deep-seated insecurity.
She had no home. Another dress remained tucked inside her small backpack, carried everywhere she went.
Xiao Ai didn't pity herself. Instead, she felt fortunate to have met Lord Xun Ye and the members of the Execution Blade.
Xiao Ai smiled a lot, mostly in a silly way.
Yet she wasn't particularly approachable. Aside from Xiaonuo and her two other roommates, she had almost no friends at the academy.
"I couldn't before, but now you can go claim it. Just say I sent you."
"Alright, thank you, Lord Xunye."
"…Get lost…"
============================================================