A Match, Not Training

Zhuang Xun immediately said, “Senior, please keep this a secret.”

Ning Qi’s voice from the other end of the phone carried a hint of surprise. “It seems Shen Xian truly doesn’t know about this?”

Zhuang Xun stared at the distant full moon, unconsciously picking at her palm. Suddenly, Shen Xian’s figure and her stern warning from earlier flashed through her mind.

“But you can’t do this anymore.”

Her fingers stopped their fiddling. After taking a deep breath, she spoke again. “Senior, for this assessment, do you intend to pit new members against seasoned ones?”

“Ha…” Ning Qi’s voice drifted through the phone. Her tone was no longer playful; instead, it had become distinctly formal. “Why would you think that? I don’t recall ever mentioning such a thing.”

Zhuang Xun spoke truthfully. “Senior, it’s written in the PDF version you sent. It details the plan for this assessment.”

“Hm?”

Zhuang Xun had been quite startled when she first saw it herself. However, even if she hadn’t seen the plan, she still would have sought out Senior Ning Qi.

Nearly a minute passed before Zhuang Xun heard the rustle of Ning Qi adjusting her hair, followed by a long, helpless sigh.

“This is insane… I’ve been so busy lately, I completely forgot. I actually sent Shen Xian the initial version of the file. I had thought she wouldn’t have shown it to you, and that you’d come to me directly for the details.”

Zhuang Xun offered no reply. It was clear that Senior Shen Xian truly hadn’t seen the document yet; Zhuang Xun herself had only obtained it thanks to Senior Meng Miao.

“Did you finish reading all of it?”

“No, I exited after just scanning the first few pages.” She had considered reading the rest, but that section likely contained classified information. She had decisively backed out after merely glancing at the title.

“Oh, alright. If you’re free tomorrow, come directly to Headquarters to find me.”

Upon hearing “Headquarters,” Zhuang Xun pondered for a moment. “To Headquarters?”

“Don’t worry, Shen Xian is taking the day off tomorrow. You two won’t run into each other.”

Zhuang Xun sensed Ning Qi shifting her posture as the sound of the wind grew more pronounced.

“Since you don’t want her to know, I naturally won’t say anything. After all…” Ning Qi paused, then chuckled softly. “If you report me to Headquarters for accidentally sending out a confidential document, I’d be fined.”

Zhuang Xun understood the playful intent behind the words, but she still stated each word with utmost clarity: “I won’t say anything.”

“I know you won’t. Tomorrow at nine AM, come to Headquarters… No, actually, come to the training ground in the adjacent office building instead.”

A training ground?

Zhuang Xun meticulously searched her memory for any information regarding a training ground, but details were scarce. She had never been to one, though she had certainly heard of them.

Then, Ning Qi asked, “Have you ever been?”

Zhuang Xun remained silent.

Ning Qi continued, mostly to herself. “It seems you haven’t. And why would you? For someone like you, that place normally holds no meaning. In that case, just come to Headquarters first. Oh, and I’d like a taro boba—less sugar, iced.”

“Woof! Woof woof!” A dog’s bark echoed through the phone.

“Alright, we’ll deal with things tomorrow. I need to go take care of Muxi now.”

Zhuang Xun nodded. “Okay. Thank you, Senior.”

“No need to be so formal. Besides, as your special instructor, I won’t go easy on you. It’s best to be mentally prepared.”

“I understand, Senior.”

“Good. I’m hanging up now. Get some rest.”

“You too, Senior. Goodnight.”

Beep… beep…

The call ended. Zhuang Xun gazed at her reflection in the phone’s black screen.

Senior Ning Qi had waited for her to finish her last sentence before hanging up. Despite her sharp tongue, she was remarkably considerate of her juniors in subtle ways. Whether it was Ning Qi or Shen Xian… were they all so thoughtful?

Zhuang Xun had denied reading the rest of the document, and Ning Qi hadn’t even bothered to double-check. It was as if she implicitly trusted that if Zhuang Xun said she wouldn’t read it, she wouldn’t.

Was she being too trusting of me?

Zhuang Xun quickly shook her head. Her priority was passing the assessment, not worrying over trivial matters. Being trusted was a good thing. She pulled open the balcony door. A cool breeze brushed across her cheeks. She took a deep breath, her eyes filled with resolve.

She had to grow stronger. Strong enough that she wouldn’t need her senior’s protection—strong enough that she could protect her senior instead.

Magic Headquarters, 2:00 PM

Ning Qi sat in a swivel chair, inserting a straw into the milk tea Zhuang Xun had brought her. After taking a few sips, she remarked unhurriedly, “You’re quite early.”

Zhuang Xun set her backpack aside. “Senior, are we starting the special training now?”

“No.” Ning Qi pointed a finger at her. “Why are you wearing that today?”

Zhuang Xun looked down at her attire: an ordinary shirt, athletic pants, and sneakers. “Is there a problem, Senior?”

Ning Qi tapped her temple. “Hmm… if you’re asking if there’s a problem, then no, not really. It’s just that this outfit is too new. If it gets ruined, you might not be in a very good mood.”

Zhuang Xun understood the underlying meaning and retrieved a second set of clothes from her backpack. “Senior, will this do?”

She was fortunate that before Shen Xian had bought her so many new clothes, she had kept a few of her old, frequently worn items. At the time, her senior had suggested she discard them, but Zhuang Xun had a feeling they might still be useful. She had almost succumbed to her senior’s charming, pouting pleas… but she was now grateful she had held onto them.

Ning Qi offered a scathing review of the spare outfit. “Wow… those are rags.”

Zhuang Xun didn’t refute her; the clothes were indeed very old.

Ning Qi continued to sip her milk tea, leaning back in her chair. “Looks like you’ve worn them for a long time. Are you fond of this brand?”

“They just… held some special significance once.” Zhuang Xun’s hand caressed the fabric. The reason she hadn’t discarded these clothes for so many years was that specific memory.

“Is that so? Well, if you wear them today, your cherished items might actually turn into real rags.” Ning Qi’s tone shifted, though her expression remained neutral.

Zhuang Xun’s lips curved into a subtle, barely perceptible smile. “They’re no longer needed for that purpose. So, Senior, shall we begin?”

“You’re quite impatient.” Ning Qi straightened up and retrieved two books from beneath the table—the ones Zhuang Xun had asked to borrow. “We won’t be training today.”

Before Zhuang Xun could respond, Ning Qi added, “How about we have a match instead?”