A New Beginning: Signatures and Lingering Thoughts

The afternoon hours slipped away quickly, and before they knew it, it was dismissal time.

The lingering glow of the setting sun streamed through the classroom window, casting a golden fringe upon the girl’s white hair. Bai Xia bent her head over her homework, her ruby-like eyes occasionally lifting to glance at Mo Bai beside her, seeking confirmation on her problem-solving method.

Even though she no longer needed to study, Bai Xia still wanted to learn as much as possible. After all, who knew when such knowledge might prove useful?

Of course, it wasn’t entirely for the sake of learning. Part of it was Bai Xia’s desire to make up for her past regrets.

She had always been too busy making a living to study properly, often relying on Mo Bai to cram with her before every exam.

“For problem 17, you don’t actually need to calculate it directly, or the workload will be huge. Just plug in that formula, and the answer will appear.”

“Huh, which formula…”

Bai Xia leaned closer to the textbook, her silver-white hair falling to brush lightly against Mo Bai’s hand, creating a ticklish sensation. Mo Bai paid it no mind, simply picking up his pen and circling the formula.

“This is a derived formula. I wouldn’t recommend using it directly in an exam, but you can treat it as a conclusion.”

“Oh…” Bai Xia nodded obediently.

Sure enough, with the formula Mo Bai provided, she solved the problem in no time, a satisfied smile gracing the girl’s face.

Ah, it’s truly enviable and infuriating.

Although she knew Mo Bai was an academic ace, seeing a problem that had stumped her for a while solved with a single sentence from him still made Bai Xia inwardly grumble.

“By the way, are we heading to the Academic Affairs Office later?” Having finished her exercises, Bai Xia began tidying her textbooks, turning to ask her deskmate.

“Yes. It’s nothing much, just taking you over to have a look.” Mo Bai slowly stood up and stretched.

Even he felt a little sore in his back after sitting in the chair with Bai Xia all afternoon. On normal days, he would occasionally walk around outside during a few classes, unlike today, where he had been sitting for almost the entire afternoon. His backside was starting to ache.

“Finish up and let’s go.” Mo Bai reached out and ruffled Bai Xia’s hair.

“It’s fine… I wasn’t planning on carrying my backpack back anyway…” Bai Xia shook her small head, trying to dislodge Mo Bai’s hand.

Though being petted felt quite comfortable, every time Mo Bai ruffled her hair, he messed it up, forcing her to restyle it. ‘Sigh… I’m becoming less and less assertive.’

Bai Xia silently sighed to herself, ultimately following Mo Bai out of the classroom obediently.

****

…The school’s Academic Affairs Office…

After swiping through the access control with Mo Bai, Bai Xia stood beside the young man, a little nervous, listening to Mo Bai exchange pleasantries with the director. Her fair small hand unconsciously clutched at Mo Bai’s sleeve, seeking to alleviate her inner tension.

It wasn’t until their conversation ended that the director of the Academic Affairs Office adjusted his glasses, casting a benevolent gaze toward Bai Xia.

“This must be student Bai Xia, correct?”

“Ah… Teacher, yes, it’s me…”

Bai Xia hastily released Mo Bai’s sleeve and stood somewhat restrained beside him, greeting the director. Perhaps because he had been focused on speaking with Mo Bai initially and hadn’t noticed Bai Xia, the director couldn’t help but be slightly stunned when he clearly saw the girl’s adorable appearance.

Snow-white long hair, ruby-like eyes, and a face as delicate as a doll—this couldn’t possibly be a young lady from some prominent family, could it? To claim such features were natural seemed far too far-fetched.

“Cough, cough… this…” The director quickly composed himself, pushing up his glasses to conceal his momentary lapse. “Young Master, all the enrollment materials are ready. Once you’ve signed, the school will arrange for you to participate in the selection process, and everything will be fine.”

“No need for materials?” Mo Bai took the document bag the director handed him, a hint of confusion in his voice.

“No need. The Old Master said we don’t need to worry about the materials.” The director lowered his voice, smiling ingratiatingly. “The Sword-Wielding Agency will also provide a certificate, so please rest assured, Young Master.”

“Alright… then sign it, Bai Xia.” Mo Bai opened the document bag and pulled out the file requiring a signature.

“Okay… okay, Brother Mo.” Bai Xia took the document, her ruby-like eyes trembling slightly as she looked at its contents.

Though it was merely a piece of paper, its contents carried the weight of her entirely new life, making it so heavy that the girl momentarily struggled to hold it steady. As long as I write my name, I can finally bid farewell to a life of constant apprehension.

While her current life was good, the shadows of the past and her self-doubt had always lingered in Bai Xia’s heart. After all, if not for Mo Bai, she would still be that poor student, still that anomaly relying on disguise to survive among people.

As long as I write my name, I can say goodbye to the past…

Placing the document on the table, Bai Xia took a deep breath, her trembling fingers tightly gripping the pen. With careful strokes, she wrote the two characters for “Bai Xia,” as if pouring all her hopes into those simple words.

“It’s done, Brother Mo.”

Bai Xia handed the signed document to Mo Bai, her gem-like eyes filled with both anticipation and unease. It wasn’t until Mo Bai took the document and ruffled her small head with his other hand that she felt a little better.

Forget it… let him touch it.

Although her hair often got messy, sometimes being petted like this felt quite nice. After all, a pat from her master had a very soothing effect on the anxious little blood princess within her.

“Good, no problems, Young Master. If you’re going to participate in the selection, remember to practice more.”

“Alright, then we’ll be going.”

With their business concluded, he had no reason to waste any more time there. Mo Bai naturally took Bai Xia’s hand, leading her out of the Academic Affairs Office. The lingering glow of the setting sun streamed into the corridor from outside, instantly elongating their silhouettes, one long and one short, imprinted on the ground. This made Bai Xia instinctively draw a little closer to Mo Bai.

It must be because of the recognition of the master, right?

Feeling her heart still beating rapidly, Bai Xia realized she was becoming increasingly fond of the warmth beside Mo Bai. So, did I just give myself away for free?

As they walked, a strange thought suddenly popped into Bai Xia’s head. Given her current appearance, she could probably be considered a girl, at least for now.

Hmm… that’s not quite right either. After all, she had been like this ever since she woke up one day to find herself a girl; she had simply been pretending to be a boy due to identity and psychological issues.

Truth be told, if it weren’t for her long acquaintance with Mo Bai, his various forms of help, and the many times he had saved her, accidentally becoming her master, Bai Xia might not have accepted her current relationship with Mo Bai so quickly. Yet, the thought of being teased by a boy every day still filled Bai Xia with complex emotions, or perhaps, a sense of feigned resistance.

However, upon closer reflection, Bai Xia decided there was nothing inherently wrong with it. After all, without Mo Bai’s support, she might have perished long ago.

The lingering glow of the setting sun cast a warm halo between them through the corridor’s glass window. Bai Xia gazed at Mo Bai’s profile, tinged with gold, his handsome features making the girl’s small head involuntarily recall the scene in the cafeteria, her heart quickening a few more beats.

Sigh, what a contradiction…

But speaking of which, why had she never seen her deskmate’s gentle yet domineering side before?