A Morning at the Sword-Wielding Organization

It was Sunday.

Mo Bai and Bai Xia had risen remarkably early.

As the morning light filtered through the gaps in the curtains, the young man was already neatly dressed and prepared. The young woman, however, was still rubbing her drowsy eyes, sitting on the edge of the bed, yawning and idly swinging her small feet clad in white socks.

Despite being dressed, Bai Xia was clearly suffering the consequences of sleeping until late afternoon the previous day. She couldn’t sleep at night, and now she couldn’t wake up. Slumped on the bed, she swayed from side to side with exhaustion, her small head beginning to nod uncontrollably.

“I told you to go to bed earlier last night,” Mo Bai chuckled.

After adjusting his collar, he turned to see Bai Xia dozing like a pecking chick. He smiled helplessly, then gently ruffled her hair. “So sleepy—do you want to sleep a little longer?”

“Mm…” Bai Xia groggily opened her eyes, yawning and rubbing them. “If we’re in a hurry… then no, Mo Ge.”

“Alright, I’ll help you put on your shoes. You can sleep in the car later.”

Old Chen was already waiting in the car at the mansion’s main gate. The journey to the Sword-Wielding Organization’s headquarters would take about an hour, providing the little one with ample time to catch up on sleep.

Mo Bai knelt down, naturally taking hold of her slender ankle. He then retrieved a pair of adorable little leather shoes from nearby. As his fingertips brushed the edge of her white sock, Bai Xia’s ear tips inevitably flushed crimson, the events of last night still vivid in her memory.

It still came back to that thought: How had she never noticed her deskmate was such a pervert before?

Bai Xia felt an inexplicable sense of shame.

The small leather shoes were easy to put on; her cute, white-socked foot slipped effortlessly into one. However, just as Mo Bai prepared to help her with the other, Bai Xia noticed him staring blankly at her foot.

“Mo Ge, you pervert!”

Bai Xia’s small face instantly flushed scarlet, and the next moment, her dainty, white-socked foot landed squarely on Mo Bai’s face. Coupled with the girl’s disgusted and annoyed expression, the scene somehow looked rather cute.

Far from being angry, he gently held her ankle in that position, then carefully removed Bai Xia’s small foot from his face. The instant his fingertips touched her, Bai Xia was startled and swiftly pulled her foot back.

“I… I’ll put them on myself.” Fearing Mo Bai might do something else embarrassing, Bai Xia hastily snatched the other shoe and slipped it on.

Seeing that he had successfully roused Bai Xia from her sleepiness, Mo Bai curled his lips in satisfaction. He reached out and scooped her up from the bed.

“Perfect. Saves you from getting drowsy on the way.”

“Hey… I can walk on my own, Mo Ge,” the scooped-up girl grumbled.

****

The journey from the Mo family residence to the Sword-Wielding Organization wasn’t too far.

Perhaps due to her poor rest, Bai Xia slept throughout the car ride, only stirring when the car came to a stop and Mo Bai gently pinched her cheek.

“We’re here,” he whispered, rousing Bai Xia from his shoulder.

She groggily rubbed her eyes.

Her snowy-white hair was slightly disheveled from sleep, prompting Mo Bai to gently comb it with his fingers. His fingertips moved through the soft strands, occasionally brushing her sensitive earlobe, causing the girl to shiver slightly.

“So… we’re just here to get an ID and do some training?”

“Yes,” Mo Bai nodded softly. “The transcendent selection process involves not only talent assessment but also practical combat tests.”

“So the training is essentially to help you hone your combat skills.”

“Oh… I see…”

Bai Xia mumbled, still somewhat bewildered. To be honest, her understanding of “practical combat” was limited to street brawls—and even then, she didn’t feel particularly skilled.

Stepping out of the car, she followed her deskmate through layers of security at the main gate, finally arriving at the Sword-Wielding Organization’s headquarters in the heart of the imperial capital.

The towering black building gleamed with a cold luster in the morning light. Personnel hurried in and out with solemn expressions, while numerous guards patrolled the perimeter, creating an overwhelming sense of pressure.

Bai Xia found it hard to imagine anyone daring to openly attack such a heavily guarded place.

The girl instinctively clutched Mo Bai’s hand. He turned his hand to clasp hers, his warm palm enveloping her cool fingertips.

“There’s no need to be afraid. What is there to fear when I’m here?”

“Oh… okay…” Bai Xia responded softly, tightening her grip slightly.

It wasn’t that she wanted to be afraid—it was simply instinct, formed over years, making her wary of authoritative institutions. In the past, even seeing the Sword-Wielding Organization’s uniform would make her hide in an alley, trembling for a long time.

Noticing the girl’s stiffness, Mo Bai drew her closer to his side.

It wasn’t until an approaching staff member respectfully bowed to Mo Bai that Bai Xia finally relaxed a little.

“Young Master Mo, who is this?” The staff member’s gaze lingered briefly on the white-haired girl, a trace of scrutiny in their eyes.

“Hmm… my girlfriend. No, that’s not quite right. My prospective girlfriend,” Mo Bai corrected lazily.

His words instantly turned Bai Xia’s face deep crimson. Even her neck flushed pink as she stared at him in shock and embarrassment.

What is he even saying?!

Wasn’t she his personal maid? Since when did she become his prospective girlfriend?!

Bai Xia’s mind went blank, her ear tips so red they seemed about to burn.

She indignantly tried to cover Mo Bai’s mouth, but he easily dodged her. Instead, he took the opportunity to pull her closer into his embrace, causing the nearby staff member to awkwardly lower their head.

“Well then, we’ll head inside to take care of some business.”

“Yes, Young Master Mo, please proceed.”

The staff member quickly stepped aside.

Mo Bai casually walked toward the building with Bai Xia still in his arms. Only after entering did Bai Xia regain her composure, nudging him lightly with her elbow in protest.

He really dared to act like that outside…

Puffing her cheeks, she glared at him but didn’t dare make a scene in public. Instead, she whispered, “Didn’t we agree you wouldn’t bully me outside?”

“Isn’t this just declaring my claim?” Mo Bai raised an eyebrow.

“The Sword-Wielding Organization tends to judge people by rank or strength, so it’s not very friendly to newcomers.”

His fingertips lightly brushed her wrist as his voice lowered slightly.

“So I need to let them know you’re under my protection. That way, fewer people will trouble you later.”

“Oh… is that so…”

Hearing his explanation, Bai Xia softened noticeably.

She looked down at their clasped hands, a strange warmth blooming in her chest, easing much of her earlier embarrassment and annoyance.

But… saying she was his maid would have been enough too, right?