Chapter 7: Who Could Possibly Withstand This?

While Ci Mo was observing Chao Xu, Chao Xu was also watching Ci Mo. Narrowing her eyes, she glanced at him across the way, her pupils so dark they seemed bottomless, their depths unfathomable.

This fellow gave her a strange sensation—peculiarly odd, making her instinctively wary. Yet, at the same time, there was an inexplicable familiarity about him. The two conflicting emotions tangled together, putting her in a state of subtle irritation. It was like finding fine black threads woven through a ball of white yarn—an eyesore, impossible to pick out.

Chao Xu couldn’t understand why she felt this way about someone she’d never met, so she shook her head and decided to ignore it. She stepped closer to Ci Mo, intent on gauging whether he was truly a threat.

At that moment, Ci Mo, who had been suppressing his own emotions, noticed her approach. Panic flickered in his eyes as he instinctively took a step back.

Harmless.

That was Chao Xu’s instant assessment. Her first impression of him was like a newborn puppy—soft, timid at her nearness, yet yearning to draw closer. All in all, harmless, and likely easy to manage.

A sudden idea flashed through her mind. She moved forward, hooked an arm around Ci Mo’s neck, and coaxed him with a cheerful smile, “Let’s make a deal—would you like to be my little sidekick?”

If she was to form a faction and rule the world as a proper villain, how could she do it without a disciplined squad of loyal minions at her back? She needed a sidekick—preferably obedient, good-looking, not a big eater, handy around the house, willing to run errands, and, ideally, a little slow on the uptake.

The girl’s face loomed close, her fair, delicate skin beneath the grime dazzling his eyes. Those eyes, like a galaxy of stars, gazed straight at him; her soft, cherry-pink lips moved as she spoke. Ci Mo’s mind went blank, his capacity for thought vanishing in an instant.

He liked her nearness, so as if bewitched, he nodded softly, “Alright. But… can you tell me, what’s a sidekick?”

Chao Xu: …

She’d wanted someone slow-witted, but this was a bit too much. Still deliberating whether to give up on this potential recruit, she felt a gentle tug at her sleeve.

Looking up, she found the exquisitely beautiful boy’s eyes rimmed with red, gazing up at her with timidity. “I—I’m very obedient. Will you let me be your sidekick?” he stammered, nervously twisting his fingers, looking for all the world like a loyal dog afraid of being abandoned.

Chao Xu swallowed, feeling a sudden, inexplicable urge.

Well, he might not be the brightest, but who could say no to such a pretty face? True to her nature as a lover of good looks, she said, “Alright, but you must do as I say. No troublemaking, no fussing. Understood?”

Ci Mo nodded vigorously, secret delight shining in his eyes. He carefully took her hand, glancing up at her as if afraid she’d be angry.

So soft, so pliant—he looked as if he’d be easy to squish. Tempted by the thought, Chao Xu couldn’t help reaching out and giving his cheek a gentle pinch.

Just as she’d imagined—like the finest mutton-fat jade, smooth and warm to the touch. She almost wanted to pinch him again.

Ci Mo, still dazed and clueless as to what she was doing, only made Chao Xu more eager. But before she could extend her mischievous hand once more, a startled cry interrupted her.