Kainey did not answer Rhys’s question, instead turning it back on him. “Does Robin not smile often either?”

She understood Zhong Shenxiu far better than she did Robin; she could guess at the reasons behind his taciturn nature and lack of smiles, but she knew little about Robin.

“I’ve never seen Robin smile at us, only at the Landlord,” Rhys mused after a moment’s thought.

Unbeknownst to him, his casual remark struck a chord with Kainey. A subtle smile touched her lips, as if she had reached a decision, a flicker of light crossing her eyes.

Sharlot noticed the shift in Kainey’s expression but said nothing.

After they chatted for a while longer, Kainey abruptly rose to take her leave.

Robin was still seated on the steps in the exact same posture. Her gaze seemed fixed on the distance, yet it lacked focus, as if she were lost in thought.

Startled by the approaching footsteps, Robin looked up suddenly, only to lower her head again upon seeing it was Kainey.

Kainey laughed softly and sat down beside Robin, her demeanor one of an older sister accompanying her younger sibling to watch the sunrise.

“What are you thinking about?” Kainey asked abruptly, without turning her head.

“Nothing,” Robin murmured languidly. Only Kainey could command such an audience; ordinarily, she wouldn’t even warrant a glance!

It was only then that Kainey turned her head to look at Robin’s delicate, pretty face.

“You really like Shenxiu, don’t you?” Kainey asked softly, her expression earnest.

Robin glanced at Kainey and nodded slightly, but remained silent, turning her head away once more.

Just then, Kainey gently took Robin’s small hand in hers, and in an even softer tone, asked, “Sister knows you have something weighing on your heart. Can you share it with Sister?”

Kainey didn't treat Robin like a mere child; she sensed a maturity in the younger girl that was beyond ordinary comprehension! Normally, no matter how mature one was, they should be happy when near the person they loved, yet Robin seldom smiled. This indicated she carried a hidden burden.

Robin looked down at their joined hands, then back at Kainey. She neither spoke nor pulled her hand away.

Indeed, Kainey’s guess was correct. Robin did harbor a secret worry, one she had never shared with anyone, not even Zhong Shenxiu. She found herself intensely nostalgic for the time when it was just her and Zhong Shenxiu, a time she felt was brimming with pure happiness every single day.

But lately, Zhong Shenxiu had been increasingly engrossed in his solitary research, causing Robin’s small heart to feel a subtle sense of distance. While she knew he still cared for her deeply, she couldn't laugh with the same unrestrained abandon as before; strange thoughts, even to her, often occupied her mind.

Kainey chose to remain silent, simply watching Robin beside her. Though their life experiences differed greatly, they shared a common feeling regarding Zhong Shenxiu. Utilizing this connection, Kainey began to intuit the workings of Robin’s heart.

Time trickled by, and the two shared a quiet understanding; neither spoke again.

The flowers in the courtyard were blooming exquisitely, and the surrounding air carried a soul-cleansing fragrance.

Suddenly, Kainey’s eyes lit up, and a faint smile graced her lips. It seemed she had guessed something, or perhaps conceived a plan.

“Robin!” Kainey called out softly. Without waiting for a response, she tugged Robin gently, pulling her into an embrace.

Then, she leaned close to Robin’s ear and whispered something. Immediately, Robin’s expression began to transform, shifting from prior detachment to one of burgeoning excitement, finally settling into clear anticipation!

“Really?” Robin whispered, her current appearance utterly indistinguishable from any ordinary young girl.

“Of course!” Kainey replied with a mysterious smile.

Rarely, Robin returned the smile to Kainey—a genuine smile, filled with hope, completely devoid of pretense.

This was the first time Robin had smiled at anyone other than Zhong Shenxiu!

“Wait here for Sister a moment!” Kainey said, standing up.

Robin nodded, surprisingly, she stood up as well.

Kainey said no more, instead turning and entering the house. Soon, the faint murmur of her conversation with Zhong Shenxiu drifted out, too indistinct to discern.

After a short while, the sound from the room ceased. A moment later, the door opened, and Zhong Shenxiu and Kainey emerged together.

Robin had waited outside for some time, and when she saw Kainey make a victory sign toward her, she smiled again—a smile more radiant than the blossoms in the garden.

“Let’s go,” Zhong Shenxiu said gently, taking Robin’s hand.

Robin simply nodded happily, asking no questions about their destination.

“Ah, wait for me for a moment!” Kainey suddenly called out, as if struck by an afterthought.

She immediately went into the room where Sharlot and the others were, said a few words, and then returned. However, she was not alone; Sharlot, Angelia, and Rhys all followed her out.

Kainey had just informed them that she would be leaving with Zhong Shenxiu and Robin for a few days, without specifying a return date, and told them not to worry.

Sharlot and the others were deeply puzzled as to why this sudden departure was necessary and what its purpose might be.

Despite their myriad questions, none of the three dared to voice them.

“You all go back inside. No need to see us off!” Kainey said with a smile, already matching the pace of Zhong Shenxiu and Robin toward the exit.

Sharlot and the two others exchanged glances, filled with a wave of emotion.

Yet, this sort of sudden exit wasn't unprecedented. They quickly recovered their composure and returned indoors. After all, Zhong Shenxiu and Robin had once left without a word; this situation was far better, as Kainey had at least bid them farewell.

As fate would have it, the moment the three sat back down inside, Cherry arrived!

“Sister Sharlot, has Sister Kainey returned?” Cherry asked immediately upon entering. She had stopped by once that morning, but Zhong Shenxiu and the others had already left by then.

Sharlot offered an awkward smile. “You arrived a moment too late, Cherry. Kainey just stepped out.”

“Gone out again!” Cherry looked quite disappointed. Among the group, she felt closest to Kainey, having many things she wanted to share, and Kainey always offered rational analysis from a mature female perspective. To Cherry, Kainey had become a trusted elder sister figure with whom she could confide, fostering a strong sense of reliance!

“Sister Kainey will be gone for a few days and might not be back anytime soon,” Rhys added from the side.

“What?” Cherry froze, looking at Rhys in confusion.

Rhys relayed what Kainey had just told them, and upon hearing it, Cherry immediately pouted, muttering, “Seriously, she goes off without even taking me!”

Sharlot, sitting closest to her, felt a momentary speechlessness, thinking inwardly: If she won’t even let us follow, how could she take you!

Then, led by Cherry, the group launched into speculation about the trio’s destination, but after much discussion, they arrived at no solid conclusion. Zhong Shenxiu was inherently inscrutable; adding the mysterious Kainey made their guesses utterly futile!

After a while longer, Sharlot redirected the conversation, suddenly addressing Cherry. “Cherry, I have something to tell you that concerns you!”

“What is it?” Cherry looked up at Sharlot.

“Kainey just told us this. I can’t vouch for its absolute truth yet,” Sharlot continued after a brief pause. “The Landlord went to apply for a teaching position at your academy today, and it seems he passed!”

“Wh-what?” Cherry shot up from her seat with a gasp, staring at Sharlot with utter astonishment.

Seeing that Sharlot had no further explanation forthcoming, Cherry asked, “Sister Sharlot, you aren't joking with me, are you?” This was not a trivial matter; Cherry felt her heart pounding violently, as if it might leap from her chest at any moment.

“Kainey told us this. We just wanted you to be mentally prepared,” Sharlot said, wearing a mischievous expression, enjoying a successful prank.

At this, Cherry sank back into her chair, her eyes staring blankly ahead, unfocused. She dared not imagine the expressions on the students’ faces if Zhong Shenxiu were teaching; nor could she fathom the fate awaiting those students if Zhong Shenxiu were to lose his temper!

Cherry’s immediate thought now was: Does Elena-lao-bei know about this? Cherry recalled clearly that Elena was in charge of teacher recruitment. If Zhong Shenxiu truly became a teacher at the 'Homebody Magitech Academy,' Elena should have been the first to know!

Just as Cherry was about to leave to question Elena, her brother Norwen’s shouting suddenly echoed from outside the courtyard.

“Where is everyone? Come out! I’m here to avenge my sister today!”

Avenge? Cherry nearly fainted on the spot!

Then, Thomas’s voice followed, trying to soothe him: “Big Brother Norwen, let’s go. Don’t—”

Cherry became even more bewildered, not understanding why Thomas’s voice was there. Finally, she and the others opened the door and stepped out, just in time to see Thomas desperately holding back Norwen, who was attempting to storm into Zhong Shenxiu’s room.

“Second Brother, what are you two doing?” Cherry asked dazedly, completely bewildered by the scene.

Though Sharlot and the others remained silent, their expressions clearly conveyed: Which mental institution did this fellow escape from?

Norwen stopped upon hearing Cherry’s voice. His expression was complex, and after a long pause, he delivered a statement that nearly caused Cherry to collapse:

“Little sister, rest assured. Even if it costs me this life, your brother will avenge you.” With that, he prepared to charge forward again.

And Cherry, in her innocent way, weakly replied, “Brother, I’m still alive!”

Sigh.