C16

"What kind of experiment?" Shi Qian inquired, looking curiously at the rabbit nestled in her arms.

"This one," Baili Yi responded, extending his hand to reveal a small transparent bottle in his palm filled with a light blue powder.

"What's that?"

"It's a sedative," Baili Yi answered.

"A sedative!" Shi Qian's brow furrowed. "What do you need a sedative for?"

With a haughty tone, Baili Yi declared, "I am the Ghost Doctor Holy Hand. What can't I research?"

Shi Qian chuckled and glanced at the rabbit in his arms before asking, "So, did you use this to knock out the rabbit?"

"Yes, it appears to be quite effective. However, I haven't tested it on humans yet. How about you? Want to give it a try?" Baili Yi suggested with a mischievous grin.

Shi Qian was speechless.

"Let's not."

No sooner had she spoken than Baili Yi's slender, pale hand waved abruptly before her face.

Caught off guard, Shi Qian felt a sudden wave of dizziness and nearly collapsed.

Seeing this, Baili Yi waved his hand in front of her once more.

Shi Qian quickly regained her senses, glaring at him as she exclaimed, "Damn it, Baili Yi! How dare you use me as a guinea pig!"

Baili Yi laughed softly. "I was just testing it out. It seems to work well on humans too. Hey, don't be mad. I'll give you this bottle for self-defense."

"Do I really need this with my skills?" Despite her words, Shi Qian accepted the small bottle.

The substance was indeed effective; she had felt disoriented in under two seconds. Without hesitation, she slipped the bottle into her pocket.

"By the way, thanks for the heads-up yesterday. When I got back, Master Zhan looked pretty upset. I bet if I had returned even half an hour later, I would have been done for."

Baili Yi, petting the small rabbit, smiled and said, "It was nothing. But make sure Master Zhan doesn't find out I tipped you off, or I'll be in even worse trouble!"

"Don't worry," Shi Qian assured him with a smile.

As she spoke, the memory of Shaang Sizhan's words from the previous night echoed in her mind: "You are mine!"

"Baili Yi, you were saying..." Shi Qian hesitated, her words trailing off.

Baili Yi gave her a puzzled look. "What is it?"

She paused for a few seconds before dismissing the thought. "Never mind, it's nothing."

Upon reflection, it seemed Master Zhan's intention was clear: she was not to leave Monarch Garden.

He had stated that once someone steps through Monarch Garden's gates, they become one with it.

Just like Baili Yi and Lih Feng, who had joined Monarch Garden, they were bound to it forever.

Truth be told, Shaang Sizhan was overly concerned.

She had already embraced her identity as part of Monarch Garden. She had no intention of leaving, nor did she want to.

On Monday, the driver dropped Shi Qian off near her school.

As the car came to a halt, the driver announced, "Miss Shi, we've arrived at the school."

Hearing this, Shi Qian lifted her gaze from her phone screen and realized they were indeed at the school.

She stepped out of the car.

Only a couple of steps away, the alluring scent of a nearby bun shop wafted through the air.

She hadn't felt hungry skipping breakfast, but the aroma suddenly stirred her appetite.

After a brief moment of consideration, she turned and entered the bun shop.

Having finished her breakfast, Shi Qian left the shop and headed toward the school entrance.

Just then, a black sedan drove past her, abruptly coming to a stop just beyond where she stood.

The car door swung open and Shi Yaorong emerged, looking at Shi Qian with astonishment.

Shi Qian, of course, noticed him as well.

Following close behind, Shi Muxue stepped out of the car, her expression a mix of emotions as she regarded Shi Qian.

"Shi Qian, is that really you? What brings you to the capital?" Shi Yaorong inquired.

With a cool demeanor, Shi Qian fixed her gaze on Shi Yaorong and responded, "Why shouldn't I be here?"