Chapter 3: The Sinister Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

That little tsundere expression was really making Yun Qimu’s hands itch, but she just touched her nose and managed to suppress the urge.

She smiled, though there was a hint of seriousness in her tone as she asked, “But Xiaoyu, why did you come along too? Don’t you know that once you enter this planet, there’s no way out?”

Yun Qiyu’s small body stiffened. He turned his little face away and muttered, “I know. I just want to be with you guys. I’m the only one left in our family now. Grandma loves me, but Uncle and Little Uncle don’t like me. Sooner or later, they’ll get rid of me. I’d rather come with you.”

His expression was stubborn, but those big, dark eyes kept sneaking cautious glances at her.

Yun Qimu’s smile faded a bit. She pressed her red lips together and gently ruffled his hair, quickly pulling her hand away before he could protest.

“You’re right,” she said seriously. “Those two are nothing good. You’ll live longer if you stick with me.”

Yun Qiyu immediately turned his head to look at her, his little face serious as he retorted, “It’s sticking with Dad that’ll keep us alive. You’re so dumb—if I weren’t here, you wouldn’t even be able to keep your stuff safe.”

Yun Qimu couldn’t help but laugh. “Alright, alright, you’ve done a great job. Big Sis will treat you to some meat.”

Yun Qiyu pouted and grumbled, “You can barely afford nutrient packs, where are you going to get meat? Always making empty promises.”

“You never know, maybe I’ll turn into meat myself.”

Fei Jie stood nearby, watching the siblings banter with a good-natured smile. But Yun Xiaoyu, who was already feeling stifled, caught his expression right away.

His chubby, baby-faced cheeks instantly twisted into a look of disdain, and he rolled his eyes. “Another one of your admirers? He’s even worse than that greasy Crown Prince—not even as good-looking.”

Fei Jie’s smile froze on his face, a spark of anger flashing in his brown eyes. Damn brat.

Yun Xiaoyu stared right back at him, not the least bit afraid.

Yun Qimu raised an eyebrow, thinking her little brother was spot on.

She turned gracefully, shielding the boy behind her, a faint smile on her rosy lips as she spoke protectively, “Sorry, sir, my little brother just likes to speak his mind. But you don’t need to take his words to heart. After all, while Cyril is greasy, he’s still the legitimate heir of the Kimberley family—the Crown Prince title adds a lot to his appeal. As for you, you’re just—”

Her proud, half-smiling words left Fei Jie in no doubt as to her meaning—she was looking down on him for being a commoner.

Ha! Damn arrogant nobles!

Fei Jie’s handsome face twisted with anger, but remembering his mission, he forced himself to hold it in.

But the man behind him, Ma Kang, couldn’t. He stormed forward, shouting, “What do you mean by that, you damned noble? You looking down on my Bro Fei?”

Yun Qimu ignored him, simply turning away, leaving Ma Kang’s words stuck in his throat, his face flushed red with frustration.

She narrowed her eyes, her expression cold and aloof as she looked down at the maid Yun Xiaoyu had dragged over.

The maid was tall and thin, with high cheekbones that made her look especially mean. Her brown maid uniform was filthy and covered in sand, her scalp bald in patches, bloodstained and wretched as she wailed on the ground.

But Yun Qimu felt not a shred of sympathy for her.

“Nasha, have I ever treated you badly before?”

The maid froze, and when she met Yun Qimu’s cold gaze, she shuddered all over.

She quickly rolled over and crawled desperately to Yun Qimu’s feet, sobbing and pleading, “Miss Qimu, please forgive my moment of greed. I’ve served you loyally for ten years, working hard without complaint. I even followed you to this notorious exile planet—that’s proof of my loyalty! I only took your luggage because… because the young lady threatened me with my daughter. You know, little Nier is only five, she’s so young, so little…”

Yun Qimu raised an eyebrow, her gaze deep. “Oh? Well, that’s understandable.”

The maid’s face lit up with hope.

Yun Xiaoyu stomped his little foot, his face red with anger as he tugged at her sleeve.

Stupid Mu isn’t going to fall for it again, is she?

Around them, Fei Jie and the others sneered with contempt. Tsk, such a kind and foolish noble lady.

But to their surprise, the supposedly delicate noble girl moved.

Her voice was icy, devoid of emotion. “It may be understandable, but punishment is still necessary. Otherwise, anyone would dare betray me.”

She moved as swift as the wind, her fingers curling into claws as she seized the maid’s arms before anyone could react, yanking them outward.

“Aaah—”

A piercing, agonized scream rang out as two severed arms, trailing bright red blood, were flung mercilessly to the ground.

At the same time, a shadow darted from the right. Yun Qimu’s eyes flicked over, and she pulled Yun Xiaoyu down and back, reaching for Yun Jingzheng’s waist and drawing a black iron dagger.

A flash of cold steel arced smoothly through the air.

The would-be attacker, a vicious, skinny man, stared wide-eyed, clutching his throat as he fell, dead before he hit the ground.

With a thud, the corpse hit the dirt. It was all over in less than three seconds.

The only sound left was the maid’s wretched howling.

A bloody wind swept through, raising goosebumps and choking the air with dread.

Those who’d been itching to make a move now froze in fear.

Fei Jie’s scalp tingled. Damn it—who said Yun Qimu was just a sickly, powerless girl with no awakened abilities?

Ma Kang stumbled back three steps, eyes wide with terror as if he’d seen a monster.

And Yun Qimu, the “monster” in question, wore a faint, pleased smile.

She slowly took a white handkerchief from her waist and, as tenderly as if she were caressing a lover, wiped the single drop of blood from her dagger, her tone regretful, “Sloppy. I’m out of practice—can’t believe I let a drop of blood get on it.”

Σ(っ°Д°;)っ

Ma Kang’s legs shook. He’d been so wrong—this wasn’t some helpless lamb lost among wolves, but a cunning wolf in sheep’s clothing!

After cleaning her dagger and returning it neatly to Yun Papa’s sheath, Yun Qimu finally looked up at the stunned onlookers.

She clasped her hands demurely at her waist, resuming the poise of a noble lady, and gave them a shy smile. “You’re all still here? Sorry about that—such a bloody scene wasn’t my intention, but what can I do? They insisted on provoking me, so I could only defend myself. I’m sure you’ll forgive my rudeness, right?”

Her bright, beautiful eyes swept over them, but no one dared meet her gaze for more than three seconds. One by one, they nodded frantically, “Yes, yes, of course.”

And those earlier looks of open malice were nowhere to be seen.

[New story! Welcome to the pit, darlings—don’t forget to bookmark~]"