069 Innocent First Love

Three days later, High Court
Nightfall

The moment Karl and his two companions returned to High Court, they were summoned to Yang Jie’s office.
Karl, acting as spokesperson, concisely recounted their recent experiences to Yang Jie.
Five minutes later...

“You’re saying the Dark Elves are massing troops at the border of the Northson Plains?”
“Yes, Chief, the news is absolutely reliable!”

Yang Jie paced the room, hands clasped behind his back, thoughts racing, growing increasingly alarmed.
Combined with the anonymous message received three days prior, everything pointed to a genuine threat!
A human legion nearly twenty thousand strong—Yang Jie saw only one possibility.
The worst case: the Dark Elves of Fagon Forest had already formed a unified front with the Human Alliance across the Tam River...
This was the direst scenario, but considering the recent rumors and subtle clues, that slim possibility kept expanding in Yang Jie’s mind as he mulled it over.

“You’ve done well. You may leave now.”
Yang Jie waved them off; Karl and his companions had completed their assignment admirably.
At that moment, Yang Jie felt his thoughts were muddled, as though he’d missed some crucial detail.

“We’ll take our leave then.”
Karl and his two friends stood and bowed, then withdrew. They sensed the Chief’s mind was weighed with something he couldn’t voice, but knew better than to pry.

Once they had exited, Yang Jie called Wendy into his office.
“You wanted to see me, Chief?”
“Yes, please fetch One-Eye and Johnny. I have matters to discuss!”
“I’ll go at once!”
“Good!”

Yang Jie paced the small office ceaselessly. He still couldn’t fully verify the authenticity of the anonymous letter.
He must be prepared for anything!
He then opened the system’s chat panel and contacted his ally, Xia Rong.

...

Outside the office, Karl and his companions relaxed, relieved after reporting their mission.
“I have something to take care of. Reach out if you need me.”
Edward said with a smile, looking as if he’d been holding it in for two days, eager and fidgety.

“Go on, just be careful,”
Francis and Karl knew exactly what Edward was up to; no amount of persuasion could deter him. After a few reminders, Edward skipped away like a child.

“This fellow will get himself into trouble sooner or later...”

...

After leaving Karl and Francis, Edward made his way cautiously to Old Sha’s backyard.

---

“Why can’t I enter through the front door? Every visit feels like sneaking around.”
Edward sighed in resignation.
He skillfully navigated his way to the alley beside Old Sha’s house.
Seeing no one around, Edward crouched, poked his head over the wall.

“Cluck cluck cluck!”
“Cluck cluck cluck!”
“Cluck cluck cluck!”
Karl perched atop the wall, mimicking a rooster’s call—the signal he and Lucy had agreed upon.
If Lucy was home, she’d toss something over the wall in reply.
If there was no response after three calls, it meant she wasn’t home or tonight wasn’t convenient.

Lucy, just about to retire for the night after washing up, heard the rooster’s call and froze, excitement surging, sleep banished.
Her beloved had returned—the one she yearned for day and night!

Old Sha, already in bed upstairs, heard the strange clucking and sensed something was off.
Since when did the rooster crow at night?
It had been a nightly occurrence a while back, quieted for half a month, now starting up again?

On either side of the courtyard wall
Karl and Lucy, as inseparable as ever, gazed at each other with deep affection. Edward had been away on assignment for over half a month; the two mice could barely contain their eagerness!
When Lucy stealthily opened her door and stepped outside, her eyes immediately fell upon the handsome face peeking over the wall.

...

The lover I yearned for day and night
Has finally returned to my side

...

Edward, usually dashing by day, now appeared rather furtive.
Twenty days apart, the two mice, separated by a mere wall, gazed at each other passionately. Lucy, usually reserved, was flushed, her delicate face glowing, her body warming with anticipation.
They stared at each other for a good ten seconds...

“Come out, my dear, I can hardly hold on!”
Edward, clinging to the wall, struggled to stay quiet, his arms aching.

“Hmph!”
“Beg me!”
Lucy planted her hands on her hips, pouting playfully.

“I’m begging you, my little princess! I can’t hold out much longer...”
“I’m the one who can’t hold out!”
“Hmph, the wall’s too high. I can’t climb over. You come in and let me step on your back!”
Lucy remained stubborn, her princess-like arrogance making Edward’s heart race.

---

She had him completely under her spell...
Blood rushing, Edward didn’t think twice; he vaulted over the wall into the courtyard.
No words were needed—the two mice embraced tightly. Edward wrapped his arms around Lucy’s slender waist, intoxicated by her scent, losing all reason as he kissed her delicate neck.

“Keep your voice down, someone might hear!”
Passion flared—they clung to each other like magnetized poles...
In these times of scarcity, love was pure and unadorned.
Lucy murmured softly, arms wrapped tightly around Edward’s neck, savoring his overwhelming tenderness.
After nearly twenty minutes of lingering embrace, they finally, reluctantly, parted.

Lucy’s gaze was dreamy; nestled in Edward’s broad arms, she had no strength left, her legs weak and unsteady.

“Why don’t we... tonight...”
Edward was amazed at his own boldness, saying such shameless words so openly.
But before he could finish, he felt a cool touch at his lips—
Lucy’s hand covered his mouth...

“Mmm!”
Lucy blushed deeply—this was instinct, not her usual coyness.
Edward quickly crouched by the wall, letting Lucy step onto his shoulder and climb over, then vaulted after her with agile grace.

Watching his daughter slip over the courtyard wall, Old Sha stood silently at the upstairs window, saying nothing.

“I think you should go...”
Behind him, Alisa had appeared, watching the affectionate pair below.

“You think, as her father, I shouldn’t just stand by?”
“They’re still so young, just come of age... I think...”
Alisa voiced her opinion, believing children should be strictly disciplined.

Old Sha turned, expressionless, looking at her...

“Are you asking me to make her resent me for life? Or to make her feel she can never face me?”
Alisa fell silent...

“I meant nothing else, just thought...”
Old Sha sighed and spoke from his heart.

“Isn’t this what we most longed for in our youth?”
“Why is it, now that we’ve grown older, we can no longer understand?”
“Rest easy. They don’t need our worry. Let her have her freedom tonight.”

With that, Old Sha gently stroked Alisa’s back and walked toward the bedroom.