Chapter 15: Storm in the Courtyard
After Bai Xia finished speaking, another glowing screen appeared before her, displaying two options — Gender: Male or Female. Without hesitation, she chose female.
A new screen flickered to life — the character creation interface, just like something from a video game. Slowly, the outlines began to form, lines turning into light, and light shaping into the form of a young girl.
Her hair was short and silky, shining like threads of black satin. Her skin was pale, almost porcelain-like, glowing faintly beneath the artificial light of the space. She had soft pink lips, a slender figure, and eyes that carried a gentle, harmless warmth — the kind of beauty that made people want to protect her. She looked about the same age as Bai Xia, maybe sixteen or seventeen, but there was something unreal about her perfection — an artificial grace that marked her as not of this world.
Bai Xia stared at her creation, arms folded, an approving smile tugging at her lips. This one… she's perfect.
After a long pause, she murmured to herself, "What should I name her…"
Her gaze softened as a thought came to mind. "You'll be called Stella," she decided, her voice steady yet gentle.
The name was registered, and the girl's eyes fluttered open. The moment they did, faint blue light pulsed behind her irises. She blinked, tilted her head slightly, and whispered, "System initialization complete."
Then, like a human awakening from sleep, she turned her gaze to Bai Xia — alive.
Bai Xia stepped closer and smiled faintly. "From now on, your name is Stella. You'll stay in my space until I need you in the outside world. When you appear there, you'll act as my friend. And no matter what happens, you'll call me Bai Xia."
Stella nodded obediently. "Yes, Bai Xia," she replied, her voice sweet, melodic, almost too perfect.
That voice alone could melt ice.
But as Bai Xia's eyes moved downward, she nearly laughed — the girl had no clothes on.
"Right," she sighed softly, "you can't walk around like that."
She took Stella to the Everything Mall inside her space. After a few selections, Stella was dressed in a simple white shirt and loose-fitting jeans. The look gave her a vibrant, youthful charm, her pale skin and short hair making her appear soft yet fresh — like a girl next door with an angelic presence.
"Much better," Bai Xia murmured with satisfaction.
She then turned to the screen again. "System, I'd like to claim my daily reward."
"Reward claimed," came the familiar, emotionless reply.
A "ding" sound could be heard , but Bai Xia ignored it for now. She spent a little more time talking to Stella, explaining the functions of her space and the rules of the outside world. Afterward, she returned to her pile of notes — the ones she had borrowed earlier.
Her eyes moved rapidly across the pages. She absorbed information like a sponge — every formula, every explanation, every sentence was instantly understood. Within a few hours, she had finished everything.
Stretching slightly, she decided to take a break. She walked to the edge of her space, where the Eden river flowed, its water so clear it reflected the sun of the sky.
She took off her clothes and stepped into the water. The coolness enveloped her body, soothing her mind. When she emerged again, her long hair clung to her skin, glistening with droplets of light.
After drying off, she returned to the real world — only seconds had passed outside.
Just as Bai Xia was about to lie down, loud voices erupted from outside her small wooden room. She froze, her brows furrowing as the noise grew clearer.
It was her aunties — Gu Yan and Ye Fan, screaming at the top of their lungs.
"Useless woman! Do you think you can live in this house without working properly?!" Gu Yan's voice pierced the air like a knife.
"Yes! Look at these filthy rags you call laundry!" Ye Fan spat, kicking over the basin of freshly washed clothes Chu Sun had laid out to dry. The clean garments fell into the dirt, soaking up the muddy water.
Chu Sun stumbled backward, clutching her hands together. "Sisters, please— these are the clothes I just washed. Why are you doing this?"
Chu Sun didn't dare to spread the new clothes in public, she only spread them at night and take them back in the morning so no one would see them.
"Why?" Gu Yan sneered. "You dare talk back to me after your husband disrespected Mother last week? You should be grateful we're not throwing you out!"
Ye Fan stepped closer, her eyes burning with hostility. "Your family thinks you're better than everyone just because your daughter sold some flowers in town! Don't forget your place!"
In the corner, Bai Ai and Bai Gin leaned against the wall, grinning smugly.
"Mother, don't waste your time talking to her," Bai Ai said, her tone dripping with mockery. "She's just pretending to be pitiful again."
"Yes," Bai Gin added coldly. "They've been hiding money. I saw her daughter buying things in the market earlier!" She lied through her teeth.
The two older women's fury deepened.
Chu Sun tried to speak, but Gu Yan suddenly slapped her across the face, hard. "You think you're clever, don't you? Stealing from the old lady and hiding it in your room?"
Ye Fan laughed sharply. "Serves you right! You always act so pure and innocent — but look at you now!"
At that moment, a shadow moved near the doorway.
Bai Xia stepped out.
Her eyes were cold, sharp — so cold they made the air feel heavy. She looked at the scene before her: her mother trembling, her aunts sneering, her cousins smirking.
"Enough," she said quietly.
Her voice wasn't loud, but it silenced them instantly.
Ye Fan turned, her face twisting. "You again! You think you're so brave, don't you? After what you did to my Gin?"
"What I did?" Bai Xia's voice was calm. "You mean when she tried to steal my things and I stopped her?"
Gu Yan stepped forward, her face red with anger. "How dare you talk back to your elders! You beat up Ai until she couldn't walk for two days!"
Bai Xia met her gaze steadily. "She tried to sell my books for money. I merely stopped her."
"You little witch!" Ye Fan shouted. "Who do you think you are?! Just because you made a few yen, you think you can look down on us?"
Bai Ai sneered. "Oh, she's been acting high and mighty ever since she sold those flowers. Look at her eyes — like she owns the world."
"Maybe she thinks she does," Bai Gin mocked. "Maybe she thinks she's too good for this family now."
Bai Xia's expression didn't change. "If this family allows people like you to insult my mother and steal from us, then yes — I am too good for it."
The words struck like thunder.
Ye Fan's hand shot forward, aiming for Bai Xia's cheek — but before it could land, Bai Xia caught her wrist midair, her grip like iron.
"I wouldn't," Bai Xia warned coldly.
The older woman froze, trembling under that unblinking stare.
For a long second, no one moved — then Gu Yan rushed forward, shouting, "How dare you touch your aunt!"
Bai Xia released Ye Fan and shoved both women backward. They stumbled, falling hard onto the ground.
Gasps filled the courtyard.
Just then, Bai Sung rushed in. His eyes widened at the sight — his wife bruised, his daughter standing protectively before her.
"What's going on here?!" he roared, rushing to check on Chu Sun.
"Ask your daughter!" Gu Yan spat, struggling to her feet. "She attacked us! She's wild, unfilial, ungrateful—"
"She attacked you because you were beating my wife!" Bai Sung's voice boomed. "You've gone too far this time!"
Ye Fan glared at him. "Oh, so now you're defending thieves? You've been hiding money from the old lady, haven't you? Everyone knows you're spending it on yourselves!"
Bai Ai and Bai Gin stepped forward, shouting together. "Yes! They're hiding money! Look at their new clothes, their new books! They think they're better than us!"
Bai Gin's eyes refilled with greed she really wanted that dress Bai xia was putting on it was definitely worth at least 10 yen.
Soon, villagers began gathering at the entrance, murmuring to each other. The courtyard filled with whispers and tension so thick it was suffocating.
Bai Xia stood tall in the center of it all — silent, cold, her eyes glinting like steel.
If they wanted a storm, she would give them one.
Admist the chaos footsteps could be heard from the Bai main house.