CHAPTER 38: THAT LITTLE BRAT!

He raised a calm hand, signaling to the others to back off.

"Let her be," he said softly, yet with an authority that carried beyond his age. "I’ll go with her. It’s fine."

Huaijin’s small heart leaped with triumph. Not only had she successfully diverted the attention of Yunyin and Lingxi for the moment, but she had also gained an ally, albeit a temporary one, for the ride.

She clasped his arm tightly again, giving him a grateful smile. "Thank you! You’re... you’re so kind!" she said, her voice brimming with excitement.

The boy merely nodded, not speaking much, but the faintest trace of a smile flickered at the corner of his lips.

Huaijin’s eyes sparkled. ’Perfect. He’s calm, he’s reliable, and he’s now officially on my side, temporarily.’

Meanwhile, Yunyin and Lingxi had noticed her maneuver. Their faces twisted in shock and mild outrage.

"That little brat!" Yunyin hissed under her breath, crossing her arms. "She... she actually grabbed someone else first!"

Liang Lingxi’s cheeks flushed. "How dare she? And Song Jue... he’s ignoring us completely!"

Huaijin, sensing their rising agitation, felt a small surge of satisfaction.

This was exactly what she wanted: keep their attention diverted, while she enjoyed a peaceful pairing on the ride.

The attendant at the haunted house gave them a polite nod and motioned for them to enter. Huaijin carefully led the boy inside, making sure he stayed close enough to her to avoid any sudden switch from the rival girls.

Inside, the haunted house was dimly lit, filled with shadows, eerie sounds, and flickering lights.

There were strategically placed animatronics that jumped out at unsuspecting visitors, fake cobwebs, and the occasional fog machine that made the corridors appear misty and mysterious.

Huaijin clutched her temporary partner’s arm tightly as they walked through the first corridor, peeking around corners with wide, excited eyes. She squealed at every fake skeleton that popped up, and he, ever calm, simply held her hand firmly, letting her experience the fear in a controlled environment.

"You’re... not scared?" Huaijin asked in awe, her small body trembling slightly.

He shook his head calmly. "No. But it’s fine if you are."

Huaijin’s heart warmed. ’Perfect. He’s not going to make fun of me. He’s reliable.’

As they continued deeper into the haunted house, Huaijin couldn’t help but glance back at the entrance.

Sure enough, Yunyin and Lingxi were glaring from a distance, their small faces twisted in frustration and envy. The attention she had strategically diverted was still on her, but now they were powerless to interfere.

She whispered softly, almost to herself, "Heh... this is mine. And nothing can ruin it."

The boy, noticing her muttered words, tilted his head. "Yours?" he asked curiously.

Huaijin nodded earnestly. "Yes. Mine. Just for now. Don’t let them interfere, okay?"

He merely nodded again, his calm demeanor unwavering as he observed the little girl quietly. On the other hand, Huaijin didn’t pay attention to his thoughts; rather, she felt a surge of pride.

Not only had she secured her own survival in this small battlefield, but she had also tactfully asserted control over the situation without a single scream or tantrum.

As the haunted house reached its climax, with animated ghosts swinging from the ceilings and eerie lights casting their reflections across the foggy floor, Huaijin found herself laughing and shrieking in delight.

She could feel the boy’s steady grip on her arm, offering reassurance that this tiny adventure was indeed safe.

And for the first time that day, Huaijin felt a genuine sense of accomplishment: she had navigated the chaos of rivalries, avoided her potential embarrassment, and even managed to make an unlikely ally in the process.

When they finally emerged into the daylight, Huaijin’s small chest heaved with exhilaration, her eyes sparkling with triumph. She turned to the boy, beaming. "Thank you! That was amazing!"

He only nodded again, the faintest smile still playing on his lips. Huaijin’s eyes narrowed slightly, a mischievous glint forming.

’Hmm... this could be fun. Maybe I can use him again if needed.’

From the corner of her eye, she spotted Yuanying and Liang Lingxi, who were sulking, clearly frustrated that their plan had been thwarted.

Chi Huaijin smirked inwardly. ’Perfect, the problem is now nipped in the bud.’

Her gaze then flicked to the amusement park at large, to the other rides and the glowing lights, and she whispered to herself, full of determination:

"Alright... let’s see what other trouble the universe has for me today. I’m ready for all of it."

Her father, watching from a distance, smiled faintly, unaware of the tiny tactical victories she had just achieved.

Huaijin’s small, clever mind had already begun plotting how to navigate the complex web of childhood rivalries and alliances, ensuring that she, and only she, would remain unscathed.

And though the chaos of the amusement park would continue to swirl around her, Huaijin knew one truth with absolute certainty: she was no longer the helpless extra of her past life.

She was Chi Huaijin, clever, strategic, and determined to protect herself, her father, and her happiness at all costs, even if that meant befriending a mysterious stranger along the way.

Chi Huaijin’s small fingers clutched the candy tightly as she skipped back to her father’s side, her steps light and filled with satisfaction.

Her tiny chest swelled with pride. Not only had she managed to navigate the treacherous terrain of the haunted house and avoid confrontation with the scheming girls, but she had also secured a small, unexpected ally in the mysterious boy who had allowed her to cling to him without hesitation.

"Thank you, big brother!" she called softly, her sweet voice ringing through the fading echoes of the haunted house corridor.

Her smile was angelic, her eyes sparkling with gratitude as she handed him the candy she had chosen as a token of appreciation. "Here, for you! Thank you for helping me earlier!"

The boy regarded her for a moment, his calm expression softening just a fraction as he accepted the gift.