“Your eloquence… exceeds my expectations,” Lin Qingyu said, setting down her script and turning toward Xia Yan with a faint smile in her eyes.

Most people would already be nervous just standing here.”

“After today, we probably won’t see each other again until the welcome gala.”

Her makeup today wasn’t overly bold—just a light, natural look. Her softly tinted lips contrasted delicately against her fair, refined face, and under the stage lights, she appeared almost ethereal.

Xia Yan clearly understood the implication in Lin Qingyu’s words. “You flatter me, senior. If you ever need anything, I’ll make time no matter how busy I am,” he replied with his usual gentle smile—as if he spoke that way to everyone.

It was just ordinary politeness.

“How about joining me for lunch this afternoon?” Lin Qingyu asked casually.

“I’m… uh…” Xia Yan hesitated slightly. He obviously didn’t want too much involvement with this sharp-witted senior.

But right now, he had to maintain his image as the sociable, well-connected “Xia Yan.” Before he could finish his sentence, however, Lin Qingyu lightly interrupted him with a chuckle.

“Just kidding. You freshmen must be swamped these days, right?”

“We can talk after the welcome gala period is over.”

“I’ll head back now.”

“It was a pleasure today.”

There was no trace of disappointment on Lin Qingyu’s face—only that same subtle smile, leaving others unable to guess what she truly thought.

“Goodbye, sen—”

“Ahh!”

Just as Xia Yan let out a quiet sigh of relief and turned to check on Hua Xin and the others, his pupils suddenly contracted. Instinctively, his body reacted instantly.

A faint, delicate fragrance filled the air. Xia Yan, being the gentleman, quickly disengaged from their unexpectedly close position without taking advantage.

His hand subtly withdrew from around Lin Qingyu’s waist and instead steadied her arm supportively.

“Sorry… I’m not used to wearing heels. I wanted to try them out early today,” Lin Qingyu said, frowning slightly as she struggled to stand upright, clearly frustrated.

“Can you walk on your own?” Xia Yan asked, still holding her arm.

(If only he’d looked up a little higher—he’d have glimpsed the deep, sinful abyss.)

(But Xia Yan, the righteous gentleman, looked away.)

“I think I’m fine…” Lin Qingyu took another step forward but nearly stumbled again, her voice both resolute and heartbreakingly vulnerable.

“This looks serious… Let me walk you back,” Xia Yan said, concern flickering in his eyes. “A second sprain would be bad.”

“If you insist… Thank you, Xia Yan,” Lin Qingyu replied, deliberately using his given name rather than “junior.” She gave a small, knowing smile as she leaned gently into his support while they slowly descended from the stage.

“Dormitory Building 4 is kind of far…”

“No problem, senior. My motorcycle’s parked outside.”

Xia Yan seemed oblivious to Lin Qingyu’s momentarily stunned expression, maintaining that same warm—but secretly calculating—smile.

Did she really think he was that gullible?

...

——————————

“See it clearly now?”

“...” (Gut first, then disembowel 🤓…)

“Believe me yet?”

“...” (Behead first, then sever the tendons 😎…)

“The people’s eyes are sharp. How could someone coincidentally twist their ankle right after turning around—and then fall straight into his arms? Xia Yan, you’re such a liar…”

“If you’re dating, just say so! Why hide it?”

“Ah… bitter liquor burns the throat, and sorrow pierces the heart.”

With that, Mu Feng chugged the rest of his cola in one go.

Watching Lin Qingyu and Xia Yan’s intimate exchange, Hua Xin felt no jealousy—just mild irritation.

Because compared to watching Xia Yan flirt with Lin Qingyu, she had something far more important to handle right now.

“Emergency situation—wait for me!” Reading Xia Yan’s newly arrived message, the girl expressionlessly turned off her phone screen and slipped it back into her pocket.

“Let’s go too.”

“Hua-xiong, say something already…”

“Xiang Guan got dragged off by that skeleton spirit with just one text, Yan-ge went off to enjoy his ‘romance’—and now it’s just us two left. What are we even doing here?”

(Yes… it’s just us now. ☺️)

(What perfect timing. 😊)

Mu Feng slumped in his seat, scrolling idly through his phone and groaning dramatically.

“Restroom.”

“Huh?”

Mu Feng suddenly sat upright, staring seriously at the girl who’d already stood up, backpack slung over her shoulder.

“You finally talked to me! C’mon, Hua-xiong—I’ll show you the way.”

“True brothers pee together! Let’s see whose stream shoots higher! 😄”

Without waiting for a reply, Mu Feng cheerfully strode ahead, seemingly delighted that Hua Xin had spoken to him again.

(Oh, I’ll see just how high your blood sprays. 😊)

(Don’t worry—it won’t hurt much. 😈)

The girl seemed possessed, her eyes locked entirely on Mu Feng. Every part of his body was mentally labeled like J.A.R.V.I.S. highlighting Tony Stark’s suit components:

Kidneys—perfect for grilling.  
Heart—great stir-fried.  
Lungs… lung slices? 😋

They walked from the auditorium seats through a doorway, arriving shortly at the men’s restroom.

Since most participants in the rehearsal were girls, the usually smoky, foot-print-covered restroom was unusually clean.

“Huh?”

“Hua-xiong, aren’t you coming to compete with me?”

Mu Feng stood confused at the urinal farthest inside, his hands frozen mid-motion on his belt buckle.

“What, are you shy? We’re both guys…”

Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh… Mu Feng whistled a tune, blissfully relieving himself.

The stream rose, fell, and sputtered twice more.

Inside the stall, Hua Xin switched her phone to recording mode, then quietly stepped out, backpack in hand.

She needed to hear Mu Feng confess—with his own mouth—that he’d skipped out on paying! 😡

For her hard-earned money… she’d cast aside every ounce of social anxiety and fear. 😈

Click.

“Huh?”

Mu Feng gave his… thing… a final shake, puzzled. Why had the restroom door—which had been wide open when they entered—just slammed shut on its own?

😨

Clang. A cross-head screwdriver accidentally dropped to the floor, its echo ringing unnervingly in the silent room.

Plop. A wallpaper knife, stained with dried crimson, glinted ominously as it hit the tiles.

Hua Xin set her backpack down gently. In her pale, delicate hand now hung a massive hammer. Combined with her outfit…

Mu Feng: 😨😰😱

“H-Hua-xiong…?”

“H-Hua-xiong??…”

Step… step… 🦶  
Step… step… 🦶🦶

“Hua-xiong, what’s wrong? Don’t scare me like this!” Mu Feng pleaded, his voice trembling.

“We’re bros, right? 😭”

With a thud, Mu Feng’s freshly pulled-up pants—still unfastened with the stylish butterfly knot he’d planned—slipped as his legs gave out. He collapsed onto the floor, scrambling backward until his hands gripped the windowsill desperately.

Cold sweat poured down his face as he stared up at Hua Xin: cargo pants, face hidden beneath a mask and hood, heavy boots echoing tap-tap with each step, hammer in hand—her posture exuding pure menace.

“I’ve got mosquitoes on me, right? 🥺”  
“No need to trouble you, Hua-xiong—I’ll handle it myself…”

😨

From within the shadowy hood, Mu Feng thought he saw a pair of blood-red eyes. He held his breath in terror.

I’ll slide-kick! One slide-kick and I’ll win!

〽︎ Yi Er Ling San Er Nian Qian Q [garbled text] 【〟〘i shi xia...

“Think carefully.”  
“What have you done?”

Hua Xin’s voice was hoarse and icy. Slowly, she raised the hammer. 😈

I’ll slide-kick! I’m just a weak dog—and he’s armed! 😭

Wait… what did I even do?! WHAT DID I DO?! 😭

He and Hua Xin had never had any conflict!

“I… I diluted Xiang Guan’s shower gel with water! 😭”  
(My money… my 300 yuan…)

“I… I DMed cosplayers on Douyin calling them ‘wife’! 😭”  
(My money… give it back… 😡)

“I… I added half a jar extra of peanut sauce to my Shaxian snack noodles! 😋”

By now, the flat, heavy striking surface of the hammer reached its apex—its cold silhouette reflected in Mu Feng’s widened eyes.

Hua Xin took one more step forward. The hammer loomed above, ready to descend.

Suddenly, Mu Feng covered his head with his arms and wailed in a tearful shriek:

“I WAS JERKING OFF LAST NIGHT AFTER MIDNIGHT AND THREW THE TISSUE UNDER XIANG GUAN’S BED! I BROKE MY VOW—PLEASE FORGIVE ME, I’LL NEVER DO IT AGAIN! AAAAAAH! 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭”