"Phew... I’m stuffed."
Xia Nuo patted her belly, looking at the pile of unfinished desserts in front of her with a slightly regretful expression.
"But there’s still so much left, what a waste!"
"Don’t worry, I’ve got this."
Emperor Youyou had the talent "eat much without gaining weight," plus eating also helped him absorb growth energy, so this was no problem at all.
"Alright, then I’ll feed you!"
Xia Nuo scooped up a spoonful of cake and brought it toward Fang You’s mouth, "Open up, ah—"
Fang You instinctively leaned back, and Xia Nuo stuck out her tongue at him:
"Getting shy now, huh? You were pretty bold during the couple’s challenge earlier—"
Before Xia Nuo could finish teasing Fang You, he leaned forward and ate the spoonful of cake she was offering.
"To make her blush, you really went all out overcoming your social anxiety. This truly is the epitome of youth! Youth Energy +100"
Obviously not expecting Fang You to be so cooperative today, Xia Nuo stood frozen for a moment after her spoonful of cake was consumed before stretching lazily, squinting one eye, and then smiling as she said, "Now that we’re full, let’s save a portion for Yu and head back to the academy?"
Fang You nodded, "Okay."
It was about time to start moving—
After packing up the matcha cupcakes for Yu at the dessert shop, Xia Nuo went to the restroom. When she returned, she was about to leave through the west exit with Fang You when he called out to her:
"Nuo Nuo, let’s go this way, it’s closer to get a taxi."
"This way? I feel like it might be a bit roundabout..."
"Just follow me, don’t wander off."
Fang You took Xia Nuo’s hand and led her along the route he had planned.
"..."
As Xia Nuo was pulled along, she pursed her lips and watched Fang You’s back, slightly opening her mouth before returning to her lips-pursed state.
Hmm...
Meanwhile, Asai Reina, Luo Xianyu, and Xu Lingyi were currently observing all the interactions between Fang You and Xia Nuo through electronic binoculars, offering Fang You various suggestions.
Although Fang You mostly didn’t take their suggestions, they still felt quite accomplished, believing Emperor Youyou’s progress today was all thanks to them.
Luo Xianyu nodded with satisfaction, "It looks solid now. Youyou is clearly much more proactive than before."
Xu Lingyi chimed in, "Did you see Nuo Nuo’s face when Youyou ate what she fed him? I’ve never seen that expression before."
"And that expression while holding her hand, hahaha, it killed me. Seeing Nuo Nuo defeated... come on, let’s move a bit closer for a better look haha, we’re almost at the clothing store."
Asai Reina, listening to Xu Lingyi’s enthusiastic speech, couldn’t help but interject:
"Wait a second, I’m still not clear—who are you exactly? Why did you start playing strategist with us too?"
Asai Reina was very dissatisfied with her command being usurped, but Xu Lingyi appeared quite natural and at ease:
"Me? I’m Xu Lingyi, from Class B."
Xu Lingyi said, "You transferred from another school, so it’s normal you don’t know me. I was in the same class as Youyou and Nuo Nuo back in junior high, sort of grew up as childhood friends."
"Ah? Childhood friends from just three years in junior high? Are you sure you understand what childhood friends mean..."
Asai Reina’s face grew long, "I’ve known them since I was 2, and I didn’t dare to claim we’re childhood friends, but your relationship seems really vague!"
"2... oh, weren’t you 3 when you met them?"
Xu Lingyi said, "I remember you guys are a year older than us."
"Ah... yes, that’s right, how do you know this?"
Asai Reina was puzzled.
"I know a lot more! You are Asai Reina, your voice actor stage name is Shiina Nao, you have appeared in 37 anime series, most of them as the second female lead, often playing roles of those who lose in love, which has earned you the title ’Defeated Queen’, and also..."
Asai Reina hopped over to cover Xu Lingyi’s mouth:
"Okay, okay, don’t talk about those records! You’re so annoying!"
Asai Reina couldn’t help but complain to Luo Xianyu, "Did you just reveal my identity like that?"
"Ah? How could it be me!"
Luo Xianyu disdainfully said, "I’m now the top hater of Shiina Nao, I don’t even want to mention that name at all."
At this moment, Xu Lingyi also laughed and said, "I’m a super genius hacker, there’s no secret about you that I don’t know, big data can quickly find those secrets about you..."
Xu Lingyi said, "So, if you rely on your Defeated Queen experiences, and still end up with results related to the Defeated Queen, it’s better for me to take command, right?"
"That was just a script! It’s not really like that."
Asai Reina’s mouth twitched, "Mmm... Mmm, I’m quite popular at school!"
"Have you had many boyfriends in real life then?"
Xu Lingyi asked Asai Reina, "Isn’t it true that after you met Fang You, you never really looked seriously at any other guy?"
"I... um—"
Asai Reina was put on the spot by Xu Lingyi, stammering for a while, never daring to respond outright.
It wasn’t until Xu Lingyi stepped forward, patted Asai Reina on the shoulder, and then coughed a few times before he solemnly said:
"Actually, it’s okay, many girls are like that... But, so what?"
"Who wouldn’t like someone outstanding? I like Emperor Youyou too, but that doesn’t stop me from hoping that these two frustratingly slow people get together. I’ve been shipping them for three years, three years, do you know how I’ve made it through these three years? I must see them get together this year! Mark my words!"
As Xu Lingyi spoke, his emotions suddenly surged, becoming more and more excited, which even roused Luo Xianyu.
Gradually, listening to Xu Lingyi’s words, Luo Xianyu furrowed her brows, as if contemplating something—
She’s only been shipping for three years, yet had such great resolve and spirit...
As for me... I must—
Meanwhile, at the same time, Fang You stopped in front of a store’s display window.
His gaze seemed to be captivated by the clothes on display, lingering on a particular spot.
As he pulled Xia Nuo along, she too glanced at it, tilting her head with a curious expression:
"Eh, Youyou... Since when have you been interested in pretty clothes?"
"It’s not that I’m interested in the clothes themselves..."
Fang You tried to appear nonchalant and casual:
"I just suddenly noticed that the outfit in this window is the same as the one our classmate Ai Wei wears."
"Ah... are you talking about your new class president from Class S?"
Xia Nuo stroked her chin, showing a curious expression: "Is that so... I see she dresses like that."
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"..."
Fang You glanced at Xia Nuo, and just then, their eyes met.
Xia Nuo was the first to speak: "How about... we go in and take a look?"
"Didn’t you say from the start that it’s not your style?"
"After all, since you specifically mentioned your classmate, I’m a bit curious,"
Xia Nuo said, "I said it before, I have to screen the girls getting close to Youyou, I need to understand their style first!"
"..."
[Your little childhood friend seems genuinely curious about your new social surroundings. Ah, the innocence of youth! Youth Energy +200]