"Wen Yang’s birthday, huh..."
Ning Chu leaned her head against the table, muttering softly to herself.
Though Wen Yang didn’t seem to mind, as the "mastermind" who casually ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ wrote him as "orphaned" in her story, she couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty about his lack of family.
Of course, this meant she wouldn’t have to worry about any future in-law issues.
If she’d known her dashing male protagonist would one day become her boyfriend, she’d have at least written him with a rich, prosperous family!
She squeezed the plush toy in her arms, brainstorming ideas to make Wen Yang’s birthday memorable and special.
For his Gregorian birthday, she planned to spend it alone with him, but for his lunar birthday, she could invite their roommates and friends to chip in and celebrate together.
Footsteps echoed in the hallway, and Ning Chu’s keen ears instantly recognized the familiar stride.
Her previously upright posture softened as she slumped over the table, feigning exhaustion.
The door soon opened, and Wen Yang entered, carrying takeout from the cafeteria. "How’s the cold coming along?"
"Still pretty stuffed up," Ning Chu replied in a muffled, nasal voice.
Seeing the little succubus still looking under the weather, Wen Yang set down the food and walked over, pressing his hand against her forehead.
"Seems like the fever’s gone down. The medicine’s working."
"Wen Yang... did you get me cola?"
"Sick, and still craving cola." Like magic, Wen Yang pulled a small can of cola from his coat pocket and set it on the table. "Just a few sips to satisfy your craving."
"Thanks, hubby!"
Suddenly full of energy, Ning Chu dropped the weak and pitiful act, snatching up the cola with excitement.
She guzzled down half the can in one go, sighing contentedly as she felt her nose clear up.
"One cola, and it’s ‘hubby, hubby!’" Wen Yang chuckled, patting her head carefully to avoid her horns. "Time to eat."
Normally, Ning Chu only mumbled such things when she was half-delirious in bed, sometimes even calling him "Daddy." Now a can of cola had won her over completely.
Blushing, Ning Chu hugged the cola can, following Wen Yang to the couch and sitting down beside him.
Wen Yang opened the takeout, laying out the food in front of her and handing her a pair of disposable chopsticks. "You start eating."
"I feel like you’re spoiling me to the point of uselessness."
"That’s not a bad thing."
Ning Chu hadn’t had a father growing up, and her mother was always busy with work. In her previous life, after her mother passed, her brother fell apart, leaving her alone for nearly a decade. She never expected that, after crossing worlds, her own male protagonist would dote on her as if she were a princess—sometimes even more like a daughter.
Sometimes she wondered if it was Wen Yang’s care filling in the gaps she’d had, and that was why she’d fallen for him so soon after becoming a girl.
"Try the ribs. They’re new on the menu. If you like them, I’ll get more next time."
"Eat some veggies too—you like bean sprouts, don’t you?"
"Oh, and I got braised ribs as well."
Wen Yang slipped on disposable gloves, grabbing a piece of braised rib. Despite the heat, he tore off the meat around the bone and placed it in Ning Chu’s bowl.
With her cheeks puffed out like a hamster, Ning Chu muttered, "You should eat too."
"Don’t worry. I’ll eat once you’re full."
Wen Yang watched her eat with a gentle gaze.
Feeling his warm gaze on her, Ning Chu turned slightly, only to have her cheeks flush from the intensity of his stare. She looked down, embarrassed, trying to avoid his gaze.
After eating only half a bowl, Ning Chu put down her chopsticks, murmuring, "I’m full."
"Not going to eat a bit more?"
"I’m on a diet."
She figured she should probably watch her weight a little...
"Actually, I want milk tea now."
"..."
Ning Chu’s thoughts always seemed to jump unexpectedly. Before Wen Yang could turn her down, she asked, "By the way, did you see that black cat when you went to class this afternoon?"
Though she’d earlier pleaded with Wen Yang to skip class and stay with her, she eventually chose to nap alone at home instead.
Wen Yang shook his head. "Nope. Didn’t see a single cat all afternoon."
"Wonder who it contracted with as a magical girl... Qian Qian would’ve been happy to help."
Ning Chu leaned back against the couch, hands resting on her slightly bloated stomach, staring at the ceiling in frustration. "That black cat is so inconsiderate! It didn’t even bring the new magical girl to meet Qian Qian."
"That cat definitely seems to enjoy a bit of drama."
"Right? It really doesn’t mind stirring things up."
She lifted her shirt slightly, scratching an itchy spot on her belly, and then glanced down.
Her low-waisted skirt revealed part of a silver pattern, its delicate lines trailing sensually across her lower abdomen, hinting at a deeper allure.
She snuck a glance at Wen Yang, leaving her marked stomach proudly exposed.
"Aren’t you still sick? Aren’t you worried about catching a chill?"
"Come on! You wouldn’t be heartless enough to lay a hand on me when I’m sick, would you?"
"..."
After a moment’s silence, Wen Yang reached into his coat and pulled out a soft-wrapped package, his coat seemingly as endless as Doraemon’s pouch. "Oh, right—your package came."
"My package..."
Seeing the packaging that looked like clothing, Ning Chu quickly recalled what she’d ordered.
She took the package and hurried to the bathroom. "I’ll be right back."
"Alright."
Wen Yang didn’t pay much attention, continuing to finish off the leftovers on the coffee table.
Usually, they’d order enough for three people, with Ning Chu eating half a portion and leaving the rest for Wen Yang to polish off.
His phone buzzed, and he reached for it, checking the caller ID. Instantly, he sat up straighter and wiped his mouth before answering the video call.
"Hello, Auntie," Wen Yang greeted softly, careful not to startle his future mother-in-law.
"Have you eaten?"
"Yes, I’m eating now."
"Well, Ning Xin says she misses you."
As she spoke, a cat’s head popped into view on the screen, with Ning Xin’s little black cat, Black Bean, taking up most of the display.
Before Black Bean could say anything, a loud, excited voice called out from the bathroom, making Wen Yang jolt and look in that direction.
"Wen Yang! Look! Isn’t it cute?"
Ning Chu burst out of the bathroom, dressed in a revealing maid outfit with a short skirt. The low-cut neckline showed off her ample cleavage, her heart-shaped tail perked up, and a pair of cat ears adorned her head.
The skirt was so short it barely covered her bottom, exposing her slim waist to the cool air, with the faint silver pattern along her lower abdomen clearly visible.
Wen Yang stared, mouth agape, as he took in the sight of Ning Chu.
"How is it? Isn’t it cute? I was planning to wear it for your birthday..."
"My sister’s a kitty cat too!"
A familiar voice interrupted, and Ning Chu froze, realizing only then that Wen Yang’s phone was propped up on the coffee table.
From where she stood, she could see both Black Bean’s big face and her mother’s smiling face on the phone screen!
"Wearing so little, careful you don’t catch another cold~" her mother said with a playful smile, covering her mouth.
"..."
A vivid blush spread rapidly across Ning Chu’s cheeks as she let out a strangled scream before retreating back into the bathroom.
